SPRINGDALE — Kasey Ford had only three touchdown passes coming into Friday’s game at Springdale Har-Ber.
He has eight now.
Ford threw five touchdown passes Friday night to lead Bentonville to a 45-13 victory over Springdale Har-Ber in a 7A-West Conference game at Wildcat Stadium. Three of Ford’s touchdown passes went to Cody Scroggins, who scored on plays of 6, 31, and 69 yards.
Scroggins displayed sure hands on a rainy night and showed off a nice move when he faked out a Har-Ber defender while going 69 yards for a touchdown that put the Tigers ahead 35-7 in the third quarter.
Bentonville (2-4, 2-1) has won its past two conference games after starting the season 0-4.
“We’re getting better,” Bentonville Coach Barry Lunney said. “It was tough sledding early. We didn’t play well and we’ve got a lot of new faces out there. We’ve also had some injuries, like many teams, and tonight was the first time we’ve had the lineup we finished spring ball with.”
Har-Ber (2-4, 2-1) couldn’t get any offense going in the first three quarters except for a diving 6-yard touchdown catch by Luke Hannon. The Wildcats also threw an interception late in the second quarter that led to a Bentonville score.
“We missed some fantastic opportunities to get points and had a critical turnover right before the half, which is my fault,” Har-Ber Coach Chris Wood said. “I shouldn’t have called that pass play.”
Ford threw three touchdowns in the first half to give the Tigers a 21-7 lead. Scroggins caught touchdown passes of 6 and 31 yards and Ben Barron hauled in a catch that went for 79 yards and a score.
Har-Ber had just tied the game 7-7 on a touchdown by Hannon when Ford and Barron combined to fool the Har-Ber defense. The Wildcats bit on a pump fake by Ford, and Barron was all alone at midfield when he made the catch. Barron then eluded one tackle and scored to give Bentonville the lead for good.
FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE 17, ROGERS 14
ROGERS — Fort Smith Southside (4-2, 2-1 7A-West) forced a fumble with 4:43 left in the game, then drove 60 yards for a game-winning touchdown as the Rebels defeated Rogers (1-5, 0-3).
Quarterback Clay Tyler threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Barley on fourth-and-goal to give the Rebels the victory. Southside scored 17 consecutive points after trailing 14-0 going into halftime.
Barley finished with 13 receptions for 157 yards.
Rogers managed just 81 yards and lost two fumbles in the second half. The Mounties finished with 191 yards rushing.
Joseph Sultemeier had 22 carries for 106 yards for Rogers.
FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE 46, ROGERS HERITAGE 10
FORT SMITH — Fort Smith Northside (5-1, 2-1 7A-West) jumped out to a 15-0 lead as it cruised to an easy victory over Rogers Heritage (3-3, 2-1) at Mayo-Thompson Stadium.
Quarterback Grant Hood scored on runs of 11, and 5 yards and threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Keyshawn Dorsey before sitting out the second half.
Northside running back Justin Curry had 8 carries for 103 yards and 1 touchdowns. He did not play in the second half.
FAYETTEVILLE 49, SPRINGDALE 21
FAYETTEVILLE — Fayetteville (5-1, 2-1) scored on four of its six possessions in the first half as it defeated Springdale (0-6, 0-3) in a 7A-West Conference game at Harmon Field.
Like Rapert had 10 carries for 120 yards and 1 touchdown to lead a Fayetteville offense that racked up 438 total yards, including 305 in the first half.
Taylor Powell completed 10 of 18 passes for 161 yards and 1 touchdown and Jack Lindsey completed 5 of 9 passes for 82 yards and 1 touchdown as Fayetteville went back to its two-quarterback system. Tight end C.J. O’Grady had a 27-yard touchdown reception.
Springdale quarterback Fuller Chandler threw for 237 yards and a touchdown.