Bowers shakes off rust, passes, runs for 4 TDs

Darius Bowers saw the hole open as soon as he got his hands on the snap. Admittedly rusty in a loss to Bentonville last week after missing two games with a knee injury, Bowers was razor-sharp Friday night and his 22-yard touchdown run capped a spectacular night for the Fayetteville senior quarterback who led the Bulldogs to a 48-14 victory over Springdale High at Harmon Stadium. I was a little off last week after missing two games, but I'm finally getting back into my groove," Bowers said. "I feel good. I feel close to 100 percent now." Bowers was almost flawless in the passing game, completing 31 of 36 passes for 462 yards and 3 touchdowns. He added 44 yards on the ground and the 22-yard touchdown run as Fayetteville (6-2, 3-2 7A-West) earned a huge win as far as playoff implications are concerned. The win puts the Bulldogs on the inside track to the No. 3 playoff seed and a home game in a few weeks. It also marked the 10th consecutive win for Fayetteville in the 119th meeting of the Battle of the Bulldogs. "No question this was a big win for us," Fayetteville Coach Billy Dawson said. "With the way the bracket works out and to get to play a home is huge. Just really proud of the kids. We've overcome some stuff injury-wise. I hope we're getting healthy to make a run at this thing." Fayetteville scored on three of its first four possessions to take a 20-0 lead. Fayetteville could have made it four in a row, but a touchdown was negated when Zach Van Hook caught a short pass from Bowers but lost control of the ball before reaching the end zone. The rolled past the end line for a touchback. Bowers and Connor Flannigan were instrumental in the quick start for Fayetteville. Flannigan, who caught 14 passes for 223 yards, scored the game's first touchdown when he caught a Bowers pass over the middle and fought through a Springdale tackle attempt to go 76 yards with 9:52 left in the first quarter and a 7-0 lead. Bowers later hit Augie Bradach and Luke Charboneau for scoring passes and a 20-0 lead. Charboneau had 7 catches for 156 yards. Springdale (6-2, 3-2) could not overcome the early deficit nor the landslide of key injuries. Leading runner Garrett Vaughan was in street clothes with a calf injury, and Springdale lost quarterback Grant Allen in the second quarter with what is likely a severe foot injury. "We don't know the extent of the injury, but it doesn't look good," said Springdale Coach Zak Clark on Allen's injury. Trailing 14-0, Springdale rallied on its third drive, marching from its own 25 to the Fayetteville 5. But Allen was intercepted by Luke Mumme at the goal line. "We have to do a better job in the red zone," Clark said. "We've struggled in the red zone the last two, three weeks. Big picture, we have to regroup." Before Allen went out, Springdale pulled within 20-7 when Allen hit Brock Pounders for 36 yards and Fayetteville was hit for two personal foul penalties at the end of the play. Allen scored on a 7-yard run. The Springdale defense then forced its only three-and-out of the game and moved into scoring range again, but Daniel Barroso was wide left on a 30-yard field goal try. Fayetteville dominated the rest of the way, driving 54 yards on the first possession of the third quarter. Jacob Sharits scored from 11 yards out and Fayetteville then put the game away with Bowers' scoring run. Sharits added another touchdown in the fourth quarter. "Darius is better than he was last week, so hopefully next week he'll be a little better," Dawson said. "We had 12 players injured at one time and now we are down to one (Beau Stuckey). We're keeping our fingers crossed."

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Fayetteville High School Athletics

BOWERS SHAKES OFF RUST, PASSES, RUNS FOR 4 TDS

CHIP SOUZA

Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette | 10/20/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Andy Shupe