BENTONVILLE — Bentonville Coach Barry Lunney has confidence in first-year starting quarterback Reese Dollins.
After the Tigers claimed the championship Saturday at the Vype Select 7-on-7 tournament, Dollins and his teammates have a little more confidence, too. Dollins threw two touchdown passes to lead Bentonville to a 19-6 victory against Lake Hamilton in the title game at Tiger Stadium.
Dollins’ solid play and an opportunistic defense helped Bentonville go 7-0 during the two-day tournament. Lunney said Dollins, a senior who saw significant action in mop-up time last season, didn’t throw an interception during the tournament.
“Any time you win in competition, it builds confidence not only in yourself but in your teammates,” Lunney said. “It’s always good to compete at an intense level. We know we can win with Reese. He’s a good quarterback when he does what is in his comfort zone.”
Dollins was named the tournament’s MVP. He said he understands 7-on-7 success is a far cry from replacing graduated standout Dallas Hardison, who led the Tigers to the 2010 Class 7A title, but it’s a good first step.
“I can’t replace Dallas; I have to be my own person,” Dollins said. “But this gives us a sense of hope for the season. We had to make a statement definitely by winning, but most important we had to build chemistry.”
Dollins said he was pleased with how he played but gave credit to his teammates. He threw touchdown passes of 9 yards to Cody Scroggins and 40 yards to Nate Gneiting. The latter score sealed the victory with roughly one minute left.
Chris Mizelle and Gneiting, also the Tigers’ free safety, had interceptions against Wolves quarterback Clay Jessie. Interceptions were worth two points, and Gneiting made the play of the tournament for the Tigers in the winners bracket semifinal against Rogers Heritage.
Heritage led 16-14 and was driving late when Gneiting intercepted a pass and returned it past the 45-yard line for a bonus point. That proved to be the difference in Bentonville’s 17-16 victory that put the Tigers in the championship game.
“Players make plays,” Lunney said. “He’s a real special player.”
Staying undefeated throughout kept the Tigers in the winners bracket, a fate the Wolves couldn’t avoid after a second-round loss. That forced Lake Hamilton to play eight games Saturday, and the Wolves won five consecutive elimination games without a rest to reach the final.
Wolves Coach Jerry Clay said his team has played in seven 7-on-7 tournaments this summer and reached the final in all seven but have won only once.
“We’ve been competitive all summer,” Clay said. “We came back and competed. We were tired, but that’s just the nature of the game.
“It’ll be a good springboard into the season.”
Vype Select 7-on-7 results
Saturday’s results CHAMPIONSHIP Bentonville 19, Lake Hamilton 6
WINNERS BRACKET SEMIFINAL Bentonville 17, Rogers Heritage 16
QUARTERFINALS Bentonville 26, Harrison 20 Rogers Heritage 22, Russellville 6 Second round Bentonville 23, Lincoln 0 Harrison 27, Lake Hamilton 24 Russellville 26, Mountain Home 16 Rogers Heritage 25, Siloam Springs 8
FIRST ROUND Lincoln 18, Bentonville B 12 Lake Hamilton 14, Gravette 6
Russellville 20, Gentry 6
Siloam Springs 21, Clarksville 0
LOSERS BRACKET
FINAL
Lake Hamilton 24, Rogers Heritage 14
SEMIFINAL
Lake Hamilton 14, Harrison 12
QUARTERFINAL
Lake Hamilton 19, Russellville 13
Harrison 26, Mountain Home 20
SECOND ROUND
Lake Hamilton 23, Lincoln 6
Mountain Home 17, Bentonville B 9
FIRST ROUND
Lake Hamilton 14, Gentry 13
Lincoln 25, Clarksville 10
Bentonville B 15, Siloam Springs 14
Mountain Home 22, Gravette 15
Sports, Pages 25 on 07/22/2012