Arkansas: Fort Smith Southside vs. Bentonville Game of the Week Preview and Week 4 Schedule
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Arguments can be made for several Arkansas high school football games to be the Week 4 Game of the Week, but the firepower, defenses, and talent on display between Fort Smith Southside (2-1) and Bentonville (3-0) should make the game incredible.
The Tigers have jumped out to a 3-0 record in pursuit of their third consecutive 7A Arkansas High School Football State Championship. First-year head coach Jody Grant has continued Bentonville’s winning ways with impressive wins over Rockhurst (MO) 24-13, Valor Christian (CO) 41-22, and Rickards (FL) 37-8.
The Tigers defense is led by senior cornerback Tyrone Mahone and senior safety Logan Darby in the secondary. The linebackers are anchored by Harrison Rooney, Austin Rose, and Destyn Adkins. Along the defensive front Noah Stubbs, Jack Patterson, and Jimmy Fernandez put pressure on the opposition’s passer and stop the run game.
When the Tigers take the field on the other side of the ball, two-time state championship winning quarterback Kasey Ford takes command of the offense. Spearheading the running attack for Bentonville is David Nickels and Jacob Clark. On the outside hauling in passes is top target Kam’ron Mays-Hunt.
When Jeff Williams’ team is on the field trying to stop the Tigers attack, seniors Si Kilinc, Hunter Pogue, and Andrew Clark are the leaders of the Rebels defense. Kilinc, Pogue, and Clark are hardnosed linebackers running sideline to sideline to make plays.
Class of 2017 defensive tackle Hunter Moreton is one of the key fixtures along the Rebels defensive front. The secondary is getting a lift from junior defensive back Jaylin Brewer. Brewer got a 91-yard pick-six last week against Lake Hamilton in a 38-6 Rebels win.
Under center, Cooper Johnson has taken over for Clay Tyler from a year ago. Cooper has a top target in senior Kevin White and senior running back Kobe Rogers helping move the chains on the ground.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT at Bentonville.
Arkansas Class 7A/6A Scheduled Games for Week 4
Springdale (0-3) at Rodgers Heritage (1-2)
Fort Smith Southside (2-1) at Bentonville (3-0)
Searcy (3-0) at LR Central (0-3)
Fayetteville (3-0) at Fort Smith Northside (1-2)
Bryant (3-0) at Russellville (1-2)
Cabot (3-0) at North Little Rock (0-3)
Van Buren (2-1) at Greenwood (3-0)
Siloam Spring (3-0) at Conway (1-2)
Alma (2-1) at LR Catholic (1-2)
Rogers (0-3) at Har-Ber Springdale (2-1)
Arkansas-Texarkana (0-3) at Pine Bluff (3-0)
Hall (0-4) at El Dorado (2-1)
Mountain Home (1-2) at Jonesboro (2-1)
LR Parkview (3-0) at Benton (2-1)
Marion (3-0) at West Memphis (2-1)
Sheridan (2-1) at Lake Hamilton (0-3)
Van Buren (2-1) at Greenwood (3-0)
Class 5A/4A
Jennings (MO) 2-3) at Pulaski Academy (3-0)
Morrilton (2-1) at Greenbrier (1-2)
Clarksville (1-3) at Vilonia (2-1)
Greene County Tech (1-2) at Forrest City (2-1)
Magnolia (1-2) at White Hall (0-3)
Sylvan Hills (4-0) at Mills University (1-2)
Jacksonville (0-3) at LR Fair (0-3)
De Queen (1-2) at Hope (2-1)
Blytheville (2-1) at Wynne (0-3)
Farmington (2-1) at LR Christian Academy (3-0)
LR McClellan (2-1) at Beebe (1-2)
Harrison (1-2) at Maumelle (1-2)
Camden Fairview (1-2) at Lakeside Hot Springs (2-1)
Valley View (0-3) at Paragould (0-3)
Hot Springs (3-0) at Watson Chapel (0-3)
Batesville (1-2) at Nettleton (2-1)
Baptist Prep (1-3) at LR Robinson (3-0)
Lincoln (1-2) at Gravette (2-1)
Malvern (2-1) at Bauxite (0-3)
Shiloh Christian (1-1) at Berryville (2-1)
Pocahontas (3-0) at Trumann (4-0)
Crossett (3-0) at Warren (2-1)
Nashville (3-0) at Arkadelphia (1-2)
Dollarway (2-1) at Dumas (3-0)
Star City (2-1) at Monticello (2-1)
Photo credit: nwarkonline.com; Kasey Ford rolls out to pass for Bentonville (2014).