SPRINGDALE — Springdale and Springdale Har-Ber are quick to admit that tonight's matchup is their biggest game of the season.
That's no surprise considering the teams share a hometown and a home field.
What makes this game even more significant, though, is that it's in Week 4, which means it's the 7A-West opener for both teams.
"Har-Ber is a big rival for us, but there's not any more sense of urgency [because of that]," said Springdale interim coach Dennis DeBusk, whose team will be the home team tonight at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium. "It's our first conference game, and that makes it as big as anything else."
Har-Ber Coach Chris Wood agreed that getting off to a fast start is key in 7A-West Conference play.
"Every game is such abig game in this league," he said. "It means a lot because it's our first conference game."
No. 3 Har-Ber (3-0) has defeated Springdale each of the past two years, so forSpringdale's seniors, it could be their last chance to get a victory in the crosstown rivalry.
In order to do that, the Bulldogs will need their defense to continue playing well.
After giving up 40 points in a season-opening loss to Jefferson City, Mo., Springdale (2-1) bounced back in Week 2 with a victory, holding Blytheville to 21 points. The Bulldogs were even stingier last week, shutting out Alma 41-0 and holding the Airedales to 125 total yards, including 16 in the first half.
DeBusk said Springdale's players are growing increasingly more comfortable in the 4-3 defense installed by new defensive coordinator Jeff Jones.
"Our defense has gotten better each week," said De-Busk, whose team recorded its first shutout in more than two years last week. "Our kids have gotten a little more aggressive, and that's helped."
Har-Ber's offense hasn't been slowed much this season, except for a shaky first half against Alma in Week 2. The Wildcats are averaging 35 points and 364.7 yards per game.
Har-Ber has been extremely balanced on offense, averaging 185.7 passing yards and 179 rushing yards. Wide receiver Josh McKinney has caught 17 passes for 383 yards and 5 touchdowns, and running back Gordon Welch has rushed for 291 yards and 4 touchdowns.
"They're by far best the ballclub we've seen so far," DeBusk said. "They can either run over the top of you or throw it over you."
A year ago, Springdale faced a Har-Ber offense that was even more potent atthis point of the season and the Bulldogs shined. The Wildcats, who entered that game averaging 44.6 points a game, were limited to just 20 points by Springdale.
It was the Bulldogs' best defensive showing of the season, although Har-Ber chewed up the clock on the way to a 20-14 victory.
Wood expects another slugfest tonight.
"It was a hard-fought defensive battle for both schools, and I think it will be a defensive battle again," Wood said. "You get in a game like this, where two teams are good at what they do, and it likely comes down to defensive football. I look for a low-scoring game."
Since committing seven turnovers in the season opener, Springdale's offense has been markedly sharper.Quarterback Joseph Calcagni has thrown for 597 yards and six touchdowns in the past two weeks, and the Bulldogs haven't had a turnover in that span.
Springdale piled up 453 yards last week against Alma.
"We're doing fine offensively," DeBusk said. "We hope we got all the turnovers out of the way early."TONIGHT'S GAME Springdale vs.
Springdale Har-Ber WHEN 7:30 p.m.
WHERE Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium, Springdale RECORDS Har-Ber 3-0; Springdale 2-1 RANKINGS Har-Ber is No. 3 in Class 7A and No. 3 overall.
RADIO KQSM-FM, 92.1; KZRA-AM, 1590 INTERNET www.springdalebulldogfootball.com and www.har-berfootball.com NOTEWORTHY Members of Springdale's 1989 state championship football team will be honored during tonight's game at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium. The players will serve as team captains following a chili supper at 5 p.m. at the Springdale High School cafeteria.
No surprises yet Springdale Har-Ber has defeated Springdale twice in three years, and the team with the better record entering the game has won every time. Here is a brief look at their series:
2006
ENTERING Springdale 5-4; Har-Ber 2-7 RESULT Springdale won, 40-8 FINISHED Springdale 6-4; Har-Ber 2-8
2007
ENTERING Har-Ber 8-1; Springdale 4-5 RESULT Har-Ber won, 38-14 FINISHED Har-Ber 10-3; Springdale 4-6
2008
ENTERING Har-Ber 3-0; Springdale 2-1 RESULT Har-Ber won, 20-14 FINISHED Har-Ber 10-3; Springdale 5-6
2009
ENTERING Har-Ber 3-0; Springdale 2-1
Sports, Pages 26 on 09/25/2009