Panthers survive instant classic on Bailey scoop‑and‑score, Powell’s late plunge

Published On: October 21, 2025Categories: High School, News

Cabot 42, Pulaski Academy 35

Pulaski Academy’s homecoming delivered the fireworks it promised, but Cabot had the final spark. The Panthers edged the Bruins 42–35 on Friday in Little Rock, closing it out after DE Braxton Bailey’s third‑quarter scoop‑and‑score swung momentum and RB Cooper Powell’s late goal‑line plunge provided the winning margin.

Senior QB Maddox McCrory steered Cabot with three touchdown passes—a 75‑yard strike to WR Bentley Harrell, a red‑zone throw to WR Aeneas Arnold, and the go‑ahead toss to WR Ayden Tatum early in the fourth. Powell churned out chains in the second half and finished with two rushing scores. K Dean Heyer went 6‑for‑6 on PATs. Cabot defensive stalwarts DL Joey Bartlett (strip‑sack that led to Bailey’s return), DE Bailey, LB Ethan Carter (late fumble recovery), DL Asher Laws and DL Grant Zimmerman punctuated stops that withstood a PA rally.

Pulaski Academy answered all night behind QB Sam Hurtado, who tossed three touchdowns, including a long connection to WR Bryce Gittens and a 43‑yard screen to RB Javion Walker. WR William Svoboda produced a short touchdown and added another scoring grab after halftime, while WR Mason Greathouse was a frequent target, also catching a two‑point pass from Chase Hancock that briefly gave the Bruins an 8–7 edge.

Cabot led 28–14 after Powell’s short TD and Bailey’s return before PA knotted it 35–35. With 1:36 left, Powell powered in again; on the ensuing drive Carter fell on a Bruin fumble to seal it, and the Panthers kneeled out an instant classic.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Cabot – Bentley Harrell 75‑yd pass from Maddox McCrory (Dean Heyer kick), Cabot 7–0.

2nd Quarter
Pulaski Academy – William Svoboda short TD run (Chase Hancock to Mason Greathouse 2‑pt pass), PA 8–7.
Cabot – Aeneas Arnold TD pass from McCrory (Heyer kick), Cabot 14–8.
Pulaski Academy – Rashawn Mitchell screen TD from Hurtado (kick blocked), 14–14.

3rd Quarter
Cabot – Cooper Powell 2‑yd run (Heyer kick), Cabot 21–14.
Cabot – Braxton Bailey fumble return (Heyer kick), Cabot 28–14.
Pulaski Academy – William Svoboda TD pass from Hurtado (kick), Cabot 28–21.
Pulaski Academy – Javion Walker 43‑yd screen from Hurtado (kick), 28–28.

4th Quarter
Cabot – Ayden Tatum TD pass from McCrory (Heyer kick), Cabot 35–28.
Pulaski Academy – Bryce Gittens long TD pass from Hurtado (kick), 35–35.
Cabot – Powell 2‑yd run (Heyer kick), Cabot 42–35.