The days of going easy on the Little Rock McClellan Lions might be over, as the Pulaski Academy Bruins discovered on Friday night in their 41-30 victory over McClellan at Lion Stadium.
After Pulaski Academy followed junior tailback Jaren Watkins to a 34-0 halftime lead, a fumble recovery in the end zone by junior defensive back Chris Laing got the mercy-rule clock rolling with Pulaski Academy's 41-6 lead midway through the third quarter.
Pulaski Academy Coach Kevin Kelley later said he should have left his starters in longer or had his reserves better prepared for a seemingly much-improved McClellan team.
"The players we put on the field in the second half weren't ready to play," Kelley said. "I take responsibility for that."
McClellan tailback Pierre Strong had 2 carries for 7 yards in the first half, but finished the game with 186 yards on 9 carries, including touchdowns runs, in order, of 12, 38, and 46 yards. His final was followed by a 2-point conversion run by receiver Ashley Lane that put McClellan within 11 points with 2:26 left in the game.
"The coaches got on us at halftime," McClellan quarterback Dalvion Childs said. "Let's just say that we came out motivated."
But McClellan's subsequent onside-kick attempt failed and Pulaski Academy (5-0, 2-0 5A-Central) was able to stop McClellan's momentum in time.
"We have all the respect in the world for Pulaski Academy," McClellan Coach Maurice Moody said. "Obviously we know what they've done and where they've been, but our goal is to do the same. We want to do what they've done."
Pulaski Academy has won four state championships since 2003, including the 2014 Class 5A championship.
McClellan lost last season at Pulaski Academy, 49-14.
As Moody spoke, his players were gathered near midfield and celebrated the quality of their second-half comeback attempt, no matter that it was sparked in part by what Kelley labeled a disappointing performance by his reserves. "We still have a long way to go, but I believe we're going to get there," he said.
Watkins, 5-4, 140, carried through a gap off tackle on the second play of the game to give Pulaski Academy 7-0 lead, and McClellan looked a bit like the team that won a total of eight games over six seasons before Moody took over last season, when McClellan (3-2, 1-1) won five games on the field, though two were later forfeited when the school self-reported that it has used an ineligible player. It won three of its first four this season.
"Coach Moody has done a great job with his players, there's no doubt about that," Kelley said. "He's got them playing sound, fundamental football, and they're going to make the playoffs this year. I don't think there's any doubt about that."
Watkins carried 5 times for 125 yards and 2 touchdown and also scored from 45 yards out with a screen pass from sophomore quarterback Layne Hatcher, who completed 16 of 26 passes for 268 yards 3 touchdowns.
SYLVAN HILLS 54, LR FAIR 0
Jordan Washington ran for two scores and passed for one and Ty Compton rushed for three touchdowns as Sylvan Hills (5-0, 2-0) rolled over Little Rock Fair (0-5, 0-2).
Compton scored three times on just seven carries. Washington passed for 124 yards, completing 5 of 11 attempts, and rushed for 134 yards on eight carries. Compton’s touchdowns came on runs of 1, 13 and 64 yards.
Washington rushed for touchdowns of 6 and 64 yards. Washington’s touchdown pass was to Cameron Sharp for 20 yards. Sylvan Hills’ other scores came on a 29-yard pass from Ryan Lumpkin to Chris Eason and a 1-yard run by Jamar Porter.
5A-SOUTH
HS LAKESIDE 40, MAGNOLIA 13
MAGNOLIA — Maurice Bradford scored five touchdowns to help lead Hot Springs Lakeside (4-1, 2-0 5A-South) in a rout of Magnolia (2-3, 1-1).
Bradford scored on three 1-yard runs and scored from 2 and 7 yards.
Fisher Alexander added a 42-yard touchdown pass to Caleb Dean.
Parker Ribble accounted for both Magnolia touchdowns. He threw a touchdown pass and ran for another.
Sports on 10/03/2015