SPRINGDALE — Turnovers were a big problem for Springdale Har-Ber, which finished 7-5 and was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Class 7A state playoffs for the second consecutive year.

Har-Ber had a turnover ratio of minus-12 with 23 giveaways and 11 takeaways. That margin was dead-last in the 7A/6A-West Conference, well behind conference champion Bentonville (+27) and even behind Siloam Springs (-10), which lost 10 of 11 games this season.

Har-Ber’s problems with turnovers surfaced early in the season when the Wildcats lost 27-16 to Columbia (Mo.) Rock Bridge. Har-Ber was leading 16-7 in the third quarter, but lost the game after suffering three interceptions and three fumbles.

Har-Ber won four of its next five games before mistakes led to the Wildcats’ downfall against Fayetteville. Har-Ber was leading 21-17 at halftime before the Bulldogs took advantage of five lost fumbles by the Wildcats to win 38-21.

The final blow for Har-Ber came in last week’s 24-22 playoff defeat at Fort Smith Southside after the Wildcats were leading 16-14 at halftime. Southside took the lead for good after recovering a fumbled punt at the Har-Ber 34 midway through the third quarter. The Wildcats missed a 33-yard field goal attempt after missing an extra point to end the first half.

Southside cornerback Garrett Wolfe also jumped a sideline pattern and intercepted a pass from quarterback Kyle Pianalto at the Rebels’ 38 with Har-Ber leading 7-0 early in the first quarter. Har-Ber’s only touchdown in the second half came with 18 seconds left, but the Wildcats misfired on a two-point pass attempt that would have sent the game into overtime had it succeeded.

“All of our games except Bentonville were nip-and-tuck, and turnovers were a factor,” said Har-Ber coach Chris Wood, whose team did not commit a turnover during a 10-7 victory over Southside earlier in the season. “If you want to get to Little Rock, ball security has to be a major component and we weren’t as good in that area as we needed to be.”

Har-Ber must replace 15 senior starters, including leading rusher Tucker Lee, leading receiver Nick Byrne, and its top two tacklers in safety Jerry Wood and linebacker Peyton Squires. Lee was a straight-ahead runner who bulled his way for 1,321 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. Byrne, who committed to play next season at Louisiana-Lafayette, was a versatile tight end who caught 44 passes for 715 yards and 10 touchdowns, and Squires continued the tradition of tough linebackers from Springdale with 101 tackles.

“The year started rough for us, but I thought this group grew each week,” Wood said. “The seniors led really well and the guys in our junior class really battled. They were resilient and I couldn’t be more prouder of our team.”

Har-Ber will return several promising players, including Pianalto, who threw for 1,882 yards and 26 touchdowns in his first season as a starter. Gus Vitt emerged as solid No. 2 receiver behind Byrne and finished strong with 29 catches for 464 yards and eight touchdowns. Vitt had five catches for 69 yards against Southside, including a diving, 11-yard grab to give Har-Ber a 16-14 lead at halftime. Matt Garrison added 18 catches for 279 yards and three touchdowns and he is also a dangerous punt returner for the Wildcats.

Har-Ber will be led on defense by noseguard Josh Frazier, who is being recruited by a growing list of Division I schools, including Arkansas and Alabama. Jake Hall is also a prospect at defensive end and Holden Thornton will be back to lead the secondary at his cornerback position.

“I feel good about next year,” Wood said. “We’ll have six guys back who started on offense, including Kyle Pianalto, who really grew as a quarterback this season. We’ve got receivers and three interior lineman back and some good players on defense coming back. So, I feel really good about the nucleus of next year’s team.”

Springdale Har-Ber Wildcats

Date Opponent Time/Result

Aug. 31 at Webb City, Mo. L, 30-15

Sept. 7 at Rockbridge, Mo. L, 27-16

Sept. 14 FS Southside W, 10-7

Sept. 21 Bentonville* L, 28-7

Sept. 28 at Rogers Heritage* W, 56-20

Oct. 5 Van Buren* W, 48-21

Oct. 12 at Siloam Springs* W, 41-3

Oct. 19 Rogers High* W, 37-7

Oct. 26 at Fayetteville* L, 38-21

Nov. 2 Springdale High* W, 31-17

Nov. 9 LR Central W, 42-7

Nov. 16 at FS Southside L, 24-22

"*" denotes 7A/6A-West Conference games

State playoffs