Junior high teams face off in league championships

Seventh and eighth graders show off football talent on Catholic High School’s field

Published: October 31, 2013

by Dwain Hebda
Associate Editor

Dwain Hebda

Holy Souls’ Austin Alsbrook (right, no. 1) follows his blockers on an end around in the first half of the A Division title game against Christ the King. The Wabbits won the game 22-7.

Dwain Hebda

Holy Souls’ Austin Alsbrook (right, no. 1) follows his blockers on an end around in the first half of the A Division title game against Christ the King. The Wabbits won the game 22-7.

Four Catholic junior high football teams squared off Oct. 26 in the Little Rock Parochial League championship games. Catholic High School hosted the event, which played out on Roy Davis Field under cool, cloudy conditions.

In the B Division, undefeated Christ the King School of Little Rock upended last year’s champion, Immaculate Conception of North Little Rock, 30-6. William Kennedy was the story for the Bears, scoring four times including on running plays, a kickoff return and through the air, hauling in a Jake James pass for pay dirt.

Coaching the Bears team, which also won the regular-season title, were Mark McGehee, Marvin Boyd, Bill Hogue and Bob Hooper.

The A Division title game pitted Our Lady of the Holy Souls School against regular-season champ Christ the King School, who had beaten the Wabbits twice during the regular season. After trailing 7-6 in the first half, the Wabbits turned the tide and scored 14 unanswered points to take the title 22-7.

Austin Alsbrook had a monster day on the ground, piling up more than 150 yards rushing, including one 70-yard touchdown run. He would add a second touchdown and a two point conversion in the second half. Ryan Frankowski also ran in a score after halftime.

The Wabbits were coached by Patrick Sullenger, DeWitt Shotts, John Morris and Jim Chase.

The games continue to be a popular draw and fan support spilled out of the bleachers to line the sidelines of Roy Davis Field. Spotted in the crowd were coaches from Catholic High School and Central High School looking over potential freshmen footballers.

Spectators again were treated to a hot dog, chips and drink for their $5 admission charge and enjoyed halftime entertainment by the participating schools’ cheerleaders as well as the Mount St. Mary freshman cheer squad.

The league continues to tie the parochial league to the Catholic High brand, as the CHS Booster Club was on hand to man concession, cook hot dogs and sell CHS-themed merchandise.