Pulaski Academy's 63-34 Class 5A first-round victory Friday night over Magnolia at Joe B. Hatcher Stadium in Little Rock not only advanced to the Bruins to the second round, but it was also Coach Kevin Kelley's 200th victory at the school.
Kelley is 200-29-1 since becoming the Bruins' coach in 2003 and has won seven state championships (2003, 2008, 2011, 2014-17).
For Kelley, his 200th victory was about the players who have played for him, past and present as well as this season's team, which is attempting make its sixth consecutive state championship appearance.
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"It's a win for our team to go on to the next week," Kelley said. "We're trying to win a state championship. These kids worked hard and were part of the 200th win, but that's not what it's about. What I want people to remember is that this isn't the 200th win for Kevin Kelley. It's the 200th win for the all the players and the coaches who have put in the time and effort. Football is hard. It took a lot of hours and blood, sweat and tears. I'm lucky to be at the head of it and be a part of it.
"I don't know why people have other careers because this is the best one ever."
New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick, a friend of Kelley's, sent a video message to Pulaski Academy, which was played on the school's scoreboard after the game.
"Congratulations on your 200th win. That's an awesome accomplishment," Belichick said. "Good luck to the Bruins in their quest for another championship."
Pulaski Academy (9-2), the No. 2 seed from the 5A-Central Conference, will travel to 5A-East Conference champion Harrison for a quarterfinal game Friday.
The Bruins led 48-21 at halftime.
Senior quarterback Braden Bratcher passed for three touchdowns for the Bruins. Sophomore running back Joe Himon had three touchdown runs and added a 76-yard kickoff return for another score. But it was Pulaski Academy's defense that set the tone against the Panthers (7-4).
Magnolia drove to the Pulaski Academy 1, but junior running back Shawn Bell fumbled and the Bruins recovered. From their 1, the Bruins went 99 yards in 5 plays and Himon's 1-yard touchdown run made it 6-0 with 8:24 left in the first quarter.
Bratcher's 11-yard touchdown run with 7:00 left in the first quarter gave the Bruins a 12-0 lead.
Magnolia pulled within 12-7 with 6:03 left in the first quarter on senior quarterback Braelyn Beasley's 46-yard touchdown run. But Himon returned the ensuing kickoff 76 yards for a touchdown and a 18-7 Bruins lead with 5:50 left in the first quarter.
Senior running Amir Cooper's 11-yard touchdown run cut the lead to 18-14, but the Bruins responded with Bratcher's 24-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Andrew Cobb for a 26-14 advantage with 1:21 left in the first quarter.
Pulaski Academy extended its lead to 41-14 with Bratcher's 45-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Brayden Cash and a 10-yard scoring run by Himon.
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Himon added a 10-yard touchdown run in the third quarter for a 56-21 lead.
Magnolia, in its first season under Coach Mark King, was the No. 3 seed from the 5A-South Conference. King saw improvement as the season went on from the Panthers. However, they couldn't match what Pulaski Academy had going on Friday.
"It's a good start for us. We got the program going in the right direction," King said. "We've got a lot of young kids coming back. Hopefully I can get my program where his [Kelley's] is. Nobody talked about PA before he got here. Now he's got his 200th victory. He's played in 10 championships. That's where we want to be."
Sports on 11/16/2019