JOE T. ROBINSON downs Ashdown in overtime.
A game dominated by big plays was decided by grinding runs in overtime.
Senior running back Hunter Smith led his teammates’ call with runs of, in order, 4 and 5 yards to set up his overtime game-winning 1-yard touchdown run to decide Joe T. Robinson’s 29-21 victory over Ashdown in 4A-7 Conference play at Charlie George Stadium in Little Rock on Friday night.
“Offensively, in overtime, the lineman just wanted to get in their jumbo set,” Robinson Coach Todd Eskola said. “They said, ‘Don’t run but one play Coach, and we’ll win,’ and they did. We didn’t call but one play. You listen to the kids when they come out with passion like that.”
The Senators (6-3, 4-1) broke a 14-14 first-half tie with a 57-yard touchdown run by Smith to start the third quarter.
A 36-yard pass from junior quarterback Alex Keilbach to junior receiver Jaxon Jester helped set up Keilbach’s 1-yard sneak that tied the score at 21-21 with 8:49 left in regulation.
Turnovers stopped drives deep in opposition territory by Ashdown and Robinson late in the fourth quarter, results that led to overtime.
Ashdown (6-3, 3-3) gained one yard on three runs to face fourth and 9 in the overtime. On the final play, Keilbach threw out of bounds to give Robinson its chance.
“Our kids played really well,” Ashdown Coach Matt Richardson said. “I’m real proud of them. We played a good opponent tonight. Hopefully, we can get deep into the playoffs and we might get to see them again.”
After Smith’s game-winning touchdown, Robinson quarterback Buddy Gaston ran for a two-point conversion to account for the final margin.
Ashdown scored on its first possession of the game with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Keilbach to sophomore receiver Shamar Easter with 4:30 left in the first quarter.
Robinson responded with a 64-yard drive on 14 plays, the last a 14-yard touchdown pass from Gaston to senior receiver Desmond Wilkins to tie the score at 7-7 with 11:49 left in the first half.
Ashdown’s following drive led to a punt from its 7. On the first play of Robinson’s ensuing drive, Gaston completed a 47-yard touchdown pass to Wilkins.
Gaston completed 25 of 38 passes for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns. Smith rushed for 94 yards and 2 touchdowns on 13 carries.
A first half full of big plays was completed with Keilbach’s 57-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver D.J. Goffin that tied the score at 14-14 with 5:40 left in the second quarter.
Keilbach completed 5 of 12 passes for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns.
“Their kids played their tails off,” Eskola said. “I have all the respect in the world for Coach Richardson and his program.”