Class 5A Super Six

Not hibernating: Kelley likes pressure in light of Pulaski Academy streak

Pulaski Academy junior quarterback Layne Hatcher passed for 4,667 yards and 55 touchdowns last year. The Bruins, who enter the season ranked No. 1 in Class 5A by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, have won back-to-back state titles and are riding a 27-game winning streak.
Pulaski Academy junior quarterback Layne Hatcher passed for 4,667 yards and 55 touchdowns last year. The Bruins, who enter the season ranked No. 1 in Class 5A by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, have won back-to-back state titles and are riding a 27-game winning streak.

Pulaski Academy isn't shying away from talking about winning a third consecutive state championship and extending its state-best 27-game winning streak.

Pulaski Academy, a Little Rock private school, has a long way to go to reach Barton's state-record winning streak of 63 games in 1985-1990, but Kelley is allowing his players to enjoy the journey.

"What are we trying to hide from?" said Kelley, who has led the Bruins to five state championships (2003, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015). "We know there's going to be a target on our back. I like the pressure that the streak puts on because that's going to help with the pressure in the postseason. Whether the streak ends right now, I want them to feel the pressure.

"They all know somebody is coming after them."

Pulaski Academy, led by junior quarterback Layne Hatcher, is the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's preseason No. 1 team in Class 5A for the second year in a row.

Hatcher, last year's All-Arkansas Preps sophomore of the year, passed for 4,667 yards with 55 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Hatcher, 6-foot-1, 194 pounds, also is a standout wrestler for Pulaski Academy and is a two-time individual state champion in the 170- and 182-pound weight classes, respectively.

Kelley believes the biggest difference for Hatcher in 2016 is his complete knowledge of Pulaski Academy's offense.

"Now, he can make his read, step up and throw the ball," Kelley said. "He knows where the guy is going to be. ... He's able to get the ball out quicker. He's getting the ball to the guy who can catch it and run it. It's key to what we do."

While Pulaski Academy has been known for throwing the football, the Bruins do have one of the most elusive running backs in the state in senior Jaren Watkins.

Last season, Watkins, 5-7, 165, rushed for 2,067 yards and 24 touchdowns on 166 carries. Watkins had 11 100-yard games, including a 173-yard performance against Little Rock McClellan in the Class 5A state championship game last December.

Junior RJ Anderson had 130 yards and 2 touchdowns in 12 games last season. He's expected to back up Watkins once again this season.

"I've got two outstanding backs who can catch it and run it," said Kelley, adding that Anderson could be a starter at a lot of schools across the state. "They have two different styles. RJ is more of a slow-cutter, find his way, then explode. Jaren can stop on a dime at any moment and reverse it to the other way. Either of those guys can go 80 yards."

Pulaski Academy has enjoyed three of the top wide receivers in the state over the past two seasons in Will Hastings, Tre Bruce and Zack Kelley. Hastings' final high school season was in 2014 while Bruce and Kelley graduated in May.

However, the Bruins are reloading at receiver, with junior Tra Johnson leading the way. Johnson, 6-2, 170, caught 23 passes for 281 yards and 3 touchdowns a year ago.

Also, seniors Cameron Blann (6-0, 185) and Ray Jackson (6-0, 165) and junior Brett Lynch (6-0, 150) are expected to contribute at receiver.

"Next man knows he's going to be up," Kelley said.

Defensive back Hayden Henry -- the brother of former Pulaski Academy and Arkansas star Hunter Henry, who's currently with the San Diego Chargers -- is the Bruins' leading returning tackler. Henry (6-2, 205), a senior, recorded 89 tackles, including 32 unassisted, last season.

Cameron Fonseca, a senior defensive lineman, also returns for the Bruins. Fonseca, 6-1, 215, had 53 tackles for a Pulaski Academy defense that allowed 14 or fewer points nine times in 2015.

Pulaski Academy's nonconference schedule features three out-of-state teams, with Sand Springs (Okla.) Page visiting Little Rock on Sept. 2. Then, the Bruins travel to Salt Lake City to face East High School on Sept. 9 before heading to McCracken County (Ky.) on Sept. 16. The Bruins open 5A-Central Conference play Sept. 23 at Little Rock Fair.

Being the No. 1 team in the state doesn't bother Hatcher. In fact, he and his teammates want to keep the Bruins' winning tradition going.

"We want to uphold the name of guys who worked before us," Hatcher said. "We grew up watching them. We do talk about the 27 wins. We don't put pressure on ourselves, but use it as a motivational thing. We can keep it going. We can be the team that keeps it going and do it for the guys before us that didn't win state titles, but built the program. Then, for the guys that won state titles, we'll try to make them look good."

Sports on 08/26/2016

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Pulaski Academy head coach Kevin Kelley

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Democrat-Gazette file photo

Pulaski Academy running back Jaren Watkins is one of several key offensive returners for the Bruins, who will play their first three games of the season against teams from three states.

Confidence has never been an issue for Coach Kevin Kelley's Bruins, who are the two-time defending Class 5A state champions and have not lost since a Week 1 defeat at Dallas Highland Park in 2014. The Bruins avenged that loss by ending the Texas school's 84-game home winning streak last September -- the program's 14th victory in the current run.

CLASS 5A SUPER SIX

RK., TEAM;CONF.;REC.

  1. Pulaski Academy;5A-Central;13-0
  2. LR McClellan;5A-Central;10-3
  3. Alma;5A-West;7-5
  4. Batesville;5A-East;9-4
  5. Morrilton;5A-West;7-4
  6. Wynne;5A-East;7-5

Bruins at a glance

COACH Kevin Kelley

CONFERENCE 5A-Central

2015 RECORD 14-0, 6-0 5A-Central (won Class 5A state championship)

KEY RETURNERS QB Layne Hatcher (Jr., 6-1, 194); RB Jaren Watkins (Sr., 5-7, 165); WR Tra Johnson (Jr., 6-2, 170); OL Seth Martin (Sr., 6-3, 280); DL Cameron Fonseca (Sr., 6-1, 215); DB Hayden Henry (Sr., 6-2, 205)

SCHEDULE

DATE;OPPONENT

Sept. 2;Sand Springs (Okla.) Page

Sept. 9;at Salt Lake City East

Sept. 16;at McCracken County (Ky.)

Sept. 23;at LR Fair*

Sept. 30;Beebe*

Oct. 7;at LR Christian*

Oct. 14;Sylvan Hills*

Oct. 21;LR Parkview*

Oct. 28;at LR McClellan*

Nov. 4;Mills*

*5A-Central game

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