LITTLE ROCK — So what's the best town for high school football in Arkansas?
Little Rock has the largest school district and Pine Bluff and Fort Smith have teams with winning traditions, but the best football in the state is being played in Springdale.
Springdale High and Shiloh Christian have won five state championships, and Springdale Har-Bar played for a state championship in 2007 in only its second year of varsity football. Fair-minded fans have to admit that is pretty impressive, no matter where they live.
A large crowd is expected Friday night when Springdale (2-1) and Springdale Har-Ber (3-0) renew their budding rivalry at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium. As an added bonus this year, former Springdale Coach Jarrell Williams and the Bulldogs' 1989 state championship team will be honored during the game.
No doubt it should be an interesting matchup. Har-Ber is ranked No. 3 overall, whileunranked Springdale has won its past two games after opening the season with a loss at Jefferson City, Mo.
The Bulldogs also earned some respect last week with a 41-0 victory over Alma, a team that Har-Ber struggled with before pulling away to win 30-20.
Of course, fans should be hesitant about comparing scores. Har-Ber's game with Alma came after the Wildcats had defeated Greenwood 35-0, and a letdown was inevitable. There is no doubt the Wildcats will be primed for Friday night's matchup with the Bulldogs.
Springdale played tough in a 20-14 loss last year to a Har-Ber team that finished with 10 victories for the sec-
HIGH SCHOOL COACHES Call us
Please call the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette with football game reports as soon as possible each Friday night during the football season.
In Northwest Arkansas, call 1-888-223-9846. In other parts of the state, call 1-800-272-4650 or (501) 378-3411. We need records, score by quarters, scoring plays and top rushing, passing, receiving and defensive performances.
The Democrat-Gazette also will run football statistics each Friday throughout the regular season.
E-mail statistics to: [email protected] ond consecutive season. The Bulldogs will be inspired by the appearance of their 1989 state championship team, but unless a couple of those players sneak onto the field, Har-Ber will win this game again.
RICK'S PICK
Springdale Har-Ber
The other picks
Other games involving teams from Northwest Arkansas (selections in bold): CLASS 7A Bentonville at FayettevilleFS Southside at Rogers Rogers Heritage at FS Northside Van Buren at Little Rock Central CLASS 5A Central Arkansas Christian at Alma Harrison at Vilonia Morrilton at Greenwood Siloam Springs at Greenbrier CLASS 4A Berryville at Shiloh Christian Gentry at Farmington Huntsville at Prairie Grove Pea Ridge at Gravette Clarksville at Booneville Dardanelle at Ozark Subiaco Academy at Dover West Fork at Pottsville Ashdown at Waldron CLASS 3A Mountainburg at Cedarville Charleston at Mansfield Elkins at Lavaca Greenland at Lincoln Marshall at Atkins Mountain View at Lamar Perryville at Green Forest Paris at Yellville-Summit CLASS 2A Springfield (Mo.) Lighthouse at JC Westside Hackett at Magazine LAST WEEK 21-5-2 (77 percent) OVERALL 47-13-2 (79 percent)
Sports, Pages 21 on 09/24/2009