Bryant is meeting Fayetteville for the fourth time in two seasons with today's Class 7A quarterfinal game at Hornet Stadium in Bryant.
Hornets Coach Buck James has no problem with that.
"I want to play teams who are the best," James said. "Fayetteville has one of the best football programs in the state. They're in the top three in the last 10 years. I like playing good people.
"It makes you work hard. It measures you up. You have a good week of practice."
Fayetteville defeated Bryant 36-35 in the teams' first meeting earlier this season on Sept. 14. The Hornets trailed 21-7 at halftime but scored four third-quarter touchdowns to take a 35-21 lead. But senior quarterback Darius Bowers had the game-winning 7-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.
Bryant (9-1) is the No. 2 seed from the 7A-Central Conference for the second consecutive season after defeating Conway 40-10 on Nov. 2. Senior running back Latavion Scott rushed for 190 yards and 3 touchdowns on 21 carries, while junior Ahmad Adams finished with 113 yards and 2 touchdowns on 9 carries.
Scott and Adams give Bryant one of the best running back tandems in the state, something James expected with the Hornets' offense entering the season.
"It's the beauty of having two backs. They're fresh," James said. "We're doing what we've wanted to do all year. It's helped us stay second-and-short, third-and-short.
At quarterback, James said it will be a game-time decision between senior Ren Hefley and junior Austin Ledbetter. Ledbetter replaced Hefley in the second quarter of the Conway victory and finished with 105 passing yards.
Having Ledbetter ready to play against the Wampus Cats goes along with James' team-first philosophy.
"You can't do this with one good player here and there," James said. "I expect our team to be a solid team and not a one-man show. We have to have guys step up and do well."
Fayetteville (9-2), the No. 3 seed from the 7A-West Conference, features Bowers and junior wide receivers Connor Flannigan and Beau Stuckey.
Bowers is 164-of-232 passing for 2,512 yards with 25 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Flannigan leads the Bulldogs' receivers with 92 receptions for 1,581 yards and Stuckey has 52 catches for 1,581 yards and 19 touchdowns.
"The QB makes every play work," James said. "He stays alive. He moves around the pocket. He's got a strong arm and he's accurate. The wide receivers get to the ball and get yards after the catch.
"They're exactly what you expect. They're well-coached. They do things right."
Bryant is looking to reach its first state championship game. The Hornets have advanced to the Class 7A semifinals the past two seasons under James but have fallen short of the title game thanks to losses at North Little Rock in 2016 and Bentonville last season.
James said the Hornets understand the sense of urgency as they head into the playoffs.
"You have to play well," James said. "In the playoffs, the teams that put four quarters together will play for a state championship. The teams that don't won't play for a state championship."
Sports on 11/16/2018