FOOTBALL: Fayetteville, North Little Rock Eager For Early Test

Staff Photo DAVID GOTTSCHALK Daryl Patton, Fayetteville head football coach, observes practice Monday at Harmon Field in Fayetteville.
Staff Photo DAVID GOTTSCHALK Daryl Patton, Fayetteville head football coach, observes practice Monday at Harmon Field in Fayetteville.

Fans who were bored by the quality of the opponent in Fayetteville (Nicholls State) last weekend should head to Harmon Field tonight.

North Little Rock is in town and the Charging Wildcats likely have a better team and more quality athletes than Joe Nichols State, which fell 73-7 to the Razorbacks.

North Little Rock is hot to trot after winning state basketball championships the past two seasons.The Charging Wildcats are now focused on a football trophy after wins over Springdale High and Fayetteville in the state basketball finals.

Fayetteville is ranked No. 2 and North Little Rock No. 3 in Class 7A by Hootens Arkansas Football.

If North Little Rock is ever going to win a state championship in football, this could be the year. The Charging Wildcats are stacked with athletes, including receiver K.J. Hill, an Arkansas commit. Razorback fans will enjoy watching Hill compete on the same field as Fayetteville tight end C.J. O'Grady, who has also given a verbal commitment to the Hogs.

Neither team was overly impressive in their season-openers. North Little Rock eased by Little Rock Catholic, 17-7, and Fayetteville gave up a bunch of big plays in a 45-38 win at Lawton (Okla.) Eisenhower.

Both head coaches expect more tonight from two teams who'll likely challenge for the state title. North Little Rock got close last year before falling 43-42 in two overtimes to Cabot in a semifinal game. Two years ago, North Little Rock was eliminated 30-28 by Fayetteville in the semifinals.

North Little Rock is confident of a carry-over this year after dominating on the basketball court. This is a good test for the Charging Wildcats, who will have to play exceptionally well to come into Northwest Arkansas and beat a very good 7A-West team on its home field.

I don't see it happening.

Rick’s Pick: FAYETTEVILLE

Other games involving teams from Northwest Arkansas (selections are capitalized).

Class 7A

ALMA at Springdale High

BENTONVILLE at Broken Arrow, Okla.

FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE at Little Rock Central

Fort Smith Southside at GREENWOOD

ROGERS HIGH at Claremore, Okla.

RUSSELLVILLE at Rogers Heritage

CLASS 6A

HARRISON at Siloam Springs

CLASS 5A

FARMINGTON at Huntsville

CLASS 4A

Naples (Fla.) First Baptist Academy at SHILOH CHRISTIAN

Gentry at CHARLESTON

Gravette at MAYFLOWER

Green Forest at PEA RIDGE

Lincoln at KEYS, OKLA.

WEST FORK at Berryville

CLASS 3A

LAVACA at Elkins

MANSFIELD at Greenland

CLASS 2A

DECATUR at Hartford

Last Week: 12-3 (80 percent)

Upcoming Events