Gentry pulls away in second half to rout Pea Ridge

Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL
Gentry's senior quarterback, Chris Bell, reaches back to hurl a pass downfield during play against Pea Ridge in Pioneer Stadium in Gentry on Friday night.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL Gentry's senior quarterback, Chris Bell, reaches back to hurl a pass downfield during play against Pea Ridge in Pioneer Stadium in Gentry on Friday night.

GENTRY -- Senior quarterback Chris Bell had a hand in eight touchdowns as Gentry routed Pea Ridge 59-28 in a nonconference battle of unbeatens Friday night at Pioneer Stadium.

Bell completed 17 of 21 passes for 309 yards, including scoring throws of 51, 35, 10, 19 and 20 yards.

He also scored on runs of 1, 13 and 6 yards.

"We put a lot on him," Pioneer Coach Justin Bigham said. "As a returning starter and a senior, he's really taken under the fact of learning the game and learning how to throw people open and understanding what we're trying to do."

Running back Ty Hays, another senior, gained 257 yards on 23 carries and added a 28-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

"I think that it's a team effort," Bigham said. "Those [Bell and Hays] are two great kids and players. But it's not possible without those big dudes up front. And it helps to be able to throw it to Dillon [Jarnagan] and [Addison Taylor] and Braedon Warren on the edge."

Gentry improved to 3-0

The Blackhawks (2-1) got two touchdown passes from Gavin Dixon, who rushed for 132 yards and a score on 12 carries.

Down 7-0, the Pioneers started to seize control with a 12-play, 69-yard march, capped by Bell's 1-yard run. Lee Vang's PAT tied the score at 7-7 with 4:23 left in the first quarter.

Bell broke the tie by hitting Jarnagan on a 51-yard scoring pass at the 1:38 mark of the first. Vang's kick made it 14-7.

On first down after taking over at the Pea Ridge 35 after a punt, Bell and Jarnagan connected again. It was 21-7 with 27 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

The Blackhawks pulled within 21-14 on Dixon's 15-yard touchdown pass to Kayden Rains.

But the Pioneers posted the final 13 points of the half on Bell's 13-yard keeper and his 10-yard pass to Warren.

Leading 34-14 at halftime, Gentry continued to roll after intermission and led 53-20 after three quarters.

More Stats

The Pioneers scored nine touchdowns in the game. Chris Bell carried the ball into the end zone three times and Ty Hays once. Dillon Jarnagan caught three TD passes. Braedon Warren and Addison Taylor each had one.

Lee Vang was five for seven in PAT attempts. The Pioneers failed with two 2-point conversion attempts.

The Pioneers had 370 rushing yards and 380 receiving yards in the game.

Dillon Jarnagan picked off one Pea Ridge pass. Demetrius Simmons recovered a fumble in the game. Bennett Roberts and Jonathon Corter led in tackles. Roberts had six tackles and four assists. Corter had five and four. Colton Whitely had five and two.

photo Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL Behind the Gentry offensive line, senior quarterback Chris Bell powers his way across the goal line for a Gentry touchdown during play against Pea Ridge in Pioneer Stadium in Gentry on Friday night.
photo Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL Gentry senior Dalton Tuttle gets ready for the snap during play against Pea Ridge in Pioneer Stadium in Gentry on Friday night.