PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Following a tough start to the 2024 prep football season, the Pine Bluff Zebras are excited for another chance in familiar surroundings.
The Z’s (0-1) struggled offensively in a 14-0 loss to Millwood (Okla.) in DeSoto (Texas) last Saturday as they were shut out for the first time under Micheal Williams, who is in his third season leading his alma mater.
“We had a lot of opportunities to score, but mistakes knocked us out of it whether it was a huge penalty or us just not executing a play,” Williams said. “We had guys running wide open down the field, but that doesn’t matter if you can not get the ball to them.”
Pine Bluff will face another out-of-state opponent when Kimball (Texas) comes to town on Saturday for an 11 a.m. kickoff at the University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff’s Simmons Bank Field.
Surprisingly, this will be the first of its kind, per Williams.
“People do not understand that it is the first time this is happening for Pine Bluff High, per say, that we are able to play at UAPB, but also the fact that we are playing out of state competition,” Williams said. “It is going to be broadcasted and we are playing a team that is right close to home.
“I laugh about it because when you come to Pine Bluff a lot of people are Dallas Cowboys fans, so they are familiar with the area. To have a team from the Dallas area come it is very huge for this community and the state of Arkansas. Just like Parkview going to Melissa, whether they won or lost it was just huge for our kids to see that.”
The game will be live-streamed on The Natural Sports Network YouTube Channel and Facebook page.
Who are the Kimball Knights?
Like Pine Bluff, Class 4A Division I Kimball (0-1) also struggled to find offensive consistency in a 20-6 loss to 5A Division II Mansfield Timberview. The Knights entered the season ranked 20th in their class and second in their conference by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. They are led by 1990 alumnus and former NFL player Brandon “Bam” Harrison.
Harrison had previous connections to Williams when Harrison was an assistant coach for Texas Christian University and Williams was an assistant high school coach in the Lone Star State.
Kimball returned 15 starters from a 2023 8-3 squad that clinched a playoff spot while competing in Class 5A Division II. It all starts with senior quarterback Armirie Williams-Hall (6-0, 180) after impressing in his first season for the Knights as a junior when he passed for 2,964 yards and 28 touchdowns.
“Armirie was definitely a game changer for us,” Harrison said. “It all starts with him. He has to be able to control the cadence, the time clock, everything has to go through him.”
Though the season opener may not have reflected it, Harrison feels his offense will turn the corner as soon as Saturday.
“All of the things we did not do well was fixable,” Harrison said. “I think you will see a better product this weekend.”
Kimball has its signal caller set, while the Zebras played both senior Davonte Wallace (5-9, 160) as well as sophomore Antwone Miller (6-2, 240). It is not uncommon for Williams to play multiple quarterbacks as he prefers getting in game reps in case someone else is needed.
Senior safety Juan Aguilar (6-2, 175) is the heart of soul of Kimball’s defense. Aguilar owns Division I offers from Bowling Green, Fordham, Grambling State, Hawaii, Houston Christian, Mississippi Valley State, Montana, Texas A&M Commerce, Texas State, UNLV and UTEP. He collected 67 tackles and led the state of Texas with 11 interceptions as a junior.
“Our secondary gets a lot of praise and Juan leads by example in a quiet leadership role,” Harrison said.
The Knights will also get a major boost on the defensive line as five starters will suit up after not being available against Mansfield Timberview.
Getting Defensive
Defense was expected the be the Z’s strength this season as the offense took massive hits, graduating Missouri signees Austyn Dendy and Courtney Crutchfield, plus quarterback Landon Holcomb who inked with UAPB.
The defensive returned seven starters from a unit that allowed 19.2 points per game last fall, second in Class 5A only to state champion Parkview. It proved through one game it is ready to live up to the hype after surrendering only one score against Millwood.
“Millwood scored the other touchdown on a fumble by us that resulted in a scoop and score, so I am very proud of the defense to be able to hold an offense like Millwood’s to seven points,” Williams said. Millwood is the defending Oklahoma Class 2A runner-up.
Even better, the Z’s were missing three starters who will be back on Saturday, including defensive lineman Juju Stribling (5-11, 240), who was tabbed all-state last fall. The secondary also received good news with the return of senior all-conference safety Kayvon Stringer (5-11, 175). Stringer intercepted six passes, and broke up 12 more, while also logging 29 tackles as a junior.
The Z’s also have senior all-state defensive tackle Danny Johnson (6-0, 285) plugging the middle, plus added proven senior linebacker Marshon Jordan (5-11, 210) from White Hall. Jordan logged 267 tackles over the past two seasons with the Bulldogs.
“We set everything up for the defense to be the strongpoint of our team, but it is even better than I thought,” Williams said.
(Cover photo submitted)
Kyle Sutherland is a journalist and podcast host (Arkansas Preps Weekly) for The Natural State Sports Network. His written work has been featured in outlets including the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Best of Arkansas Sports and Hooten’s Arkansas Football. He is also the color commentator for 103.7 The Buzz’s high school football Game of the Week. Email Kyle at kyle@naturalstatesports.com.