Latest Team Rankings Free Text Alerts Member Services | ||||
| |
Quick links: Latest Team Rankings Free Text Alerts Member Services | | |
| ||||
Shop MobileRadio
RSSRivals.com
Yahoo! Sports |
|
 | College Teams | High Schools |
| | ||
 | |  |
| | ||
| | |
| | ||
| | |
| | ||
| | |
| | ||
| | |
| | ||
| | |
| | ||
| | |
|
November 6, 2009
The Zebras had a 5-4 record, while El Dorado enjoyed a 9-0 record, leading into this game. Earlier in the season, Pine Bluff head coach Bobby Bolding told ArkansasVarsity.com that he had a plan for his team to begin to peak right around playoff time, and a victory over the number one team in the state showed that his plan is working out for him, as they have now won their last three games heading into the playoffs. "I've been worrying, because we have kind of planned [peaking late in the season] this way, and I've been sweating it because I know I have a good football team, and hoped that I didn't ruin this." Said Bolding. "Earlier in the year, we tried to plan a pace, and a peak, and it seems to be working for us. I've never done that before, but there is still a lot of football to be played. Hopefully we can keep it going in the playoffs." Both teams scored on their first possessions. El Dorado received the opening kickoff, and went on an 8 play 87 yard drive capped off by a 27 yard touchdown pass from Taylor Reed to Jaquario Miles at the 9:35 mark in the first quarter. The PAT would give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead. It would not take the Zebras long to answer. Zebra speedster Kelsey Collins would take the kickoff 74 yards deep into Wildcat territory, allowing Claude Johnson to connect with Jonathan Frazier for a 13 yard gain, setting the Zebras up on the 12 yard line. Martavious Alford would get the call on the next play, and score at the 8:46 mark in the first quarter. The Zebras two point conversion attempt was no good. Both teams would share a couple of punts, and after driving, the Zebras gave the ball up on a fumble. Just as El Dorado looked to be driving again, they too would fumble, and the Zebras would recover on their own 40 yard line. It would take the Zebras just one play to strike, as Johnson connected with a wide open Frazier for the 60 yard touchdown pass at the 3:28 mark in the first quarter. They would again go for two, and would convert. After forcing a three and out, the Zebras would open the second quarter with a 5 play 52 yard scoring drive, capped off by a 14 yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Collins. The Zebras would attempt another two point conversion, and converted. While leading 22-7, the Zebras defense would come up big again deep in their own territory, when they would force and recover another fumble on their 31 yard line. The offense would then take over, and go on a 4 play 69 yard scoring drive, capped off by a 40 yard pass from Johnson to Collins. Another two point conversion would make the score 28-7 with 8:26 to play in the half. The Wildcats would once again get on the board with 33 seconds remaining in the half on a 13 yard pass from Reed to Clay Murphy. The PAT would give us our halftime score of 28-14. After a scoreless third quarter, El Dorado would attempt to mount a comeback, and nearly did so. They would score at the 8:45 mark in the fourth quarter on an 8 play 82 yard drive, capped off by a 3 yard run by James Ford. The Wildcats would attempt a two point conversion, but came up short. After forcing Pine Bluff to punt, the Wildcats would mount one more 10 play 81 yard scoring drive. Reed would connect with Miles from 15 yards out to score with 1:29 to play. The two point conversion attempt was no good, making the score 28-26. While many inside of the stadium anticipated an onside kick attempt, El Dorado head coach Scott Reed elected to kick deep, and put the game in the hands of his defense. After using two of his timeouts, Pine Bluff had to convert on 3rd and 3, and would do so on a 4 yard Claude Johnson run. The Zebras would then run out the clock to secure the upset victory. Coach Reed discussed his reasoning for not attempting an onside kick following his team's final score. "We had three time outs with 1:30 to play." Said Reed. "I thought the odds were good for us, because we have a really good field goal kicker. He made one from 51 out last year and has hit several from 45 out this year despite the weather. We finally had a dry field tonight; we have been good [at holding on defense]. I thought if we kicked the onside kick, and they got the ball, the game would be over, but on the other hand, I also knew they would be up and expecting it, which they were, and I felt we could put the kickoff in the end zone, and we did. You have to give Pine Bluff credit. They made the first down when they had to. They played really well tonight. I knew they had a good football team, and they showed it tonight." Coach Reed did say he was proud of his team for coming back and making a game of it. "I'm proud of our kids." Said Reed. "They have a lot of heart, and they are not going to give up. I thought as poorly as we played in the first half, we had a positive in the fact that they played well in the second half and came back. I was pleased with our execution in the second half for the most part." Pine Bluff head coach Bobby Bolding spoke about finally getting over the hump, and being the team to win a close one in the end, something they had struggled to do all season. "Finally! We talked about this all week. In fact, it was on the cover of our scouting report this week. The word finish, and we finally finished, something we have not been able to do against a quality football team, and we did it tonight." Said Bolding. "I hate that we had some penalties and turnovers in the second half because we moved the ball well, but then we'd get ourselves in a hole. This was a good football game between two good football teams. I'm just glad to be able to come out with a win." ArkansasVarsity.com Player of the Game: Pine Bluff quarterback Claude Johnson, who rushed 17 times for 111 yards, and was 11 for 20 passing, with 231 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Click Here For Photos From The Game. Keep checking back with ArkansasVarsity.com for all of your Arkansas Prep Sports and Recruiting News!
|
|
||||||||
Rivals.com is your source for: College Football | Football Recruiting | College Basketball | Basketball Recruiting | College Baseball | High School | College Merchandise
Site-specific editorial/photos © ArkansasVarsity.com. All rights reserved. This website is an officially and independently operated source of news and information not affiliated with any school or team.
About | Advertise with Us | Contact | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Copyright/IP policy
Statistical information ?2007 STATS LLC All Rights Reserved.
