Another big test for FHS, Har-Ber

Springdale Har-Ber didn't have a lot of time to celebrate its 31-21 victory at Bentonville last Friday night. "We woke up on Saturday getting ready for Fayetteville," Coach Chris Wood said. "It's what makes this league special. You can reflect back after the season." That's life in the 7A-West Conference, where even a victory against the two-time defending Class 7A state champions has to be put on the back burner by Springdale Har-Ber (5-1) in order to prepare for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's overall No. 1 team. Fayetteville (6-0, 3-0 7A-West) has averaged 61.0 points in its three 7A-West victories against Fort Smith Northside, Fort Smith Southside and Springdale. The Bulldogs are led by junior quarterback Taylor Powell. Powell, 6-2, 200 pounds, has passed for 1,681 yards and 24 touchdowns in 6 games. "They're one of the top offenses in the state," Wood said. "You'll have to go with them and Pulaski Academy. Greenwood is right there." Fayetteville Coach Daryl Patton said his team's mentality is to play hard and fast, and the Bulldogs have done that through six games. "The kids have been playing really well," Patton said. "We don't have a lot of time to sit there and dwell. We're on to the next game." Springdale Har-Ber senior quarterback Fuller Chandler, 6-1, 205, has guided the Wildcats to their own 3-0 start in the 7A-West and has passed for 1,138 yards and 14 touchdowns. "He's a very talented kid," Patton said. "He's got a live arm. He can make all the throws." Wildcats senior running back Luke Hannon, 5-10, 190, has rushed for at least 100 yards in all three of his team's conference games, including 185 yards and two touchdowns Friday against Bentonville. "He's a talented kid," Wood said. "He does all the stuff from the tailback position, then we put him in the slot. He creates matchup problems. He understands the principles of what we want to do." Fayetteville owns a 6-4 edge in the series and won 44-14 at home last season. Patton expects another tough game tonight. "Har-Ber is a very good football team," Patton said. "They're well-coached. We've had some battles over the years. It should be a great game. "If I wasn't coaching, I'd buy a ticket to go watch. It will be a fantastic atmosphere."

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ANOTHER BIG TEST FOR FHS, HAR-BER

JIMMY CARTER

NWADG | 10/16/2015

PHOTO CREDIT: NWADG