LITTLE ROCK — Pulaski Academy senior quarterback Fredi Knighten didn’t need long to find his form in a 41-16 victory over Pulaski Robinson on Friday night at Charlie George Stadium.
Knighten completed a 61-yard pass to L.J. Wallace on the Bruins’ first offensive play, then completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Ben Fortson on the next play for a 7-0 lead with 11:34 left in the first quarter. Pulaski Academy (9-0, 6-0 7-4A) led 14-0 after Knighten took his only carry 34 yards for a touchdown less than two minutes later.
The Bruins went 101 yards in 3 plays and 41 seconds for their first 2 touchdowns.
“It’s always nice to jump out to a lead,” Pulaski Academy Coach Kevin Kelley said. “And when you’re the other team, it’s tough to dig out of that.”
Pulaski Academy led 21-0 at the end of the first quarter after Knighten completed another 6-yard touchdown pass to Fortson with 7:03 left in the quarter. The Bruins led 35-0 at halftime after Knighten completed a 29-yard touchdown pass to Henry Hunter with 5:30 left in the half anda 46-yard touchdown pass to Kendall Bruce with 1:54 left.
Knighten did not play in the second half. He finished 8 of 10 passing for 216 yards and 4 touchdowns. Pulaski Academy finished with 392 yards of total offense to Robinson’s 178. The Bruins had 302 yards of offense in the first half and held Robinson to just 60.
“I thought our kids did what we came in here wanting them to do,” Kelley said. “And we got a chance to get our young guys out there, too.”
Sophomore Colin Castleberry replaced Knighten, and was intercepted by Robinson linebacker Jack Wharton to begin the fourth quarter.Wharton returned the interception 43 yards to the Pulaski Academy 9, and the Senators scored when Dale Abraham ran 2 yards for a touchdown with 10:32 left. Abraham converted the two-point conversion for a 35-8 score.
Pulaski Academy scored its final touchdown when Castleberry completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Seals with 5:30 remaining. Robinson (4-5, 1-5) scored on the next offensive play whenAbraham ran 64 yards for a touchdown. Demontravious Savannah converted the twopoint attempt for the final score.
Abraham finished with 9 carries for 72 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ryan Scarborough added 14 carries for 50 yards. Robinson starter Logan Howard was injured and did not play at quarterback. Backup Trederick Dunn was shaken up by a tackle in the second quarter and was replaced by sophomore Adam Toler.
MALVERN 20, NASHVILLE 7
MALVERN - Brieston Barnes, Tim Hardimon and Jahkery Dupree all rushed for more than 60 yards each to lead Malvern (7-2, 5-1) over Nashville (3-6, 2-4).
Malvern’s Marcel Bedford scored on a 45-yard pass from Austin Warford in the first. In the second, Bedford intercepted a pass. Jesus Torres had two field goals.
MAUMELLE 35, ASHDOWN 34
ASHDOWN - Jaylen Prochay’s twopoint conversion run with 29 seconds remaining lifted Maumelle past Ashdown.
Senior quarterback Eric Parks scored three touchdowns for Ashdown, which was tied 20-20 at halftime.
Sports, Pages 30 on 10/29/2011