We've fired up the flux capacitor in Doc Brown's time machine and set the date for Nov. 30, 2002.
Look, there's Gus Malzahn, who has Springdale in the state semifinals in only his second year with the Bulldogs. There's Russellville quarterback Landon Leach, a baseball and football standout who later played briefly with the Razorbacks.
And there's Dusty Johnson, the original wide receiver/running back/quarterback in Malzahn's Wildcat package. Johnson was the hero on this night when he scored three touchdowns in a 28-21 victory over the Cyclones.
Those were good times for Springdale and Russellville, proud programs who've experienced mostly disappointment in recent years. But the winning ways have returned for the former conference members, who are both 2-0 heading into tonight's game at Springdale.
I saw firsthand Russellville's 28-6 victory over Rogers Heritage and heard about the Cyclones' dominant defensive effort in a 14-11 victory over Morrilton. The Bulldogs are a hot topic in Northwest Arkansas with victories over Conway and Alma, which comes less than two years after Springdale hit bottom with an 0-10 record.
Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium should be rocking tonight like the old days and you don't need a time machine to get there.
Springdale has one of the top receivers in senior Kyler Williams while the Russellville offense is led by quarterback Cale Fulsom, who is effective on short- and medium-range throws. Springdale can't match Russellville's defensive stats, but the Bulldogs held on downs in the final seconds last week to preserve the victory over Alma.
Normally, I make my own picks without consultation. But I give way this week to an expert in time travel, a sheepdog who favors the home team with the Super S helmets.
Good boy, Einstein. Good boy.
RICK'S PICK Springdale
Other games involving teams from Northwest Arkansas (selections are capitalized).
CLASS 7A/6A
MUSKOGEE, OKLA. at Bentonville West
BENTONVILLE at Conway
Fayetteville at DALLAS BISHOP DUNNE
Springdale Har-Ber at JENKS, OKLA.
FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE at Rogers Heritage
St. Louis Normandy at ROGERS HIGH
SILOAM SPRINGS at Van Buren
CLASS 5A
PEA RIDGE at Farmington
Little Rock Christian at HARRISON
CLASS 4A
GREENLAND at Gentry
West Fork at PRAIRIE GROVE
Pottsville at SHILOH CHRISTIAN
GRAVETTE at Jay, Okla.
CLASS 3A
Huntsville at ELKINS
BERRYVILLE at Green Forest
LINCOLN at Mansfield
Cedarville at POCOLA, OKLA.
CLASS 2A
Mountainburg at DANVILLE
Decatur at GROVE, OKLA. JV
LAST WEEK 14-4 (77 percent)
OVERALL 24-9 (73 percent)
Sports on 09/16/2016