LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The state championship drought in football has finally ended not only at Little Rock Parkview but for the Little Rock School District.
The Patriots took down the Shiloh Christian Saints 31-21 at War Memorial Stadium on Saturday to claim the 5A state championship, a first for the Patriots since 1978 and a first for the LRSD since 2004.
"I'm so proud to be part of the Little Rock school district," Little Rock Parkview Head Coach Brad Bolding said. "I've got a group of young guys that are outstanding we're going to push these guys and hopefully, we can keep this coming."
The game didn't start easy for the Patriots.
With 7:48 in the first quarter, Shiloh Christian running back Bo Williams scored from 24 yards out to put the Saints up 7-0.
In the second quarter, the Patriots took the lead with 9:52 remaining. After a turnover on downs, Little Rock Parkview quarterback Erick McGehee found Omarion Robinson for a 69-yard touchdown to give the Patriots a 10-7 lead.
"We knew it was going to be a battle," Bolding said.
A minute later, the Patriots piled on more points when Chris Franklin intercepted Shiloh quarterback Eli Wisdom and took it back for a touchdown to give Parkview a 17-7 advantage.
The Patriots would never relinquish the lead.
"Well, we knew coming that this is a team we have to step up and play four quarters," Bolding said. "My senior class is an outstanding group of leaders."
Parkview quarterback Eric McGehee was named 5A State Championship Game MVP after completing 7-of 12 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns.