LITTLE ROCK — Over the past several seasons, the Harrison football playoff run has ended at the hands of a private school from the 5A-Central.
Friday night the Goblins wanted to end that streak as they faced Pulaski Academy.
When the final horn had sounded it was the Bruins that moved on to the quarterfinals of the Class 5A State Football Playoffs while the Goblins packed up the football cleats for the season. Pulaski Academy won the contest, 36-21
Pulaski Academy started the game with the first 22 points. The first score of the game came just a minute into the contest as the Bruins traveled 80 yards to score.
Attempting a two-point conversion, the Bruins were stopped by the Goblin defense.
Harrison's first offensive possession resulted in a fourth down. A bad snap resulted in a safety for the Bruins to make it an 8-0 contest.
The Bruins then scored on the next possession and converted the two-point attempt to make it a 16-0 lead.
With 9:38 left in the second quarter, Pulaski Academy led 22-0.
Harrison didn't back down. The Goblins used 13 plays to find the end zone. Beck Jones on a fourth-and-inches scored on the snap to make it a 22-6 lead.
Pulaski Academy was driving again, but Vann Richards recovered a fumble on the 2 to save Harrison from falling further behind.
The first half ended with a 22-6 lead.
Harrison started the second half with the ball. The Goblins had a drive that resulted in Logan Plumlee hitting Sloan Barrett for a score.
Trailing 22-14, Harrison turned to its defense.
The Goblins held Pulaski Academy out of the end zone, but Harrison gave the ball up three times on interceptions. One of those interceptions was returned for a touchdown.
Harrison added another score with 2:11 left in the game. Plumlee hit Dylan Block for a scoring strike and Brock Bardwell hit the point after attempt to set the final score of the game.
Harrison, who had won four straight league titles before this season, struggled with multiple key injuries during contested league games. Those injuries resulted in three conference losses and the Goblins finishing with a 4-3 league mark.
The Goblins won all of their non-conference games this year. Harrison ended the season with a 7-4 record and they were 4-3 in league play.
Pulaski Academy moves on to the quarterfinals of the tournament. They will play at 7 p.m. on Friday night.
