Harrison, Pulaski Academy prepared for showdown in the hills

Fans in Class 5A don’t have to wait until December in Little Rock to watch championship-caliber football.

The city of Harrison will be abuzz tonight when the Goblins host Pulaski Academy in a quarterfinal game. Harrison is 11-0 on the season while Pulaski Academy is 9-2 with losses to Brentwood, Tenn., and Little Rock Christian.

Harrison warmed up for tonight’s showdown by beating Batesville 49-14 in a firstround game while Pulaski Academy defeated Magnolia 63-34.

Fans who like offense and unconventional football will enjoy Pulaski Academy, which raced past Class 7A

Springdale Har-Ber 84-68 to start the season and has scored at least 60 points in three of its past four games. Pulaski Academy coach Kevin Kelly, who is known widely as a mad scientist type, never sends the punt team onto the field and on-side kicks repeatedly in an effort to maximize offensive opportunities for his team.

So, Harrison has to be ready for anything from the opening kick.

Harrison vs. Pulaski Academy has become a top matchup in the playoffs. Pulaski Academy beat Harrison 7554 in the semifinals last year after eliminating the Goblins 57-20 in the quarterfinals in 2017.

Braden Bratcher has thrown for 3,992 yards and 38 touchdowns for Pulaski Academy after passing for 4,733 yards and 57 touchdowns as a junior. Mason Kolb (51 catches, 859 yards, eight touchdowns) has replaced University of Arkansas freshmen Hunter Henry as the big-play receiver for the Bruins.

Harrison will counter with a team led by seniors Gabe Huskey and quarterback Ben Johnson. Both players will have to play their best games to keep up with the Bruins and a Harrison defense led by linebackers Brooks Both and Bryant Ulrich must create some turnovers.

Harrison is at home tonight, which is an added disadvantage for any team making a difficult trip up the hills. But Pulaski Academy has won too many games home and away in postseason play to anticipate the Bruins going down tonight.

Rick’s Picks Pulaski Academy

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OVERALL 242-48 (83 percent) Rick Fires can be reached at rfires@nwadg.com or on Twitter @NWARick.