The first two times Watson Chapel threw the football on Friday, Pine Bluff caught it.
The Zebras’ defense led them to a 32-8 senior night victory against Watson Chapel at Simmons Bank Field.
Acting Pine Bluff Coach Tyrone Jones said the Zebras emphasized defense in practice this week after allowing 50 points to Searcy last week.
“I just challenged my kids, and they answered,” Jones said. “So, I wasn’t expecting nothing less, because when they play up to their capability, they’re capable of doing what you seen.”
Pine Bluff (2-6, 2-3 in 5A-Central) intercepted the Wildcats’ first two passes, then later recovered a fumble and forced four fourth down stops.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Senior linebacker Mario Jones made a tackle for loss on the second play of the game, then intercepted a pass during the next play. That set up the Zebras at the Watson Chapel 30-yard line, and the Zebras reached the end zone four plays later on a 23-yard pass from quarterback Jamar Morrow to fellow sophomore Rashawn Reed.
Three plays later, Pine Bluff senior linebacker Kevin Pope intercepted a pass around midfield and ran it down the right sideline for a defensive touchdown, giving the Zebras a 14-0 lead with 6:37 remaining in the first quarter after a successful 2-point conversion.
Pope said he saw what the offense was trying to do before his interception.
“First thing I did was read the O-line,” Pope said. “I saw they pass block. I took my read step, got back. They was in deuce, so the two receivers, one out. I looked to the one, he came right underneath. Jumped it, took it to the crib.”
Pine Bluff junior Braylon Bennet ripped the football away from a Wildcat on Watson Chapel’s second drive of the second half. The Wildcats failed on fourth down each of their other second half possessions.
Watson Chapel (0-8, 0-5) finished with 143 yards of total offense, with 103 of those coming in the second half after trailing 20-8 at halftime.
The Wildcats’ only touchdown came on their third possession of the game after Watson Chapel sophomore J’Kenzye Miller returned a kickoff 54 yards to the Pine Bluff 27-yard line.
After a third down face-mask penalty got the Wildcats to the 13-yard line, quarterback Malachi Rayford took it himself for a touchdown. He then threw the ball to sophomore Jakylinn Battles, who reached the corner of the end zone for a 2-point conversion.
Battles led the Wildcats with 43 rushing yards and 10 receiving yards.
The score remained 14-8 until the final moments of the first half. Pine Bluff began a drive at its own 9-yard line but drove the length of the field, with Reed making catches of 30 and 31 yards. Morrow finished the drive with a 16-yard touchdown pass to senior Quentin Roy with 6.4 seconds left in the first half. The Zebras added two touchdowns in the third quarter to pull away.
Morrow completed 9 of 13 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns. Reed caught four passes for 91 yards and a touchdown.
This was the final of three home games for Pine Bluff this year, and the Zebras finished 2-1 at home. Jones said he is committed to Pine Bluff and the community, so it is good to finish with a winning home record.
“I’m glad for them to see we won more than we lost,” Jones said. “That was my pet peeve. It would have been a major letdown for me if I couldn’t have showed them that. So, I’m kinda glad they saw us win more than we lost.”