As teams across the state gear up for football season, Varsity Vibe is keeping up with all of the action, highlights, and players to watch! 👇

What else is coming up in today’s Bulletin? We’re glad you asked ⤵️

🥇 Honoring our Athletes of the Week!
🎙️ Zach Watson on Elkins’ full potential this season
📈 Keeping track of what’s happening around the state
👀 Checking in on our Team of the Week

Let’s dive right in!

🎙️Back to Work. August is here, and the Elkins Elks are excited about the potential of another successful season heading into 2026. However, coming off a state championship in 2025, they've got a lot of holes to fill. Head coach Zach Watson sits down with Alyssa Orange to look ahead to the season. Plus, Bentonville West, Bentonville and Bryant are the focus of this week's Lewis Automotive Opening Drive.

🏈 Flying High. The Farmington Cardinals are ready to turn the page to a new season after a strong 2025 showing, opening this year against Mountain Home on Aug. 28. Farmington went 9-3 overall and 6-1 in conference play before falling to Robinson in the playoffs. The Cardinals will look to carry that momentum into this season as they begin another run under the Friday night lights.

⛳️ In the Swing of Things. The Battle of Benton County was action-packed last week as golf teams teed off at Bella Vista Country Club. Bentonville and Rogers went head-to-head, with the Mounties taking the girls team title 563-605. Bentonville won the boys matchup 715-725, despite Rogers’ Noah Regan earning medalist honors with a 67.

🐶 Dog Fight. The Alma Airedales will kick off the 2026 season on Aug. 28 when they take on Van Buren. Alma finished 4-6 overall last season and went 3-4 in conference play. With a fresh season ahead, the Airedales will look to start strong and build on last year’s experience as they take the field for the first time this fall.

🏈 Fayetteville linebacker Will Caston is one of the state’s top defensive talents heading into the 2026 season. The Arkansas commit earned First Team All-Conference honors last season while helping the Bulldogs finish 7-5 overall and 4-3 in conference play. Caston will be a key piece of Fayetteville’s defense as the Bulldogs look to make another strong run this fall.

⛳️ Avery Allen enters her senior season as one of the key leaders for the Rogers Lady Mountaineers, who are looking to turn two consecutive 6A state runner-up finishes into a championship. Allen has been at the top of Rogers’ varsity lineup for the past three years, bringing valuable experience to a talented group of five seniors.

🏈 This week, we’re taking a look back at the 2001 Bentonville Tigers, a team whose story will soon be featured on the big screen. DWTN NOW is premiering a new documentary on the historic team this Sunday, giving fans a chance to revisit the players, coaches and moments that made the 2001 season special. For more information about the premiere and to RSVP, visit becauseofthetigers.com.

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