VAN BUREN — Running back depth has now become an urgent concern for Fayetteville.
Starting running back Brayden Cook did not play Friday night against Van Buren because of an injury the week before. Terrell Tyson played just less than a half before injuring his knee and was on crutches after the game was over.
“We don’t know what happened. All we know is that it was a knee injury,” Bulldog coach Daryl Patton said. “Last week we lost Brayden. These are some big injuries we have to overcome.”
Patton, though, got solid efforts from three reserve backs in the 45-21 win over the Pointers to open 7A/6AWest play.
Before he was hurt, Tyson had rushed for 30 yards on six carries and had a 78-yard touchdown reception on a wheel route.
After Tyson’s injury, Fayetteville used four backs that combined for 135 yards and two touchdowns,
Immediately after Tyson’s injury, Javonte Smith rushed for 38 yards and scored a touchdown while Nico Suarez added a touchdown as well. In the second half, Fayetteville played reserves exclusively, and Luke Rapert led the way, rushing for 86 yards on seven carries.
Javonte, Nico and Luke are all young and inexperienced in varsity play, but they are all talented kids,” Patton said.
PLAY OF THE NIGHT: Jordan Dennis’ leaping catch in the end zone of a 15-yard pass from Mitch Marshall with :01 second left in the half. The touchdown capped a three-play, 57-yard drive that took only 16 seconds.
With 17 seconds left, Fayetteville got the ball at its 43. The Bulldogs used a 42-yard pass from Marshall to C.J. O’Grady, after Marshall spiked the ball to stop the clock, and Dennis made his catch to give the Bulldogs a 45-7 halftime lead.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Marshall, who was 8-of-16 passing for 322 yards and four touchdowns. Six of his completions were for 30 yards or more. Dennis has four catches for 150 yards and two scores while O’Grady had two catches for 86 yards and a touchdown.
INJURY UPDATE: Tyson’s injury was unclear after the game, according to Patton.
NOTABLE: Fayetteville had nine plays of 30 yards or more, three of which went for touchdowns. The Bulldogs defense limited Van Buren to just 198 total yards and just nine fi rst downs.
UP NEXT: In one of the oldest rivalries in the state of Arkansas, Fayetteville (4-0, 1-0) will host Springdale High (3-1, 1-0) in a battle of 7A/6AWest unbeatens Friday at Harmon Field. Springdale needed a last-second touchdown to down Rogers High 32-28 on Friday.