CLASS 7A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
FAYETTEVILLE VS. BENTONVILLE
GIMME FIVE — KEYS TO TODAY’S GAME
- Expect The Unexpected
The two teams are playing each other for the sixth time in three years, so they may try different things to catch the other one off-guard. That’s why they must be ready for surprises, such as Fayetteville’s two-point conversion pass play last year or Bentonville’s halfback pass in last month’s contest.
- No Turnovers
Fayetteville saw a 10-point lead at Bentonville slip away in Week 10 of the regular season thanks in large part to two crucial turnovers. The Bulldogs — and Tigers, for that matter — cannot afford to lose the turnover battle in this close matchup, as one critical mistake could make the difference.
- Splitting The (Narrower) Uprights
If the kickers — Ryan Starr of Fayetteville and Dillon Wade of Bentonville — get a chance to kick an extra point or field goal, they will have to kick through collegiate goal posts, which are smaller in width than those in high school games. Three field-goal attempts were missed in last year’s game.
- Protect The Pocket
Quarterbacks Austin Allen of Fayetteville and Reese Dollins of Bentonville need time in order to make their respective teams’ passing game effective. Bentonville held Allen to 194 yards passing and sacked him eight times in the Nov. 2 meeting, while Dollins was limited to 119 yards, his lowest production this season.
- More Double Duty
Fayetteville’s Jordan Dennis and Bentonville’s Garrett Kaufman made significant contributions on both sides of the football during the Nov. 2 game in Tiger Stadium. Look for four more players to possibly do the same in this game — Fayetteville’s Alex Brignoni and Brooks Ellis and Bentonville’s Nate Gneiting and Austin Haggard.
TODAY’S KEY MATCHUP
Tearris Wallace, Bentonville
KEY STATISTICS: 276 rushes, 1712 yards, 22 touchdowns
One of the most prolific running backs in Class 7A football, Wallace has been a workhorse for the Tigers this season and throughout his career. With 65 career touchdowns, the senior Tiger is just one shy of career 7A scoring mark as he enters his final high school game. Wallace is a powerful back who shows great patience in finding the open running lanes.
Brooks Ellis, Fayetteville
KEY STATISTICS: 98 tackles, 37 solo tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 quarterback hurries, 1 fumble recovery.
Ellis, a University of Arkansas commit, demands the full attention of opposing offenses. One player usually isn’t enough to prevent Ellis from making plays, which leads most teams to double-teaming the 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior linebacker on most plays. A steady tackler in open field, Ellis is also quick on the pass rush and a defender who always ends up around the ball.
EDGE: Even
STARTING LINEUPS
Fayetteville Bulldogs (9-3)
Pos. Player Class Pos. Player Class
QB Austin Allen Sr. DE Damani Carter Soph.
RB Brice Gahagans Sr. DT Reese Fitchue Sr.
WR Chadd Holmes Sr. NT Giovanni Negrete Sr.
WR Jordan Dennis Jr. DE Taryll Henry Sr.
WR Cole Harris Sr. SLB Brooks Ellis Sr.
TE Jase Rapert Jr. MLB Brandyn Young Sr.
LT Chase Carney Sr. CB Dre Greenlaw Soph.
LG Josh Bird Sr. CB Jordan Dennis Jr.
C Austin Hubble Sr. WS Heath McCracken Sr.
RG Jared Thurman Sr. SS Jake Hornibrook Jr.
RT Jordan Williams Sr. FS Alex Brignoni Sr.
Bentonville Tigers (12-0)
Pos. Player Class Pos. Player Class
QB Reese Dollins Sr. DE Nick Fernandez Jr.
RB Tearris Wallace Sr. NG Jared Conover Jr.
WR Trey Perkins Sr. DE Justin Fair Sr.
WR Jimmie Jackson Jr. OLB Jimmy Short Sr.
WR Kaleb Haney Sr. ILB Garrett Kaufman Sr.
TE Jack Kraus Jr. ILB John Donald Sr.
LT Ean Pfeifer So. OLB Clay Wallace Sr.
LG Zach McBride Sr. CB Gavin Shadrick Sr.
C Zach Brunetti Jr. S Austin Haggard Sr.
RG Jackson Hannah Jr. S Nate Gneiting Sr.
RT Aaron Risenhoover Sr. CB Chris Mizelle Sr.
POSITION MATCHUPS
Backs (Even)
Fayetteville relies more on the passing game behind Austin Allen, who has thrown for almost twice as much yardage (3,367) than Bentonville counterpart Reese Dollins (1,873). The Tigers counter with the stronger ground attack thanks to Tearris Wallace’s 1712 yards and 25 TDs, more than the Bulldogs’ entire team.
Receivers (Fayetteville)
Fayetteville’s duo of Jordan Dennis and Jacob Harris has combined for 123 receptions for 2,149 yards and 16 touchdowns. Bentonville spreads the ball around more evenly, with leading receiver Trey Perkins (30 receptions) being followed by Cody Scroggins (22) and Jimmie Jackson (20).
O-Line (Bentonville)
Both units have plenty of experience. Fayetteville has five seniors on the offensive line and has several two-year starters, led by left tackle Chase Carney, center Austin Hubble and right tackle Jordan Williams. The Tigers have the edge, though, with their ability to run block and pass block with more consistency throughout the season. Left guard Zach McBride and right tackle Aaron Risenhoover are the only two upperclassmen on Bentonville’s offensive front, but sophomore Ean Pfeifer might be the top talent in the group.
D-Line (Fayetteville)
Justin Fair leads Bentonville’s line with 51 tackles, but Matt Conover (45), Nick Fernandez (39) and Javier Carbonell (39) have made significant contributions. The Bulldogs have relied on their line to be the strength of the defense the entire season. Defensive end Taryll Henry and tackle Reese Fitchue each have 54 tackles and nose tackle Giovanni Negrete is a force in the middle.
Linebackers (Even)
Bentonville’s Clay Wallace, Garrett Kaufman and John Donald each had at least 10 tackles in the earlier meeting and helped sack Allen eight times, with Kaufman also adding a key interception. Fayetteville runs a 4-2-5 defense with just two linebackers, but seniors Brandyn Young and Brooks Ellis give the Bulldogs a strong pair in the middle of the defense. Depth is a concern for Fayetteville at this position, though, as Young had to move from defensive end to middle linebacker during the middle of the regular season.
Secondary (Bentonville)
Bentonville’s quartet of Chris Mizelle, Gavin Shadrick, Austin Haggard and Nate Gneiting have made opponents pay for mistakes, combining for 13 interceptions and five fumble recoveries. Fayetteville safety Alex Brignoni has 19 career interceptions, the most by any player in Class 7A history. Heath McCracken gives the Bulldogs a solid run stopper at weak safety and Jordan Dennis moves from wide receiver to cornerback in big games to provide shutdown protection.
OVERALL: BENTONVILLE 21, FAYETTEVILLE 17
— HENRY APPLE AND VERNON TARVER