The Elkins Elks looked to history as they faced Arkadelphia in their first-ever 4A state championship appearance. Elkins was undefeated entering the game, while the Badgers were riding a 12-game winning streak after suffering two previous non-conference losses. Although offense had been a strength for the Elks all season, they struggled to get anything beyond the Arkadelphia defense on Saturday. Their first drive of the day ended with a turnover on downs that allowed the Badgers to hit first on a 57-yard pass to Jay Purifoy for an early 7-0 lead. The turnovers continued to hamper any progress for Elkins, as the next two offenses ended in a fumble and an interception, both of which entered Badger territory. However, the defense managed to bail them out with a series of crucial stops, meaning there was only one possession left at halftime. Arkadelphia ended the scoring drought with 2:33 left in the third quarter when Brycton McCoy hit Orion Roberts for the 56-yard touchdown to double the Badgers’ lead. They tripled in the third quarter on a 65-yard reception from Maddox Fendley to make the score 21-0 with just under 12 minutes to play. The Elks tried to threaten on the next drive, working their way back into Arkadelphia’s half of the field. But all the wind was taken out of their sails when Ben Napier’s pass was intercepted for the Badgers’ sixth takeaway of the game. Arkadelphia reached the end zone one final time and captured its fifth 4A title with a 28-0 victory.