Little Rock Christian 45, Little Rock Southwest 8
LITTLE ROCK — Little Rock Christian seized control early and never let go, routing Little Rock Southwest 45–8 on Friday at Griffin Stadium. Sophomore quarterback Elijah Robertson (#9) tossed four touchdown passes—two to senior Conner Smith and one each to Pierre “Mann” Pickens and Ryan Burket—to pace the Warriors’ fast start. Running back Jackson Ward added a 13‑yard scoring burst, kicker Brody Bost stroked a 49‑yard field goal, and two‑way senior Gabe Schroeder capped the night with a pick‑six.
Southwest found traction with senior quarterback Derrick Vasser’s improvisation and junior running back Robert Cooper’s physical downhill style. Cooper supplied the Gryphons’ touchdown late in the first half, and a botched PAT turned into a successful two‑point run. Vasser extended multiple drives with escapes to the edge, but the Warriors’ pursuit repeatedly closed the lanes.
LRCA’s defense set the tone. Linebacker DJ Williams and edge rusher Blake Haughaboo registered drive‑killing plays, while interior pressure from Carter Sims freed safety Malachi Momphery to block a punt. Freshman linebacker Gideon Carlisle, cornerback Connor Davis and others cleaned up in space as Southwest’s passing game struggled to connect beyond the sticks.
It was a full‑phase, 7A‑level performance from LRCA: efficient through the air, authoritative on the ground, and airtight in coverage. Southwest, still searching for its first win, showed grit, especially behind Vasser and Cooper, and kept fighting to the final whistle.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter Little Rock Christian – Mann Pickens 42‑yd pass from Elijah Robertson (Bost kick), 7–0.
1st Quarter Little Rock Christian – Conner Smith pass from Robertson (Bost kick), 14–0.
2nd Quarter Little Rock Christian – Conner Smith pass from Robertson (Bost kick), 21–0.
2nd Quarter Little Rock Southwest – Robert Cooper short run (two‑point run good), 21–8.
3rd Quarter Little Rock Christian – Jackson Ward 13‑yd run (Bost kick), 28–8.
3rd Quarter Little Rock Christian – Ryan Burket pass from Robertson (Bost kick), 35–8.
4th Quarter Little Rock Christian – Bost 49‑yd field goal, 38–8.
4th Quarter Little Rock Christian – Gabe Schroeder interception return (Bost kick), 45–8.
Standouts
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Elijah Robertson, QB (LRCA) — four TD passes.
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Conner Smith, RB (LRCA) — two TD receptions.
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Gabe Schroeder, WR/DB (LRCA) — pick‑six to trigger the running clock.
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Brody Bost, K/P (LRCA) — 49‑yd FG; perfect on PATs.
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Robert Cooper, RB (Southwest) — lone Gryphons TD; tough yards inside.
