HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS

Charleston’s Jake Kuykendall (right) defends a Hail Mary heave to Smackover’s Jordan Jones (left) and Elmo Hempstead on the game’s final play. The pass fell incomplete, allowing Charleston to escape in front of 9,861 fans.
Charleston’s Jake Kuykendall (right) defends a Hail Mary heave to Smackover’s Jordan Jones (left) and Elmo Hempstead on the game’s final play. The pass fell incomplete, allowing Charleston to escape in front of 9,861 fans.

Charleston makes it 2 state titles in row

Ty Storey ran, then passed Charleston to its second consecutive state title.

Storey threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Taylor King with 17 seconds left and Charleston batted down Smackover’s last-play Hail Mary to hold on for a 33-26 victory Friday night in the Class 3A state championship game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

Storey, who has orally committed to the University of Arkansas, accounted for all five Charleston touchdowns. He completed 24 of 38 passes for 218 yards and 3 touchdowns and rushed 35 times for 153 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Story on 4C

Friday’s result

At War Memorial Stadium Little Rock

CLASS 3A FINAL

Charleston 33, Smackover 26

Today’s games

CLASS 4A FINAL

Warren vs. Mena, noon

CLASS 2A FINAL

Hazen vs. Junction City, 6:30 p.m.

Last week’s finals

CLASS 7A FINAL

Bentonville 24, Fayetteville 21

CLASS 6A FINAL

Pine Bluff 51, Benton 10

CLASS 5A FINAL

Pulaski Academy 38, Wynne 28

Dragons mix ‘luck’ with speed, strength

Junction City has won 39 consecutive games and two state titles since losing to Earle in the 2012 season opener, and Coach David Carpenter chalks it up to one word. “Luck,” said Carpenter, who is in his 19th year in his second stint at the school. The Dragons (12-0) will go for their third championship in a row today against Hazen (14-0). 5C

Harper wants more in return to final

Tim Harper isn’t interested in being “the next victim” again. The last time Harper led a team into a state championship game, his Des Arc squad went in as a heavy underdog to Junction City but ended up losing 10-8 on a last-second field goal in the 2008 Class 2A final. He’s back in Little Rock today, this time with Mena in the Class 4A final. 5C

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