Reese, Simpson Rally Senators Past Devil Dogs in Semifinal Thriller

Robinson 35, Morrilton 28

LITTLE ROCK – Joe T. Robinson is headed back to War Memorial Stadium after a 35-28 comeback over Morrilton in Friday’s 5A semifinal at Charlie George Stadium.

Linebacker/running back Isiah “Tank” Reese and junior back Charles “Trey” Petty powered the Senators early. Reese punched in the opening score, and Petty ripped off a 68-yard burst to set up his own short touchdown as Robinson jumped ahead 14-7.

Morrilton answered behind quarterback Maddox Berry and receiver Jamarcus Sandidge, who hooked up for two first-half touchdowns, plus a long rushing score that pushed the Devil Dogs in front 21-14. Quarterback Reece Simpson found Jaiden Todd late in the second quarter, but the extra point was blocked, leaving Robinson down 21-20 at halftime.

Berry and Sandidge connected again early in the third, Sandidge’s third touchdown grab, to extend the Morrilton lead to 28-20. From there, Robinson’s defense stiffened and the ground game took over.

Reese muscled in another fourth-quarter touchdown, and Simpson kept on the two‑point conversion to tie it at 28. Moments later, defender Aaron McAdory forced a Sandidge fumble, and the Senator front added a pair of sacks to flip field position. Simpson then hit receiver Braylon Brown deep down the sideline for the go‑ahead 35-28 score.

With no timeouts left, Morrilton’s final drive ended in hurried throws and a last‑play interception near midfield, sending Robinson to the 5A state championship against Hot Springs Lakeside.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Robinson – Isiah “Tank” Reese TD run (William Tait kick), Robinson 7-0
Morrilton – Jamarcus Sandidge TD pass from Maddox Berry (kick good), 7-7
Robinson – Charles “Trey” Petty TD run (Tait kick), Robinson 14-7

2nd Quarter
Morrilton – Sandidge TD pass from Berry (kick good), 14-14
Morrilton – Rushing touchdown (kick good), Morrilton 21-14
Robinson – Jaiden Todd TD pass from Reece Simpson (kick blocked), Morrilton 21-20

3rd Quarter
Morrilton – Sandidge TD pass from Berry (kick good), Morrilton 28-20

4th Quarter
Robinson – Isiah “Tank” Reese TD run (Simpson run, two-point conversion), 28-28
Robinson – Braylon Brown TD pass from Simpson (Tait kick), Robinson 35-28

Players Who Stood Out

• Isiah “Tank” Reese, Robinson, Sr LB/RB – Two rushing touchdowns and multiple chain‑moving runs in the fourth quarter while also anchoring the defense.

• Reece Simpson, Robinson, Jr QB – Threw two touchdown passes (to Todd and Brown) and ran in the key two‑point conversion that tied the game.

• Charles “Trey” Petty, Robinson, Jr back – Broke a 68-yard run to set up a score, added a short TD and contributed as a receiver out of the backfield.

• Jamarcus Sandidge, Morrilton, Sr WR/CB – Over 100 yards receiving with three touchdown catches, repeatedly beating coverage downfield.

• Maddox Berry, Morrilton, Sr QB – Directed the Devil Dogs’ up‑tempo attack with three touchdown passes and timely scrambles in and out of the pocket.