Football Game Preview: East Poinsett County Warriors vs. Cross County Thunderbirds

The East Poinsett County Warriors will head out to square off against the Cross County Thunderbirds at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The two teams are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.

Cross County will face off against a team with plenty of momentum: East Poinsett County extended their winning streak to three on Friday. The Warriors were the clear victors by a 32-12 margin over McCrory. Considering the Warriors have won three contests by more than 19 points this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.

Jaocb Gaines

Rushing Yards

08/29/25 @ Walnut Ridge	167
09/12/25 vs Rivercrest	144
10/03/25 @ McCrory	82
09/26/25 vs Izard County	72
09/19/25 vs Manila	33

Dee Buchanan and Eli Blagg were among the main playmakers for East Poinsett County as the former gained 169 total yards and three touchdowns and the latter threw for 222 yards and a pair of TDs while completing 77.8% of his passes. Buchanan really tore up the turf during one magnificent 97-yard run. East Poinsett County also got a significant boost from Jaocb Gaines, who ran away from the competition to the tune of 82 yards.

East Poinsett County was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 233 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 201 rushing yards every time they've taken the field this season.

East Poinsett County didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of AJ Johnson and Devin Magee.

Meanwhile, everything came up roses for Cross County against Izard County on Friday as the team secured a 53-6 win. The score at the end of the third wound up being the final score as the Thunderbirds just coasted through the last quarter.

East Poinsett County's record is now 4-1. As for Cross County, their record now sits at an identical 4-1.

East Poinsett County couldn't quite get it done against Cross County in their previous matchup back in October of 2024 as they fell 36-28. Can the Warriors avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.