Joe T. Robinson has been known for offense in recent years.
But the Senators defense was on target Friday against Central Arkansas Christian.
Robinson's defense forced five interceptions by CAC senior quarterback Noah Evans and sacked him eight times in a 56-21 rout of the Mustangs at Charlie George Stadium in Little Rock. The Senators also had two fumble recoveries in the victory.
Nathan Page, Corey Page, Edmond Robinson, Luke Bennett and Brandon Hudson each had an interception. Myles Fells had a team-high 11 tackles, while David Porter, Elliott Harris and Chris Allums each had two sacks. Shumar Blair and D.J. Carter also had a sack apiece.
"We've got so much speed on defense," said Robinson Coach Todd Eskola, whose team trailed 14-13 at the end of the first quarter. "That's the biggest difference between this year and last year. Our kids can all run. They're superaggressive. The defense did a great job."
Evans was held to 23-of-45 passing for 269 yards and 1 touchdown. The Mustangs rushed for minus-10 yards.
"Everybody wants to talk about the [Mustangs] offense, but the defensive line put great pressure on [Evans] he hadn't faced yet," Eskola said. "Our secondary came up with great plays."
Robinson (2-0), the No. 3 team in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Class 4A Super Six ranking this week, makes the short drive to Baptist Prep off Arkansas 10 in Little Rock on Friday. The Senators are undefeated while the Eagles are winless, but Eskola doesn't want his team to get complacent a week before entering 7-4A Conference play.
"I want us to be better than we were last week, regardless of who we play," Eskola said. "We've been on them, and we've preached to them. We have to get better. We can't take a step back. I expect us to be motivated and fired up and play better than we did [against CAC]. If we don't, we'll be severely disappointed."
LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL
Kicking Tiger
Little Rock Central kicker Jason Ronnel delivered on all fronts in last week's 37-14 victory over Bentonville West.
The Tigers' senior hit three field goals, was four of four on extra points, and he pinned West deep in its own territory by sending six of his eight kickoffs into the end zone. A week earlier, Ronnel had one field goal and sent five of six kickoffs into the end zone.
"Jason Ronnel is really just unbelievable," Central Coach Ellis "Scooter" Register said. "He really puts an offensive team in a bind kicking it like that. He's a weapon for us, no doubt."
Ronnel booted a 21-yard field goal in the first quarter to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead last week. His second field goal came from 45 yards out with :08 showing in the first half. Ronnel capped his team's scoring with a 34-yarder with 9:31 to play.
One thing the Tigers are hoping to do before Friday's game at West Memphis is cut down on turnovers. Central (2-0) has committed four turnovers in each of its first two games.
"I thought we played better [against West] than we did last week," Register said. "But we've got things we need to brush up on."
PALESTINE-WHEATLEY
Sartin resigns
Palestine-Wheatley Coach Charles Sartin resigned earlier this week at the district's school board meeting.
Superintendent Jon Estes said Wednesday that Sartin resigned because of family reasons.
"He had done a good job," Estes said. "He had some stuff come up."
Assistant coach Tommy Wells is the Patriots' interim coach for the remainder of the 2016 season. His hiring was approved at the school board meeting Monday. He served as the Patriots' head coach in Friday's 14-2 victory over Brinkley, one day after Sartin told him he was no longer going to coach the football team.
Palestine-Wheatley is 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the 6-2A Conference. A coaching change early in the season was surprising for the Patriots, but Wells said the program will be fine.
"We've got a great group of kids who work hard," Wells said. "I think they'll rally and be prepared."
The Patriots have allowed 10 points in two games. Linebackers Cameron Thrash, a junior, and Collin Hill, a senior, have led Palestine Wheatley's 4-2-5 defense.
"I have an attachment with these group of guys," Wells said. "They've been here as long as I have. They work hard. They're just a solid group. I want them to be successful very badly. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to help them."
In addition to his new football position, Wells is also the school's boys basketball coach.
"You can imagine how I'm feeling come Christmas time," joked Wells.
Wells hopes the Patriots can keep their solid play up as they head into the 6-2A Conference schedule.
"We've got to do the best that we can," Wells said. "Going forward, we're going to play football. We're preaching to stay together. We're playing together. We're not going to let outside distractions keep us from the goals we want to obtain at the end of the season."
MOUNTAIN PINE
Red Devils playing
Mountain Pine finally will get to play its first football game of the season.
The Red Devils did not play the first two weeks of the season because of low numbers, but they will host Woodlawn on Friday night.
Coach Sam Counce said the Red Devils have 14 players, up from 12 a week ago. Mountain Pine had eight healthy players available last week, with three injured and one who just joined the program, and it had to forfeit its Week 2 game at Cutter Morning Star.
"We'll roll with that," Counce said. "Right now, we're on schedule."
With the low numbers, Counce is still concerned on a week-to-week basis. Mountain Pine begins its 7-2A Conference schedule Sept. 23 against Dierks.
"It's a contact sport," Counce said. "Every time someone limps or something like that, we hold our breath. They [our players] count how many we have just like I do."
EXTRA POINTS
Nashville has the longest winning streak in the state with 17 victories after Pulaski Academy's 28-game streak was snapped by Salt Lake City East High 37-23 on Friday. The Scrappers, the defending Class 4A champions, have defeated Hope and De Queen this season. They host Idabel, Okla., on Friday. ... Bauxite's home game against Dumas on Friday night has been moved to Bryant High School's Hornet Stadium because of ongoing turf construction at The Pit. The school is installing a new turf field at The Pit, but inclement weather in recent weeks pushed the project back. Bauxite is scheduled to host Ashdown at The Pit on Sept. 30. ... Greenwood plays its first game at home Friday after opening the season in Fort Smith with victories against Fort Smith Northside and Fort Smith Southside. The Bulldogs, led by Coach Rick Jones, take on rival Alma at Smith Robinson Stadium. Greenwood has won the past 11 meetings against Alma. ... Little Rock Hall is 2-0 for the first time since 1989. The Warriors defeated Mills 20-18 in overtime Friday. Hall travels to Little Rock McClellan on Friday. ... Clarendon senior quarterback Jama Cross rushed for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns on 22 carries in the Lions' 34-30 victory over Hazen on Friday night. He had scoring runs of 1 and 7 yards and added a 9-yard touchdown pass. Clarendon (1-1, 1-0 6-2A) hosts Palestine-Wheatley on Friday. ... Charleston senior quarterback Jackson Rowland threw three touchdown passes in Charleston's 42-12 victory at Episcopal Collegiate in Little Rock on Friday night. Rowland completed 10 of 11 passes for 133 yards as the Tigers led 42-0 at halftime. Charleston (2-0) hosts Ozark on Friday.
Sports on 09/15/2016