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Football

Reddies Ride Past Storm, Take Season Opener 57-21

Box Score BETHANY, Okla. – The 2026 season got off to a fast start for Henderson State Thursday night, as the Reddies scored the first 29 points of the game and collected 580 yards of total offense en route to a 57-21 win against Southern Nazarene.

HSU got the ball to start the game and wasted no time, as the offense went 59 yards in five plays, taking up just 2:46 off the clock as Austin Ledbetter connected with Jesse McElroy IV for an 18-yard touchdown strike. The reception was McElroy's first in a Reddie uniform.

The Henderson defense had a stellar start, keeping the Crimson Storm off the board for its first six drives. The only two SNU drives of the first quarter ended in a punt and a turnover on downs, allowing just 63 yards on 16 plays. 

Drive number two for the Reddie offense was methodical, consistent, and effective, as an 11-play, 91-yard drive was capped off by a Myron Thrash two-yard touchdown run; five different HSU players recorded a rushing attempt across the first two drives, led by six Bo Simpson carries for 39 yards.

The third Henderson drive was the first one in which the team could not get into the end zone, but Ryan McDonnell converted on his first attempt of the season, a 48-yard strike to cap a 10-play, 34-yard drive of just over five minutes. The defense allowed a long ensuing drive by the Storm, but did not break as SNU's Kyler Clapper missed a field goal from 44 yards.

The Reddies got the ball back with just under two minutes to play in the half and put together an impressive two-minute drill, driving down the field with five consecutive completions and a rush from Ledbetter as well as a rush from Jordan Walker before McDonnell missed a 24-yard attempt to take the game to halftime.

The first drive of the half for Southern Nazarene was short-lived, as Maddox Olatunde was hit, forcing a fumble that Leo Morris fell on to give the Reddies a short field once again. The HSU offense wasted no time, with Ledbetter finding Jerrale Powers for a 25-yard touchdown that extended the lead to 23-0.

After forcing another punt, HSU took back over and again wasted no time: a six-yard rush from Simpson preceded a 42-yard touchdown strike from Ledbetter to Taylin Paskel.

Southern Nazarene was finally able to get on the scoreboard on its seventh drive of the game with a Maddox Olatunde touchdown rush near the halfway mark of the third quarter. The Reddies would not let that score go unanswered, as Chris Gannaway took three consecutive handoffs for a total of 64 yards, ending in another Henderson touchdown.

Another one-play SNU drive resulted in a fumble, this time recovered by the Reddies' Jackson Byerley; unfortunately, HSU could not capitalize, as Austin Ledbetter's pass was intercepted in the end zone, only the second drive of the game that did not result in points. The Storm took advantage, taking 80 yards in seven plays and scoring their second touchdown.
Trent Haygood answered for the Reddies with a six-yard touchdown to cap a six-play drive. After forcing a Crimson Storm punt, Haygood reached the end zone for the second consecutive possession, scoring on another six-yard rush. Jordan Walker connected with Emmanuel Yancy on a 15-yard strike for each of their first touchdowns in the red and gray. A late, long drive for the Storm resulted in its final touchdown, setting the final score at 57-21. 

Ledbetter was efficient in his first start for the Reddies, completing 17 of 25 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns. Of the eight players who ran the ball for HSU, Gannaway led the way with 79 yards on five carries. Haygood (two) and Thrash joined Gannaway with rushing touchdowns. Four different receivers caught touchdown passes, but it was Jerrale Powers who led the way with five catches for 109 yards. Paskel, McElroy, and Yancy each pulled in a touchdown grab, while Maddox Davis hauled in six receptions for 84 yards.

The Reddie defense allowed 354 yards on 68 plays, forcing two turnovers and four punts. Sophomore Reuben Ingram led the way with nine tackles, including two for a loss. Corone Williams and Jeremiah Tubbs each had a tackle for loss, while Jordan Batts and Bryant Hammond II recorded six and five tackles each. 

Henderson returns home next weekend for the 2026 home opener as they prepare to face the Bison of Oklahoma Baptist. Kickoff from Carpenter-Haygood Stadium is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
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Players Mentioned

Jordan Batts

#20 Jordan Batts

DB
6' 0"
Senior
Jackson Byerley

#22 Jackson Byerley

LB
6' 2"
Sophomore
Maddox Davis

#2 Maddox Davis

WR
5' 9"
Sophomore
Chris Gannaway

#6 Chris Gannaway

RB
5' 9"
Senior
Bryant Hammond II

#9 Bryant Hammond II

DB
6' 1"
Senior
Trent Haygood

#4 Trent Haygood

RB
5' 8"
Sophomore
Austin Ledbetter

#18 Austin Ledbetter

QB
6' 1"
Fifth Year
Ryan McDonnell

#41 Ryan McDonnell

K/P
6' 2"
Fifth Year
Jesse McElroy IV

#88 Jesse McElroy IV

TE
6' 3"
Junior
Leo Morris

#5 Leo Morris

DB
6' 0"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Jordan Batts

#20 Jordan Batts

6' 0"
Senior
DB
Jackson Byerley

#22 Jackson Byerley

6' 2"
Sophomore
LB
Maddox Davis

#2 Maddox Davis

5' 9"
Sophomore
WR
Chris Gannaway

#6 Chris Gannaway

5' 9"
Senior
RB
Bryant Hammond II

#9 Bryant Hammond II

6' 1"
Senior
DB
Trent Haygood

#4 Trent Haygood

5' 8"
Sophomore
RB
Austin Ledbetter

#18 Austin Ledbetter

6' 1"
Fifth Year
QB
Ryan McDonnell

#41 Ryan McDonnell

6' 2"
Fifth Year
K/P
Jesse McElroy IV

#88 Jesse McElroy IV

6' 3"
Junior
TE
Leo Morris

#5 Leo Morris

6' 0"
Junior
DB