Diminutive Watkins runs wild in Bruins’ rout

NO. 6 PULASKI ACADEMY 56, JENNINGS, MO., 12

The visiting Jennings Warriors could not seem to find nor catch Pulaski Academy junior Jaren Watkins Friday night.

Watkins -- a 5-4, 150-pound speedy running back -- rushed 12 times for 186 yards and three touchdowns as the No. 6 Bruins crushed the St. Louis-area team 56-12 on Rector Field at Joe B. Hatcher Stadium.

Watkins had six runs of 11 or more yards and scored on runs of 7, 41 and 57. He also hauled in a 60-yard TD pass from sophomore quarterback Layne Hatcher as the Bruins (4-0) won their 17th consecutive game.

"Watkins is really good," Pulaski Academy Coach Kevin Kelley said. "[Jennings] played five in the box at first and we hoped we could establish the running game with that. They wanted to stop the pass and eliminate quick scores and they did that. They slowed down the pass, but he was able to get loose on some runs."

Jennings (2-4) had only 24 players available for Friday's contest and the Bruins took advantage as quickly as they could.

Pulaski Academy scored on its first seven possessions and led 49-6 with 5:47 left before halftime. The Bruins played reserves the remainder of the contest.

Hatcher completed 9 of 14 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns, but he was held to 3 of 7 for 51 yards in the opening quarter.

Watkins took up the slack. Although he did not score on Pulaski Academy's opening drive, Watkins ripped off runs of 22, 15 and 11 yards set the Bruins up for an early lead. Senior Tre Bruce scored the first of his two touchdowns -- a 15-yard run -- with 10:17 left in the first quarter.

Watkins capped the Bruins' second drive with his 7-yard run with 6:03 left in the opening quarter.

"I figured I'd get the ball about as many times as I usually do," said Watkins, who came into the game with 423 rushing yards."

"The line blocked well, the receivers blocked well tonight, but Jaren just needs a little room and he's so elusive," Kelley said. "He makes it look a lot easier than it really is."

Hatcher completed his final five passes for 163 yards. He also threw a 63-yard scoring pass to senior Zack Kelley.

The Bruins had eight receivers catch passes with Bruce leading with four catches for 53 yards. Zack Kelley had two receptions for a team-high 70 yards.

Pulaski Academy finished with 415 total yards in the first half and 500 for the game. The lone score of the second half came with 5:28 to play on a 3-yard run by junior Trey Adams.

Pulaski Academy's defense did its part too. The Bruins intercepted three passes -- by Jacob Anderson, Cody Anderson and Asa Brooks -- and recovered a fumble.

Jennings totaled 95 yards in the first half and 218 for the game. The Warriors' touchdowns came on an 18-yard pass from Richard Keeper to Bobby Sanders in the first quarter and an 8-yard pass from Keeper to Rajae Johnson in the second quarter.

"Honestly, I was proud," Kelley said. "Jennings didn't have as many players. We went fast and got them tired. That helped us. What we wanted to do was win the game and get a little bit better in some areas and I think we did that."

Sports on 09/26/2015

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