MINERAL SPRINGS, Ark. – The Mineral Springs Hornets secured a statement win early in conference play, defeating the Junction City Dragons 30-22 on Friday. The victory moves the Hornets to 3-3 overall and 2-0 in Conference 3-2A, giving them a clear edge in the early standings.
Hornets dominate early, hold on for the win
Entering the game ranked 20th in the Hooten’s Class 2A rankings, Mineral Springs jumped out to a 16-0 lead and built a 30-6 advantage before Junction City rallied with two touchdowns. The Dragons narrowed the margin, but the Hornets maintained control, finishing with a comfortable eight‑point margin.
Sophomore standout Jamerian Staten ran for all four of Mineral Springs’ touchdowns, showcasing the speed and power that have defined the Hornets’ offense this season. The win also marks a dramatic reversal from last year’s 39-0 loss to Junction City.
Conference picture shifts
With the victory, Mineral Springs becomes the lone 2-0 team in the conference, while Dierks and Gurdon each sit at 1-0. The Hornets will look to stay unbeaten in conference play with an upcoming road game against Foreman.
Ashdown and Dierks add to their winning streaks
In nearby Ashdown, the Panthers (3-2, 2-0 Conference 7-4A) rallied from a 20-6 deficit to beat Genoa Central 26-20, preserving an unbeaten conference record. Quarterback Shooter Johnson connected with receiver Bryson French for four touchdown passes, and French hauled in 10 catches for over 200 yards.
Meanwhile, the Dierks Outlaws (4-1, 1-0 Conference 3-2A) continued their strong start with a 46-20 win over Spring Hill. The Outlaws’ offense, led by Maclane Smith, Drake Thatcher, Jacoby Faulkner, and Madden Hill, tallied their fourth victory by at least 20 points this season. Dierks now ranks sixth in the Hooten’s 2A rankings and eighth in the South Arkansas poll, and they will host Murfreesboro next.
Texas district action
Across the state line, New Boston (3-3, 2-0) edged Hughes Springs 35-33 in a hard‑fought District 9‑3A Division II contest. New Boston trailed late but secured the win thanks to a decisive touchdown reception by Javontae Giddens from quarterback Ridge England.
Both teams look ahead to their next matchups, with New Boston set to host Hooks and Hughes Springs traveling to Queen City.
Looking ahead
The early conference results set the stage for an exciting second half of the season in Arkansas high school football. Fans can expect more competitive matchups as teams vie for top spots in their respective conferences.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
