BENTONVILLE — Trey Perkins caught second half touchdown passes of 68 and 38 yards as Bentonville rallied to beat Fayetteville 24-17 in a rematch of the last two state championship games in the state's largest classification.
Perkins' 68-yard reception pulled the Tigers within 17-14 late in the third quarter and his 38-yard catch on a halfback pass from Garrett Kaufman gave Bentonville the lead for good with 11:25 remaining.
The Tigers (10-0, 7-0 Class 7A-West) won the conference championship by snapping the Bulldogs' seven-game win streak, marking the sixth straight year Bentonville has won at least a share of the league title. The Tigers also avenged an overtime loss to Fayetteville in last season's state championship game - their only loss in the last three seasons.
Fayetteville (7-3, 6-1) led 17-7 after Ryan Starr booted a 52-yard field goal midway through the third quarter. Jordan Dennis' 31-yard interception return earlier in the quarter had given the Bulldogs the lead after the game was tied at halftime.
Tearris Wallace rushed for 128 yards for Bentonville but failed to score a touchdown. Kaufman had a first quarter touchdown run and third quarter interception to go along with his touchdown pass.
Austin Allen completed 19 of 29 passes for the Bulldogs for 193 yards, 1 touchdown and his first interception since August. Fayetteville committed three second half turnovers, including one on downs in the game's final minute.
Both teams will receive byes in the first round of the state playoffs next week.
SHILOH CHRISTIAN 16, ALMA 14
Seung Jae-Lee kicked a 27-yard field goal as time expired and Shiloh Christian upset Alma at home.
The Saints (4-6, 3-4 Class 5A-West) overcame a 14-7 halftime deficit with their second game-winning score in the final minute of a game this year. Casey Paraday's 34-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Michaelis pulled Shiloh within one point in the third quarter, but the extra point was no good.
Alma fell to 6-4 overall and 4-3 in conference play. The Airedales will play in the Class 5A playoffs next week, while the Saints' season is finished.
OTHER LOCAL SCORES
Springdale Har-Ber 31, Springdale High 17
Rogers Heritage 41, Rogers High 28
Van Buren 47, Siloam Springs 46
Fort Smith Southside 45, Fort Smith Northside 26
Greenwood 42, Russellville 7
Harrison 30, Huntsville 7
Pea Ridge 41, Berryville 21
Farmington 40, Lincoln 26
Prairie Grove 55, Gravette 0
Ozark 41, Gentry 20
Green Forest 35, Elkins 21
Greenland 33, West Fork 14
Decatur 22, Magazine 7