It’s game day, Arkansas! Welcome to this edition of the Varsity Vibe Bulletin, where we’re counting down to kickoff!

Coming up in today’s newsletter:

🎙️ Getting you ready for Friday Night Lights
📈 What’s trending
👀 One to Watch
🏈 Game of the Week

Let’s dive right in!

🎙️ Varsity Vibe Today. It is finally GAME DAY! As Friday Night Lights start around our area, Alyssa Orange and Brey Cook preview the match-ups in the 7A West and beyond. 

Then, in today’s episode of Varsity Vibe Stories, Aaron Danenhauer's head coaching debut comes tonight as the Har-Ber Wildcats host Broken Arrow. After 12 seasons as the offensive coordinator at Bentonville, and coaching under guys like Barry Lunney Sr., Jody Grant, and Chris Wood, he is looking forward to leading his own program.

🏈 QB Battle. Bentonville West travels to Greenwood for their season opener, and the back-to-back 6A state champs will be an early season challenge for the Wolverines, especially with senior quarterback Kane Archer. The Wolverines have their own experienced leader in senior quarterback Tre’ Thompson, who set a school record by passing for 426 yards in a single game last season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm, and the game can be watched here.

⚡️ McCollough Magic. Farmington sophomore point guard Easton McCollough has quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with on the court. Last season as a freshman, she averaged 20 points per game and was named the MVP of the 5A state tournament. McCollough helped the Cardinals to a state title last season and will be a player to watch this upcoming season. The Lady Cardinals will tip off their season Nov. 10 at Mountain View.

🏌️‍♀️ Dynamic Duo. Sisters Grace and Ella Abbruzzese have been proving that golf talent runs in the family. Grace, a junior and Ella, a freshman, are important contributors on Bentonville’s golf team. Grace helped Bentonville take conference in 2023 and placed second in the conference in 2024.

Senior Will Price earned all-state honors at outside linebacker last fall for Fayetteville. Price boasted 41 tackles last season, including 11 TFL and seven sacks. He forced three fumbles last season and is certainly a threat to opposing teams offenses. His quick playmaking pairs well with the talented defensive line and reliable secondary the Bulldogs have.

“He makes great plays because he is so athletic and uses his instincts,” head coach Casey Dick told Hooten’s. Price’s talent plays an important part in Fayetteville’s defensive game, making him one to watch.

It’s a rivalry renewed as Fort Smith Northside travels to Southside for the Battle of Rogers Avenue. The last time the two teams met, Southside beat the Grizzlies 27-34. The Mavericks, who have been under the leadership of head coach Kim Dameron since 2020, will be working with an experienced team. Senior quarterback Blake Forsgren brings experience in the backfield, while an offensive line with four returning starters provides protection.

Northside, on the other hand, has some new faces in key roles. Junior quarterback Drew Jackson took limited snaps last fall, but has showcased his ability to make accurate throws and handle the ball efficiently. Jackson will have a variety of receivers including junior receiver Keenan Mendoza and junior receiver Vonjay Johnson. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

⛹️‍♀️ Performance Athlete of the Week. Improvement matters. Especially for young athletes looking to excel in sports. Every week, we’re highlighting those who have put the work in to get better. This week, our Performance Athlete of the Week is Bentonville West freshman Hailey Trader, who’s earned a spot on the varsity basketball team while also playing for the Arkansas Banshees. Since starting with Bridges Therapy Group’s Sport Recovery & Development program in February, she’s added 10 inches to her vertical leap, 21 inches to her broad jump, and has shaved nearly two seconds off her 40-yard dash time. To learn more about the program, visit srdathlete.com.

August 29:
🏈 7A Bentonville @ Tulsa Union (OK), 5:30 pm
🏈 7A Rogers vs North Little Rock, 7:00 pm
🏈 7A Fayetteville vs Cabot, 7:00 pm
🏈 7A Springdale @ Little Rock Central, 7:00 pm
🏈 7A Har-ber vs Broken Arrow (OK), 7:00 pm

🏈 7A/6A Heritage vs Siloam Springs, 7:00 pm
🏈 7A/6A Conway vs Jonesboro, 7:00 pm
🏈 7A/6A Bentonville West @ Greenwood, 7:00 pm
🏈 7A/5A Pulaski Academy @ Robinson, 7:00 pm
🏈 6A Mountain Home @ West Plains, 7:00 pm

🏈 5A Farmington vs Edmond North, 7:00
🏈 5A/4A Pea Ridge @ Gravette, 7:00

👋 Hello There!

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