Bledsoe’s Two Touchdowns Help Robinson Turn Back Central
Joe T. Robinson 39, Little Rock Central 15
LITTLE ROCK — Dallas Bledsoe rushed for 211 yards and two touchdowns as Joe T. Robinson scored the final 16 points to defeat Little Rock Central 39-15 Friday at Charlie George Stadium.
Both defenses stopped opening possessions on fourth down. Robinson then scored when quarterback Reece Simpson found Kyrin Grimes over the middle on third-and-10. William Tait’s extra point made it 7-0.
Bledsoe entered in the second quarter and scored on a 42-yard run on his second carry. Simpson later connected with Trey Petty on a touchdown screen, extending the lead to 21-0.
Robinson added a safety when Central quarterback Montrell Thompson went down in his end zone with 29 seconds remaining in the half.
Defensive end Zach Compton recorded a sack on Central’s opening offensive possession of the second half.
Central’s defense generated two third-quarter takeaways. An interception inside Central’s 10-yard line stopped Robinson’s first possession after halftime. Toiree Enlow-Moore stripped a Robinson receiver and returned the recovery to the Senators’ 31-yard line, setting up Thompson’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Trey Stewart with 4:18 remaining.
The Tigers followed with an 85-yard touchdown drive. Thompson found Davion McClure on the first play of the fourth quarter, then ran for the two-point conversion to bring Central within 23-15.
Petty’s fourth-and-one conversion helped Robinson sustain its next scoring drive. Tait’s field goal with 6:59 remaining pushed the margin to 26-15.
Compton recorded his second sack to force fourth-and-20. Matthew Moka then helped sack Thompson on fourth down, returning possession to Robinson.
Bledsoe scored on the next play, and Tait’s kick made it 33-15.
Compton pressured Thompson again on Central’s next possession, and lineman Tre’son King intercepted the pass and returned it for a touchdown. Robinson recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and ran out the remaining time to improve to 2-0.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Robinson — Kyrin Grimes touchdown pass from Reece Simpson (William Tait kick), Robinson 7-0.
2nd Quarter
Robinson — Dallas Bledsoe 42-yard touchdown run (William Tait kick), Robinson 14-0.
Robinson — Trey Petty touchdown reception on a screen pass from Reece Simpson (William Tait kick), Robinson 21-0.
Robinson — Safety, Central quarterback Montrell Thompson down in his own end zone, Robinson 23-0.
3rd Quarter
Central — Trey Stewart 6-yard touchdown pass from Montrell Thompson (kick good), Robinson 23-7.
4th Quarter
Central — Davion McClure touchdown pass from Montrell Thompson (Thompson two-point run), Robinson 23-15.
Robinson — William Tait field goal, Robinson 26-15.
Robinson — Dallas Bledsoe touchdown run (William Tait kick), Robinson 33-15.
Robinson — Tre’son King interception return for a touchdown (conversion failed after an errant snap), Robinson 39-15.
Players of the Game
- Dallas Bledsoe, Robinson, running back: 211 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a 42-yard score on his second carry and a fourth-quarter touchdown immediately after a defensive fourth-down stop.
- Reece Simpson, Robinson, quarterback: Two touchdown passes, connecting with Kyrin Grimes for the opening score and Trey Petty for Robinson’s third touchdown.
- Montrell Thompson, Central, quarterback: Two touchdown passes and a two-point conversion run. His scoring throws to Trey Stewart and Davion McClure helped Central close within 23-15.
- Zach Compton, Robinson, defensive end: Two sacks, including one that forced fourth-and-20 in the fourth quarter. Also pressured Thompson on the pass Tre’son King intercepted and returned for a touchdown.
- Tre’son King, Robinson, defensive lineman: One interception returned for a touchdown, providing Robinson’s final six points.