Good morning, Arkansas! This weekend saw plenty of excitement on the field, and we’re here to bring you all the action and highlights:

What else is coming up in today’s Bulletin?

🎙️ Varsity Vibe Today
📈 Updates from the weekend
🏆 Team & Athletes of the Week
💡 Central Arkansas Spotlight

Let’s dive right in!

🎙️ Varsity Vibe Today. We’re revisiting the wild finish of the Rogers-Fayetteville game! The Mounties' Hunter Dickey takes us through the blocked extra point that gave Rogers the 56-55 win. Plus, our Lindsey Boys' Athlete of the Week honors go to Bentonville West's VJ Warren for the performance he put up against Springdale.

 🐯 Tiger Territory. Bentonville shut out Northside 34-0 to remain undefeated this season. The Tigers got things started early with a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by senior receiver Conrad Schmitz. Senior running back Chris Ficklin added 115 yards and had one touchdown on the ground. Bentonville’s defense put on a show, forcing turnovers and scoring twice, including a 60-yard interception return from senior cornerback Tristan Brown. We caught up with head coach Jody Grant after the game:

🏌️‍♀️ Smooth Swing. Conway senior Yinyoe Yang claimed the individual 6A girls’ state championship title. Yang birdied three holes in a row early in her match on her way to firing a 3-under 69. She finished with a two-day total of 140 to take the win for the second consecutive year. Mount St. Mary claimed the 6A team title, thanks to three top-seven individual finishes and a clutch birdie from senior Ana Bella Gutierrez.

✅ Another One. Bentonville’s volleyball team took down Har-Ber 3-1 last Thursday to extend their winning streak to seven. The Tigers lost the second set of the game, but responded with a 9-1 run in the third set and eight-straight points in the fourth set to solidify the victory. Sophomore outside hitter Tristen Hamilton led Bentonville with 13 kills and 13 digs, while junior middle blocker Evie Venters added eight kills.

🏈 The Rogers Mounties took down Fayetteville in a close battle for their first win in Fayetteville since 1994. Senior quarterback Jeff Regan looked great in the tight 56-55 win, rushing for 267 yards and three touchdowns. Regan also threw for 143 yards and two more scores. Senior running back Titus Cramer added 110 rushing yards and a kickoff return for a touchdown.

While the offense remained solid, it was the Mounties’ defense that came in clutch to end the game. Senior defensive end Hunter Dickey blocked an extra point in the final 26 seconds to seal the win.

🏈 Bentonville West running back VJ Warren put on a show against Springdale, racking up 310 yards and four touchdowns. Warren wasted no time in the 48-12 win over the Bulldogs, returning the opening kickoff for a 96-yard touchdown. He ran for 115 yards on 12 carries. Warren also showcased his ability as a receiver, with 99 receiving yards and a touchdown.

🏃‍♂️ Providence Academy’s Gabbie Bishop took the girl’s title in the Chili Pepper Festival this weekend. Bishop finished the race in 16:58, which was a 15-second improvement from last year’s performance. The senior, who has committed to Arkansas for both track and cross country, played a pivotal role in Providence Academy’s win at the state track meet last season. Bishop won the 400, 800, 1,600, and 3,200 meter races and set meet records in all four events.

Bryant and Little Rock Christian Academy played a close game, but a dominant second half secured the 49-21 win for the Hornets. Senior running back T.J. Hodges led the rushing attack with 193 yards and a touchdown, while senior running back Kollin Robinson had three scores of his own. Junior cornerback Terriun Jones held down the defense with two interceptions.

Little Rock Christian had a big second quarter, keeping them in the game against the Hornets. Senior quarterback Kemp Keller passed for 221 yards with three touchdowns. Despite moments of momentum for the Warriors, 35 points in the last 24 minutes of the game helped Bryant take the victory.

Oct. 10:
🏈 7A Bentonville @ Heritage, 7:00 pm | Watch Here 
🏈 7A Bentonville West @ Rogers, 7:00 pm | Watch Here
🏈 7A Fayetteville @ Northside, 7:00 pm | Watch Here 
🏈 7A Springdale @ Har-Ber, 7:00 pm | Watch Here 
🏈 7A Bryant @ Pulaski Academy, 7:00 pm | Watch Here
🏈 7A Central @ Little Rock Christian, 7:00 pm | Watch Here 

🏈 6A Greenwood @ Siloam Springs, 7:00 pm | Watch Here
🏈 6A Russellville @ Mountain Home, 7:00 pm | Watch Here 
🏈 6A Shiloh @ Southside, 7:00 pm | Watch Here
🏈 6A Catholic @ Jonesboro, 7:00 pm | Watch Here
🏈 6A Sheridan @ Benton, 7:00 pm | Watch Here

🏈 5A Pea Ridge @ Morrilton, 7:00 pm | Watch Here
🏈 5A Gentry @ Green Forest, 7:00 pm | Watch Here

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