14 Dec 2011 PA beats Malvern in 4A championship

Pulaski Academy proved to be too much for the Malvern Leopards in Saturday’s 4A championship game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

PA claimed the state title, 63-28.

Pulaski Academy (14-0, 7-0) is no stranger to playing at War Memorial Stadium – this was the team’s fourth trip in six years. However, in the past three appearances in title games, the Bruins had only won once, defeating West Helena, 35-32, in 2008 for the 5A state title. Since then, the Bruins have moved down to 4A play and made it to at least the semifinals each year, falling to Shiloh Christian, 61-40, in the 4A title game in 2010.

Malvern (12-3, 6-1) returned to War Memorial Stadium for the first time since 1993, when the team won it all. The Leopards only losses were to Pulaski Academy (47-16) and 5A quarterfinalist Hot Springs Lakeside (34-26). Malvern had a relatively easy time with opponents throughout the 4A playoffs, averaging 21 points per victory.

Saturday’s game was the third meeting between both 501 teams. Pulaski Academy won the previous two contests convincingly: 41-21 in 2010 and 47-16 earlier this year. In fact, Pulaski Academy may have only been tested once this season: against 6A runner-up Lake Hamilton in week three, 38-28. The Bruins trailed by a large margin at halftime and completely shut the Wolves down in the second half for a victory.