Blytheville Chicks post homecoming win

BLYTHEVILLE – The Blytheville Chickasaws built a 20-0 first half lead and held off the Highland Rebels, 32-20, to post the homecoming win here.

The Chicks (4-2, 3-0 4A-3) knocked the Rebels (5-2, 2-1) from the ranks of the league unbeaten leaving just themselves and Rivercrest with an unblemished conference mark.

Ingram Battles scored two touchdowns and was one of four players who scored for the host team. Meanwhile, it was the Chicks defense which controlled the line of scrimmage and prevented the visiting Rebels from establishing any continuity on offense.

Blytheville limited the ball-control Highland offense to 21 plays and just 43 yards in the first half, while their offense tallied 215 first half yards.

The Chicks scored on three of their four first half possessions, only being denied when Highland intercepted a pass midway through the second quarter.

Nadarrius Wilson opened the scoring with a 31-yard touchdown reception from Jontavious Johnson on the Chicks opening drive of the game. Battles followed with his first score on a 15-yard run with 2:17 left in the first period.

Courtney Rogers added the two points to give the host team the 14-0 first quarter lead.

Just before half, Rogers bullied his way to the end zone on a two-yard run.

Blytheville’s Derick King picked off Highland quarterback Zac Huckabee to end a Highland threat at the first half buzzer. It was one of two picks in the game for King.

The Rebels did dent the scoreboard in the third quarter but for each Highland score, the Chicks had an answer.

After the visiting team posted its seven points, Battles scored touchdown number two on a 26-yard run.

The Rebels scored again on Keagan Statler six-yard blast but Tim Brown answered the bell with a 45-yard run to cap the Chick scoring.

Up 32-14 with 7:04 to play, Blytheville did allow one more Highland score but it proved too little, too late.

The Chicks now turn their attention to crosstown rival Gosnell which lost 9-8 to Trumann Friday.

Blytheville has designs on avenging last year’s 26-20 loss to the Pirates. Game time is 7 p.m. in Gosnell.