Little Rock Christian 35, El Dorado 14

LITTLE ROCK — Little Rock Christian made a statement in its opener Friday, striking early and never letting up in a 35–14 win over El Dorado. The Warriors controlled the night with balance on offense, discipline on defense, and solid special teams play.

Senior quarterback Kemp Keller showed poise, firing three touchdown passes to Tristian Watson, Gabe Schroeder, and Mann “Mann” Pickens. Behind him, LRCA’s offensive line kept pressure at bay and carved space for a short scoring plunge by Jackson Ward, capping five total touchdowns. Sophomore kicker Brody Bost was perfect on extra points.

The Warriors’ defense made the biggest swing of the night when Schroeder jumped a route for a 35-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter. That score, just after El Dorado had cut the margin, sealed momentum.

The Wildcats responded after halftime. Senior back Jeremy Samuel sparked a third-quarter drive with tough inside runs and muscled in from three yards out. Later, Cannon Jacobs directed a late march and kept it himself for a 10-yard touchdown. El Dorado’s defensive backs also forced multiple third-and-longs before Keller’s deep strike to Pickens broke things open.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter — LR Christian – Watson 19-yd pass from Keller (Bost kick), 7–0.
2nd Quarter — LR Christian – Schroeder 5-yd pass from Keller (Bost kick), 14–0.
2nd Quarter — LR Christian – Pickens 71-yd pass from Keller (Bost kick), 21–0.
3rd Quarter — El Dorado – Samuel 3-yd run (PAT good), 21–7.
4th Quarter — LR Christian – Schroeder 35-yd interception return (Bost kick), 28–7.
4th Quarter — LR Christian – Ward 4-yd run (Bost kick), 35–7.
4th Quarter — El Dorado – Jacobs 10-yd keeper (PAT good), 35–14.

Players Who Stood Out

• Kemp Keller (QB, LRCA) — 3 TD passes.
• Gabe Schroeder (WR/DB, LRCA) — TD catch, pick-six.
• Mann Pickens (WR, LRCA) — 71-yard TD grab.
• Jeremy Samuel (RB/OLB, El Dorado) — physical TD run.
• Cannon Jacobs (WR/QB, El Dorado) — led late scoring drive.