Bentonville is in unfamiliar territory under Coach Barry Lunney.
The defending Class 7A state champions are 0-2 for the first time in Lunney’s 10-year tenure at the Benton County school, losing 16-14 to Kansas City (Mo.) Rockhurst and 34-0 to Broken Arrow, Okla.
Lunney isn’t panicking, but he said he is concerned about his team’s start.
“It’s not so much being 0-2, but how we got to being 0-2,” Lunney said. “We’re trying to fix some of the things that we haven’t done. It’s untypical of us.
“We have some kids who are playing well. We just don’t have enough playing well.”
Bentonville’s loss at Broken Arrow last week, the program’s first shutout loss since a 34-0 setback at Russellville in 2004, was cemented by defensive lineman Eric Clark’s 97-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Junior quarterback Kasey Ford completed 6 of 19 passes for 51 yards.
The Tigers finish their nonconference schedule tonight against Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic. Bergen (1-1) is led by junior quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, who has been offered Division I scholarships by the likes of Alabama, Michigan State, Nebraska and Tennessee.
“We match up pretty good,” Lunney said.
“It’s not something totally out of the realm with us. They got a fine quarterback that has 20 D-I offers.
“It’s a home game, and we’re certainly hopeful of playing what we’re capable of playing like.”
Lunney said there isn’t much room for error because the Tigers are without senior defensive lineman Javier Carbonnell, who injured his shoulder during fall camp. He also hasn’t been pleased with his team’s offensive execution, with Bentonville scoring only two touchdowns in eight quarters this season.
“We’re going to work on things we can control,” Lunney said. “If it means putting a few new faces out there, so be it.”
Lunney said a victory tonight would be beneficial for his team heading into 7A-West Conference play next Friday at Fort Smith Southside.
“It would be good validation for the hard work the kids put in this week,” he said. “You would sure like to have a good taste in your mouth.”
ALMA
Good start
Alma’s first year in Class 6A is going well so far, thanks to its defense and quarterback Evan Burris.
The Airedales (2-0) shut out Poteau, Okla., 28-0 on Sept. 4 and won 28-10 last Friday at Springdale.
Burris, a senior, has completed 27 of 34 passes for 325 yards and 6 touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 132 yards and 1 touchdown on 18 carries.
“He’s played great,” Coach Doug Loughridge said. “He’s taken off well. We put a lot on his shoulders. He does well with it. He’s a guy who we can put a lot of responsibility on. He’s a playmaker.”
Burris completed 16 of 19 passes for 204 yards and 4 touchdowns against Springdale, completing passes to seven different receivers.
The Airedales defense has allowed 10 points in the first two games, all in the first half against Springdale.
Senior linebacker Curtis Lloyd leads Alma with 25 tackles, including 18 unassisted.
“They’ve done a great job flying to the football,” Loughridge said. “We’ve been good tacklers. That’s been a big-time help to us for our offense.”
Alma, No. 9 overall in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Top 10 and No. 3 in Class 6A, is at Class 5A Harrison tonight. The Goblins are led by senior quarterback Brock Humphrey, who has completed 43 of 66 passes for 656 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.
“There’s a lot to prepare for,” Loughridge said. “They want to turn it into a 7-on-7 game. They do a lot of things to try to increase their possessions.
“They’re an offense-laden team. We’re going to have to play well defensively.”
TEXARKANA
Defense ruling
Kadreus Cheatham was a big part of Texarkana’s 16-13 victory over Liberty Eylau (Texas) last Friday.
Cheatham, a senior cornerback, intercepted three passes and returned one for a 27-yard touchdown. His final interception sealed the Razorbacks’ victory, which put them at 2-0.
The Texarkana defense’s effort was crucial in a game where the Razorbacks offense was held to 144 yards. Cheatham’s brother Quadarius scored Texarkana’s only offensive touchdown, a 7-yard run.
Texarkana, No. 5 in Class 6A, travels to Louisiana to face Bossier Parkway tonight.
EXTRA POINTS
Marion has lost 10 consecutive. The Patriots have allowed 120 points in their first two games under Coach Jed Davis. They travel to Blytheville tonight. … Little Rock Parkview is the only team in the state that hasn’t allowed a point this season. Parkview shut out Mills 25-0 and Little Rock Fair 50-0 in its first two games. The Patriots take on Little Rock Catholic tonight at War Memorial Stadium. Catholic routed Parkview 43-14 last season. … Bryant is at Little Rock Central tonight looking for its eighth consecutive victory over the Tigers. The Hornets rebounded from a 14-14 tie in the Salt Bowl against Benton to rout Little Rock McClellan 49-21 last week.
HIGH SCHOOL COACHES
Call us
Coaches are asked to call the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette with football game reports before 10:30 p.m. each Friday this fall. Call 1-800-272-4650 or (501) 378-3411.
We need records, score by quarters, scoring plays and top rushing, passing, receiving and defensive performances. The Democrat-Gazette also will publish statistics each Friday throughout the regular season.
Email statistics and news tips to Democrat-Gazette high school football coordinator Jeremy Muck at jmuck@arkansasonline.com.
Scores also can be tweeted using the hashtag #arpreps.