Starr's kick pushes Fayetteville into 7A finals

— And with a kick, Fayetteville is in the state finals, again.

Ryan Starr booted him a 37-yard field goal with seven seconds left to push the Purple Bulldogs past North Little Rock 30-28 in the Class 7A semifinal at Charging Wildcat Stadium.

Starr's kick completed a quick two-play drive by Fayetteville, who trailed 28-27 following a touchdown on a Hook-and-Lateral play with running back Altee Tenpenny taking in the toss from five yards out. Quarterback Heath Land hit wide receiver Gary Vines on a fake extra-point pass for the two-point conversion with 32 seconds left.

After the ensuing kickoff, quarterback Austin Allen hit running back Braydon Cook for 16 yards to the North Little Rock 45, then wide receiver Jordan Dennis on the next play for 25 yards to the 20. After play was halted from an object being thrown on the field from the stands, Starr put the game-winning field goal through the uprights as the Purple 'Dogs sideline celebrated.

A final deep pass was caught by the Charging Wildcats at the Fayetteville 20, but the receiver was immediately brought down.

The win means Fayetteville will play Bentonville in the Class 7A state finals for the third year in a row. The Purple 'Dogs beat the Tigers last season in overtime on a two-point conversion.

Read more about this game in tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

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