When it comes to preparing for Hope senior defensive end McTelvin Agim, Pulaski Academy Coach Kevin Kelley is as high on him as the past 10 coaches this season who have had to game-plan for the University of Arkansas oral commitment.
"On film, he looks like one of the best ones I've seen," said Kelley of Agim, 6-foot-3, 268 pounds. "I hope he doesn't kill one of our kids.
Class 5A second round
HOPE AT PULASKI ACADEMY
WHEN 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE Joe B. Hatcher Field, Little Rock
RECORDS/SEEDS Hope 9-2 (No. 2 5A-South); Pulaski Academy 11-0 (No. 1 5A-Central)
RANKINGS Hope No. 5 Class 5A; Pulaski Academy No. 4 overall, No. 1 Class 5A
COACHES Hope: Jay Turley; Pulaski Academy: Kevin Kelley
KEY PLAYERS Hope: QB Austin Stubber, Jr., 6-1, 200; DE McTelvin Agim, Sr., 6-3, 268; DE Kadarius Rowe, Sr., 6-3, 285. Pulaski Academy: QB Layne Hatcher, So., 5-10, 165; RB Jaren Watkins, Jr., 5-6, 140; WR Tre Bruce, Sr., 6-1, 190.
"There's a reason why he's a five-star and a No. 2 defensive end in the country."
Agim and the Bobcats will visit Pulaski Academy on Friday night in arguably the most anticipated Class 5A second-round matchup this week. The winner will face Little Rock Christian or Wynne in the Class 5A semifinals Nov. 27.
This season, Agim, who is on track to graduate from Hope next month and enroll at Arkansas in January, has recorded 48 tackles and 7 sacks, proving himself as not only one of the best defensive players in the state but in the country. He's also played on offense for the Bobcats, but while Coach Jay Turley has had Agim focus on defense as the postseason began, he'll turn him loose on offense again at running back and wide receiver if he needs to.
"We really need McTelvin on defense," Turley said. "But he'll be available on offense. It's an important game. He understands that."
Meanwhile, Pulaski Academy (11-0) has rolled this season, one year after winning the Class 5A state championship. The Bruins have outscored opponents 542-183 and have been the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's No. 1 team in Class 5A since the preseason.
"Nobody seems to match up with them well," Turley said. "They do a great job. They're a very disciplined football team. We have to tackle well Friday night."
In his first year as the Bruins' quarterback, sophomore Layne Hatcher leads the state in passing yards with 3,707. He's thrown 44 touchdown passes and has been intercepted only six times.
Kelley has coached several quarterbacks who eventually signed with NCAA Division I schools -- Spencer Keith, Fredi Knighten and Will Hefley. Hatcher, if he stays healthy, could be the next one, he said.
"Nobody has an idea of how difficult it is to play quarterback in our offense," Kelley said.
Hope (9-2) has lost its two games by a combined three points, losing 32-31 in Week 1 at Nashville and 28-26 in Week 7 at Hot Springs Lakeside. It's a mark of a solid team, Turley said.
"Our kids have learned how to fight back," Turley said. "We don't fear anybody. We respect everybody, but we don't fear anybody."
The Bruins have the state's longest winning streak at 27 games, which includes snapping Dallas Highland Park's 84-game home winning streak and a state title triumph last season against Wynne. If the Bruins are to continue their run and move on to the Class 5A semifinals next week, they'll have to get past arguably the toughest Arkansas opponent they've faced this season in the Bobcats.
"At times, we've played like I think we're the best team in the state," Kelley said. "I think we're capable of beating anybody. But all teams are capable of losing games. When you play a great team like Hope, it doesn't take much to lose a game.
"You have to play well in all facets of the game."
Sports on 11/19/2015