Vaughn Seelicke’s 25-yard field goal with less than two minutes remaining secured Pulaski Academy’s eighth straight state championship game appearance as the Bruins eked out a 38-28 win over Greenbrier in the Class 5A semifinals at Don Jones Stadium on Friday night.
The loss ended one of the best seasons in recent memory for a banged-up Greenbrier squad that faced a 29-0 deficit in the first half, who played without several key starters and right up until game time where prepared to play without their starting quarterback.
Although Greenbrier managed to keep the Bruins’ offense well in check for nearly the entire second half, PA’s Joe Himon still racked up four touchdowns and 366 yards rushing.
And the Bruins needed all of it.
Although Pulaski Academy (12-1) weren’t always at their best, Coach Anthony Lucas credited the Panthers’ effort on both sides of the ball.
In fact, the Bruins nearly put the mercy rule into effect by halftime — they scored on four of their first five possessions and Greenbrier put together only one drive of more than 18 yards in the opening two quarters.
But the Panthers did find a way to score shortly before the break when Cooper Wilcox connected with Miles Miller for a 46-yard touchdown.
Wilcox, who separated his throwing shoulder last Friday in Greenbrier’s win over Wynne, had posted on his Instagram page that he’d played his last game for the Panthers. Yet as the week went on, the senior improved health-wise, and he refused to miss out on a chance to get Greenbrier to the final.
Wilcox – who finished the game 18-of-40 passing while running for two scores – wasn’t able to throw much during the week but broke off a highlight-reel 84-yatd TD jaunt that pulled the Panthers within 35-28 with less than six minutes remaining in the contest.
Pulaski Academy, having seen their lead dwindle to seven points, managed the clock well, running the ball effectively with Himon and Fiser to get into the red zone. And facing fourth-and-6 from the Greenbrier 7, Lucas said he knew it was time for Seelicke to send the Bruins to the season’s final weekend once more.
Pulaski Academy will face White Hall for the Class 5A title on Friday.
Faulkner County Focus Sports 