Pulaski Hangs On To Win State

Bruins Hang on after 35-point First Half
Pulaski Academy 35, Helena-West Helena 32
Story courtesy of vype.com

Pulaski Academy scored more points in the first half Saturday night than it did in a season-opening loss at Helena-West Helena. It almost wasn’t enough as the Bruins (13-1) held off the Cougars (12-1-1) 35-32 to secure the 5A State Championship.

“If you had told me before the game, we wouldn’t score in the second half, I would have told you we were in deep trouble,” longtime PA defensive coordinator Todd Wood said.

The Bruins led 35-12 at halftime, but struggled to move the ball in the second half. PA mustered two first downs on fourth down plays in its final possession to keep the ball and run out the clock, avenging its 46-29 loss to the Cougars.

The title marks the Bruins’ second in five years under head coach Kevin Kelley.

“I couldn’t be more proud of a group of guys,” Kelley said. “(The seniors) set this goal when they were in sixth grade, believe it or not. They made “Take State in 2008” T-shirts. To work for six years to be able to do something like that is a testament of what kind of guys they are.”

From the staff at straitpinkie.com – Congratulations to the 2008 Arkansas 5A State Champs Pulaski Academy Bruins! We are working on interviewing Pulaski Head Coach Kevin Kelley tomorrow on the pinkie.

PA senior quarterback Spencer Keith earned MVP honors. His 33-yard pass to Carson McKnight in the first half made him the state’s all-time single-season passing leader with 5,272 yards. Keith completed 20 of 41 passes for 244 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Keith also led PA with 15 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown.

“There’s no mistake about it, we’re in a good system,” Kelley said. “But, I’ve thrown more at Spencer Keith than I’ve thrown at anybody else in the past — more formations, more plays and more responsibility. To play a team with eight Division I players and manage the game, and make plays when he had to with his speed shows you what kind of kid he is. He had an ACL injury, but he came back early and doubled up (rehabilitation), and he wanted to win a state championship. I have a content feeling for him to be able to finish it off.”

The Cougars scored their third unanswered touchdown with 5:18 remaining in the game when senior quarterback Deandre Johnson connected on a 34-yard scoring pass with junior Kyrin Burrell. The two point conversion failed, making the score 35-32. The Helena-West Helena converted 1 of 5 point-after-touchdown attempts.

PA took over on its own 35-yard line after the kick bounced out of bounds forcing an illegal procedure penalty. The Cougars tackled Wil Nicks for a three-yard loss on the first play. Keith hit senior Neal Barlow on a 10-yard pass play down the sideline to set up third-and-three. Keith kept the ball up the middle and just missed the first down.

Kelley called timeout with 4:17 to play, and running back DJ Daniel dove ahead for the first down. A couple of plays later, PA faced a third-and-11 play and Keith scrambled around the end for 10 yards. PA picked up the first down with a two-yard sneak by Keith.

The clock wound under a minute when Keith scrambled for nine more yards on third-and-10. The Bruins milked the play clock, which was a few seconds ahead of the game clock. They finally lined up to run a play but picked up a false start penalty. The clock continued to roll and the win was sealed when the officials whistled Helena-West Helena for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty giving the Bruins a first down.

“We had some opportunities,” Cougars coach Russell Smith said. “It’s hard. It’s hard right now because it’s over. We did a great job this year. We’ve never been undefeated (during the regular season) and never won a state championship game. Our guys went out with a bang. I’m still proud of our guys.”

PA recovered an onside kick on the opening kickoff. Three plays later Daniel, who ran 24 times for 83 yards, sprinted in from 23-yards. Keith connected with Barlow on the two-point pass. Keith hit Barlow on a 23-yard touchdown pass on the Bruins’ second possession to give PA a 16-0 lead. Allen Wyatt made the first field goal he attempted this season (a 27-yarder) to cap off the first quarter scoring. However, on the ensuing onside kickoff, Edwin Goldsberry returned the short kick 46 yards for a touchdown.

The Bruins added two more scores in the second quarter — a 30-yard run by Keith and a two-yard pass from Keith to Barlow.

PA out gained Helena-West Helena 430 to 216. Carson McKnight paced the Bruins with seven receptions for 97 yards despite not playing much of the second half with an injured ankle.

Zeke Tanner led the PA defensive effort with 9 total tackles and three sacks, earning the Brandon Burlsworth Award given to the game’s outstanding lineman. Carlton Leding recorded five tackles and an interception he returned 28 yards. Sam Vogel forced a fumble and returned an interception 30 yards.

http://www.vype.com/general/5363