Top-Ranked Tigers Suspend Two Starters

BENTONVILLE - Top-ranked Bentonville (7-0, 4-0 in 7 A-West) will not be at full strength this week against Fort Smith Northside or for the rest of the regular season. Senior Torery Garrison, the Tigers' leading tackler, and starting cornerback Zac Barczewski have been suspended for the final three regular season games. "We have a couple of young men that will not be playing for the next three weeks due to an athletic code handbook violation and a football team violation," Bentonville head coach Barry Lunney said. The length of the suspensions were issued in accordance to the handbook, Lunney said. Along with the Northside game, the two seniors - who were among 10 senior starters on defense - will be ineligible for Bentonville's road games at Springdale and Springdale Har-Ber. They are not on this week's game roster. "It is very disappointing for the young men," Lunney said. "I know they're very disappointed ... Very disappointed for this football team. "Garrison leads the Tigers with 104 total tackles through seven games. He had 11 tackles for loss, four quarterback sacks and an interception. Barczewski had three interceptions on the season and 23 total tackles. If the two suspended players do all that's required of them in the next three weeks, they'll be reinstated to the team and eligible for the Class 7 A state playoffs, Lunney said. "I don't expect any other issues with them," he said. "I expect that they'll do every stipulation that was laid out there for them." Lunney said senior Tyler Jones (three tackles this season ) will start at corner in place of Barczewski with junior Trey Carter (eight tackles, one interception ) backing up. Carter started at safety earlier in the season when Justin Mize was out with an injury. Junior Ben Nichols, who moved to linebacker from running back, is likely to start in Garrison's place. Nichols has nine tackles on the season. "You lose a couple of starters that have been an integral part of what we've done so far," Lunney said. "What do you do ? You just go on. Guys are going to get their opportunity to step in and play. We don't ask them to be anybody else but be who they are and be the best they can be. It's not like they have to go throw a Superman cape on and try and do everything. They've got nine other guys out there." --- The Tigers likely will be missing three more starters for this week's game, Lunney said. A pair of wide receivers - junior Nick Gneiting (nine catches, 88 yards, one touchdown ) and senior Taylor Lyles (team-high 14 receptions and 191 yards, three touchdowns ) - were injured early in the Rogers game. Gneiting is likely out up to five weeks with a hand injury. Lyles turned an ankle and his wtatus is doubtful. The Tigers may also be missing senior defensive end Ivan Gallegos, who reportedly turned an ankle over the weekend and has not practiced this week. In Gallegos' place, defensive line coach Tony Cherico said nose tackle Austin Taylor will move to defensive end and the combination of sophomore Chase Gogel and senior Aaron Hernandez will man the defensive nose tackle. Gallegos has 63 total tackles and three sacks this season.