PREP FOOTBALL REPORT: Week 8

SPRINGDALE HIGH

Bulldogs hope to end another streak

It's been a decade since Springdale High walked off the field after playing Fayetteville with a victory. The Red'Dogs are hoping to change that Friday night.

It was 2008 the last time Springdale won the Battle of the Bulldogs. This season Springdale (6-1, 3-1 7A-West) is off to its best start since 2005, but the toughest games of the season are lined up the next two weeks starting with Fayetteville this week.

"We are getting to that time of year where the really good teams, the great teams, hit their second gear," Springdale coach Zak Clark said. "They really start to hit their stride, so to speak. So that's been our mindset, let's just go out, have a great week of practice, let's prepare with a little more intensity, a little more focus. We really just want to compete well."

Springdale struggled last week in a 37-27 win at Rogers, not sealing the win until Jujuan Boyd returned an interception 95 yards for a touchdown late in the game.

"We have yet to play well in all three facets," Clark said. "That is both concerning and encouraging at the same time. We feel like our best games are still ahead of us."

Friday's clash at Harmon Stadium will feature two of the top quarterbacks in the state in Springdale's Grant Allen and Darius Bowers of Fayetteville. Allen is 137 of 217 passing for 2,079 yards and 21 touchdowns with just two interceptions. Bowers is 83-of-123 for 1,205 yards and 11 scores without an interception after missing two games with a knee injury.

-- Chip Souza • @NWAChip

HARRISON

Goblins set for 5A-West showdown

Harrison coach Joel Wells didn't mince words in talking about Friday's key 5A-West Conference game at Alma.

"It's a big ballgame," Wells said. "Realistically, it's probably for a conference championship and a No. 1 seed and possibly two home playoff games. That's a big deal."

Harrison should have an edge in speed, but Alma will be bigger up front, which could be an issue since rain is in the weather forecast for Friday.

"They are going to try to keep the ball out of our hands," Well said. "They do a good job of controlling the football."

The Goblins (7-0, 4-0 5A-West) have rolled over most opponents this season with a 21-9 win over Morrilton easily being their closest call. They have outscored league opponents by a combined total of 165-29.

A powerful offense keyed by running back Gabe Huskey has grabbed lots of a attention. He's already rushed for 1,061 yards and 17 touchdowns already. The junior has also caught a team-high 19 passes for 483 yards and five touchdowns.

But the Harrison defense has also been strong, allowing only 57 points total. Wells specifically wanted to shore up the defense this season with more speed and that's been a key to their success.

"We've got 10 guys who run under 5 and our 290-pound nose man runs a 5.1 in the 40," Well said.

-- Paul Boyd • @NWAPaulB

LAVACA

Hall's return aids Golden Arrows

Lavaca got off to an 0-2 start this season, but the Golden Arrows have found their groove once senior Jimmy Hall returned to the lineup.

Hall accounted for five touchdowns, throwing for three and running for two, to lead his team to a big 34-24 win over Magazine last week. Lavaca improved to 4-3 overall and more importantly 3-1 in 2A-4 Conference play.

Hall. who played tight end as a sophomore, missed his entire junior season because of a torn meniscus in his knee, then suffered a partial tear in the other knee in Lavaca's preseason scrimmage against Waldron, Lavaca coach Brian Schlinker said.

"It was a partial tear and they were able to do what they needed to do and he was able to come back for the Johnson County Westside game," Schlinker said. "He's a great leader and a very intelligent kid with a high football IQ."

Hall's thrown for more than 500 yards and 4 touchdowns in five games, but his leadership is a key for the Golden Arrows, Schlinker said.

"When he's back there taking snaps, we just feel comfortable. We really believe in what Jimmy does and he's done a lot to earn that. He's probably one of the most physical kids we have and after he hands it off he's gonna lay a big pancake block on the first kid he can find. They all feed off that, too."

Senior Tyler Armstead, who played last week despite an ankle injury, has also been a big key as a two-way starter at running back and defensive end. He has a team-high 663 yards and nine touchdowns to go with 52 tackles, which ranks second on the team.

