It was not the kind of start Fayetteville was hoping for as the Bulldogs opened defense of their state football title.
After two weeks, the Bulldogs were 0-2 and had allowed 91 points in consecutive lopsided losses.
With a number of key players back from a team that stunned the state the previous December by knocking off Bentonville to win the Class 7A state title, the Bulldogs looked like anything but a contender.
But after a 49-39 loss to Jefferson City, Mo., Fayetteville reeled off seven consecutive wins before dropping the regular season finale to Bentonville in a close game. Four weeks later the two teams met again in the state championship game, and Fayetteville left no doubt who the supreme team in Northwest Arkansas was with a 31-20 win in War Memorial Stadium.
Fayetteville’s repeat as state champions was selected as the No. 1 sports story for 2012 by NWA Media members.
In keeping with the Fayetteville theme, the No. 2 story of the year is the three Bulldogs who verbally committed to Arkansas last summer. Quarterback Austin Allen, linebacker Brooks Ellis and defensive back Alex Brignoni pledged to sign with the Razorbacks next February after playing huge rules for a program that won 32 games in three seasons.
The rest of the Top 10 ran the gamut from the revamped new 7A/6A-West Conference that saw longtime members Fort Smith Southside and Northside replaced by newcomers Siloam Springs and Van Buren.
Greenland’s run to the Class 3A girls basketball title made the list, as did the decision to move the annual Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star games from Fayetteville back to Conway after 10 years.
A late addition to the list at No. 10 was former Siloam Springs volleyball standout Hannan Allison, who played a key role in helping the Texas Longhorns win the NCAA national championship just a few weeks ago.
Top 10 Sports Stories
Fayetteville repeats as 7A state football champions.
Three Fayetteville players commit to Arkansas.
Fort Smith out, Van Buren and Siloam Springs in.
Greenland girls win 3A basketball title.
AHSCA All-Star Games leaving Fayetteville.
Bentonville’s Tearris Wallace sets career TD record.
NWA Naturals to host 2013 All-Star Game.
2012 Olympics have NWA flavor.
Fayetteville wins first volleyball title.
Hannah Allison helps Texas win volleyball title.
Best of the Rest
Former Fayetteville pitcher Blake Parker makes MLB debut.
Fayetteville opens new basketball arena.
Rogers High’s Tiffany Tang wins third overall tennis title.
Longtime Rogers boys basketball coach Marty Barnes retires.
Prairie Grove advances to football semifinals.
Mitch Mustain signs with Chicago White Sox.
Springdale High’s Deandre Murray breaks 7A-West rushing record.
Fayetteville forfeits basketball wins.
Bentonville’s Brittani Reagan wins long jump title over Fayetteville’s Sydney Conley.
Springdale Har-Ber sophomore Peyton Stumbaugh wins state heptathlon.
Shiloh Christian fails to make football playoffs after move to 5A.