Pine Bluff (Arkansas) edges White Hall despite missing 23 disqualified players
WHITE HALL, ARKANSAS — The Pine Bluff Zebras endured a week they would love to forget and ended it with a 20-14, 5A-Central Conference victory over White Hall at Bulldog Stadium.
After getting the news on Wednesday that they would be missing 23 players for their role in a post-game fight following a 24-21, double-overtime loss to Mills on Oct. 6, the Zebras were able to channel their emotion into a conference victory that puts them 6-2 overall and 5-1 in the 5A-Central. White Hall falls to 3-3 and 2-2.
“We weren’t thinking about the 23 players we lost,” said. Pine Bluff head coach Micheal Williams. “We have a next-ma- up mentality. I told my guys to make sure when we go out here and keep your composure. I know there are going to be a lot of things that go against you but keep on fighting and keep on moving.”
Pine Bluff's 23 suspended players were in attendance tonight for the Zebras' road win against White Hall. (Photo by Jeff Halpern)
The 23 Zebras who were suspended, were allowed to attend the game and were on the sideline in street clothes. The most notable absence was quarterback Landon Holcomb, who was replaced by running back Marquez Brentley, Jr. Only two starters were among the 23 suspended.
While last week’s game went to overtime, Friday’s game was down to the wire. Brentley scored from 9 yards out with 9:39 left in the game and Missouri commit Austyn Dendy added the two-point conversion to make it 20-14. White Hall then kept the ball for 16 plays, moving from their 32 to the Pine Bluff 2 before Jayden Smith was stopped on the goal line with 1:24 left, giving the ball back to the Zebras, who were able to run the clock out.
This time, frustration was worn by White Hall head coach Jason Mitchell, who got into a heated argument with the officials, earning an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that kept the Zebras from having to start backed up against their goal line.
“I was hoping he got in. It looked like he got the second push and got across, but that is the line judge’s opinion. I wasn’t happy with it. I wanted our kid to get across. He’s the line judge and made the call,” said Mitchell.
While Mitchell was not pleased with the officials call that denied the Bulldogs a chance to at least tie the game, he was not happy with four penalties for either personal fouls or unsportsmanlike conduct, including two on consecutive plays in the second quarter that pushed them back to their 32-yard line.
“I told them I was very proud of the way they played, but not proud of the way they acted because of the personal foul penalties,” said Mitchell. “I’m not proud of that, and that’s something I need to fix discipline wise.
The Bulldogs also hurt themselves with two interceptions and one lost fumble.
“Too many mistakes,” said Mitchell. "You can’t turn the ball and expect to beat a good team like this. It kills your momentum.”
After the Zebras went into victory formation, they got off the field quickly. Williams said it was not by design, but he said he was told to get his team into the locker room as quickly as possible.
“They told us to get off the field, and we did what they told us to do,” said Williams. “It’s a huge win whether we went through anything or not. Wins are hard to come by so we’re grateful to God to give us another chance to win.”
While the Zebras were able to overcome the loss of 23 players, Mitchell said he did not make a big issue of that during the week.
“We really didn’t talk about It much because they are friends with them across town,” said Mitchell. “They knew it was going to be a hard-fought game and they made more plays in the end.”
---Jeff Halpern
