On opening night in 7A-West Conference play Sept.23, all four games played turned out to be blowouts. Bentonville ran up the score on Fayetteville 41-6 in a rematch of last year’s state championship game.
Fort Smith Southside would have had more competition at the local boys and girls club, defeating Rogers 63-10. And Heritage’s offense at least put up some sort of fight against Fort Smith Northside in a high-scoring affair 70-51.
Last of all, Springdale Har-Ber (3-1, 1-0) played Springdale High (0-4, 0-1) at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium in the first conference game of the year.
“Defense was lights out, and offense did their thing,” said senior defensive end Seth Gates.
Gates took the game by storm sacking Springdale quarterbacks, Will Whatley and Garrett Tallman four times. The whole defense played rock solid, popping loose a total of seven fumbles (two recovered). The defense started the night with a goal line stand four straight plays of less than two yards.
Taking most of the first quarter into his own hands, senior quarterback Jon Vaughn led the Wildcats 99 yards from his own one-yard line, ending with a 12-yard strike to senior wide receiver Michael Fine. The duo would connect three more times throughout the game.
Vaughn also hooked up with junior wide receiver Nick Byrne, falling down for a five-yard touchdown reception, redeeming his dropped pass on the previous drive that would have been six points.
“The clean routes run by the receivers opened up everything,” said Vaughn. “I always know where they are going to be, because they run such good routes.”
Vaughn threw for one more touchdown in the game, early in the fourth quarter, to junior fullback Adam Bowlin.
Despite the small amount of passing yards Vaughn threw for, his legs carried him for 79 yards on 10 carries to open up even more opportunity for the pass game when needed.
“It was the entire offensive line,” said Vaughn. “They just pounded all night and opened holes for me to run through.”
Senior tailback Preston Pianalto also got into the scoring mix late in the game with a 48-yard touchdown run. Pianalto finished the game with 104 yards on 12 carries.
“The offensive line and fullbacks did an outstanding job blocking and that provided great gaps,” said Pianalto.
Pianalto’s counterpart, junior tailback Tucker Lee, also carried 11 times for 64 yards.
Springdale’s only score came in the third quarter on a seven yard Henry Hernandez touchdown reception, turning the final score 31-7. This marks the fifth straight year Har-Ber has come out victorious over their cross-town rival Springdale.
“We did play well, but there is always room for improvement,” said Pianalto. “We will be ready for Northside.”
