The Pine Bluff defense handled business Friday night to lead the Zebras to a win across town.
Pine Bluff defeated Watson Chapel 33-6 at Wildcat Stadium during Watson Chapel’s homecoming.
Zebras coach Micheal Williams said Pine Bluff’s defense showed its potential.
“They are who we thought they were,” Williams said. “The same defense that kind of let us down a little bit, but they showed up in the best times of the season, like last week. They showed up last week, too. So, our defense is who we hang our hat on, and we’re gonna forever do that at Pine Bluff High. It’s all about them stripes, and that’s how we show our stripes.”
Pine Bluff (2-6, 2-3 in 5A-Central) intercepted three passes and recovered a fumble, with the fumble leading to a touchdown.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Senior defensive lineman Danny Johnson made three sacks and recovered the fumble. Williams said Johnson is the best defensive tackle in Arkansas.
“I don’t understand why he’s not highly recruited,” Williams said. “I know if he was in Texas with me, he’d be recruited by every team in the country. I don’t know what coaches are going to read this, but y’all are sleeping on Danny Johnson.”
The Zebras took the lead on their first drive when running back D’Juan Hayes took a handoff for a 10-yard touchdown. On Pine Bluff’s next drive, Watson Chapel (1-6, 0-5) senior Jessie Bell intercepted a pass near midfield, and the Wildcats capitalized with a 45-yard touchdown pass from Kassius Hollins to Javeon Williams. The 2-point try failed, keeping Pine Bluff in front, 7-6.
Pine Bluff quarterback Davonte Wallace bounced back from the interception by throwing touchdown passes on the Zebras’ next two possessions, a 22-yard pass to Tristan Helloms and an 11-yard pass to Travis Harden. The latter came one play after Johnson’s fumble recovery, which came on the first play of Watson Chapel’s drive.
Each team threw interceptions on the next two drives, and the 20-6 Pine Bluff lead stood at halftime.
Watson Chapel’s first three drives of the second half began in Pine Bluff territory, one occasion following Williams’ decision to go for a fourth down and 3 at his own 30-yard line. Those Wildcat drives resulted in an interception and two fourth down stops. The Zebras went on to force another fourth down stop and intercept another pass to close out the game.
Williams said he went for that fourth down because of his confidence in his defense, and Johnson said he and his teammates knew they would get a stop when they went out for the ensuing Wildcat drive.
“We really had confidence,” Johnson said. “That’s a big part of playing football.”
Hayes finished with 16 carries for 109 yards and a touchdown for the Zebras. Wallace completed nine of 18 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Roy Quinton caught four passes for 79 yards.
For Watson Chapel, Hollins completed 10 of 27 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown, while receiver Jabaree Smith caught six passes for 31 yards.
Trinity Mitchner stands with her father Terence Mitchner as Trinity is crowned Homecoming Queen before the Friday night game against Pine Bluff at Wildcat Stadium. (Special to the Commercial/William Harvey)
Watson Chapel freshman Jakilynn Battles returns a kickoff against Pine Bluff. (Special to the Commercial/William Harvey)