FAYETTEVILLE — Barrett Banister has the skills necessary to be a top wide receiver in the 7A-West Conference.
Great hands, and an ability to elude tacklers and gain extra yardage allowed Banister to earn a starting role as a junior at Fayetteville, on a team stacked with quality talent at receiver. But with Banister, there’s more that sets him apart and elevated him to a top target in the Purple Bulldogs’ lineup this season.
Fayetteville at Bryant
Hornet Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Fayetteville Bulldogs 1-0; Bryant Hornets 1-0.
ON THE AIR-KQSM 92.1 FM
BETWEEN THE LINES These two teams have met three times over the last 10 seasons, with each matchup coming in the postseason. … Fayetteville defeated Bryant, 30-24, last year in the Class 7A quarterfinals at Bryant. … The Hornets opened the season with a 10-7 win against rival Benton in front of more than 30,000 at War Memorial Stadium last week. … Bryant had just 150 yards of total offense in last week’s win and allowed 340 total yards to Benton. … Fayetteville escaped with a 26-21 win against Blue Springs, Mo. last week. … The Bulldogs lost two fumbles and committed eight penalties for 75 yards in the season opener.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Fayetteville, QB Taylor Powell (Sr., 6-2, 200), WR Barrett Banister (Sr., 6-0, 180), RB Terrance Rock (Sr., 5-11, 175), DT Akial Byers (Sr. 6-5, 265), S Andrew Ellis (Sr., 6-0, 175); Bryant RB De’Amonte Terry (Sr., 5-10, 185), DT Hayden Knowles (Sr., 6-2, 235), LB Marvin Moody (Sr., 6-3, 210), DB Cameron Vail (Jr., 6-0, 175).
HOOTEN’S RANKINGS Fayetteville is No. 2 in Class 7A. Bryant is No. 8.
HOOTEN’S LINE Fayetteville by 15.
OUR TAKE Fayetteville 28, Bryant 17
Dependability and trust.
Banister has shown a consistent knack to bring down big catches. He has become a favorite target of all-state quarterback Taylor Powell, a relationship developed over years of practice and strong bond built on trust.
“I take the most pride in just being reliable,” Banister said. “Being the guy when we need a first down, when we need to make something happen, knowing I can be the guy to catch the ball and make the play.
“It just comes down to who’s better in that one-onone matchup, and I know I can be that guy.”
Banister, like other Fayetteville receivers, have an advantage with Powell as their quarterback. But when plays break down, Banister has still been able to make something happen.
“There’s a trust factor and they know a little bit about what each other is thinking,” Fayetteville coach Bill Blankenship said. “So they’re willing to stretch the envelop, so to speak, because they trust each other.”
Banister (6-foot, 180 pounds), had more than 40 receptions for more than 500 yards as a junior. He was overshadowed at times with now-graduated Tyson Morris serving the role as a big-play receiver, and Terrance Rock playing wideout before switching this season back to running back. Now it’s Banister’s time to shine and he appears more than capable of handling the role.
“Barrett is really versatile and he’s also one of the best leaders on our team,” Powell said. “The offense has a lot of guys to look up and he’s one of those guys.
“You really can’t say enough about him.”
Banister began playing wide receiver in the eighth grade, and comes from a family with deep football ties. His grandfather, Harold Horton, coached at Arkansas and led Central Arkansas to two NAIA national championships. His uncle, Tim Horton, played wide receiver at Arkansas and now coaches running backs at Auburn.
“When I’m down at Auburn, I hear about it from the coaches a lot,” Banister said. “They tell me how much I play like my uncle.”
And Banister hopes to follow his uncle down a Division I path. His first goal is to help Fayetteville to a second straight Class 7A state championship, but helping his own cause and getting recognized by colleges as a player ready for the next level is also on the agenda.
“Whether it’s football or baseball, I want to go Division I,” Banister said. “The main thing right now is the team, but helping myself is kind of a side goal at the same time.”
Vernon Tarver can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter@NWAVernon.