Kaufman makes plays for Tigers

Bentonville linebacker Garrett Kaufman headlines a defense that is allowing only 195 yards per game.
Bentonville linebacker Garrett Kaufman headlines a defense that is allowing only 195 yards per game.

— Bentonville Coach Barry Lunney didn’t hesitate when asked who was the difference in the Tigers’ 24-17 victory over Fayetteville on Nov. 2.

It was Garrett Kaufman, Bentonville’s senior running back/inside linebacker.

“No doubt,” Lunney said. “I’m not big on individual accomplishments, in the sense of taking away from the team, but I’ve got to say it like it is: He had as fine a football game, Week 10, of anybody I’ve had that’s played for me, when you consider all that he had his hand involved in.”

Kaufman will get a chance to top that performance when the Tigers (12-0) have a rematch with the Bulldogs (9-3) in the Class 7A state championship game Saturday night at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

Kaufman, 6-1, 225 pounds, headlines a defense that is allowing only 195 yards per game.

Kaufman, who orally committed to Arkansas State in July, has a team-high 122 tackles, including 87 unassisted, 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 6 pass breakups, 2 interceptions (one returned a touchdown) and 2 caused fumbles.

“You look at his numbers, his activity on the field, he’s as good as we’ve had,” Lunney said.

Kaufman was at his best in the regular-season finale against Fayetteville, a game that decided the 7A/6A-West championship and a No. 1 playoff seed.

It was also a game that featured plenty of star power.

Bentonville had senior tailback Tearris Wallace, the 7AWest career rushing leader.

Fayetteville had three players who orally committed to Arkansas in May — quarterback Austin Allen, safety Alex Brignoni and linebacker Brooks Ellis — the 2011 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Defensive Player of the Year.

But Kaufman stole the show by weaving an eye-catching stat line: 10 unassisted tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass breakup, 1 interception, 1 caused fumble, 4 carries for 40 yards and 1 touchdown and a 38-yard touchdown pass.

Bentonville co-defensive coordinator David Pollard called it “the best all-around performance” in his 19 years of coaching.

Kaufman’s 38-yard touchdown pass gave Bentonville the lead for good, 21-17, with 11:25 remaining.

Bentonville had gained possession one play earlier after Kaufman forced a fumble.

On Bentonville’s next series following the touchdown, Kaufman ran 22 yards to set up a 28-yard field goal by senior Dillon Wade with 3:32 remaining.

Pollard said Kaufman then made a touchdown-saving tackle on the ensuing kickoff, running across the field to tackle Fayetteville senior Cole Harris.

But Pollard said Kaufman’s most noteworthy play came on Fayetteville’s second series of the game, when the Bulldogs ran a screen pass on third-and-8 from their 9.

Pollard said Kaufman shed three blockers to make an unassisted tackle and force a punt.

“As good as any play against the screen I have seen at any level,” Pollard said.

The victory was the 35th consecutive for the Tigers during the regular season and 26th consecutive in conference play.

Kaufman was used at running back as a sophomore on Bentonville’s unbeaten Class 7A state championship team.

He was a standout linebacker on the 2011 team that suffered its only loss to Fayetteville (29-28 in overtime) in the state championship game.

“Kaufman is a great linebacker,” Fayetteville Coach Daryl Patton said. “He’s right there with Brooks.”

At a glance

GARRETT KAUFMAN

Season statistics for Bentonville senior linebacker Garrett Kaufman: UNASSISTED TACKLES 87 ASSISTED TACKLES 35 TACKLES FOR LOSS 4 SACKS 3 PASS BREAKUPS 6 INTERCEPTIONS 2 CAUSED FUMBLES 2

Sports, Pages 27 on 11/30/2012

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