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DALLAS – Pine Bluff’s Zebra football team was one play away – twice — from a huge road win Saturday afternoon. One fourth-down stop or one 2-point conversion stop, and the Zebras would have secured their first victory of the season.
But it was not meant to be.
Dallas Kimball quarterback Deonte Washington tossed a 9-yard touchdown pass to Javion Broussard on a fourth-and-goal on the last play of regulation, and then the same tandem hooked up again from 18 yards away on the third play of overtime as Kimball rallied for a 27-20 overtime victory over the Zebras.
“We had our opportunities,” said Pine Bluff Coach Micheal Williams. “But we’re young. We made a lot of mistakes and it hurts, but it doesn’t damage us because I know what we’ve got coming up.”
It certainly was a tough one to take, considering that the Zebras led the entire way and had multiple chances to put the game on ice.
Pine Bluff led 20-12 at halftime and had maintained that lead throughout the second half. The Zebra defense had surrendered just two first downs in the second half going into the final two minutes of the game.
But penalties and turnovers prevented the Zebras from taking advantage of opportunities to put the game away and claim its first victory of the season after losing to Grenada, Miss., 42-6 in their season opener. The Zebras committed three turnovers and further hurt their own cause by committing 15 penalties for 124 yards.
Kimball, which won its first game of the season after also suffering a lopsided defeat in its season opener, got an 18-yard punt return to give the Knights the ball on the Pine Bluff 40 with 1:31 left to play.
Yet, even after an 18-yard gain by Washington got Kimball inside the Zebra red zone, the Pine Bluff defense stiffened. Two incompletions and a short gain by Washington left Kimball with a fourth-and-9 with just 3 seconds left.
But on fourth down, Washington rolled right and then through left across his body to find Broussard to make it 20-18. Charles McCuin then scored on a 2-point conversion run to tie the game at 20-apiece.
In overtime, Kimball got the ball first and scored in just three plays, with Washington connecting with Broussard again – this time from 18 yards out – to give the Knights their first lead of the game.
The Zebras looked to answer and got the ball down to Kimball 5. But on the third-and-4, quarterback Jamar Morrow was sacked for a 9-yard loss. And, on fourth down, Morrow’s throw into the end zone was just off the outstretched hands of sophomore wide receiver Rashawn Reed.
Pine Bluff had never trailed since a 74-yard pick-6 by Deundre Trotter on Kimball’s first offensive play put the Zebras up 6-0 less than two minutes into the game.
Kimball tied the game later in the quarter. But Pine Bluff immediately answered when Morrow connected with Quentin Roy for a 96-yard TD strike to regain the lead.
After a Washington touchdown allowed Kimball to tie the game midway through the second period, Kevin Pope’s 4-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter gave the Zebras a 20-12 lead at intermission.
Morrow was the main offensive weapon for the Zebras throughout the game. The sophomore signal caller finished the game 14-of-26 passing for 232 yards. And while he did throw a pair of interceptions, he also had a touchdown pass. His favorite target was Roy, who finished with five receptions for 142 yards and a score.
“I told my kids to kids to keep their heads up,” Williams said after the loss. “This is a tough Dallas team in a tough environment. But we’re going to get better. We want to play these tough games now so that when we get into conference play, we’ll be able to survive.”
Pine Bluff will return to action Friday at Camden Fairview.
Pine Bluff High School receiver Rashawn Reed one-hands a catch on a 2-point conversion attempt as Dallas Kimball defensive back Jadarius Jennings covers Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Dallas. The catch was called back, however, for a penalty. (Special to The Commercial/Tommy Brown)