Pulaski Academy Drops First Game of Season, Falls to Lake Hamilton 32-30

The team that never punts lost their first game of the season on Friday night to the Lake Hamilton Wolves, 32-30.  They came into the game with a 2-0 record, which included a victory over state runner-up Helena-West Helena Central, 35-33, in the season opener.

With the Pulaski Academy Bruins up a touchdown in the third quarter, they failed to convert a fourth-and-13 from their own 9-yard line. Lake Hamilton took advantage of the short field to tie the game as quarterback Benson Jordan scored from three yards out.

Immediately the Bruins responded. Quarterback Wil Nicks found Garrett Lamb on a 48-yard score and then following a 56-yard interception return, Nicks ran it in from a yard out giving the Bruins a 30-18  lead with the third quarter winding down.

After a Jordan touchdown cut it to 30-24 with 9:06 to go, it looked like the Bruins would put the game away. Nicks continued his stellar play by hitting Zac Reyna with a 50-yard bomb, setting up the PA at the three-yard line. Two plays later, near the goal line, the Bruins fumbled, setting up the Wolves’ game-winning drive with 7:47 remaining.

The Wolves drove the field by running the ball and milked the clock in the process. They converted a huge fourth-and-five from the 19-yard line to continue the drive and eventually Brown connected with Dre Bennett for a 9-yard touchdown, giving Lake Hamilton the 32-20 lead with just over a minute remaining. 

It was the only pass completion of the drive.

Pulaski Academy (2-1) faces Magnolia next Friday at 7:00 p.m.

The Pinkie will continue their coverage of the Pulaski Academy football program throughout the season. Last year the Bruins defeated Helena-West Helena Central 35-32 to claim the 5A State Championship. It is the second state championship that the team has won under the guidance of head coach Kevin Kelley. Kelley plays a unique style of football. The Bruins NEVER punt, often use onside kicks and rarely kick field goals or extra points. After they won the state championship last year, the Pinkie was lucky enough to talk with Kelley.  Click here to read the interview.