Chicks crush Nettleton in first home game

The Blytheville Chickasaws (1-4) picked up their first victory, 50-28, under the Lance Stone era Friday night as the Chick defense caused havoc and star running back Jermel Woods was unstoppable.

Stone explained it’s nice to finally pick up a win on the season and the hard work is finally paying off.

“It’s nice. It’s nice for all of the handwork to finally pay off for these guys,” Stone explained after the home opener. “They’ve been working hard all season, all summer and it finally comes to fruition.”

The Chickasaws got the ball to start the game and were in the red zone but Raiders senior corner Seth Scarbrough intercepted sophomore quarterback Jeremiah Northern’s pass with 6:25 remaining in the first quarter.

The Raiders (3-2) drive, however, ended when after completing a pass Raider senior receiver Jaquan Dent fumbled the football, and Chickasaws senior safety Willie Bell scooped the ball up and returned it over 50 yards to give the Chicks an early 6-0 lead.

Dent was injured on the play and helped off the field and would return until the second half. After the scoop and score, the Raiders found the end zone eight plays later when sophomore Cameron Matthew Scarlett rushed in from three-yards out. The PAT was good and the Raiders led 7-6 with 1:38 remaining.

The Raiders led 7-6 at the end of the first quarter.

On the following Raiders drive, Scarlett would fumble and BHS senior corner Naudray Lewis recovered the ball on the Raider 35-yard line.

Four plays later Jeremiah Northern found Tavares Townsend in the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion attempt was no good and the Chicks led 12-7 with 8:39 remaining in half.

The Raiders received the ball back but five plays later Chicks safety John Johnson intercepted Carter’s pass.

Five plays later Jermel Woods would find paydirt with a 20-yard carry going untouched into the end zone.

The two-point conversion attempt was good as Northern found Townsend in the end zone. BHS led 20-7 with 4:48 remaining in the half.

Carter, however, kept the ball on a long Raider drive as he fooled the Chicks defense to go untouched for a 10-yard keeper. The field goal was good and the Raiders trailed 20-14 with 2:22 remaining in the half.

With 1:37 remaining in the half, Northern found Kylen Wells on a pass and Wells went 55 yards for a Chickasaw touchdown. Woods rammed his way into the end zone and the Chicks led 28-14.

The Chicks defense ended the half with a Lewis interception with two seconds remaining.

The Raiders were set to receive the kickoff to start the second half but the Chicks fooled them with an onside kick that the Chicks recovered.

NHS fumbled again with 8:50 remaining in the third quarter as Wells returned the fumble 63 yards giving the Chicks a 34-14 lead.

However, two minutes later the Raider scored when senior back Joesee Perkins took a sweep 10-yards into the end zone. The Raiders PAT was good and the Raiders trailed 34-21. The Chicks following possession the referee’s marked Woods down a yard short on a fourth and three, which the Chicks coaching staff wasn’t happy with the spot of the ball.

However, the following Raiders play the Raiders receiver fumbled the ball and Mak’i Rainer recovered the ball with 4:35 remaining in third.

Nine plays later, Woods would find the end zone for his second touchdown on the night. The Chicks tried a trick play on the PAT and were successful as Wells found Northern in the end zone giving the Chicks a 40-21 lead with 11:56 remaining in the game.

NHS, however, wouldn’t go down easy as Carter found senior receiver Charles Moore for a 24-yard touchdown pass.

The PAT was good and the Raiders trailed 42-28 with 8:27 remaining.

The Raiders tried for the onside kick but the Chicks recovered the ball.

Nine plays later, Woods finished his night with his third touchdown as he gave the Chicks a 20-point lead. Townsend ran in the two-point conversion bringing the Chicks a victory total of 50-28.

Woods finished the night with 31 carries for 208 yards and three touchdowns.

“He’s a great player and the best thing about Jermel is he does everything right,” Stone explained. “Off the field. On the field. He’s a great leader a hard worker in the weight room. He’s a yes sir, no sir. Just a great young man.”

Northern finished the night going 10 for 16 passing with 137 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

“This is Jeremiah’s best game of the season,” said Stone. “As the season has progressed it’s starting to slow down for him. He’s making his reads. He played a great game. He made some great throws tonight. I think he threw two touchdowns. That’s great for him.”

The Chicks total offense was 372-yards — 235 rushing and 137 passing.

The Chicks also won the turnover battle as they had one turnover compared to NHS’s six.

“For whatever reason, the ball is always bouncing our way on defense this season. It’s unbelievable I can’t believe it but I’ll take it,” Stone explained.

The Chickasaws will host the GCT Gold Eagles next Friday night on their homecoming.