SPRINGDALE — For one half Friday, the battle of Springdale seemed to exceed all expectations.
Then Springdale Har-Ber put things into a second gear.
After watching rival Springdale come out fighting to take a one-point halftime lead, the top-ranked Wildcats showed no signs of panic.
They calmly wore down the Bulldogs with big plays and big defense to take a 46-27 victory at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium.
It was the fourth victory in a row for Har-Ber in the five-year-old rivalry.
“I knew our guys weren’t going to panic down one or whatever,” Wildcats Coach Chris Wood said. “I know what our guys can do. They’re resilient, and we just had to go out in the second half and make plays.
“I mean every week we’re going to be the hunted, we know that, and we’re going to get everyone’s best punch. It’s just about staying calm and staying the course and things will turn out.”
Springdale (2-2, 0-1 7AWest) did its best to rattle Har-Ber before halftime, using tough defense against the Wildcats running attack while also putting together two long drives which resulted in two Christian Garcia field goals to help keep things close.
The Bulldogs also stayed calm themselves, overcoming an early 56-yard doublereverse touchdown pass by Har-Ber (4-0, 1-0) in the opening minutes before rallying for a 13-12 halftime lead.
But following intermission, Springdale couldn’t slow down a slew of big plays by the Wildcats which blew the game open in Har-Ber’s favor.
“We were fighting and scrapping with everything we’ve got to stay in the middle of it,” Springdale Coach Shane Patrick said.
“We’ve just got to learn to take control in the second half and take over a game and win it.
“Those things are coming, but it’s a process. We’re excited about the process. This one hurts but we’ll move on.”
Quarterback Ryan Luther led Har-Ber with 277 passing yards and one touchdown and another 56-yard touchdown reception on the double reverse play, while Michael Fine and Brett Stith combined for more than 260 yards receiving for the Wildcats.
“Coach Wood is really good with us, and he always keeps a positive attitude,” Stith said. “And we never got down. We know we always take their best shots in the first half, and then we just wear them down in the second half.”
Springdale hosts Fayetteville next Friday and Har-Ber visits Fort Smith Northside.
Sports, Pages 24 on 09/25/2010