SPRINGDALE — Austin Allen took the snap, scampered around the pocket and bought himself enough time to look downfield for his wide receivers.
After getting a pair of key blocks, Fayetteville’s star quarterback ran to his right and lobbed a 34-yard touchdown pass to Cole Harris, who slid on the wet field to make the catch.
For much of the first half, Springdale High hung with its longtime rival and prevented Allen from getting into too much of a rhythm. But it didn’t last Friday night.
Gamebreaker
Fayetteville 27
Springdale High 11
Why The Purple’Dogs Won
Quarterback Austin Allen threw a pair of touchdown passes, and Fayetteville’s defense didn’t allow Springdale to score a touchdown after the first quarter.
Why The Red’Dogs Lost
Springdale trailed only 14-6 at halftime, but four turnovers — including three interceptions — prevented the Red’Dogs from mounting a comeback and led to their third consecutive loss.
Fayetteville forced four turnovers, gave up only five points after halftime and got enough from its high-powered offense to pull away for a 27-11 win over Springdale in the latest Battle of the Bulldogs at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium.
“The offense played well, but I thought the defense set the tone,” Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton said. “We’ve struggled this year up to this point. I thought the defense came out.”
The Purple’Dogs (3-2, 2-0 7A/6A-West Conference) held a 14-6 lead at halftime, but they broke it open with Allen’s touchdown pass to Harris with 7 minutes, 43 seconds remaining in the third quarter. That was plenty of breathing room, and Fayetteville’s defense took care of the rest.
Springdale quarterback Will Whatley was pressured into throwing three interceptions, and running back Deandre Murray couldn’t break the long touchdown runs that he has become accustomed to this season. The junior needed 26 carries to reach 107 yards, and the Red’Dogs (2-3, 0-2) managed only one early touchdown.
“They’ve got good players. They make some good plays. Give them credit,” Springdale coach Shane Patrick said. “I’m proud of my guys. I thought we played extremely hard, but they made a few big plays when they needed to turn the tide.”
One of those key moments came from a former Red’Dog.
Fayetteville wide receiver Jordan Dennis showed why he was a standout player at Springdale last season, making an acrobatic 40-yard touchdown catch with 1:04 remaining in the first half. The touchdown gave the Purple’Dogs the momentum and a 14-6 halftime lead.
Dennis, who also lined up as a defensive back for Fayetteville, finished with five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown despite dealing with cramps. He admitted afterward that he was anxious before the game and wanted to get the win.
“I was nervous, I’m not going to lie. I was nervous about the student section,” Dennis said. “I wanted to score at least one time, and I did that and then all I wanted to do was finish the game.”
Fayetteville showed on its opening drive that it could easily move the ball downfield, needing only five plays to cover 67 yards and set up Brayden Cook for a 3-yard touchdown run. But the Purple’Dogs couldn’t maintain the fast pace, especially after the Red’Dogs settled down defensively and began applying pressure upfront.
Springdale cut Fayetteville’s lead to 7-6 when Whatley found wide receiver Garrett Tallman uncovered for a 30-yard touchdown pass with 2:58 remaining in the first quarter.