Zebras defense muffles Patriots

Little Rock Parkview’s Denzel McElroy grabs an interception in front of Pine Bluff’s David Beasley during Friday night’s game. See more photos from Friday night’s games at arkansasonline.com/galleries
Little Rock Parkview’s Denzel McElroy grabs an interception in front of Pine Bluff’s David Beasley during Friday night’s game. See more photos from Friday night’s games at arkansasonline.com/galleries

Braylon Jones was only slightly disappointed he could not find the end zone Friday night. Everything else was OK with the Pine Bluff defender.

photo

Pine Bluff defenders John Tate (9), Dashaun Bennett (6) and Aaron Edwards (70) take down Little Rock Parkview quarterback Koilan Jackson during Friday night’s game. The Zebras collected their second consecutive shutout victory to remain unbeaten.

Jones returned two interceptions for a combined 95 yards, setting up two 5-yard scoring drives as the No. 3 and unbeaten Zebras routed Little Rock Parkview 42-0 in a 6A-South Conference game at Little Rock Fair.

"It would have been nice to score," said Jones, a 5-2 senior who also intercepted two passes in the previous Friday's 40-0 victory over Texarkana. "But I gave the ball back to the offense and we scored both times. Getting the win, that's all that's really important."

Running back Romar Reades ran for three touchdowns for the second week in a row and the Zebras (5-0, 2-0) limited Parkview (3-2, 0-2) to five first downs and 37 yards of offense. Pine Bluff's defense posted six sacks, including two by senior defensive end Ja'quavis Russell. One of Russell's sacks went for a safety.

After the Patriots' first drive, Parkview ran 23 plays the remainder of the first half for a combined loss of 6 yards. Parkview was also flagged seven times in the first half for 70 yards. Two of those penalties resulted in Pine Bluff first downs.

Despite the lopsided victory, Pine Bluff managed only 203 yards of offense -- 180 of which came on the ground -- and had only two scoring drives of 40 yards or more.

"I thought our defense played exceptionally well tonight," said Pine Bluff Coach Bobby Bolding, whose team has given up only 37 points this season. "We kept it real simple and that allowed our kids to play. They"ve carried us the first half of the season. We're not playing real well offensively right now, but our kids are resilient. They're going to work and get better offensively."

Parkview took the opening kickoff and collected 22 yards in its first four plays, driving to the Zebras 42. But when Parkview junior quarterback Koilan Jackson attempted to connect with senior wide receiver Jeremiah McDowell for the second time on the drive, Jones stepped in to knock the ball away.

The ball, however, popped into the air and Jones came away with the interception. Sixty yards later, Jones was dragged down at the Parkview 5.

"I was just trying to make a play on the ball," Jones said.

"He had two interceptions last week," Bolding said of Jones. "He's one of those guys who's always around the ball, so maybe he'll get another shot at it."

Two plays later, Pine Bluff quarterback Ladarius Skelton tossed a 5-yard scoring pass to David Beasley with 9:29 left in the first quarter.

The Zebras' second touchdown came after a six-play, 39-yard drive. Reades ran in from the 1 with 6:26 remaining in the first quarter.

Pine Bluff added a safety with 2:21 left in the quarter and Justin Williams kicked a 31-yard field goal less than a minute later. Reades added scoring runs of 8 and 10 yards in the second quarter, the former coming with 6:51 left in the half and the later with :58 showing.

Reades' final touchdown was set up by a 30-yard interception return by Jones.

Skelton, who scored on a 25-yard run on Pine Bluff's first drive of the second half, led the Zebras with 95 yards on 10 carries. Reades ran 12 times for 64 yards, all but 4 of which came in the first half.

Denzel Mcelroy and Bryce Brown each came up with interceptions for the Patriots.

NO. 7 GREENWOOD 35, RUSSELLVILLE 0

RUSSELLVILLE — Greenwood got a strong showing from its defense in a victory over Russellville at Cyclone Stadium in Russellville. “It means a lot,” said Coach Rick Jones, whose team earned it second consecutive shutout of Russellville.

“It means they get pizza Sunday for one thing, and that’s a big deal for them. Our defense came out the first of the year, and they struggled. They’ve gotten better and they just keep working. If we continue to work on it, we’re just going to get better.”

The Bulldog defense wasn’t perfect, allowing 271 yards of offense and 16 first downs, but always buckled down when it needed to.

Russellville’s second possession had the Cyclones poised for a score, but a fumble at the 22 was recovered by Greenwood (5-0, 2-0 7A/6A Central), one of three turnovers formed by the Bulldogs.

On the next play, Luke Hales found Ryan Padilla down the left sideline for a 78-yard touchdown.

Russellville (1-4, 0-2) advanced to Greenwood territory three more times, but would up with nothing.

Two more scores in the second quarter made it 21-0 at the half, and the Bulldogs scored off of two turnovers in the second half to put the game away.

NO. 9 BENTON 41, LR HALL 0

Benton (4-1, 2-0 6A-South) held Little Rock Hall (0-5, 0-2) to 36 yards of total offense in a victory at Scott Field in Little Rock.

Simeon Watson returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown as part of the Panthers’ 35-0 first half.

Nate Beck completed 12 of 18 passes for 174 yards and 1 touchdown pass, a 14-yard completion to Grayson Morrow. He also ran for another score.

Drew Dyer rushed for 89 yards and 2 touchdowns on 9 carries. He scored on runs of 6 and 2 yards in the first half. Brandon Hunter added 79 yards on six carries.

Hunter Hilson threw a 4-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to Austin Bull.

Sports on 10/03/2015

Upcoming Events