Solid defensive effort leads Bryant to fist ever state championship

The Bryant Hornets defeated North Little Rock 27-7 to win the first state championship in school history in front of 20,631 fans at War Memorial Stadium.

The Hornets set the tone early with solid defensive effort, holding North Little Rock to just nine yards of offense in the first quarter, and just 21 yards of offense on 21 plays for the entire first half.

With the win the Hornets were able to avenge a 34-28 loss to the Charging Wildcats on October 26th.

“We just had to play tough,” said Bryant head coach Buck James. “We had to play John Wayne football. We had to play tough, and our kids played tough. The last time they hit us in the mouth and we didn’t like it. We bled a little bit, and we didn’t like it. We bled a little bit, spit the blood out and ran a little bit. This time they hit us in the mouth and we bled a little bit, and we got up and went after them.”

There was no scoring in the first quarter, but Bryant was able to score 13 points in the second quarter beginning with a 33-yard run from game MVP LaTavion Scott with 8:16 left in the half. Brock Funk added the PAT to give the Hornets the 7-0 advantage.

After trading punts with the Charging Wildcats the Hornets scored again with seven seconds left in the half on a one-yard run by Scott. A failed PAT gave Bryant a 13-0 advantage at the half.

Scott added his third score of the evening on a one-yard plunge with 5:36 left in the third quarter. Funk’s PAT gave Bryant the 20-7 advantage at that point in the game.

The Charging Wildcats answered on the next drive when Brandon Thomas broke loose on a 52-yard run. Kareame Cotton connected with Drew Martin from 12-yards out three plays later for North Little Rock’s lone score. Liam Seihorst added the PAT to make it 20-7 in favor of Bryant.

Bryant’s final score came with 1:06 to play as North Little Rock was driving the field, but Kajuan Robinson’s strip sack of Cotton saw Nate Wallace scoop and score from 78-yards out to seal the deal for the Hornets.

“This was a heck of a football game against two really good football teams,” said James. “I think these two teams here tonight could hold their own against anyone in the United States. We’ve just got to go back, enjoy this, and say job well done.”

The Bryant Hornets ran 70 plays for 293 yards, while North Little Rock ran 56 plays for 187 yards. LaTavion Scott was named MVP after carrying the ball 31 times for 153 yards and three touchdowns.

“It took hard work, and we couldn’t let up,” said Scott. “Last time we let up, but this time we kept our foot on the gas and our defense did an amazing job. They won this game for us, the defense did. I feel like our community can be really proud, my family, all of the fans.”

Bryant finishes the season with an 11-2 record, while North Little Rock finished with a 12-1 record.

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