Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

(Get the predictions for Class 5A football and the games to watch in the digital edtion of ArkansasSports360.com's 2012 Football Preview.)

Pulaski Academy moves back to 5A after a two-year absence, but without mercurial QB Fredi Knighten, who helped the Bruins post incredible offensive numbers while beating everyone in sight, from 7A teams on down, in winning a 4A championship in 2011.

“We’re excited moving back into 5A,” PA Coach Kevin Kelley said. “The top teams in 4A can compete with the higher classes, so that doesn’t concern us. Overall we’ll see better competition from top to bottom and get to renew some old rivalries.”

Without Knighten, who is at Arkansas State, and other lost lettermen, the Bruins will rely on more pocket-style passing from Lawson Vassar, who plans to play baseball at Arkansas.

But Vassar and sophomore backup Will Hefley will have two exceptional targets in TE/WR Hunter Henry and WR L.J. Wallace.

As the offense develops, Kelley said the team will rely on defense. While the Bruins also lost some key defensive seniors, the coach said he felt good about the returnees.

2011 sack leader Kyle Whepley is back at end, with George Freidman at the other end. Tyler Colquitt and Wilson Tharp are proven linebackers. Sutton Bartlett and Chaz Elliott bring starting experience to the secondary.

If PA doesn’t take 5A, then Camden Fairview should. The Cardinals have reached the 5A semifinals or better three straight years, with two finals appearance. Perennial nemesis Greenwood has moved to 6A.

That move is good for PA, but Kelley will miss the two-time 5A defending champion Bulldogs. “That was a neat rivalry,” Kelley said. “We played them in ’06, ’08 and ’09. We have tons of respect for [Greenwood Coach] Rick Jones, he’s one of the best, if not the best coach in the state.”