A big night in Branson that saw the district honor their past coach and superintendent ended up going the other way on the football field as Harrison takes the third annual Pella Windows and Doors Border Battle.
The match-up between the Pirates and the Goblins was preceded by the ceremony honoring the late John Earl Chase, who was put on the Pirate Wall of Honor prior to the kick-off. Chase led the Pirates to two basketball state championships in the 50s and later served 16 years as Superintendent of Schools.
Once the game began, it was big plays early, a Goblin fumble leading to a Pirate Field Goal then after the kick-off, Goblin Running Back Gillian Eddings broke into the open for a 90-yard scoring run only to see Branson answer a minute later when Blake Weber caught a screen pass from Bryson Clark and scampered 46 yards to the end zone.
With Branson up 10-7 in the second quarter, the Goblins converted a long fourth down that turned into a touchdown for Aspen Stevens followed by a fourth down pass completion near the goal line in the third quarter from Gavin Jones to Brayden Bryant that led to a Jones one yard run.
The Goblins added a Sky Lee touchdown in the fourth quarter with the Pirates answering in the fourth quarter on a pass from Clark to Tred Houston but the Pirates could get no closer than the final 28-16 score.
Harrison will once again keep the trophy until the two teams meet again next year at F.S. Garrison Stadium.
Other action
The Harrison-Branson match-up wasn't the only border battle as Hollister traveled to Berryville where the Arkansas team also rang up a win, 40-24 over the Tigers.
Forsyth and Reeds Spring were in close contests with the Panthers losing at home to Ava 14-12 while the Wolves picked up their first win since 2024 as they held off Parkview in Springfield 7-6.
Scoreboard
Harrison 28 Branson 16
Berryville 40 Hollister 24
Farmington 12 Mountain Home 7
Ava 14 Forsyth 12
Reeds Spring 7 Parkview 6
Nixa 42 Carthage 13
Republic 35 Lebanon 0
Webb City 42 Glendale 6
Neosho 49 Ozark 23
Willard 34 Waynesville 21
McDonald County 26 Marshfield 22
Carl Junction 40 Strafford 3
Cassville 47 Monett 18
Seneca 42 East Newton 6
Nevada 24 Mt. Vernon 20
Lamar 49 Aurora 13
Clever 13 Marionville 8
Ash Grove 24 Willow Springs 22
Fair Grove 25 Mountain Grove 13
Springfield Catholic 42 Lighthouse Christian 21
Bentonville West 28 Greenwood 24
Elkins 33 Pea Ridge 28
Dardanelle 55 Mansfield 30