Warriors’ defense stuffed a NLR two‑point try on the final snap in OT for the Win

Little Rock Christian 37, North Little Rock 36

NORTH LITTLE ROCK — Little Rock Christian turned a 16‑point, late‑fourth‑quarter deficit into an overtime stunner Friday, edging North Little Rock 37‑36 when the Warriors’ defense stuffed a two‑point try on the final snap.

Senior QB Kemp Keller staked LRCA’s passing game before exiting with an injury; sophomore Elijah “Eli” Robertson took over and delivered a clutch finish. Robertson tossed the tying field‑goal drive into range in the final seconds of regulation, then found Tristian Watson for the go‑ahead OT score. Brody Bost was perfect on kicks, drilling a 34‑yarder with :06 left to force overtime and adding the OT PAT. For North Little Rock, sophomore RB Jeremiah Buckner and senior RB Zeke Lewis powered a bruising ground attack, while WR Jamir Lee jump‑started the night with a long punt return TD. LRCA (coach Dustin Grimmett) and NLR (coach Brad Bolding) traded body blows all evening in a classic 7A Central duel.

Robertson, a dual‑threat sophomore, accounted for two fourth‑quarter touchdowns—a strike to Gabe Schroeder and a weaving keeper—to pull LRCA within three before Bost’s equalizer. The Charging Wildcats’ defense swarmed most of the night and their backs repeatedly bounced contain to the perimeter, but LRCA’s front tightened late and special teams flipped the script with an onside recovery and the pressure kick to extend the game.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter — No scoring.

2nd Quarter — North Little Rock – Jamir Lee 75‑yd punt return (kick failed), NLR 6‑0.
North Little Rock – Zeke Lewis 39‑yd run (throwback 2‑pt pass good), NLR 14‑0.

3rd Quarter — North Little Rock – 1‑yd QB sneak (PAT good), NLR 21‑0.
Little Rock Christian – Ryan Burket 20‑yd pass from Kemp Keller (Bost kick), NLR 21‑7.

4th Quarter — Little Rock Christian – Mann Pickens 24‑yd pass from Keller (Bost kick), NLR 21‑14.
North Little Rock – Qejarrian Golatt 34‑yd FG, NLR 24‑14.
North Little Rock – Jayvion Penister 6‑yd run (kick blocked), NLR 30‑14.
Little Rock Christian – Gabe Schroeder 9‑yd pass from Elijah Robertson (pass failed), NLR 30‑20.
Little Rock Christian – Elijah Robertson 34‑yd run (Bost kick), NLR 30‑27.
Little Rock Christian – Brody Bost 34‑yd FG, 30‑30.

OT — Little Rock Christian – Tristian Watson 6‑yd pass from Robertson (Bost kick), LRCA 37‑30.
North Little Rock – 1‑yd run (two‑point run/pass failed), LRCA 37‑36.

Standouts

• Elijah Robertson (LRCA, QB) – 2 TD passes, 1 rushing TD in 4Q/OT rally.

• Kemp Keller (LRCA, QB) – 2 TD passes before injury.

• Tristian Watson (LRCA, WR) – OT TD catch; key chain‑mover all night.

• Jamir Lee (NLR, WR) – 75‑yd punt‑return TD.

• Jeremiah Buckner (NLR, RB) – physical workhorse between the tackles.