Springdale Coach Brett Hobbs said he always wants to be straightforward with his players and let them know what they are up against on a weekly basis.
That's why he is telling the Bulldogs, who are enjoying their first 4-0 start since 2017, to approach Friday's game with caution as they continue 7A-West Conference play against winless Bentonville West -- a team that Springdale has yet to defeat in eight previous attempts.
"Not to add any more pressure to our guys, but this is a big game," Hobbs said. "We're feeling pretty good about ourselves, but I also say this is the best 0-4 team in the state of Arkansas, I guarantee you that. And we've never beaten Bentonville West.
"So I tell our players every single week that this game is the most important game of the season. That hasn't changed this week. It's very true because we have a chance to be 5-0 for the first time since 2005 and that amazing state championship team, so there's a lot on the line this week."
Hobbs said Springdale's early success has given the Bulldogs some confidence in themselves, but he also wants to make sure they remain hungry when they get on the field each week against a tough 7A-West Conference schedule.
"Even though we are 4-0, I want us to go out there like we have something to prove," Hobbs said. "And that is that we are a good football team, and we deserve to be talked about and be at the top of the conference at this time.
"Each week is a big week, but it's not going to get any easier. I promise you that."
-- Henry Apple
SPRINGDALE HAR-BER
Pivotal game ahead
Two winless teams meet in a pivotal game on Friday that could help decide the fate of both by season's end.
Springdale Har-Ber and Rogers Heritage are 0-4 overall, and 0-1 in 7A-West Conference play. Har-Ber made the state playoffs last year with league wins over Rogers Heritage and Springdale High. Heritage stayed home with a 1-9 overall record that included a 61-13 defeat to Har-Ber.
The rematch is set for Friday at Wildcat Stadium in Springdale.
"When you're in the place where we're at, every game is important," Har-Ber Coach Brent Eckley said. "We're working this week to put our best foot forward."
Har-Ber managed three scores last week against Bentonville, but the touchdowns weren't enough against the Tigers, who raced to a 28-0 lead and won 55-21 to begin conference play. Heritage fell 48-20 to Springdale.
Heritage held an early 7-0 lead on the Bulldogs when Dominic Castaneda scored on an 8-yard run. Castaneda's touchdown came after Heritage recovered an onside kick to start the game.
"I'm impressed with their sequence on offense and how one play plays off another, then another, then another," Eckley said of the War Eagles. "They play hard. Their ball carriers are physical."
-- Rick Fires
FARMINGTON
Cardinals adjust well
Tommy Tice believed Farmington's football team had to make up for some lost time, especially since he wasn't hired as the Cardinals coach until May -- just as spring workouts ended.
Tice, however, believes coaches and players are more comfortable these days as Farmington (3-1, 1-0 5A-West) reaches the season's halfway point Friday with a home game against Harrison.
"We are a lot more settled now," Tice said. "I know at least 95 percent of the players' names now, and as far as terminology, I think we are all on the same page these days.
"It means we're not having to spend a lot of time teaching, and that allows to have more repetitions. So the kids and the coaches are a lot more comfortable with each other."
Farmington started 5A-West play on the right foot last week with a 44-7 victory over Pea Ridge. Ayden Lester led the charge for the Cardinals with a 10-of-15 passing performance for 217 yards and 2 touchdowns -- including a 43-yard touchdown pass to Akin Johnson on the fifth play of the game -- and he also ran for two scores.
"Our varsity was in the game for seven series, and we scored on five of them," Tice said. "Our efficiency was tremendous and the offense was a lot crisper with its executi0n. Our pass protection is really getting better.
"Ayden Lester is almost like having another coach on the field. He has a high IQ, in football as well as in the classroom. He's very good in helping with the offense, and he has the ability to put in plays and put us in a position of being successful."
-- Henry Apple
GRAVETTE
Lions playing well
Gravette will make two trips to Carroll County this season, and the first comes Friday when the unbeaten Lions (4-0, 1-0 4A-1) travel to Green Forest (1-3, 0-1).
Gravette is looking for its first 5-0 start since 2011 after dismantling Lincoln 62-24 last week.
The Lions scored all 62 points in the first half.
"We wanted to start fast and be really physical," Gravette Coach Kelby Bohannon said. "The kids went out and executed the game plan and got off to a really good start."
The Lions had 359 yards of offense, including 228 rushing yards. Gabe Holmes led the way with 139 yards on 17 carries and 3 touchdowns.
Cam Bedwell completed 4 of 4 passes for 121 yards and 3 touchdowns. Kayden Brown caught three passes for 104 yards and a score and JD Beem had a touchdown catch of 17 yards.
Bohannon said the offensive skill players for Gravette have been good, but he credited his offensive line -- seniors Logan Browers, Morgan Dagley, Aidan Holloway and Peyton Greer and sophomore Bobby Flippo -- for paving the way.
"Those guys have done a tremendous job," Bohannon said. "For us to be successful, we know we've got to be able to run the football."
The Lions also returned two interceptions for touchdowns -- one by James Marta and another by Cade Phillips. It was Marta's second pick-six of the season. The Lions have three defensive touchdowns in four games.
"Defense has really played well," Bohannon said. "I'm really proud of them."
The Lions will return to Carroll County on Oct. 18 to face Berryville.
-- Graham Thomas
PRAIRIE GROVE
Tigers show off depth
Depth in the backfield proved to be an advantage again for Prairie Grove, which began 4A-1 Conference play with a 56-0 victory over Green Forest.
While many teams rely on one primary back, Prairie Grove has a variety of options with ball-carriers in its Wing-T offensive set. Ten players contributed positive yardage on the ground for the Tigers, who piled up 562 yards in total offense. That combination was much-needed for Prairie Grove, which was down six starters for the game.
Blake Coughran and Emmanuel Rodriguez each rushed for over 100 yards to lead the charge. Quarterback Alex Abshier had a 17-yard run and he added balance in the passing game with 159 yards and two touchdowns.
"I am not certain of the philosophy of the one-back offenses," Prairie Grove Coach Danny Abshier said. "If you have that one dude who can do the job, you are set. If you do not have that type of runner, it isn't going to work well. When the quarterback can run and throw, defending the two backs can be a real problem. I guess it's a 'what's in your wallet' scenario."
Prairie Grove (3-1, 1-0) hopes to continue its momentum in Friday's game at Huntsville (1-3, 0-1). The Eagles, who were 0-10 last season, lost 21-6 to Berryville after beating West Fork 8-6 on Sept. 20.
"I see Huntsville playing hard, harder than last year," Abshier said. "Depth is an issue with them from what their coach (Eric Henderson) says."
-- Rick Fires
GENTRY
Pioneers look to bounce back
The Gentry Pioneers suffered their first loss of the season last week at home 45-20 to Elkins. But first-year coach Tyler Clark said the Pioneers (3-1, 0-1 4A-1) have to stay the course with the rest of the conference slate in front of them.
"Really, I feel like we're going to have to keep doing what we've been doing," Clark said.
Gentry defeated Stilwell, Okla. (48-45), Pea Ridge (31-20) and Hackett (55-18) in the nonconference portion of its schedule. Those were all solid wins, Clark said.
He said the Pioneers battled Elkins, the defending conference champion and No. 1 ranked team in Class 4A, for a long portion before Elkins pulled away.
"It was a tight ballgame for a while," Clark said. "We feel good about our kids. We've just got to keep working."
Gentry travels to Lincoln (3-1, 0-1) on Friday. The Wolves lost at Gravette 62-24.
"I think Lincoln had an off night against Gravette," Clark said. "I expect it to be a battle. I think it will be a good ballgame."
-- Graham Thomas