Happy Tuesday, Arkansas! We’re giving a big shoutout to our state champions from the weekend: Bryant, Shiloh Christian, Joe T. Robinson, and Cross County! 🏆

What else is coming up in today’s Bulletin?

🎙️ Varsity Vibe Today gets you ready for hoops
📈 Scores and highlights from the weekend
🏆 Handing out awards for Team & Athletes of the Week

Let’s dive right in!

🎙️ Varsity Vibe Today. Looking ahead to the 3A State Championship Game Saturday afternoon, we talk with Fordyce Head Coach Tim Rodgers about the Redbugs run through the playoffs and what bringing another state title home would mean to this team. Plus, after a four touchdown performance against Greenwood, Shiloh Christian Running Back Griffin Mason is our Lindsey Boy's Athlete of the Week.

 🏈 Robinson Rises. In a game that came down to the turnover battle, Joe T. Robinson came out top — taking down Lakeside, 34-19. The two teams combined for nine turnovers, but Robinson’s defense was able to capitalize on key opportunities, including an interception by senior defender Caleb Smith. The MVP of the game, junior receiver Hakim Frampton, caught for 163 yards and three touchdowns, while junior quarterback Reese Simpson threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns.

🐝 Dynasty Continues. Bryant’s defense held Bentonville in check from start to finish, helping the Hornets take a 27-7 win for their seventh state title in the past eight years. Bryant took the lead quickly after an opening touchdown drive and a game-changing 54-yard punt return by junior running back Jakobe Boone, building early momentum that Bentonville never recovered from. Bryant held the Tigers to just 99 total yards, while forcing four turnovers and racking up four sacks.

💪 Title Returns. Cross County closed out their season with a 20-14 win over East Poinsett County to claim the Class 2A state title — the program’s first since 1984. Junior running back Caden Crawford led the offense with 150 yards and a 66-yard touchdown and the Thunderbirds’ defense shut down East Poinsett’s rushing offense that had dominated all year. Senior defensive tackle Danny Beale III, an Arkansas commit, finished with 7 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.

🏈 Shiloh Christian delivered a dominant performance Friday, cruising to a 70-50 win over defending champion Greenwood. The Saints scored on their first five possessions, racking up 688 yards of offense and controlling the game from start to finish. Senior running back Griffin Mason led the running game with 182 yards and four touchdowns, while junior quarterback Cole Creighton threw 291 yards and three touchdowns. Shiloh’s defense was locked in, snagging two interceptions and preventing the Bulldogs from closing the gap. With the win, the Saints earned their first state title in 6A.

🏈 In Shiloh Christian’s commanding performance over Greenwood, junior running back Griffin Mason stepped up and played a key role in the Saints’ win. Greenwood’s defense struggled to control Mason, allowing him to rack up 182 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He ran for more yards than Greenwood picked up as a team, earning him the honor of game MVP.

🏃‍♀️ Sophomore point guard Easton McCollough had another record-breaking performance for Farmington, scoring a staggering 56 points in the Cardinals’ win over Bishop Miege (KS). Her performance broke the Lady Cardinal single-game scoring record. The achievement was particularly special — the previous record was set 25 years ago and held by McCollough’s mother, Jessica McCollough.

🏈 The 7A class is highly competitive, but the Bryant Hornets consistently come out on top. With a 27-7 win over Bentonville, Bryant earned their seventh state championship since 2018. The Hornets have played in six of the last seven title games. What was started by head coach Buck James has remained the same since Quad Sanders took over. The Hornets play a very physical, disciplined style that has built a high school football dynasty. For Bryant, post season football isn’t just an achievement — it’s an expectation.

Dec. 9:
⛹️‍♀️ 6A Fayetteville @ Bryant, 6:00 pm | Watch Here
⛹️‍♀️ 5A Little Rock Christian @ Benton, 6:00 pm | Watch Here

Dec. 11: 
🏀 6A Bentonville West vs Shawnee Mission, 5:00 pm | Watch Here
🏀 6A Heritage vs Southmoore (OK), 7:00 pm | Watch Here
🏀 6A/5A Mountain Home vs Bentonville, 8:00 pm | Watch Here
🏀 4A/3A Pea Ridge vs Haas Hall, 7:00 pm | Watch Here
⛹️‍♀️ 6A/3A Bentonville West @ Elkins, 6:00 pm | Watch Here
⛹️‍♀️ 6A/5A Mountain Home @ Springdale, 6:00 pm | Watch Here
⛹️‍♀️ 6A/4A Heritage vs Pea Ridge, 8:00 pm | Watch Here

Dec. 12:
🏀 6A Fayetteville vs Logan-Rogersville (MO), 7:00 pm | Watch Here
🏀 6A/5A Bentonville @ Parkview, 8:00 pm | Watch Here
🏀 6A/5A Springdale @ Farmington, 9:30 pm | Watch Here
⛹️‍♀️ 6A/3A Bentonville West @ Elkins, 6:00 pm | Watch Here
⛹️‍♀️ 6A/5A Fayetteville @ Greenwood, 6:00 pm | Watch Here 

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