FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — The only team standing in No. 1 Bentonville's way of a perfect regular season is the same team that defeated it in last year's Class 7A state championship game.
The Tigers (9-0) host No. 4 Fayetteville on Friday night in a game that's been the first of two meetings between the schools in each of the last two seasons. Bentonville defeated the Bulldogs both times in 2010, winning the state championship, while Fayetteville split the two last season — winning when it mattered the most.
The Bulldogs (7-2) rallied from a 21-7 fourth-quarter deficit in the championship game to shock the Tigers 29-28 in overtime last season. Quarterback Austin Allen threw for 276 yards and four touchdowns in the win, and he led Fayetteville to a win over No. 7 Springdale Har-Ber last week.
Bentonville has answered every challenge convincingly this season, led by a defense that's allowing an average of only 5.6 points per game.
The Tigers have been waiting for another shot at Fayetteville. Just don't be surprised if they play again later this season — next time in War Memorial Stadium.
No. 1 BENTONVILLE 33, No. 4 FAYETTEVILLE 17
(2) North Little Rock 42, Little Rock Central 17
(3) Greenwood 49, Russellville 20
(5) Camden Fairview 45, Watson Chapel 24
(6) Pine Bluff 35, Benton 10
(7) Springdale Har-Ber 38, Springdale High 14
(8) Fort Smith Southside 40, Fort Smith Northside 17
(9) Conway 31, Little Rock Catholic 21
(10) Bryant 30, El Dorado 27
CLASS 6A
(1) Greenwood 49, (5) Russellville 20
(2) Pine Bluff 35, Benton 10
Bryant 30, (3) El Dorado 27
(4) Jonesboro 28, Marion 27
Cabot 27, (5) Searcy 17
CLASS 5A
(1) Camden Fairview 45, Watson Chapel 24
(2) Greenbrier 31, Vilonia 21
(3) Pulaski Academy 42, Jacksonville 14
(4) Wynne 38, Nettleton 17
(5) White Hall 35, De Queen 13
CLASS 4A
(1) Arkadelphia 38, Malvern 35
(2) Nashville 48, Bauxite 14
(3) Prairie Grove 35, Gravette 7
(4) Highland 45, Trumann 7
(5) Stuttgart 49, Marianna 3
CLASS 3A
(1) Glen Rose 48, Two Rivers 7
(2) Harding Academy 42, (3) Barton 41
(4) McGehee 23, Fordyce 17
(5) Prescott 38, Fouke 3
CLASS 2A
(1) Junction City 33, Norphlet 14
(2) Salem 41, Cross County 3
(3) Bearden 28, Strong 17
(4) Gurdon 41, Foreman 23
(5) E. Poinsett Co. 34, Marked Tree 14
Last Week: 23-3 (89 percent)
Season: 216-36 (86 percent)
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