SPRINGDALE -- Springdale Central rode the back of its defense once again to hold off Bentonville Gold 16-14, for the Northwest Arkansas Conference Football Championship on Thursday at Har-Ber Wildcat Stadium.
The win capped a perfect 10-0 season for the Warriors.
Central coach Fred Hartsfield said after coaching the final game of his illustrious 36-year career, "Finishing my career with this team, and this season, it was meant to be."
Central dominated the first half of play beginning with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Blake Adams to left-tackle Blake Wade on a tackle-eligible play.
Minutes later, Pedro Rodriguez tacked on a field-goal to give Central a 9-0 lead at halftime.
Early in the third quarter, Central capitalized on a Gold fumble deep in its own territory, taking a 16-0 lead on a Connor Sikes touchdown run.
"Tonight was probably one of the worst halves of football we've played this year," said Gold coach Bryan Pratt." But, you have to be proud of the way our kids battled back, and didn't quit after that early turnover."
Late in the quarter, Gold began a furious rally that lasted until the game's final play.
Gold quarterback Will Jarrett found Jadon Jackson on a 21-yard touchdown pass, and again on 43-yard a double-reverse touchdown pass.
Jarrett completed the two-point conversion to Slade Pearson bringing the Tigers to within two points with 4 minutes, 49 seconds left.
A Central fumble gave the ball back to Gold with less than two minutes left, but the Warriors' defense held strong like has all season.
"We thought our defense would win it for us, and they came through again tonight," said Hartsfield. "You saw what Gold was capable of doing toward the end. Our kids just came through with the stops we needed, and you win championships with defense."
Pratt will take over as the first football coach of Bentonville West in the spring as the program prepares for its first season in 2016.
"The future of Bentonville West looks very bright with these kids, and we're excited about what we're going to build there," Pratt said.
Sports on 11/10/2015