Vance, Seminoles knock off rival Chickasaws

OSCEOLA — Friday night was the MJ Vance show at Seminole Stadium as the Osceola Seminoles defeated the Blytheville Chickasaws 33-18.

The Chickasaws shot themselves in the foot with a big penalty on their opening drive and the Seminoles fielded a punt and received the ball on their own 47 yard line.

Vance opened their drive with a one-play possession as he found Greg Hooks for a 53-yard touchdown pass.

The Chicks received the ball on their own 39-yard line, and Chickasaws sophomore quarterback Jeremiah Northern made a good read in the backfield to keep the ball for 21 yards but fumbled, giving possession back to the 'Noles.

Host Osceola took over six minutes off the clock with a 12-play drive that ended when Vance found the end zone with a two-yard keeper. The PAT was blocked by the Chicks to hold the 'Noles lead to 13 points.

The Chicks were forced to punt on their following drive and six Osceola plays later Vance found the end zone again with a five-yard keeper for his second rushing touchdown on the night and his third total touchdown. The Seminoles PAT was no good and the 'Noles led 19-0 with 11:55 remaining in the first half.

Chickasaws senior star running back Jermel Woods finally helped the Chicks get on the scoreboard with 7:38 remaining in the first half, but the two-point conversion pass fell incomplete and the Chicks trailed 19-6.

The 'Noles, however, bounced back quickly and Vance found sophomore receiver AJ Harris for a 26-yard completion to give OHS a 25-6 lead. The PAT was good and the 'Noles led by 20 with 5:19 remaining in the first half.

The following Chickasaw drive, the Chicks were looking good until Northern's pass from the Osceola 34-yard line was intercepted by Hooks on the Osceola three-yard line.

The 'Noles took a knee to take a 26-6 lead into the half.

OHS had 236 total yards at the half to Blytheville's 132 total yards.

Woods led Blytheville’s rushers with 13 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown.

Northern went 0 for 8 passing with the interception, but picked up 51 yards on the ground on six carries and had a fumble.

'Noles junior running back Rod Hale led the way with eight carries for 54 yards. Vance, however, had five carries for 52 yards, including two touchdowns.

Passing, Vance went 6-for-9 through the air for 114 yards with two touchdowns.

The Chicks made the game interesting after halftime, however, as they forced OHS to punt to start the second half and then scored six plays later when Northern called his own number for a four-yard touchdown run.

BHS trailed 26-12 with 6:03 remaining in the third quarter.

Osceola punted on their second possession too and the Chicks scored again eight plays later as Woods found the end zone from seven yards out.

The Chicks trailed 26-18 with 10:46 remaining in the game.

Osceola, however, put the game out of reach with 3:53 remaining as Vance rushed in for a two-yard keeper to put the 'Noles up 32-18.

The PAT was good and OHS defeated the Chickasaws 33-18.

Woods finished the night with 174 yards rushing with two touchdowns for the Chickasaws.

The Chicks finished with 255 yards total – 230 rushing and 25 passing —with three touchdowns.

Vance finished with 134 yards rushing with three rushing touchdowns and went 9 for 14 through the air for 147 yards and two passing touchdowns.

The 'Noles finished the game with 398 total yards – 251 rushing and 147 passing.

The Chicks will travel to West Memphis next week to face the Blue Devils (0-1) and the Seminoles will host the Gosnell Pirates (0-2).