The defending 5-A Arkansas State Champion Pulaski Academy Bruins will finish their regular season tonight at 7:00pm ET on ESPNU with a road game at Little Rock Christian. The playoffs begin next week, Friday the 13th.

Head Coach Kevin Kelley, who The Pinkie had the privilege of interviewing last season (CLICK HERE FOR THE INTERVIEW), has done something this year that surprised everyone: He punted!

Kelley, quickly gaining recognition throughout the coaching realm for his unorthodox style of never punting, finally did so in Pulaski’s October 2nd game against 5-A rival Camden-Fairview. On the Bruins fourth drive of the game, quarterback Will Nicks (who would go on to win player of the week honors) booted the ball, a sight never before seen from one of Coach Kelley’s squads. Obviously everyone was surprised and the ball rolled for a 51 yard punt for Nicks.

Kelley had this to say regarding finally punting the ball: “I’m really a contrarian thinker. When everybody thinks something is going to happen it often times doesn’t..”

His style has mostly been looked over, but there are some coaches out there who are intrigued by the whole system (and as Kelley continues to be more successful, more should jump on board). Along with LSU’s Les Miles, Texas Tech head man Mike Leach has also expressed interest in Kelley’s style of play. Leach, fresh off his sweet cameo on the awesome Friday Night Lights series, said this about Kelley’s approach: “It’s an interesting idea. Statistically, there’s definitely some validity to it.”

Leach went on to say, “I need to go talk to that guy because he’s definitely on to something. There are plenty of statistical things whereas coaches, myself included, we’re caught up in the good ol’ days to the point that there’s some changes and things that can be made to just be better and improve. Even if you don’t go for what he’s doing 100 percent, there’s definitely something I’m sure that I can learn from him.”

Pulaski won their first two games this year, before subsequently dropping their next two, but have since won five strait and sit at 7-2 on the season. Keep checking back with The Pinkie as we follow Coach Kelley and the Bruins as they attempt to win their third state title in seven years.

For a sweet article on Coach Kelley and his unorthodox style, go HERE.