With the weather having a mid-season feel, the 2025 High School Football Season opened under ideal conditions Friday night.

One of the highlight games was the second Pella Windows and Doors Border Battle between the Branson Pirates and Harrison Goblins. After the Pirates took the initial win last season in Branson, the Goblins defend their home field holding on for a 34-27 win at F.S. Garrison Stadium.

The Goblins dominated most of the first half building a 21-7 lead by halftime, the Pirates returned the opening kick-off of the second half 90 yards for a touchdown and later blocked a punt for a score to tie the game at 27 in the fourth quarter. The Goblins got the deciding score on a Gavin Smith to Caleb Melendez touchdown toss of 48 yards then got a defensive stop to seal the win. 

Isaiah Hale rushed for 124 yards on 15 carries and scored a touchdown while Eli McNutt added two scores for the Goblins. Branson's biggest offensive play was a 50 yard run by Quarterback Vincente Pastrana.

In other area games, Hollister gets a huge performance from Bryson Whitman, rushing for nearly 200 yards in the first half only as the Tigers win at Green Forest 47-20 while both Forsyth and Reeds Spring lose at home, the Panthers 30-7 against Father Tolton Catholic and the Wolves to Rogersville, 42-18.

Other Regional Scores
Mountain Home 49 West Plains 30
Marshfield 7 Parkview 6
Osage 28 Bolivar 20
Carl Junction 35 Capital City 21
Van Horn 38 Hillcrest 6
Izard County 40 Yellville-Summit 38
Carthage 50 Waynesville 8
Webb City 28 Lebanon 20
Neosho 44 Glendale 38
Ozark 44 Willard 26
Nixa 49 Republic 21