"He has our most tackles for loss and when he's got the ball in his hands, he's a load to bring down," Schlinker said.

-- Paul Boyd • @NWAPaulB

GREENWOOD

Bulldogs clicking on all cylinders

After dropping the opening game of the season, the Greenwood offense has found its rhythm. The Bulldogs have scored 41 or more points in the past six games under senior first-year quarterback Peyton Holt.

"He is comfortable back there now," Greenwood coach Rick Jones said. "We played him as a quarterback in junior high and got better as he went along then. He has a great feel for the game and has made progress every week. I'm very proud of him."

Holt has completed 123 of his 177 passes for 1,624 yards with 10 touchdowns. He also leads the team in rushing with 464 yards on 80 carries with 10 touchdowns.

Greenwood (6-1, 4-0 6A-West) was limited on offense in a 31-16 loss to Fort Smith Northside to open the year, but the offense is averaging more than 46 points scored per game after that.

"All six of our skilled position players were playing new positions or haven't started in a varsity game," Jones said. "Northside is really, really solid on defense as well. We have been productive since then. We are making progress and getting better every week."

The development of junior Treyton Dawson and senior Luke Leonard at the wide receiver position has helped the offense find success.

Dawson leads the team with 572 yards with 39 catches including four touchdowns. Leonard has caught 47 passes for 555 yards and also has four touchdowns.

"I can't say enough about those guys," Jones said. "They have been waiting in the wings. What I appreciate the most from those two is their ability to block in the passing game for each other. Often times when a play goes well it's because of a good block from the other."

It will be a matchup of unbeaten teams in conference play when Greenwood hosts Benton (6-1, 4-0) this week. The last loss in conference play for the Bulldogs was back in 2014.

"This will be a huge test," Jones said. "They are a big, strong, physical football team. They will be the best football team we have played so far. They have big lines upfront and are aggressive on defense. They are tough on offense. They have some weapons."

Van Buren

Pointers making major strides

Getting a win at home was a goal for the Van Buren Pointers heading into the season. Mission accomplished after a 38-0 victory against Rogers Heritage at Blakemore Field last week.

"We wanted a home win this season," Van Buren first-year coach Casey Dick said. "It had been 755 days. It's big for us to win at home and big for the community. It was awesome to see the look on their faces after that."

Sophomore quarterback Gary Phillips was a big part of the offense coming off the bench to provide a spark. He finished with 10 carries for 189 yards with two scores. Phillips also completed nine of 14 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns.

"He came in and did his job," Dick said. "That's one thing we preach to everybody that steps on the field. You don't have to be an extraordinary person just do the ordinary stuff we ask you to do. He came in and played well."

Dick said he feels Van Buren (3-4, 2-2 7A-West) has two quarterbacks with Phillips and senior Christian Morrow that can make plays for the team heading into this week's game against Springdale Har-Ber (3-4, 1-3) on the road.

"We'll see how it goes this week (with the quarterback position)," Dick said. "We know these guys can do different things. We'll see how it evolves and go from there."

Van Buren will attempt to win back-to-back games for the first time since the 2014 season. That also was the last year the Pointers won at least four games.

"I think they having a ton of fun out there," Dick said. "If we are not out here having fun, as coaches we are doing something wrong. You play this game with enthusiasm. They want to get better."

LINCOLN

Wolves await Saints in 4A-1 showcase

Shiloh Christian and Lincoln both posted shutout victories leading up to Friday's important 4A-1 Conference game at Wolf Pack Stadium.

Lincoln (6-1, 3-1) overwhelmed Green Forest 50-0 while Shiloh Christian (6-1, 4-0) pounded Gentry 35-0 to extend its winning streak to six consecutive.

Lincoln has responded with wins over Berryville and Green Forest after losing its first game, 24-14 at Pea Ridge on Sept. 28. The Wolves controlled the first half in that game against the Blackhawks, who are tied with Shiloh Christian atop the league standings.

