GARRETT UEKMAN MEMORIAL 7-ON-7

Bruins win with Kelley in stands

Pulaski Academy cornerback Hunter Paddie (right) intercepts a pass intended for Russellville receiver Jalen Curtis during the championship game of the Garrett Uekman Memorial 7-on-7 tournament at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Paddie had two interceptions in the Bruins’ 28-16 victory.

Pulaski Academy football Coach Kevin Kelley pretty much let his players try to figure out how to win the second annual Garrett Uekman Memorial 7-on-7 passing tournament.

They did.

Junior quarterback Will Hefley threw three touchdowns and senior defensive back Hunter Paddie had two interceptions in Pulaski Academy’s 28-16 victory over Russellville in the title game Saturday afternoon at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

It was the second tournament title this summer for the Bruins, who also claimed the Summer Showdown title June 5 at Pulaski Robinson in Little Rock.

But unlike the Summer Showdown, or almost any other 7-on-7 tournament Pulaski Academy has played, Kelley and his coaching staff watched the entire Uekman Memorial from the stands and let players run the offense and defense.

Kelley said he wanted to see his team grow Saturday and used the same tactic at Fountain Lake’s tournament a few years ago.

“When you first start coaching is when you learn the most,” said Kelley, who has led the Bruins to three state championships since 2003. “You learn fast because you’re coaching somebody and realize that doesn’t sound good or that doesn’t look right. You start seeing things differently.

“There’s a lot of pluses for teaching them leadership, a lot of leadership, actually, kind of the pecking order and stuff like that. Overall, our kids kept telling us throughout the day they were learning a lot from this.”

In the 20-minute final, Pulaski Academy trailed immediately as Jalen Curtis, Russellville’s standout senior wide receiver, caught a 40-yard touchdown - the length of the field - on the game’s first play.

But senior safety Chad Michaelis’ interception on the extra-point attempt (worth two points) swung the momentum back to Pulaski Academy.

The Bruins then took the lead for good, 10-6, after Hefley threw a 2-yard touchdown to sophomore Trey Bruce on their first possession.

The lead grew to 20-6 on an interception in the end zone by Paddie with 10 minutes remaining.

The Cyclones pulled within 20-16 on a 20-yard touchdown reception by Curtis with about five minutes to play.

But Pulaski Academy put the game away on Hefley’s 4-yard touchdown to junior wide receiver Will Hastingswith about 2 1-2 minutes remaining.

Proceeds from the 14-team tournament are earmarked for the Garrett Uekman Foundation, a nonprofit organization designed to raise funds for heart-disease research and education and to fund scholarships for deserving student athletes.

Saturday’s results at War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Pulaski Academy 28, Russellville 16

SEMIFINALS Pulaski Academy 25, Highland 12 Russellville 30, Jonesboro 20

QUARTERFINALS Highland 24, Malvern 19 Pulaski Academy 23, LR Central 21 Jonesboro 20, Carlisle 7 Russellville 22, Fountain Lake 12

BRACKET PLAY FIRST ROUND (SINGLE ELIMINATION) Malvern 15, Dumas 13 Fountain Lake 16, H.S. Lakeside 14 Highland 15, Mountain Home 0 Pulaski Academy 22, LR Catholic 20 Carlisle 24, Clinton 13 Russellville 2, Russellville JV 0 (forfeit)

POOL RESULTS

8 A.M.

Pulaski Academy 28, Clinton 17 LR Central 28, Malvern 12

8:25 A.M.

Jonesboro 19, Carlisle 13 Russellville 28, Fountain Lake 13

8:50 A.M.

Dumas 12, LR Catholic 6 HS Lakeside 26, Russellville JV 6

9:15 A.M.

Carlisle 36, Mountain Home 13 Clinton 20, Highland 18

9:40 A.M.

LR Central 27, Pulaski Academy 18 Fountain Lake 20, Malvern 0

10:05 A.M.

Jonesboro 22, LR Catholic 16 Russellville 26, Highland 10

10:30 A.M.

Dumas 18, HS Lakeside 9 Mountain Home 14, Russellville JV 6

10:55 A.M.

Pulaski Academy 14, Malvern 13 Clinton 25, Fountain Lake 18

11:20 A.M.

Highland 20, LR Central 12 Carlisle 31, HS Lakeside 6

11:45 A.M.

Jonesboro 26, Dumas 14 LR Catholic 23, Mountain Home 13

12:10 P.M.

Russellville 18, Pulaski Academy 14

Clinton 32, Malvern 7

12:35 P.M.

Jonesboro 26, Russellville JV 22

Highland 22, Fountain Lake 0.

1 P.M.

LR Central 28, Russellville 20

Carlisle 23, Dumas 8

1:25 P.M.

HS Lakeside 22, Mountain Home 14

LR Catholic 14, Russellville JV 6

1:50 P.M.

Russellville 20, Malvern 8

Pulaski Academy 20, Fountain Lake 8

2:15 P.M.

LR Central 22, Clinton 16

Dumas 10, Russellville JV 8

2:40 P.M.

Jonesboro 28, HS Lakeside 28 (tie)

Highland 11, Malvern 2

3:05 P.M.

LR Catholic 16, Carlisle 13

Dumas 15, Mountain Home 14

NOTE Earle didn’t attend tournament and was replaced by Russellville’s junior varsity team.

Sports, Pages 23 on 07/14/2013