Bentonville, Fayetteville advance back to championship

STAFF PHOTO MARC F. HENNING -- Fayetteville wide receiver Nathan Varady turns up field after a catch during the Bulldogs' game Friday, Sept. 24, 2010, against the Tigers at Tiger Stadium in Bentonville.
STAFF PHOTO MARC F. HENNING -- Fayetteville wide receiver Nathan Varady turns up field after a catch during the Bulldogs' game Friday, Sept. 24, 2010, against the Tigers at Tiger Stadium in Bentonville.

— Bentonville and Fayetteville are going to play again for the state championship in football.

The Tigers beat Fort Smith Southside 28-21 in the state semifinals Friday, while Ryan Starr connected on a 38-yard field goal with 7 seconds remaining to give the Bulldogs a 30-28 win at North Little Rock.

The two teams will meet next Friday at War Memorial Stadium, marking the third straight season they have met in the state finals. Bentonville (12-0) won two years ago, while Fayetteville (9-3) snapped the Tigers' 25-game win streak with an overtime win last year.

Bentonville beat Fayetteville 24-17 on Nov. 2 in the first meeting between the teams.

Teams from the west conference in the state's largest classification have won every state championship since 2005, comprising both participants in the title game each year since 2006.

In Class 4A, Prairie Grove kept its perfect season alive by overcoming a double-digit second half deficit for the second consecutive week to beat Nashville 41-34. The Tigers will face Stuttgart in the state semifinals next Friday.

Greenland's season came to an end in Class 3A on Friday, falling 49-14 to Prescott.

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