Story by DDNS reporter Benjamin McDowell

The Paragould Rams hosted the Brookland Bearcats on Friday night in their final home game of the regular season. It was an emotional evening for the Rams as the senior players took the field one last time in front of their home crowd.

Brookland entered the matchup determined to rebound from a narrow 24-21 loss to Batesville the week before. The Bearcats wasted no time setting the tone, leaning heavily on their running game led by tailback Elijah Hammon. Their early persistence paid off with a 1-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter, giving Brookland an early 7-0 lead.

The Bearcats’ defense quickly followed suit, forcing multiple three-and-outs and stalling Paragould’s offensive rhythm. Late in the first quarter, Brookland stopped the Rams on a key 4th-and-6 attempt, keeping momentum on their side. The Bearcats continued to pound the ball on the ground, finding consistent yardage through Hammon and fellow back Nathan Murray.

Murray capped off a steady second-quarter drive with an 8-yard rushing touchdown, extending Brookland’s advantage to 14-0 before halftime. The Rams struggled to find offensive consistency, as Brookland’s defense clogged running lanes and pressured quarterback Reid Phillips throughout the half.

Paragould opened the third quarter hoping to climb back into the game but was plagued by costly mistakes. A mishandled snap on 3rd-and-1 ended a promising drive, and penalties—including a sideline warning, holding call, and unsportsmanlike conduct flag—further set the Rams back. Brookland capitalized by controlling time of possession and wearing down the defense with long, clock-draining drives.

In the fourth quarter, Brookland delivered a backbreaking score as Murray broke free for a 10-yard touchdown run on 4th-and-12, pushing the lead to 21-0. Paragould showed fight late, as Phillips connected with Austin Burdin on a 41-yard completion and later punched in a 2-yard touchdown run to put the Rams on the board.

Despite the late push, the Bearcats held strong to secure a 21-6 victory.

After the game, Rams head coach Randy Phillips praised his team’s effort and perseverance.
“Our kids kept fighting,” Phillips said. “That’s what we talk about every week—never quitting, no matter the score. We just had some missed assignments and mistakes that cost us, but I’m proud of how they kept battling.”

Phillips also reflected on his senior class.

“This group means a lot to me,” he said. “They were sophomores when I first got here, and I’ve seen them grow into strong young men and leaders. They’ve made a real impact on this program.”

Brookland head coach Mark Hindsley credited his team’s focus and resilience for the win.

“Our message this week was about improvement,” Hindsley said. “We wanted to play hard and finish the season the right way. The record doesn’t show how much growth we’ve had, but tonight our kids earned it.”

Hindsley added that closing out the season with his senior class makes the win even more meaningful.

“This group has been with me since their freshman year,” he said. “To see their development and character over time—it means a lot. I’m proud of them.”