Tigers Take Conference Title For Sixth Straight Time

Reese Dollins, Bentonville senior quarterback, passes Friday against Fayetteville at Tiger Stadium in Bentonville.
Reese Dollins, Bentonville senior quarterback, passes Friday against Fayetteville at Tiger Stadium in Bentonville.

— Barry Lunney searched for a place to sit Friday night, just moments after Bentonville’s football team claimed a 24-17 victory over Fayetteville in Tiger Stadium.

The two 7A/6A-West Conference teams had just finished a 48-minute slugfest, and Bentonville’s coach admitted he felt like he had been in a fight.

The win helped the Tigers (10-0, 7-0) claim their sixth straight conference championship, and it’s something Lunney will cherish for a little bit before Bentonville begins preparations for the Class 7A State Playoffs.

“I think it’s pretty remarkable,” Lunney said. “I’ve been in this league since 1988 as a head coach, and I was in it for four years as an assistant coach. I’m pretty sure the record was four, then last year we took it for ourselves.

“This league and the history of this league speak volumes. It’s been arguably the best conference in the state for a long time. To be able to do that again is really a remarkable feat.”

This one didn’t come easy. Bentonville scored 17 unanswered points to erase a 17-7 deficit and didn’t take the lead for good until Garrett Kaufman’s 38-yard halfback pass to Trey Perkins for a score early in the fourth quarter.

The Tigers still couldn’t rest until the final 58 seconds, when Gavin Shadrick knocked down Austin Allen’s fourth-down pass attempt in the end zone.

Plays of the Night: Kaufman has his hand on both plays. His hit on Brice Gahagans forced the fumble that Austin Haggard recovered at the Fayetteville 38, then he threw the touchdown pass to Perkins on the ensuing play to put Bentonville ahead to stay.

Injury Update: No serious injuries reported.

Players of the Game: Kaufman and Trey Perkins had a hand in all of Bentonville’s three touchdowns. Kaufman ran for a score and threw the go-ahead touchdown pass to Perkins, who also caught a 68-yard touchdown pass from Reese Dollins.

Notable: Tearris Wallace ran for 128 yards, but Bentonville’s senior tailback didn’t score, breaking a string of seven straight games with at least two touchdowns. ... Bentonville has won its last seven conference games against Fayetteville and extended its conference win streak to 26 straight games. ...

The Lingo: “I think everybody on our side of the stadium let out a gasp when Garrett threw that pass.”

— Barry Lunney Jr.

Bentonville offensive coordinator

Up Next: Bentonville has earned a first-round bye in the Class 7A state playoffs. The Tigers return to action Nov. 16 when they will host the winner of Friday’s game between Rogers Heritage and West Memphis.

That Figures

6 — Consecutive conference championships for Bentonville

7 — Times Bentonville’s defense sacked Fayetteville quarterback Austin Allen

26 — Consecutive conference victories for Bentonville

106 — Total receiving yards for Trey Perkins on his two touchdown catches

Upcoming Events