FAYETTEVILLE — The quest for a third consecutive Class 7A state football championship kicked off Monday for Fayetteville, and just as expected, the Bulldogs faced a serious fight.
Warren, the top-ranked team in Class 4A, proved to be more than a worthy opponent for the Purple’Dogs at the Simmons First/Hootens.com Kickoff Classic. But as tough as the Lumberjacks were, it was big plays by Fayetteville in all facets of the game that made the difference in a 35-21 Bulldogs’ win at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
“It was a good first win, and a lot of things went into it,” Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton said. “The special teams had to make some plays, the defense had to bend a little bit but some some plays near the goal line and offensively I thought we ran the ball really well and Mitch Marshall made some nice throws.
“Warren, just tip their hat to them and their coaches. They’re a tough football team, and they’re going to win a lot of games and probably going to win the 4A state championship. So it was a good first win.”
Fayetteville turned to special teams right from the start, recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff and getting a 91-yard punt return touchdown from Dre Greenlaw to help build breathing room in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs leaned on the passing game, with new starting quarterback Mitch Marshall hooking up with junior tight end C.J. O’Grady on several key plays, including two touchdowns.
Fayetteville also relied on some defense, getting two key interceptions from Kennedy Wade and Jordan Dennis when Warren was driving deep in Bulldogs territory.
Finally, the Purple’Dogs went to the running game, wearing down the Lumberbacks in the fourth quarter behind the work of tailbacks Brayden Cook and Terrell Tyson.
“I’m proud of my kids, I really am,” Warren coach Bo Hembree said. “We gave it all we had, and we did some good things. But when it was 28-21 there in the fourth quarter, we were worn out.
“We got a lot of guys banged up tonight, and that’s the risk you take when you’re a 4A school playing a 7A school. But I’m proud of the way we played, and the key now for us is to get healthy.”
EXTRA POINTS
•Marshall at times looked more like a veteran than a first-time starting quarterback for Fayetteville. The senior completed 14 of 18 passes for 191 yards and three touchdowns in Monday’s win with TD passes of 10 and 27 yards to O’Grady and 20 yards to Ramsey Jones.
•The Bulldogs only outgained Warren 356-351 in total yards. A bigger difference in the game was turnovers as the Lumberjacks committed three to Fayetteville’s none.
•Warren quarterback Drake Jones was the biggest problem for the Fayetteville defense all night. Jones rushed for 116 yards on 14 carries and passed for another 166 yards and one touchdown before leaving the game in the fourth quarter with an injury.
• Fayetteville and Warren donned quite a contrast in uniforms Monday. The Bulldogs dressed in all purple, while the Lumberjacks were suited in all orange.
UP NEXT
Fayetteville will be off until Sept. 13 when it plays for the second time in Fayetteville but the first time at Harmon Stadium. The Bulldogs host Jefferson City, Mo.
HOW THEY SCORED
Fayetteville 35, Warren 21
Warren^7^7^7^0^—^21
Fay^14^7^7^7^—^35
First Quarter
Fay — O’Grady 10 pass from Marshall (Conlee kick), 9:38.
Fay — Greenlaw 91 punt return (Conway kick), 5:53.
Warren — Gorman 1 run (Cortez kick), 1:42.
Second Quarter
Fay — Jones 20 pass from Marshall (Conlee kick), 9:38.
Warren — Oliver 19 run (Cortez kick), 8:20.
Third Quarter
Fay — O’Grady 27 pass from Marshall (Conway kick), 8:43.
Warren — Gonder 13 pass from Jones (Cortez kick), 1:53.
Fourth Quarter
Fay — Cook 29 run (Conlee kick), 10:07.