Bruins repeat in 7- on- 7 tourney

LITTLE ROCK — Senior quarterback Lawson Vassar threw four touchdowns as Pulaski Academy beat Watson Chapel 29- 26 to capture its third consecutive Shootout of the South 7on- 7 passing title Saturday afternoon at Mighty Bluebird Complex.

The Bruins were 5- 0 on Saturday after finishing just 3- 2 in Friday’s pool play.

“We were a little disappointed how we played yesterday,” Pulaski Academy coach Kevin Kelley said. “We told the kids to come out strong and finish strong, with no lulls in between. They did about as well as they could.”

Lake Hamilton beat Fayetteville 46- 35 to win one of the two consolation- bracket titles. Harrison beat Norman, Okla., 41- 9 in the other consolation final.

Vassar was named the tournament’s Top Gun winner ( outstanding quarterback), while Pulaski Academy senior L. J. Wallace was named top receiver.

Wallace put the game out of reach on a 9yard touchdown reception with about three minutes left in the 26- minute final. The touch- down extended Pulaski Academy’s lead to 29- 19.

Junior Chris McCullough threw four touchdowns for Watson Chapel, the last with nine seconds remaining to set the final.

Watson Chapel senior Josh Balentine was named the tournament’s outstanding defensive back.

Watson Chapel was 0- 5 in pool play. But the Wildcats stormed back in bracket play, winning five games by a combined 15 points to reach the final.

Watson Chapel beat Allen, Texas, 18- 16 in the semifinals, surviving when the Eagles completed a pass about a yard short of the goal line as time expired.

Pulaski Academy had beaten Allen in the championship game the previous two years.

Pulaski Academy beat El Dorado 31- 0 in the semifinals.

The Bruins never trailed in the final, taking the lead for good, 15- 7, when Vassar threw a one- yard touchdown to senior Jalen Seals and hit Wallace for a two- point conversion late in the first half. The Bruins led 15- 13 at halftime.

Vassar also threw touchdowns of 27 yards to senior Daniel Vogel and 9 yards to Seals.