Sports Update

The SAU football team beat Henderson State 50 to 24 in the Murphy USA Classic Saturday in El Dorado. The lead went back and forth for most of the first half, but SAU scored twice late in the half over a period of about 30 seconds. After the Muleriders took the lead for good with 1:42 left in the half, the Reddies fumbled the kickoff; SAU recovered and scored again 3 plays later. Henderson scored first in the second half and cut the lead to 6, but SAU shut out the Reddies the rest of the way. SAU’s Michael Nunnery ran for 3 touchdowns; Keiandre Purifoy also had a rushing touchdown. Quarterback Barrett Renner passed for 318 yards and 2 touchdowns. Darrion Ardoin and Jaylon Dews were on the receiving end of those TDs. On the defense, Elgin Moore and Q’Niko Thomas had interceptions. Moore led the D with 6 solo tackles. The Muleriders and Reddies are both 6 and 2 for the year. SAU has their final home football game of the year Saturday against Southeastern Oklahoma State.

Magnolia defeated Watson Chapel 21 to 14 in overtime in the Panthers’ Homecoming game Friday. Magnolia kicked off to Watson Chapel to begin the game. On that return, Magnolia’s Kristin Lee recovered a fumble; then Parker Ribble ran it in from 21 yards out. The Wildcats tied the game in that first quarter, and neither team scored again in the first half. Kadyn Roach had a good return and then a 48-yard touchdown run to open the third quarter. Again, Watson Chapel came back to tie the game, and it went to overtime. On the first play, Parker Ribble scored for Magnolia on a 10-yard run. The Panther defense then shut down the Wildcats to seal the win. It was Watson Chapel’s first conference loss; they’re now 4 and 1 in the 5A South Conference, 5 and 3 overall. The Panthers keep their playoff hopes alive by going to 2 and 3 in the conference, and 3 and 5 overall. Magnolia travels to De Queen Friday.