7-4A
JOE T. ROBINSON 35, MALVERN 31
[HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD: Full results + recaps, photos and more]
Senior quarterback Hunter Eskola's 43-yard touchdown pass to senior utility back Koilan Jackson with 58 seconds remaining in the game lifted Joe T. Robinson to a wild 35-31 homecoming victory over Malvern on Friday night at Charlie George Stadium in Little Rock.
Robinson (6-1, 3-1 7-4A) trailed 31-28 following a 56-yard touchdown pass from Malvern junior quarterback Demias Jimerson to senior tailback Jaquez Lock with 1:49 remaining.
Jimerson completed 22 of 32 passes for 389 yards and 2 touchdowns and ran for 2 touchdowns.
Jimerson's 89-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Tevin Smith had pulled the Leopards within 28-23 with 4:21 remaining.
But the Senators needed only three plays to cover 71 yards for the game-winning score.
Eskola, the son of Robinson Coach Todd Eskola, completed inside screen passes of 11 yards to Jackson and 17 yards to standout junior wide receiver Nathan Page before launching his final pass of the game.
Jackson, draped by senior safety Devin Shaw in the middle of the field near the 5, won the battle and waltzed into the end zone.
Malvern (3-4, 1-3) had one last gasp, an untimed down from the Robinson 35 following a face-mask penalty, but senior backup quarterback Bryce Freer was sacked to end the game.
The Leopards led only once (Jimerson's 56-yard touchdown pass) but failed to score after reaching the Robinson 26, 30, 15 and 22 in the first half.
Robinson led 21-10 at halftime after Eskola threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Page with 34 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
"We had chance after chance after chance in the first half to get it in the end zone and just didn't get it done," Malvern Coach Mike Scarbrough said. "If we finish one of those drives or two of those drives in the first half, then the end doesn't really matter."
Scarbrough drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty following Jackson's touchdown reception, complaining to officials that Jackson had pushed off to gain an advantage.
"They were hand fighting," Scarborough said. "I mean, it could have went either way. It didn't go our way this time."
Hunter Eskola finished 14 of 21 for 180 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Eskola also threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Hunter Swoboda to give Robinson a 14-7 lead with 2:40 remaining in the first quarter.
Jackson rushed 8 times for 83 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown to extend the halftime lead to 28-10 with 9:20 remaining in the game.
Page also returned the game's opening kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown.
Jimerson scored on a 1-yard run with 9:35 left in the first quarter and a 25-yard run with 5:27 left in the game.
"It was a matter of survival," Todd Eskola said. "Literally, we've played Malvern for years and years, and it's always close. I don't care who is good and who is not good."
Sports on 10/15/2016