There is no bigger surprise in Class 7A than Fort Smith Northside, which can equal its number of victories from last year with a win tonight at Bryant.
The Grizzlies had a week off to prepare for Bryant, which fell 36-35 to undefeated Fayetteville last Friday. A bye week and added confidence should benefit Northside, which lost 31-12 last year to Bryant during a 4-8 season.
Northside (3-0) sandwiched victories over Rogers Heritage and Van Buren between a dominating 31-16 win over Class 6A power Greenwood that earned the Grizzlies statewide respect. Senior quarterback Derrick Wise receives much of the attention but the Grizzlies have plenty of talented players, including receiver Jackson King and linebacker Anthony Travis, who had 18 tackles in the win over Greenwood.
Bryant should be eager to get back on the field after losing to Fayetteville, which rallied from a 35-21 deficit in the third quarter. Bryant (2-1) will counter Northside with a team led by quarterback Ren Hefley and Latavian Scott, whose 30-yard touchdown reception gave the Hornets their 35-21 lead over Fayetteville.
Northside's turnaround from last season is impressive, but 7A-Central Conference play presents a new challenge for the Grizzlies. The Hornets went 10-2 last year and it's unlikely they'll lose consecutive home games while backed by a large crowd for tonight's conference opener.
RICK'S PICK Bryant
Other games involving teams from Northwest Arkansas (selections are capitalized).
CLASS 7A
Springdale Har-Ber at BENTONVILLE
Van Buren at ROGERS HIGH
Rogers Heritage at SPRINGDALE HIGH
Conway at FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE
CLASS 6A
Little Rock Hall at GREENWOOD
Sheridan at SILOAM SPRINGS
CLASS 5A
Vilonia at ALMA
GREENBRIER at Huntsville
FARMINGTON at Clarksville
HARRISON at Morrilton
CLASS 4A
PEA RIDGE at Gentry
Gravette at LINCOLN
Green Forest at PRAIRIE GROVE
Berryville at SHILOH CHRISTIAN
Mena at OZARK
DOVER at Subiaco Academy
ELKINS at Waldron
CLASS 3A
LAMAR at Cedarville
CHARLESTON at Greenland
BOONEVILLE at Paris
MANSFIELD at West Fork
CLASS 2A
HACKETT at Magazine
LAVACA at Johnson County Westside
MOUNTAINBURG at Marshall
LAST WEEK 16-5 (76 percent)
OVERALL 56-22 (72 percent)
Sports on 09/21/2018