Springdale Opens Season With Victory

MURRAY’S BIG RUNS LEAD TO BULLDOGS’ WIN ON ROAD

BATESVILLE — Springdale found the off ensive balance and defensive resistance needed to post a 42-27 season-opening victory over Batesville in Pioneer Stadium on Friday night.

With senior running back Deandre Murray breaking away for 195 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries and sophomore quarterback Fuller Chandler completing 11 of 18 passes for 216 yards and two scores, the Bulldogs dominated play in the first and third quarters to turn back a Pioneer charge late in the fi rst half.

“The main thing is we came away with a victory against a very good football team, and it’s a win we really needed,” Springdale coach Shane Patrick said. “That said, now we’ve got a long way to go.”

Springdale never trailed after jumping out to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter thanks to Chandler’s 86-yard touchdown pass to tight end Josiah Wymer and Murray’s 3-yard touchdown run. Chandler, making his first varsity start, set up the touchdown run by completing a third down pass to Terry Mounce and then hitting Quiency Patton for a 40-yard gain on third-and-11 to keep the drive alive.

“I thought Chandler threw the ball well, especially early,” Patrick said. “We really didn’t need to throw that much in the second half.”

EXTRA POINTS

! Murray was his usual explosive self in the win. He scored on touchdown runs of 59 and 54 yards. He also had a 53-yard score called back because of block in the back.

! Springdale’s defense stretched the lead to three scores when junior cornerback Chris Owens returned a fumble 25 yards for a touchdown to make it 35-12 with 6:20 left in the third quarter.

! Batesville had a chance to tie the game at 14 after a second-quarter score, but Kenton Crawford’s two-point conversion pass fell incomplete and Murray’s 54-yard score gave Springdale a 21-12 halftime lead.

! Patton and Wymer emerged as dangerous targets for Chandler. Wymer had the long touchdown catch, while Patton finished with three catches for 80 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown reception.

UP NEXT

Springdale will stay on the road as it tries to match its 2-0 start last year, traveling to Tulsa Central for the first of two nonconference games against Oklahoma foes this year.

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