08/29/2026
Ballard Memorial's football team came up short in their bid for opening the 2026 season with a pair of wins as they lost to Jo Byrns, TN 27-12. They were not able to capitalize on a pair of opportunities inside the red zone, turning the ball over on downs at the 7 and 17 yard lines in the first half. The Red Devils built a 20-0 lead, but the Bombers would not back down. They drove down the field just before the half, and Jackson Sutton found Brody Story in the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown to leave the Ballard Memorial deficit at 20-6 at the break. For the second consecutive week, the Bombers came away with a turnover to start the 2nd half. They recovered a Red Devil fumble at the Bomber 4-yard line. The Bombers took advantage of the take-away, going 96 yards on 13 plays and taking 6:51 off the clock. Sutton connected with Cayden Opel for an 11-yard TD, and the Bombers were to within 20-12. Another Bomber take-away set the team up near midfield early in the 4th quarter with a chance to tie the game. However, the first play after the turnover, the Red Devils intercepted a Sutton pass intended for Story. They scored with 9:06 remaining in the game on a 15 yard TD rush to extend the lead to the final of 27-12. The Red Devils rushed Sutton late in the game, sacking the Bomber QB three times in their last two series to preserve the Jo Byrns victory. The Bombers have an early bye week next Friday and will return to action for their home opener against Calloway County on Friday, September 11th at Bomber Field.
