BENTONVILLE — Fayetteville head football coach Daryl Patton hasn't been shy about the superlatives used for this week's opponent, No. 1-ranked Bentonville.
If there was any compliment to be given about the Tigers, Patton has bestowed it.
"They're definitely the No. 1 team in the state," Patton said of Bentonville.
The reality for Bentonville (3-0) though, according to fifth-year coach Barry Lunney, is the Tigers are untested on the road in 2009. Playing in a hostile environment at Harmon Field and going up against an explosive Bulldogs' offense led by junior quarterback Brandon Allen will be a challenge.
"Playing in this league on the road is very tough," Lunney said. "You've got to be ready. You've really got to be ready to play."
The Tigers have made it look easy in Weeks 1-3, winning by a combined 146-19 against Conway, Missouri school Fort Zumwalt West and Nettleton.
Fayetteville (1-1-1), meanwhile, after beating Little Rock Central 35-0 in Week 1, dropped a 20-18 decision to Jefferson City, Mo., and tied Russellville 26-26.
Allen has completed 51 of 90 passes for918 yards and six touchdowns. Michael Heintzman leads the Bulldogs with 411 yards receiving.
"They're very dangerous every time they snap the ball," Lunney said. "You just kind of hold your breath."
Seventy-four percent of Fayetteville's offense has come via the pass and Patton said he wouldn't be surprised if the Bulldogs had to throw up to 60 passes tonight against the Tigers.
"Make no mistake, we're a passing team," Patton said. "That's where our strength is. We've got a quarterback, who I think is the best in the state. We've got some receivers that can run and catch it."
The Tigers counter with what might be the strongest running game in the state though the statistics haven'tshown that early on.
Senior running backs Courtney Haskell and Shane Boedeker have rushed for a combined 427 yards. However, their effectiveness is shown in their combined 7.9 yards per rush average.
"(Haskell's) a very good running back," Patton said. "I like Boedeker as well. I think he's a good running back. (Quarterback) Pearson Gean is a great athlete. They've got some weapons back there for sure. Haskell's added another dimensionto them. They've got big play capabilities every time they touch the ball."
Gean has completed 71 percent of his passes (25 of 35) for 398 yards and five touchdowns in limited action.
"They (Bentonville Tigers) are the second-best team I've seen in the 7A-West since I've been here," Patton said, giving the 2005 Springdale Bulldogs top honors. "I think they could probably play on Saturday in the Gulf South and fare pretty well."
Sports, Pages 7, 8 on 09/25/2009