PREP FOOTBALL: Bowers Power

Fayetteville QB leads Purple’Dogs past Springdale

Fayetteville quarterback Darius Bowers looks to pass under pressure from Springdale linebacker
Chops Sanders on Friday at Harmon Stadium in Fayetteville. Fayetteville won 48-14.
Fayetteville quarterback Darius Bowers looks to pass under pressure from Springdale linebacker Chops Sanders on Friday at Harmon Stadium in Fayetteville. Fayetteville won 48-14.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Darius Bowers saw the hole open as soon as he got his hands on the snap.

Admittedly rusty last week in a loss to Bentonville after missing two games with a knee injury, Bowers was razor-sharp Friday night and his 22-yard touchdown run capped a spectacular night for the Fayetteville senior quarterback who led the Bulldogs to a 48-14 win against Springdale High at Harmon Stadium.

Fayetteville 48, Springdale High 14

Springdale 0 7 7 0 — 14

Fayetteville 14 6 14 14 — 48

First Quarter

Fay — Flannigan 76 pass from Bowers (Richardson kick), 9:52.

Fay — Bradach 16 pass from Bowers (Richardson kick), 6:12.

Second Quarter

Fay — Charboneau 20 pass from Bowers (Kick failed), 10:00.

Spring — Allen 7 run (Barroso kick), 9:33.

Third Quarter

Fay _ Sharits 11 run (Richardson kick), 9:33.

Spring — Lopez 1 run (Barroso kick), 4:48

Fay — Bowers 22 run (Richardson kick), 2:51.

Fourth Quarter

Fay — Sharits 15 run (Richardson kick), 7:58.

Fay — Adams 1 run (Richardson kick), 3:33.

photo

NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE Fayetteville receiver Luke Charboneau celebrates after making a touchdown catch against Springdale Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, during the first half at Harmon Stadium in Fayetteville. Visit nwadg.com/photos to see more photographs from the game.

"I was a little off last week after missing two games, but I'm finally getting back into my groove," Bowers said. "I feel good. I feel close to 100 percent now."

Bowers was almost flawless in the passing game, completing 31 of 36 passes for 462 yards and four touchdowns, although on three of them counted on the scoreboard. He added 44 on the ground and the 22-yard touchdown as Fayetteville (6-2, 3-2 7A-West) earned a huge win as far as playoff implications are concerned.

The win puts the Bulldogs on the inside track to the No. 3 playoff seed and a home game in a few weeks. It also marked the 10th consecutive win for Fayetteville in the 119th meeting of the Battle of the Bulldogs.

"No question this was a big win for us," Fayetteville coach Billy Dawson said. "With the way the bracket works out and to get to play a home is huge. Just really proud of the kids. We've overcome some stuff injury-wise. I hope we're getting healthy to make a run at this thing."

Fayetteville scored on three of its first four possessions to take a 20-0 lead. Actually, the Purple'Dogs scored on four straight, but a touchdown was negated when Zach Van Hook caught a short pass from Bowers and was walking into the end zone but lost control the ball rolled out of the end zone for a touchback.

Bowers and Connor Flannigan were instrumental in the quick start for Fayetteville. Flannigan, who caught 14 passes for 223 yards, scored the game's first touchdown when he caught a Bowers pass over the middle and fought through a Springdale tackle attempt to go 76 yards with 9 minutes, 52 seconds left in the first quarter and a 7-0 lead. Bowers later hit Augie Bradach and Luke Charboneau for scoring passes and a 20-0 lead. Charboneau had 7 catches for 156 yards.

Springdale (6-2, 3-2) could not overcome the early deficit nor the landslide of key injuries. Leading runner Garrett Vaughan was in street clothes with a calf injury, and Springdale lost quarterback Grant Allen in the second quarter with what is likely a severe foot injury.

"We don't know the extent of the injury, but it doesn't look good," said Springdale coach Zak Clark on Allen's injury.

Trailing 14-0, Springdale rallied on its third drive, marching from its own 25 to the Fayetteville 5. But Allen was intercepted by Luke Mumme at the goal line to end the drive.

"We have to do a better job in the red zone," Clark said. "We've struggled in the red zone the last two, three weeks. Big picture, we have to regroup."

Before Allen went out, Springdale pulled within 20-7 when Allen hit Brock Pounders for 36 yards and Fayetteville was hit for two personal foul penalties at the end of the play. Allen scored on a 7-yard run. The Springdale defense then forced its only three-and-out of the game and moved into scoring range again, but Daniel Barroso was wide left on a 30-yard field goal try.

Fayetteville dominated the rest of the way. The Purple'Dogs drove 54 yards on the first possession of the third quarter with Jacob Sharits scoring from 11 yards out, then put the game away with Bowers' scoring run. Sharits added another touchdown in the fourth quarter.

"Darius is better than he was last week, so hopefully next week he'll be a little better," Dawson said. "We had 12 players injured at one time and now we are down to one [Beau Stuckey]. We're keeping our fingers crossed."

Sports on 10/20/2018

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