Thunderbirds shut out Deer Creek Warriors
Courtesy of The Daily World
Following Friday night’s lopsided 32-0 victory over the Deer Creek Warriors, the DeSoto Thunderbirds remain the only undefeated high school football team in Phillips County at 5-0. They will be in the crosshairs of their five remaining regular season opponents.
The win came before a near capacity homecoming crowd at Sam Howe Field.
The Thunderbirds wasted little time taking control of the contest, despite the fact that the Warriors took the opening kick off and held onto the football for more than 6 minutes of the opening quarter. An intentional grounding penalty stalled the drive at the DeSoto 34.
A 3-play 66-yard drive culminated with a 12-yard touchdown run by Matt Barnes with 4:03 to play. The touchdown was set up by a “momentum changing” play from quarterback Blake Harper to Dylan Cruz that covered 38 yards. Dillon Wiggins carried the ball from the 28 to 12 just prior to the score.
The touchdown seemed to take the wind out of Deer Creek’s sails. Tripp Halbert recovered a Deer Creek fumble putting the DeSoto offense back in business at the Deer Creek 31. The Warriors defense stiffened and aided by a DeSoto penalty, the Warriors took over on downs.
DeSoto did not score again until the 8:16 mark of the second quarter. A holding penalty temporarily kept the T-Birds out of the end zone but a 33-yard run by Cruz had them knocking on the door again at the 2. Cruz eventually punched the ball over from the one.
With 3:41 left to play in the half, Harper hauled in a 77-yard pass from Cruz to give DeSoto an 18-0 lead. AT this point, the Thunderbirds missed all three extra point attempts.
An interception set up DeSoto’s final score before the break. Paden Phillips lassoed a pass from Cruz for an 11-yard touchdown with five seconds left in the half. Cruz nailed the T-Birds first successful extra point kick of the night for a 25-0 advantage.
The final touchdown of the night came on DeSoto’s opening drive of the second half. Cody Warfield raced 47 yards for the TD.
The Thunderbirds travel to West Memphis this Friday to battle the Knights.
Following Friday night’s lopsided 32-0 victory over the Deer Creek Warriors, the DeSoto Thunderbirds remain the only undefeated high school football team in Phillips County at 5-0. They will be in the crosshairs of their five remaining regular season opponents.
The win came before a near capacity homecoming crowd at Sam Howe Field.
The Thunderbirds wasted little time taking control of the contest, despite the fact that the Warriors took the opening kick off and held onto the football for more than 6 minutes of the opening quarter. An intentional grounding penalty stalled the drive at the DeSoto 34.
A 3-play 66-yard drive culminated with a 12-yard touchdown run by Matt Barnes with 4:03 to play. The touchdown was set up by a “momentum changing” play from quarterback Blake Harper to Dylan Cruz that covered 38 yards. Dillon Wiggins carried the ball from the 28 to 12 just prior to the score.
The touchdown seemed to take the wind out of Deer Creek’s sails. Tripp Halbert recovered a Deer Creek fumble putting the DeSoto offense back in business at the Deer Creek 31. The Warriors defense stiffened and aided by a DeSoto penalty, the Warriors took over on downs.
DeSoto did not score again until the 8:16 mark of the second quarter. A holding penalty temporarily kept the T-Birds out of the end zone but a 33-yard run by Cruz had them knocking on the door again at the 2. Cruz eventually punched the ball over from the one.
With 3:41 left to play in the half, Harper hauled in a 77-yard pass from Cruz to give DeSoto an 18-0 lead. AT this point, the Thunderbirds missed all three extra point attempts.
An interception set up DeSoto’s final score before the break. Paden Phillips lassoed a pass from Cruz for an 11-yard touchdown with five seconds left in the half. Cruz nailed the T-Birds first successful extra point kick of the night for a 25-0 advantage.
The final touchdown of the night came on DeSoto’s opening drive of the second half. Cody Warfield raced 47 yards for the TD.
The Thunderbirds travel to West Memphis this Friday to battle the Knights.
