CONWAY - In its penultimate home weekend of the 2026 regular season, the Hendrix women's flag football program suffered two losses to Pratt Community College and Cottey College on Saturday afternoon at Young-Wise Memorial Stadium.
Pratt CC (L, 33-6)
The first quarter began with Pratt Community College starting its drive at its own 14-yard line. Hendrix's defensive pressure was evident early as
Marlena Davis successfully broke up an initial pass attempt. Although Pratt managed a couple of completions,
Brailey Forst made a key flag pull to halt their advance and turn them over on downs.
Hendrix then took possession, but their initial drive was stalled by a sack for a loss. However,
Ava Hanson connected with
Bella Cates for a 14-yard completion, advancing the team to the Pratt 27-yard line. The Warriors defense continued to excel after the offensive drive stalled, with
Abby Sutton flagging for a significant loss on Pratt's subsequent drive.
The quarter closed with Hendrix maintaining a strong defensive front, preventing Pratt from scoring and keeping the game tied at 0-0.
Hendrix turned the ball over on downs early in the second quarter and brought its defense back on the field.
Asia Jones made a notable deflection on defense, preventing Pratt from capitalizing on a sudden-change situation. However, the following offensive drive stalled.
Midway through the quarter, Hendrix's defense showed resilience, with
Olivia Jackson intercepting a pass. The quarter closed with Pratt Community College maintaining their lead, leaving the scoreboard at 6-0 in favor of the visitors.
Hendrix opened the third quarter with a strong offensive drive, highlighted by
Ava Hanson's 35-yard pass to
Bella Cates, advancing to the Pratt Community College 2-yard line. Despite a holding penalty earlier in the drive, Hendrix maintained momentum and executed key plays to set up a scoring opportunity, and
Ava Hanson connected with
Lyndi Bryan from four yards for Hendrix's first score of the day.
Pratt Community College responded with a methodical drive, making incremental gains but ultimately stalling. Hendrix's defense, led by flag pulls from
Asia Jones and
Brailey Forst, limited Pratt's progress, forcing a turnover on downs. Pratt would find the end zone for the second time late in the third quarter to take a 14-6 lead.
In the fourth quarter, Hendrix began with possession deep in its own territory.
Ava Hanson found
Lyndi Bryan for an 11-yard gain, but the drive stalled, resulting in a turnover on downs. Pratt Community College capitalized on the opportunity with a series of successful plays, including a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Brooklyn Delgado, extending its lead to 14.
Hendrix's subsequent possession ended with an interception by Jahzara Silvera, returned to the 2-yard line. Although Hendrix's defense made a stop, Pratt managed another touchdown on the ensuing possession after regaining the ball. Despite a late 17-yard pass from
Ava Hanson to
Bella Cates, Hendrix's offense couldn't find the end zone. The quarter closed with Pratt Community College securing a 33-6 victory.
Bella Cates led the team in receiving yards, finishing with 66 yards on three receptions.
Lyndi Bryan contributed significantly to the scoring, recording one touchdown and catching four passes for 28 yards.
Asia Jones anchored the defense with 12 total flag pulls.
Olivia Jackson added a key defensive play with an interception and tallied five total flag pulls.
Cottey (L, 37-10)
The first quarter opened with Hendrix capitalizing on a Cottey miscue to secure an early advantage. Cottey College's first play from scrimmage resulted in a safety, as Dominique Derraco-Franklin's unforced fumble resulted in a loss and subsequent recovery in the end zone, putting Hendrix ahead 2-0 just three seconds into play.
Hendrix maintained its defensive momentum throughout the quarter, repeatedly stifling Cottey College's advances and preventing further scoring opportunities. Despite several offensive attempts, including a completed pass from
Brooklyn Rowe to
Bella Cates for a 9-yard gain, Hendrix did not extend its lead. The quarter concluded with Hendrix holding a 2-0 lead, having effectively limited Cottey College's scoring chances.
Cottey College opened the second quarter with a touchdown pass from Raniya Griffin to Envy Jackson at 11:53, extending its lead. Hendrix's subsequent drive was halted by an interception, allowing Cottey another opportunity, which resulted in a one-yard touchdown run by Griffin at 8:59. Despite the setback, Hendrix's defense showed resilience, with
Abby Sutton and
Olivia Jackson breaking up consecutive pass attempts and Jackson securing an interception to stop Cottey's momentum.
Later in the quarter, Hendrix managed significant yardage with
Ava Hanson's completions to
Lyndi Bryan, including a 24-yard gain to the Hendrix 38-yard line, showcasing moments of offensive potential. However, Cottey capitalized on turnovers, with Xitali Botts returning an interception for a touchdown at 1:03. Hendrix responded with a 9-yard completion to
Natalie Edmonson, closing the quarter with a score of 31-2 in favor of Cottey.
Hendrix opened the third quarter with an explosive offensive play, as Rowe connected with Cates for a 66-yard touchdown, quickly followed by a successful pass attempt by Rowe on the two-point try. On the defensive end, Jackson continued to make key flag pulls, though Cottey managed to advance the ball with a series of short gains.
Cotty would head into the final period leading 37-10.
In the fourth quarter, Hendrix began by holding possession but faced challenges in advancing the ball.
Madison Hartley completed a pass that resulted in a loss, and subsequent attempts to gain yardage were unsuccessful, leading to a turnover on downs. Cottey capitalized on the opportunity but was unable to advance significantly before punting.
Hendrix regained possession but struggled to move the ball forward. The defense worked to contain Cottey's progress down the stretch, with
Asia Jones and Jackson making key flag pulls, but ultimately the offense was unable to make up significant ground with limited time remaining on the clock.
Cates recorded 103 receiving yards and scored one touchdown, making significant contributions to the team's offense.
Marlena Davis led the team in defense with eight total flag pulls. Jackson added to the defensive effort with one interception and six total flag pulls. Rowe contributed with 142 passing yards and one touchdown.
