LITTLE ROCK -- Bentonville's defense knew it would be tested against a North Little Rock team that was averaging more than 48 points per game, and that was magnified when junior cornerback Tyrone Mahone was injured three plays into Friday's game.
The Tigers were still up to the challenge. Bentonville may have allowed its most yardage Friday night, but the Tigers stiffened when they had to do it and claimed a 42-10 Class 7A State Playoffs semifinal victory at War Memorial Stadium.
That Figures
3 — Interceptions by Cody Scroggins in two playoff games
5 — Consecutive trips to the Class 7A State Championship for Bentonville
8 — Consecutive wins for Bentonville after an 0-4 start
270 — Bentonville rushing yards
North Little Rock (10-2) finished with 404 yards total offense, almost double the amount Bentonville (8-4) has allowed per game this season. The Tigers defensive unit, however, compiled two key fourth-down stops, two quarterback sacks and two interceptions.
"The defense did great and helped us get the ball," Bentonville coach Barry Lunney said. "The kicking game was great and gave them such a long field all night long. That was huge. We did bend a little bit and, gosh, they have some playmakers over there.
"We didn't give up any big plays. We didn't change a lot once they would get near our 25. We just played a little harder, and (defensive coordinator) Jody Grant changed up a few things. The pressure on the quarterback was good when we needed it, and the coverage was good."
North Little Rock was held to its lowest point total, eclipsing the 17 points it scored in a season-opening win against Little Rock Catholic. The Charging Wildcats' lone touchdown, an 8-yard pass from Heath Land to D.J. Brown, came midway through the fourth quarter.
Bentonville had already built a 35-3 lead before that took place. Brandon Atchison and Hekili Keliiliki made their way into North Little Rock's backfield for quarterback sacks, while Cody Scroggins and Harrison Rooney each had interceptions.
"We kept everything in front of us, and our leverage was good," Lunney said. "There's some good football players on that team, but you know what? I've got a pretty good football team."
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Junior quarterback Kasey Ford completed his first seven passes Friday night, including touchdown passes of 41 yards to Scroggins and 70 yards to Austin Bugos, and added a 1-yard touchdown run to help Bentonville build a 21-3 halftime lead. He finished the game 10 of 16 passing for 188 yards and two touchdowns.
PLAY OF THE NIGHT: North Little Rock took an gamble on its opening possession and went for it on fourth-and-7 from the Bentonville 27. Land threw to K.J. Hill, but the Bentonville defensive trio of Kary Collier, Logan Darby and Rooney converged to stop the Arkansas signee a yard short. The Tigers then scored on their opening possession and never looked back.
INJURY UPDATE: Mahone, possibly Bentonville's best pass defender at cornerback, had to be fitted in an air cast and carted off the field. He suffered a dislocated ankle and two leg fractures.
NOTABLE: Scroggins became Bentonville's career leader in receptions with his 41-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. He finished the game with five receptions, giving him 128 over two years. ... Dylan Smith entered the game needing 76 yards to reach the 1,000 mark. He finished with 27 carries for 151 yards, giving him 1,075 this season. ... Bugos, who missed the first four games this season with a leg injury, had three receptions for 90 yards. He had only three catches for 98 yards entering Friday's game.
UP NEXT: Bentonville goes back to War Memorial Stadium to face Fayetteville in the Class 7A State Championship, marking the fourth time in five years the two rivals have met in the title game. Kickoff is set for noon Saturday.
Sports on 11/30/2014