COMMENTARY

Football: Fayetteville defense turns in dominant performance

SPRINGDALE-- Akial Byers had his helmet off and walking toward the stands when he was stopped and given a bear hug by Fayetteville defensive coordinator Wendell Harris.

Harris was proud of his unit, especially when most of the build-up for Friday's game was about the Fayetteville offense vs. the Har-Ber defense. But it was the Fayetteville defense that stood out during a 28-0 victory over the Wildcats.

"Our defense played their best game of the year and the kids wanted it real bad," Harris said. "When Akial comes to play, it's something to watch. It really is. We're going to remember this one. At least until next week, when we have to come out and play again."

PLAY OF THE GAME Har-Ber was threatening to score in the third quarter and trailing 14-0 when the Fayetteville defense forced another turnover by the Wildcats. Defensive end Kester Olson stripped a Har-Ber ball carrier and Andrew Ellis caught the fumble in the air and returned it deep into Har-Ber territory. Fayetteville then scored to increase its lead to 21-0.

PLAYER OF THE GAME Byers dominated inside but it was Andrew Ellis who made the biggest plays to hand Har-Ber its first shutout at home since starting varsity football in 2006. Ellis had two fumble recoveries and intercepted a pass near the Fayetteville goal line in the first quarter to kill a Har-Ber drive.

SLOPPY START

Friday's game did not come close to last year's thriller, when Har-Ber defeated Fayetteville 47-43 at Wildcat Stadium. The first half was dominated by turnovers and penalties and the only score came when Ellis recovered a fumbled in the Har-Ber end zone for a touchdown.

Har-Ber finished the first half with eight penalties, six first downs, and three turnovers.

MEATY MEET

Har-Ber moved into Fayetteville territory for the first time after a failed fourth-down play by the Bulldogs.

Running back Dan Hinton took a handful from the Fayetteville 48, but he was stopped by noseguard Alejandro Ramirez for no gain. That was quite a collision, considering Hinton weighs 255 pounds and Ramirez weighs 292.

REMATCH?

There's a chance Fayetteville and Har-Ber will meet again this season, especially in a 12-team playoff where the top teams receive a first-round bye.

Fayetteville got its revenge last year by beating Har-Ber 28-7 in the Class 7A state championship game in Little Rock. In 2007, Fayetteville lost 42-41 in overtime to Har-Ber before beating the Wildcats by the same 28-7 score in the state championship game.

I'LL TAKE THAT

Fayetteville defensive back Andrew Ellis had an interception to stop a Har-Ber threat then recovered a fumble in the end zone for the only score of the first half. He almost scored again in the second half after he caught another fumble in the air. Ellis is the younger brother of Arkansas linebacker Brooks Ellis, who had an interception return for a touchdown in the win against Texas Christian.

Har-Ber defensive back Tevin Eckwood picked up a fumble at the goal line when Fayetteville was about to score and ran it back to near midfield. Eckwood is related to Jerry Eckwood, a former high school All-American running back at Brinkley who played at Arkansas and in the NFL for three years with Tampa Bay.

Har-Ber cornerback Blaze Brothers if the son of former Arkansas football standout Richard Brothers. Richard Brothers played on an Arkansas team in 1988 that went 10-2 and finished 12th nationally by The Associated Press. Brothers, who went to high school at Rivercrest, played four years at Arkansas and made 10 interceptions.

Blaze Brothers entered Friday's game with 18 tackles and one interception. He started as a sophomore and returned an interception for a touchdown last year against Fort Smith Northside.

HANNON AT HOME

Luke Hannon, the star of last year's game at Wildcat Stadium, was in the stands Friday cheering for him former team. Hannon scored five touchdowns and rushed for 318 yards in the 47-43 victory over the Bulldogs.

"That was probably the best game I ever played," said Hannon, a University of Arkansas student majoring in biology. "It was an historic night, and I was proud to be a part of it."

UP NEXT

Conference play continues Friday with Har-Ber at Van Buren and Fayetteville at Springdale High.

Sports on 10/22/2016

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