MVP Skelton erases sting of 2013 loss
Immediately after Pine Bluff had finished off its first state championship in almost two decades, Coach Bobby Bolding put his arm around Ladarius Skelton’s shoulder and led the junior quarterback into the locker room.
It was there, away from the crowd that assembled on the War Memorial Stadium turf, that Bolding and Skelton decided they would celebrate the Zebras’ state championship, which they earned by blowing out Benton 51-10 on Friday night in Little Rock.
The time away from the crowd was interrupted by the calling for Skelton to return to the field after he was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Bolding stayed behind, opting to talk about Skelton, who gained 285 yards of total offense, instead of celebrating on the field or accepting the championship trophy.
“He played his a** off,” Bolding said.
Skelton’s night — 166 yards passing, 119 yards rushing and 6 total touchdowns — was made more impressive by the curve balls thrown at him during the game.
In the first quarter, Skelton lost a fumble that led to a Benton touchdown and a 7-6 lead for the Panthers.
Skelton couldn’t recall the details of the turnover, mostly because of what followed. After a weather delay lasting more than an hour, Skelton took off down the left sideline in the third quarter, lowered his shoulder and collided helmet to helmet with a Benton defender.
Skelton took two steps before falling backward on the turf. He was helped to the Pine Bluff sideline, then spent two series without his shoulder pads on while trainers worked on his left shoulder. Skelton said that it was a stinger, and once feeling returned to his non-throwing arm he was ready to get back in the game.
“I was real scared. I felt the feeling go out in my arm,” Skelton said. “But I couldn’t go out and let my teammates down.”
He was stuffed on fourthand-1 on his first play back, but on the next series, he lofted a 62-yard touchdown pass to Kyran Simmons that gave Pine Bluff a 32-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter. He then added a 2-yard touchdown pass to Kacy Higgins and a 30yard score to Tyran Simmons.
Skelton also played defense for the Zebras, who were trying to bounce back from a state championship loss a year ago to El Dorado that Bolding said was the source of his desire for alone time between the coach and his quarterback.
“He caught hell last year after last year’s [title] game,” Bolding said. “That’s why me and him are in here right now. He’s got a lot of character about him. Worked his tail off all year and had a great night tonight, and led us to a victory.”
Skelton, who threw two interceptions in last year’s 3124 loss to El Dorado, won’t be criticized for much anymore.
When Pine Bluff last won a state title in 1995, Skelton was almost two years from being born. Skelton said he hears about the Zebras’ tradition — Friday was their ninth state title in the modern era — and how long it’s been since their last championship.
“Being the quarterback, they’re all in my ear,” he said. “I listen to them, and I don’t listen to them. I just keep going, get coached up by the best coaches ever and play with the best teammates ever.”
That’s why Bolding never worried about Skelton. Not after the fumble, and not after the injury.
“He’s been waiting a year for this,” Bolding said. “After everything he went through last year, he’s been waiting a year for this. Kudos to that kid.”