Simpson’s late interception return seals North Little Rock’s 64–50 victory

Published On: September 28, 2026Categories: High School, News

North Little Rock 64, Pulaski Academy 50

NORTH LITTLE ROCK — Priest Simpson returned an interception for a touchdown with six seconds remaining to secure North Little Rock’s 64–50 victory over Pulaski Academy on Friday at Charging Wildcat Stadium.

The Charging Wildcats improved to 4–0 and won their 7A-Central opener in a game featuring 114 points and nine first-half lead changes. Christian Reeves scored four rushing touchdowns, Jeremiah Buckner added two, and Jamir Lee caught two touchdown passes from Robert Jackson.

Pulaski Academy quarterback Caleb Sullivan threw six touchdown passes. Bryce Gittens accounted for four touchdowns, scoring on a 61-yard run and catching three scoring passes. Win Wilson, Chase Hancock and Myles McDaniel also caught touchdown passes.

The teams traded scores throughout the first half. Sullivan opened with a field goal, Reeves answered with a 1-yard touchdown, and Gittens’ 61-yard run put PA ahead 10–7. Lee’s first touchdown reception gave North Little Rock a 14–10 lead after one quarter. Christopher Gray contributed two sacks on consecutive plays during a first-quarter red-zone stand.

Wilson’s touchdown catch put PA back ahead, but Davian Jordon returned the ensuing onside kick 50 yards for a touchdown. Sullivan’s scoring passes to Gittens and Hancock, with Lee’s second touchdown reception between them, left the Bruins ahead 30–27. PA’s McCall Keyes also tackled Jacorey Spann for a 1-yard loss in the quarter.

North Little Rock changed quarterbacks after Jackson left with an injury with 4:07 remaining in the second quarter. Thomas Washington took over, and Buckner’s 26-yard run set up Reeves’ 8-yard touchdown. Reeves added a 75-yard scoring run with 51 seconds left, giving the Charging Wildcats a 39–30 halftime lead.

Washington connected with Lee for 71 yards on the opening possession of the third quarter. Carter Whicker made the tackle at the 8, and Buckner scored on the next play. Demetrice Mitchell then intercepted Sullivan, and Reeves finished the ensuing possession with his fourth rushing touchdown for a 51–30 lead.

McDaniel answered with a 40-yard touchdown reception. North Little Rock responded with a 64-yard drive that included first-down runs by Jhase Robinson and a first-down catch by Danny Smith. Buckner finished it with a 6-yard touchdown run, making it 57–37 entering the fourth quarter.

PA rallied behind two more Gittens touchdown catches. His 16-yard reception cut the deficit to 14, and the Bruins’ defense stopped a fourth-and-1 run to regain possession with 3:20 remaining. Sullivan then found Gittens for an 8-yard touchdown, bringing PA within 57–50 with 2:33 left.

The Bruins recovered a fumble at North Little Rock’s 37 with 2:14 remaining. Wilson converted third-and-10 with a reception. Simpson broke up a pass later in the possession, but PA eventually reached the 1-yard line.

North Little Rock stopped the next run. A false start moved PA back to the 6, where Corwin Couch pressured Sullivan into an incompletion. On third-and-goal, Simpson intercepted the pass and returned it for the decisive touchdown. Payton Reynolds added the extra point.

Scoring summary

First quarter

PA: Caleb Sullivan field goal. PA 3–0.
NLR: Christian Reeves 1-yard run (Payton Reynolds kick). NLR 7–3.
PA: Bryce Gittens 61-yard run (Sullivan kick). PA 10–7.
NLR: Jamir Lee touchdown pass from Robert Jackson (Reynolds kick). NLR 14–10.

Second quarter

PA: Win Wilson touchdown pass from Sullivan (kick failed). PA 16–14.
NLR: Davian Jordon 50-yard kickoff return (kick failed). NLR 20–16.
PA: Gittens 19-yard pass from Sullivan (Sullivan kick). PA 23–20.
NLR: Lee touchdown pass from Jackson (Reynolds kick). NLR 27–23.
PA: Chase Hancock 33-yard pass from Sullivan (Sullivan kick). PA 30–27.
NLR: Reeves 8-yard run (kick failed). NLR 33–30.
NLR: Reeves 75-yard run (kick blocked). NLR 39–30.

Third quarter

NLR: Jeremiah Buckner 8-yard run (kick failed). NLR 45–30.
NLR: Reeves touchdown run (kick failed). NLR 51–30.
PA: Myles McDaniel 40-yard pass from Sullivan (Sullivan kick). NLR 51–37.
NLR: Buckner 6-yard run (kick failed). NLR 57–37.

Fourth quarter

PA: Gittens 16-yard pass from Sullivan (kick blocked). NLR 57–43.
PA: Gittens 8-yard pass from Sullivan (Sullivan kick). NLR 57–50.
NLR: Priest Simpson interception return for a touchdown (Reynolds kick). NLR 64–50.

Players who stood out

Priest Simpson, North Little Rock: Returned an interception for a touchdown with six seconds remaining. Also broke up a pass on PA’s final scoring threat.
Christian Reeves, North Little Rock: Four rushing touchdowns, including a 75-yard score with 51 seconds left in the first half.
Jamir Lee, North Little Rock: Two touchdown receptions from Robert Jackson and a 71-yard catch from Thomas Washington that set up a third-quarter touchdown.
Jeremiah Buckner, North Little Rock: Touchdown runs of 8 and 6 yards. His 26-yard run set up Reeves’ second touchdown.
Davian Jordon, North Little Rock: Returned an onside kick 50 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.
Christopher Gray, North Little Rock: Sacked Sullivan on consecutive third- and fourth-down plays to end a first-quarter red-zone possession.
Caleb Sullivan, Pulaski Academy: Six touchdown passes to four receivers, a field goal and five extra points.
Bryce Gittens, Pulaski Academy: Four touchdowns—a 61-yard run and scoring receptions of 19, 16 and 8 yards. His two fourth-quarter touchdown catches brought PA within seven.
Win Wilson, Chase Hancock and Myles McDaniel, Pulaski Academy: Each caught a touchdown pass. Hancock scored from 33 yards and McDaniel from 40. Wilson also converted third-and-10 on PA’s final scoring threat.