High school football report

Pulaski Robinson sophomore Brennen Johnson (left) had never played quarterback before this season and has led the Senators to a 3-0 record.
Pulaski Robinson sophomore Brennen Johnson (left) had never played quarterback before this season and has led the Senators to a 3-0 record.

New QB steps up, leads team

Pulaski Robinson revamped its offensive scheme in the off season, committing to the Spread because of junior dual threat quarterback Kristian Thompson.

But Thompson unexpectedly transferred to Dardanelle during the Arkansas Activities Association’s athletic dead period in late June.

Enter sophomore Brennen Johnson, who practiced with Robinson for the first time during a July 1 team camp, Senators Coach Todd Eskola said.

Robinson, of course, didn’t have Thompson that day, and another quarterback, sophomore Nik Harper, was attending a Junior Olympic track and field meet, Eskola said. The Senators turned to Johnson, whom Eskola said had never played quarterback.

Talk about seizing an opportunity.

“We basically said, ‘Brennen, we’re going to teach you to play quarterback in five minutes and you’re fixing to go up against Maumelle and Sylvan Hills and Mills in team camp,’ ” Eskola said.

“I’ve never seen a group of kids rally around anybody, or a kid with the type leadership skills he’s got, emerge instantaneously.”

Johnson, 5-10, 170 pounds, has sparked Robinson to a 3-0 start heading into Friday night’s 7-4A opener with No. 2 Ashdown (3-0).

Eskola describes Johnson, who has rushed 23 times for 253 yards and 4 touchdowns and completed 33 of 61 passes for 521 yards and 4 touchdowns, as athletic, fast and possessing a live arm.

“He’s got great eyes,”Eskola said. “He doesn’t have a panic button. It’s kind of one of those things that three years from now, it’s scary to think how good he can be.”

Eskola said Johnson previously attended Maumelle and transferred to Robinson after his father became an assistant in the school’s alternative learning community program. The Senators have already surpassed their victory total from 2012 when they finished 2-8.

“It’s been fun,” Eskola said. “When we start playing the Ashdowns, the Arkadelphias, the Nashvilles, it will be tough because we don’t have the linemen to match up, but we’re a whole lot better than last year.”

PINE BLUFF DOLLARWAY Strong start

Pine Bluff Dollarway won 10 games last season, and the Cardinals appear headed for double-digit victories again after a strong nonconference season.

Dollarway, No. 3 in Class 4A, beat Class 5A Helena-West Helena Central (34-19), Class 6A Little Rock Parkview (42-3) and Crossett (36-0).

Dollarway finished 10-2 last fall, losing at Highland in the second round of the playoffs.

“I think we’re a little better this year, simply because guys have been in the program a year longer,” Cardinals Coach Cortez Lee said. “Our preparation is better. Guys are more dedicated to being prepared.”

Lee said senior Josh Liddell, who has orally committed to Arkansas State, is starting at quarterback and spot playing at safety.

Dollarway opens 2-4A play Friday night at Newport (3-0).

LINCOLN Does a 180

Lincoln Coach Brad Harris said he only had 16 players for his first practice in the summer of 2008.

“I think that year we got up to 22 players on the team,” Harris said. “But most of the time, we dressed out 20.”

Times have changed at the Class 4A school in Washington County.

After going 0-29-1 in 2006-2008, the Wolves finished 7-4 in 2011 and 5-5 last fall. Lincoln, which has 41 players this season, is 3-0 following Friday night’s 71-0 victory over Dover.

“The biggest thing is the kids are committed to football now,” said Harris, who coached Arkadelphia in 2003-2007. “They understand the work that it takes to be good, like 7-on-7 and team camps in the summer.”

Harris said he believes the 2013 Wolves are better up front than in 2011 and have a chance to contend for a playoff berth. Play on the field coincides with a dramatic upgrade in the school’s football facilities.

Lincoln christened its new stadium with a 47-6 victory over Stilwell, Okla., on Sept. 13 and is scheduled to move into a new field house, possibly by the end of the school year, Harris said. It will feature a 3,000-square-foot weight room, he said.

Class 5A Super Six

RK TEAM (REC.) NEXT

  1. Camden Fairview (3-0) at HS Lakeside

  2. Pulaski Acad. (3-0) at North Pulaski

  3. Watson Chapel (0-2) vs. Hot Springs

  4. Batesville (1-2) at Nettleton

  5. Alma (1-2) vs. Clarksville

  6. Shiloh Christian (1-1-1) vs. Morrilton

Class 4A Super Six

RK TEAM (REC.) NEXT

  1. Arkadelphia (3-0) vs. Nashville

  2. Ashdown (3-0) at Pulaski Robinson

  3. PB Dollarway (3-0) at Newport

  4. Valley View (3-0) vs. Cave City

  5. Nashville (2-1) at Arkadelphia

  6. Hamburg (2-1) vs. DeWitt

Coaches

Please call the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette with football game reports before 10:30 p.m. each Friday this fall.

Call 1-800-272-4650 or (501) 378-3411. We need records, score by quarters, scoring plays and top rushing, passing, receiving and defensive performances.

The Democrat-Gazette also will publish statistics each Friday throughout the regular season.

Email statistics to [email protected].

Scores also can be tweeted using the hashtag #arpreps.

Sports, Pages 19 on 09/26/2013

Upcoming Events