SPRINGDALE — Quarterback Kyle Pianalto stepped back Thursday and heaved long touchdown passes on consecutive plays to wide receivers Gus Vitt and Matt Garrison.
That’s how easy it was during an intrasquad scrimmage on the practice field at Springdale Har-Ber. The passing game looked sharp with Pianalto throwing touchdown passes to Vitt, Garrison and Zach Vaughn.
Vitt had three touchdown catches, while Vaughn, a reserve last season, displayed his agility with a twisting, turning catch that went for about 40 yards and a score.
Har-Ber’s touchdowns came mostly against the second team, and the Wildcats defense was limited to a base formation without any blitzing.
“We had the advantage on offense, but I thought we threw and caught the ball really well,” Har-Ber coach Chris Wood said. “Vitt and Garrison started for us last year, and Zach is the third Vaughn we’ve had here. He’s a good player from a good family.”
On defense, Josh Frazier stuffed running back Tim Faubus for a loss in the backfield and Paul Williamson had an interception against the second-team offense. Cornerback Austin Henderson also had a big hit at cornerback to jar the ball loose from a receiver.
The scrimmage concluded spring practice for the Wildcats, who finished 7-5 last season.
“We became more physical during the spring and that goes back to last Wednesday in our one-on-one drills,” Wood said. “We’re moving in the right direction.”
Pianalto got Har-Ber going with a long run on the opening possession, and Faubus had some nice runs in place of Sain Mathew. He didn’t participate in the scrimmage after suffering shin splints while participating in track and field.
Mathew is projected to take over for Tucker Lee, who led the Wildcats with more than 1,000 yards rushing last year.
Vitt showed good speed to get behind the secondary for touchdown passes, and he juked Henderson after a short catch for another score.
Har-Ber will begin the season with consecutive home games against Webb City, Mo., on. Sept. 6 and Columbia (Mo.) Rockbridge on Sept. 13. The Wildcats lost to both teams on the road last year to begin 0-2.