Scrappers pummel Elkins in first round of playoffs

NASHVILLE, Ark.— Nashville shut out Elkins, 36-0, in the opening round of the Class 4A football playoffs Friday night at Scrapper Stadium.

The two teams were nearly even in total yards gained during the contest, 372 for the Scrappers and 331 for the Elks, but Nashville (9-2) picked up most of its yards on the ground while Elkins (7-4) gathered the majority through the air.

Chance Jones led the Elks in receiving with six catches

for 132 yards. Chad Graham added six receptions for 57 yards and Camren Dunn contributed four for 41 yards.

Two defensive touchdowns made the difference and gave the Scrappers the momentum needed to silence the Elks. The first, a bad snap by the Elks with less than two minutes to play in the first half, resulted in a 30-yard fumble return by Davonte Witherspoon to give the hosts a two-touchdown cushion going into intermission.

The second also was a fumble recovery, this time by Lance Easter from 39 yards out, at the start of the final stanza.

The Scrappers’ defense served as the catalyst for their offense as they forced five punts, four turnover on downs, two fumbles (which Nashville recovered), and two interceptions.

Keshawn Stewart led Nashville with 166 yards rushing on 22 carries. Jacobe Jefferson contributed 83 yards and a touchdown on 13 trips. Camillias Morrisson finished with 33 yards on six totes.

Levester Gillard led Scrapper receivers with three catches for 55 yards.

Neither team was able to break into the end zone in the first quarter. The Scrappers had three drives: two ended with punts and the third was cut short by an interception. Elkins had four attempts and split with two punts and two stops on downs.

Nashville got things going in the second frame when Ty Gordon bolted in from the 1-yard line and Witherspoon returned the fumble to put the Scrappers on top 14-0.

After the slow start in the first half, the Scrappers finished strong in the final two quarters with 22 points from three TDs and a field goal.

Jhonny Pioquinto added three points to the margin with a 27-yard FG at the 5:29 mark in the third quarter. Gordon closed out the third frame with his second touchdown run of the night on a 4-yard run.

In the fourth period, Easter opened with his fumble recovery and Jefferson added the last score, a 5-yard run, with one minute left to play.

The Scrappers will be at home for the second round next Friday when they host Bauxite, a 21-6 victor over Trumann in its playoff opener.