FAYETTEVILLE -- The Battle of the Bulldogs has had its share of big winning streaks over the course of the long rivalry between Fayetteville and Springdale High.
On Friday, the Purple'Dogs matched their longest stretch of victories over the Red'Dogs in more than 70 years.
That Figures
6 — Consecutive wins for Fayetteville in “The Battle of the Bulldogs” rivalry
10 — Carries needed by Fayetteville running back Luke Rapert to rush for 120 yards in Friday’s 49-21 win over Springdale.
155 — Receiving yards for Springdale’s Salvador Sandoval in Friday’s game.
1938-1943 — Last time Fayetteville had won six in a row vs. Springdale before current streak.
Fayetteville (5-1, 2-1 7A-West) needed just two plays to get on the scoreboard at Harmon Stadium, then eventually pulled away in the third quarter for a sportsmanship rule 49-21 victory against Springdale High.
The win marks the sixth straight in the series for Fayetteville. The last time the Purple'Dogs accomplished that many wins in a row against the Red'Dogs? 1938 to 1943.
"Anytime you can come out and win in this series, because it's been a lopsided series for a long time, and for us to win six straight, we're awfully proud of our kids," Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton said. "We feel like we've got the program going in the right direction. Give credit to coach Shane Patrick and those guys at Springdale. They played hard and fought hard all night. We just had a few more guys."
Springdale (0-6, 0-3) struggled to tackle Fayetteville receivers and running backs in open space, leading to too many big plays. But the Red'Dogs continued to battle, scoring two second half touchdowns while amassing nearly 300 yards of total offense against a tough Fayetteville defense.
"These are Springdale kids, and Springdale kids are never going to quit," Patrick said. "I love these kids to death, and we're going to keep coaching them and we're going to get better. We're going to come out next Friday night, and if they come and prepare like we ask them, we'll have an opportunity to win that game just like we tell them every game."
PLAY OF THE NIGHT: Springdale forced a Fayetteville three-and-out and took possession at its own 49 yard line trailing 35-14 with 6 minutes, 23 seconds left in the third quarter. But two plays later, the Purple'Dogs put the game away for good when Fayetteville defensive end Damani Carter hit quarterback Fuller Chandler just as he released the ball. Colby Sigears intercepted the errant pass and returned it 57 yards for a Fayetteville touchdown.
Players of the Game: Springdale receiver Salvador Sandoval caught nine passes for 155 yards and beat the Fayetteville secondary for two touchdown receptions of 27 and 26 yards. For Fayetteville, tailback Luke Rapert ran for 120 yards and one touchdown on just 10 carries.
Notable: Fayetteville tight end C.J. O'Grady has been selected to participate in the Semper Fi All-American Bowl on Jan. 4 in Carson, Calif. The game is sponsored by the U.S. Marines, and O'Grady was officially announced as a selection by Marines representatives after Friday's game. ... Springdale won the turnover battle, recovering two Fayetteville fumbles while giving up just one interception. ... Friday was homecoming at Harmon Stadium.
Up Next: Fayetteville returns home for a second straight game for the first time this season and plays host to Springdale Har-Ber next week. The Wildcats (2-4, 2-1) lost to Bentonville, 45-13, on Friday. Springdale is back at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium to face Bentonville (2-4, 2-1).
Sports on 10/12/2014