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Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Same Script Being Written For West
Western Arkansas, AR
By: Mike Capshaw
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Photo(s) By: Kyle Danztler/MyActionPortraits.com
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Fort Smith Southside already knocked off a pair of Central teams with wins against Catholic and Conway. That running game is every bit as good as expected and the defense is playing with a ton of passion. Plus, never count out a Jeff Williams coached team.
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Sorry Central, but it’s going to be the West dancing to the championship again in the state’s largest classification.
There certainly could be a Central team make a playoff run, Cabot and Catholic are solid, but Bentonville, Fayetteville, Southside, Rogers and both Springdale schools are capable of making runs at the right time to win it all.
Six teams from the West get into the playoffs in this year’s format and the conference is the SEC of Arkansas high school football.
That’s a lot of teams for the Central to dodge and don’t forget that the No. 4 seed from the West has won the past four state titles.
Bentonville’s defense is dynamite, and junior rusher Shane Boedecker is every bit as solid as Anthony Blackmon was a year ago, especially with a new offensive line stepping up. If the Tigers can find consistency passing, look out.
Eleven of 16 coaches selected Fayetteville No. 1 in our preseason poll and the Bulldogs looked as strong as anybody through the first two games of the season with a 35-0 win against Little Rock Central (35-0) and a thrilling 42-37 win at powerhouse Jefferson City, Mo.
Bentonviile’s and Fayetteville’s Week 2 victories against strong Missouri teams were the most impressive of the non-conference slate for any 7A team in the state.
Fort Smith Southside already knocked off a pair of Central teams with wins against Catholic and Conway. That Rebel running game is every bit as effective as expected and the defense is playing with a ton of passion.
Plus, never count out a Jeff Williams coached team.
Ronnie Peacock is as crafty as coaches come and has a solid defense to go along with offensive playmakers Andy Couture, Ethan Melton, Michael Tibbs and Austin Young at Rogers. The Mounties also almost pulled one off at traditionally-strong Webb City (a 36-33 loss) in the home opener.
Crafty doesn’t come close to explaining Har-Ber coach Chris Wood on offense as he’s added wrinkles to the Spread and Pistol formations again this season. Tailback Derek Brinker is a strong runner and quarterback Zach Faust has the best arm in the state, which he can showcase with emerging players such as senior Brad Taylor, a 6-foot-4, 200-pounder who owns 4.7 speed.
Across town, Springdale High quarterback Ashton Glaser has continued hooking up with LaDarius Eckwood for big plays just as the duo did during 7-on-7 action this summer. The defense gave up more than 500 yards rushing in a season opening loss against Jefferson City and could force the offense to score a lot to outlast teams. If the defense, which does have a lot of seniors, can come together, the Red ‘Dogs could sneak up on teams in the playoffs.
So watch out Central teams. We know you’re aware of the West already, but with six of our best getting a shot at the playoffs, you may be lucky to get a team into the semifinals.
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