Pulaski Academy continues its stout postseason success
Senior quarterback Layne Hatcher completed 22 of 30 passes for 417 yards and 4 touchdowns in Pulaski Academy’s 57-20 victory over Harrison in the Class 5A playoff quarterfinals on an unseasonably warm, windy Friday night at Joe B. Hatcher Stadium in Little Rock.
Three-time defending state champion Pulaski Academy (12-0) is at Nettleton in next week’s semifinals.
A late second-quarter flurry gave the Bruins a 36-8 halftime lead en route to their 24th consecutive victory and 14th in postseason.
Pulaski Academy never trailed and applied the mercy rule after sophomore tailback EJ Anderson ran 2 yards for a touchdown and Hatcher kicked the extra point for a 43-8 lead with 8:24 remaining in the third quarter.
Harrison (8-4) played without standout sophomore tailback Gabe Huskey, who suffered a dislocated shoulder in a first-round playoff victory over Hot Springs Lakeside.
Without Huskey – 1,862 rushing yards this fall – Harrison was outgained 560-178 in total yardage.
Senior quarterback Noah Ditmanson finished with 24 rushing yards on 17 carries and 62 passing yards. He was intercepted three times, the first in the end zone by sophomore cornerback Zac White with 2:55 remaining in the first half when Harrison trailed 22-8.
“We had to play great tackle football,” Pulaski Academy Coach Kevin Kelley said. “I look up and our gift is our curse. Our expectations are so high. They scored eight points on our first defense and I felt like the world was coming to an end. But overall, I couldn’t be more pleased and more proud of a group.”
Hatcher, the state’s all-time leading passer, gave Pulaski Academy the lead for good, 16-8, with a 67-yard touchdown pass and two-point pass to senior wide receiver Tra Johnson with 7:11 remaining in the first quarter.
Following White’s interception, Hatcher capped a 10-play, 85-yard drive with a 21-yard screen pass to sophomore utility back Braden Bratcher for a 28-8 lead with 33 seconds remaining in the first half.
After Pulaski Academy recovered an onside kick, Hatcher threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Brett Lynch and two-point pass to junior wide receiver Hudson Henry with 25 seconds remaining in the first half.
Harrison Coach Joel Wells said he believed the turning point of the game was White’s interception on second and 8 from the Pulaski Academy 25.
“I should have run the football down here and got it in,” Wells said. “Could have made it 22-14 at halftime. That’s on me.”
NETTLETON 21, GREENBRIER 14
JONESBORO — Detavion Turner scored two rushing touchdowns as host Nettleton (11-1) defeated Greenbrier (7-5).
The Raiders trailed 14-6 entering the fourth quarter but came back with two touchdowns. The Panthers’ last chance ended with a Marcus Isom interception to end the game.