"That was a tough loss and it took our kids a couple of days to get over it," Lincoln coach Don Harrison said. "But I was real proud of the way we played and the kids were proud of themselves. Pea Ridge has developed into one of the top teams in Class 4A and we were right in the game. Our guys know the outcome could've been different had we played better."

Lincoln knows it will have to play exceptionally well to hang with Shiloh Christian, who has been on a roll since losing its season-opener to Texarkana. The Saints have a prolific offense led by quarterback Eli Reece, running back Jaret Russ, and receiver Truitt Tollett.

"They're loaded at the skill spots," Harrison said. "The quarterback, running backs, receivers are all very talented and that extends to their secondary and linebackers."

-- Rick Fires • @NWARick

OZARK

Hillbillies looking to close strong

Ozark opened the season with losses in two of its first three games, but the Hillbillies have rebounded with four straight wins -- all in 4A-4 Conference play -- to sit atop the league standings with three regular season games remaining.

The Hillbillies (5-2, 4-0) have ridden the arm of senior quarterback Dawson Dietz during the win streak. Dietz is having a solid season, completing 83 of 122 passes for 1,227 yards and 11 touchdowns.

"Dawson is playing really well," Ozark coach Jeremie Burns said. "He's making good decisions on throwing the ball. He's had nearly 200 yards passing each week and he does a good job on the read options as well. So he's having a great year."

Ozark was able to put a crazy ending to its final nonconference game against Charleston in the rearview mirror and move forward. Charleston scored on the final play of the game on a multiple lateral play.

"We tell the kids every week that there are three to five plays that decide a game," Burns said. "There were definitely three plays in that game that got us. So we just made corrections and told them that's what nonconference is for. It really doesn't matter in the whole scheme of things. And they had a great attitude and came back and have gone to work each and every week."

The Hillbillies, who host Dover this week, are still working through some key injuries, Burns said. They were able to get Eli Munnerlyn back before conference, but are still without Eddie Graham and Daniel Woolsey, two of their leading rushers coming into the season. Woolsey has played some, but has had a lingering quad injury. Graham was hurt in the preseason scrimmage against Farmington and is not expected back this season, Burns said.

Sophomore Tyler Sanders has stepped in at running back and has rushed for 760 yards and 9 touchdowns.

Ozark closes the regular season with road games at Waldron and Elkins.

-- Chip Souza • @NWAChip

SILOAM SPRINGS

Panthers in three-way tie for third

With three games left in the regular season, three 6A-West teams are tied for third place in the conference standings.

And all three of these teams -- El Dorado, Russellville and Siloam Springs, all 2-2 in league play -- are set to face one another over the next three weeks, starting with El Dorado making the long trek from southern Arkansas to Siloam Springs on Friday.

"From what I've seen, I don't think there's any easy games in this conference," said Siloam Springs coach Brandon Craig. "(El Dorado) played really well against Benton for three quarters the other night. They've played well in other games, too. They have tons of kids that are athletic and very fast. The biggest benefit of their team is their overall team speed."

Siloam Springs (4-3) is coming off a 21-14 road win at Lake Hamilton last week.

Kaiden Thrailkill rushed for 140 yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns, while Landon Ellis completed 9 of 18 passes for 163 yards and one touchdown -- a 56-yard pass to Primo Agbehi, who had three catches for 113 yards.

Craig said the Panthers got to celebrate the big win against the Wolves for 24 hours but have moved on to the Wildcats.

"It's part of the process," Craig said. "You enjoy the win for 24 hours and then you start breaking down the next opponent. You're refocusing each week and try to get prepared for the next opponent. You don't have time to focus on the victories for very long."

Thrailkill is approaching a personal milestone with 962 rushing yards, 38 away from 1,000.

"I think he's had some really good games," Craig said of Thrailkill. "Van Buren obviously (257 rushing yards) was a standout, but we've had some consistency in our O-line play. What he does after those 4 to 5 initial yards you can't really coach. He does a good job of seeing things."

-- Graham Thomas • @NWAGraham

Sports on 10/18/2018