Booneville’s big first half dooms Seminoles

BOONEVILLE - In a highly anticipated second-round 3A football playoff game, the Bearcats clashed with the Seminoles in an intense matchup at Bearcat Stadium. Unfortunately for the Seminoles, the Bearcats would come away with a 52-20 victory. Booneville’s fourth straight victory over Osceola since the 2019 state championship game ended the Seminoles season.

The stakes were high as both teams vied for a spot in the next round, with the Bearcats getting the upper hand early. Osceola, however, caused a fumble which was recovered by the Seminoles MJ Washington on the Bearcats second series. Osceola would not be able to take advantage and three penalties would put them in a fourth and 15 situation and they would elect to punt.

Booneville would take advantage of the decision by putting together a long scoring drive with the touchdown coming on a 50-yard pass from Jace Washburn to Dakota Mattson. Booneville’s Dax Goff would add the two-point run to make it 8-0.

Osceola defenders give chase to Booneville’s Dakota Mattson. Booneville defeated Osceola for the fourth time in five seasons in impressive fashion, winning 52-20. (Photos by Kadan Newson)

Following a Seminole punt, the Bearcats would score again as Washburn found Mattson open from 12-yards out to make it 15-0.

The Seminoles offense would come to life on their next possession as Jeremiah Jacobs had runs of six and 30 yards to get them on the Bearcats side of the 50. However, the Seminoles Keenan Jackson would turn the ball over as the Bearcats recovered his fumble.

Booneville would put together a quick scoring drive to take a 23-0 lead. The Bearcats Conner Lentz would get the score on a 13-yard run and Rylen Ray would take on the two-point conversion with 6:42 to play in the first half.

The Bearcats would add another score on a 52-yard touchdown catch by Mattson to make it 30-0. Osceola would avoid any other Booneville points late in the half as Chris James picked off a Bearcat pass and Jacobs 26-yard scamper would end the half.

Osceola would receive the second half kick as Tyrese James got the ball at the Osceola 45 yard line. Quarterback Tyler Bell then ran for 15 yards and a first down. Bell followed that with a 35-yard pass to Aiden Haymon. Jackson then scored on a 5-yard run to make it a 30-6 ball game. The Osceola two-point try would prove unsuccessful and it as a 24 point Bearcat lead.

Booneville would add to that advantage moments later as Goff raced 80 yards to a score to make it 37-6 Bearcats with 7:48 left in the third quarter.

Booneville would add defensive points on the Seminoles next possession picking up a safety to increase the lead to 39-6. Following a turnover on downs by the Seminoles, Osceola would recover a Bearcat fumble, which would lead to a 32-yard scoring pass from Bell to Jackson to make it 39-12.

Booneville would add consecutive scores to make it 52-12 as Lentz scored on a 3-yard run and the defense would recover a Seminole fumble in the end zone for a score. The third quarter ended with a Bearcat interception and with the “sportsmanship clock” rolling the game headed to the final period.

Osceola’s Washington would rip off a 37-yard run in the final period, which set up Bell’s 5-yard run for a score. Jacobs would add the two-point conversion run to make it 52-20. But that would be as close as the Seminoles would get.

The clock would finally tick down to triple zeroes and the season came to a close for the Seminoles (4-8). Booneville (10-2) meanwhile advances to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs where they will ravel to Camden Harmony Grove (9-2). The Hornets shutout Newport 56-0 Friday.