Rematch Between Rebels, Wildcats Worth Watching

There are some movies you don’t mind watching over and over.

For me, it’s The Godfather Parts 1 and 2, The Shawshank Redemption, and Pee-Wee Herman’s Big Adventure.

Re-runs in sports are less appealing, especially in football, but it’s unavoidable in Arkansas when there are only 16 high school teams in the largest classification. The same teams play over and over, including last week when Springdale Har-Ber opened the Class 7A state playoffs against Little Rock Central for the third consecutive year.

RICK’S PICK Springdale Har-Ber

Other games involving teams from Northwest Arkansas (selections are capitalized).

CLASS 7A

West Memphis at BENTONVILLE

Conway at FAYETTEVILLE

CLASS 5A

Alma at CAMDEN FAIRVIEW

Class 4A

Mena at OZARK

HEBER SPRINGS at Pea Ridge

Pottsville at PRAIRIE GROVE

CLASS 3A

OSCEOLA at Greenland

LAST WEEK 11-2 (84 percent)

OVERALL 151-40 (79 percent)

The outcome was predictable and Har-Ber mostly had the game won by halftime after scoring six consecutive touchdowns.

But tonight’s second-round playoff game between Har-Ber (7-4) and Fort Smith Southside (7-3) is a rematch definitely worth watching. Both are capable of reaching the state championship game and the outcome may not be determined until the finals seconds. That’s what happened in the semifinals in 2008, when Southside scored with 29 seconds left then added a two-point conversion to beat the Wildcats, 8-7. If that weren’t exciting enough, Har-Ber got the ball back and reached the Southside 3-yard line before time ran out.

Southside and Har-Ber will meet tonight for the eighth time in five years and most of the games have been close. Har-Ber gained a 10-0 lead in the second half against Southside at home earlier this season then withstood a missed field goal and a late touchdown to win 10-7.

But that was in Week 3 and both teams, obviously, are more experienced and battle-tested. That’s especially true for the two juniors quarterbacks, Kyle Pianalto of Har-Ber and Isaac Jackson of Southside. Jackson, who started at receiver as a sophomore, has emerged as a dual threat with 725 yards rushing and 1,107 yards passing for the Rebels. Jackson will be challenged by an improved Har-Ber defense led by linebacker Peyton Squires and Jerry Wood, who is second behind Squires in tackles and leads the Wildcats with three interceptions.

Offensively, Har-Ber must avoid multiple turnovers that led to defeats against Columbia (Mo.) Rock Bridge and Fayetteville. This game should be close again, but Har-Ber was at least active last week while Southside had the night off because of a first-round bye.

Har-Ber must get off to a good start and quiet the home crowd at Southside before the Rebels get going again.

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