Tyson Bradden completed 27 of 33 passes for 371 yards and four touchdowns, and the Joe T. Robinson Senators clinched a share of the 5A-Central Conference championship with a 33-14 win over Pine Bluff High School on Friday at Simmons Bank Field at Golden Lion Stadium.
Pine Bluff (2-7, 2-4 in 5A-Central) has been eliminated from playoff contention with its loss and Beebe’s victory over Watson Chapel. But on the first drive, it appeared the Zebras, who beat Robinson to win the conference last year, were going to give the Senators another tough game with playoff implications.
D’Juan Hayes took a handoff and rushed 8 yards for a touchdown to finish an 80-yard opening series for Pine Bluff. The Zebras then forced the Senators to turn the ball over on downs, but couldn’t build much momentum afterward.
Bradden completed his first 14 passes, giving Robinson a much-needed boost from a 7-0 deficit.
Sophomore Jaiden Todd caught Bradden’s first touchdown pass from 19 yards out with 7:16 left before halftime to even the score. That started Robinson’s 33-point upswing — 24 of those before the break.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Kevin “Deuce” Williams returned a punt 16 yards to the Pine Bluff 31, and that set up the next scoring play, his 31-yard reception with 4:53 left. Kyrin Grimes’ interception and short return to the Pine Bluff 28 led to Tatum Hayes’ touchdown haul one play later, and John Tait kicked a 20-yard field goal with 16 seconds left in the half.
Pine Bluff tried to build momentum off a Braylen Mays interception of Bradden on Robinson’s first drive of the second half. Instead, punter James Ento fielded a low snap and was forced out of his own end zone on the following series for a Robinson safety.
Jordan Thomas took a screen pass from Bradden and made it a 64-yard gain to highlight a 10-play Robinson drive that started with 26 seconds left in the third quarter. Malachi Muhammad capped that drive with an 8-yard reception.
Pine Bluff’s Tristan Helloms juggled and caught a 76-yard heave from Davonte Wallace with 4:35 left in the game. Wallace completed 9 of 16 for 144 yards, with Helloms catching 5 for 102.
Hayes had 14 carries for 46 yards.
Robinson totaled 395 yards but rushed 20 times for minus-9 yards. Pine Bluff totaled 262 yards.
NEXT UP
Pine Bluff will finish its season at Simmons Bank Field on Thursday against White Hall. Robinson will visit Maumelle for a chance to win the conference championship outright.
Quinton Roy of Pine Bluff is tackled after a gain by Kyrin Grimes of Robinson on Friday night at Simmons Bank Field at Golden Lion Stadium. (Special to The Commercial/Demetris Johnson)