Pulaski Robinson Coach Todd Eskola said his team has learned how to compete, and it showed Thursday in the Summer Showdown 7-on-7 tournament.
Pulaski Robinson has 16 starters back from a team that advanced to the Class 4A playoffs last season, and that experience was obvious in the event's Division II championship game as the Senators came back from an 18-point deficit to beat Malvern 29-27 at Charlie George Stadium in Little Rock.
Conway won the Division I title with a 30-14 victory over Sylvan Hills. The 17-team field, which included two junior varsity teams from Bryant and Greenbrier, was split into small school and big school divisions.
Robinson junior quarterback Brennen Johnson threw three touchdown passes, two to junior receiver T.J. Hammonds, as the host Senators won the tournament for the first time since it began in 2007. Robinson went 4-0 in pool play and beat Conway Christian 39-30 in the semifinals.
"They don't ever think they're out of a ballgame," Eskola said. "I know it's summer ball, but this team showed today that's what they are. Regardless of how far they're down and what the score is, they're going to play until the whistle blows."
Malvern led 27-9 with less than six minutes remaining in the 25-minute game when Robinson made its comeback. Johnson threw his second touchdown pass to Hammonds to cut the Leopards' lead to 27-16.
After an interception by Stormy Chaney, Johnson threw a touchdown pass to Naquon Manley and his two-point conversion pass to Hammonds tied the game at 27-27. Robinson's defense earned two points for holding Malvern without a first down to make it 29-27.
Johnson threw for more than 2,300 yards and rushed for more than 1,100 yards last season in his first season as the starting quarterback, leading the Senators to a 6-5 record.
"He's a stud," Eskola said. "He completed 80 percent of his passes today. Enough said. He didn't throw a pick. That's awesome."
Conway, which made it to the semifinals of the Sonic Air Raid 7-on-7 tournament last Saturday before lightning forced the cancellation of the tournament, went 3-0 in pool play. It beat Little Rock Central 45-23 in the quarterfinals and Pine Bluff 56-28 in the semifinals to advance to the championship.
Junior quarterback Breylin Smith threw four touchdown passes. D.J. Johnson, Matt Cummins, Damontay Allen and Brock Mitchell each caught a scoring pass for the Wampus Cats.
"They just show up and go to work," Conway Coach Clint Ashcraft said. "It's been impressive the way our guys have come out and played hard."
Sports on 06/13/2014