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)