Brayden Varnell’s Two Long TD Passes Lift Jefferson Over Pleasant Grove, 18-13

[By Joshua Richert, Special to ETSN.fm]

TEXARKANA —Brayden Varnell hit two long bombs, and Jefferson spoiled Pleasant Grove’s homecoming with an 18-13 victory Friday at Hawk Stadium.

Varnell connected on 10-of-15 passes for 231 yards and tossed an 80-yard strike to Devin Hodge behind the PG defense for a touchdown one play after the Hawks had their second missed field goal of the game.

On the previous play after a 29-yard attempt was wide right, a holding penalty erased a 2-yard touchdown run by Pleasant Grove.

Varnell had a first-quarter TD run from the 3 to cap an 11-play, 79-yard scoring ccampaign on the Bulldogs’ first possession.

Early in the second quarter, Varnell connected with Ty Lafayette for a 59-yard touchdown to put the Bulldog (3-2) up 12-0.

Pleasant Grove, which had 200 yards rushing on 49 carries, ate up over six minutes on the ensuing drive, and Hunter Hatfield ran for the first of his two touchdowns from a yard out with 4:25 left.

The Hawks missed a 40-yard field goal attempt wide right on the final play of the half.

Pleasant Grove (1-4) had another long drive, covering 68 yards on 15 plays and 6:22, end on another missed kick, this one wide left. Fifteen seconds later, Hodge was in the end zone with the long toss from Varnell.

Hatfield orchestrated another scoring drive on six plays and 59 yards, running 11 yards for the score, but Jefferson held on the ensuing PG drive and was able to kneel twice to run out the clock.