
AR PBS Sports Football State Championship - 7A
12/6/2021 | 3h 16m 21sVideo has Closed Captions
Watch Fayetteville face off against Bryant to see who will clinch the state title.
Watch the Arkansas Activities Association 7A High School Football State Championship Game with #ARPBSSports. Watch Fayetteville face off against Bryant to see who will clinch the state title.
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Arkansas PBS Sports is a local public television program presented by Arkansas PBS

AR PBS Sports Football State Championship - 7A
12/6/2021 | 3h 16m 21sVideo has Closed Captions
Watch the Arkansas Activities Association 7A High School Football State Championship Game with #ARPBSSports. Watch Fayetteville face off against Bryant to see who will clinch the state title.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Tonight at 9:30.
Second, it is the largest classification in high school football in the state of Arkansas and the championship game is being played tonight here at War Memorial Stadium.
Boy, what a great crowd.
What a great night for football here in Little Rock, AR.
Aymar Jayhawk alongside Bobby Swofford and Bobby.
This is game number four of the first weekend of championships in Arkansas and I don't know if what this is probably one of the better games that we're gonna see.
We saw a great one in Class 6A.
Gonna see a really really good one tonight between Bryant and Fayetteville.
Exactly right.
RJ anytime you find these states largest classification state championship game in football that someone you circle and when you think of the big time football programs that are going on right now.
You gotta think Bryant, a three time defending state champion.
We can't forget about Fable, who is dominant in the early 2000s.
Of course, the 20 tens want a couple state championships.
Put a couple quarterbacks in the SEC.
Got one of the NFL right now.
We've got two premier football programs on the field tonight, absolutely.
And not only do we have premier programs, but we have premier players players that are being talked about nationally and will first start with the Bryant Hornets where I?
It really goes with their running back in Chris Gannaway.
He's only a junior, has rushed for over 1000 yards this year with 11 touchdowns.
He's there.
Do it all back.
That really ignites this offense and those numbers are skewed a little bit.
You see 1031 yards, 11 touchdowns most of the time he's not playing in the third or fourth quarter because Brian has taken care of business in the first half so those numbers could be a whole lot bigger, but they're not just because they've got a lot more talent around him and he hadn't played in a lot of second halfs.
Yeah, they've been very dominant throughout their season and then on the flip side of that, Bobby Isais attainia he's a heckuva player five star kid that is being recruited by almost every big school in the country.
He's committed to play for the Razorbacks.
And when you see number one in purple, there's only one word that describes him, and it's elite speed, 95 catches, 1772 yards, 17 touchdowns.
It's it's realistic to think that you could get to 2000 yards receiving thing with an average game.
Not even a big game Brian.
Second, there is gonna have to put an eye on him.
He's going to play for the Razorbacks.
Not only football.
He's also going to run track.
That shows you kind of speed that he has.
He's a do it all.
Guy that is, he's versatile, agile name all the the adjectives that.
You could put on him, he's done, he does it.
But one thing to point out Bobby, these two teams since 2019 and really the last three meetings have been owned by the Bryant Hornets.
You gotta think the Brian horns are the three time defending state champions going for number 4 tonight.
Fable is gonna play with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder knowing hey, it's time to knock off the champ.
Yeah, you're exactly right.
These two teams used to play every season in the non conference and it has happened so three years in a row.
They played nonconference and then also met in the playoffs the last three as you mentioned have been all Brian but Faibles heard that for three years.
They've heard how Bryant's taken over the the the the rain, that the crown of seven A football Fayetteville wants to get it back to the West.
But more importantly, they weren't wearing purple last time.
The last three meetings that these two teams faced, it was an average point spread of 20 points in favor of the Bryant Hornets.
So we'll see how that turns out tonight.
It's a gorgeous night as we talked about going to be in the upper 50s for this ball game.
But the beautiful thing about it is where we saw in the six eight game we saw rain, not seeing rain in this one.
Yeah, I think the rain might have scared away some fans for making the trip to northwest.
Arkansas, but I think by the time we kick this off in about four and a half minutes, we're going to see 15,000 or so here at War Memorial.
When we come back, we will see the road to the finals.
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Number 5 right there right there.
The Hornets are about to make their way out here at War Memorial Stadium as they look to get a win number.
Well, really championship number four, but the Fayetteville Bulldogs.
They have something different to say as they are about to enter to the field here at War Memorial Stadium.
Bobby let's go and look at the bracket and see how they got to this point from each team.
Both of these teams went undefeated in their conference.
Both the number one seed both got a bye in the first round.
Bryant had to do a little work in the semifinals or they fell behind 10 to nothing to North Little Rock.
You see there at the bottom of your screen there.
Bounce back for 20 to 13 win over the team that they beat in the finals.
The last three years, but the top Fayetteville Rd looks like it was easy, but it wasn't.
They trailed Cabot by three scores, then they trailed Conway in the last five seconds and actually found a way to score twice in the last 10 seconds to beat the Wampus Cats.
And that's how we got purple dogs and Hornets here in the championship.
Well, it ought to be a good one.
And you know, Bobby, you and I were talking about this prior to the ball game.
A lot of people thought that maybe Conway should have been the team that was here, but really in.
Reality, you've got the best team out of the West, taking on the best team out of the central.
That's pretty much how it should be.
Each and every year, absolutely.
And you're talking about a lot of people thought it was Connolly fatally.
Conway twice this year.
Beat him in the non conference, beat him in the semifinals so they earned the right to be here.
We got Fayetteville.
We got bryant's.
We also got Kyle Sutherland on sideline sit down to Kyle right now and Kyle, it's gotta be an electric atmosphere right now because I'm looking over on that Brian side and the Fayetteville side and there's gonna be a ton of people in the stadium tonight.
It really really is RJ and I'll tell you this one thing to look for.
Brandon Jones.
The Star defensive defensive tackle for Brian will not be playing tonight, and so that's something to look for us.
He's been the heart and soul of this defense against this great Fayetteville offense.
Or like you guys mentioned, titanium blade and fight.
Let's see if the Brian Defense is able to get the kind of pressure that they have been lately.
Thank you Kyle.
As Fayetteville is making their way on the field.
They're wearing their black pants with purple tops, white numerals and black helmets.
And here come the Hornets.
The three time defending state champions as they make their way onto the plane.
Service here at War Memorial Stadium for this 7-8 clash for a state title.
Bobby this is game #4 the weekend.
We've seen eight man football.
We've seen five may or 5A football, and we've seen 6A football.
A lot of good football has been played this weekend.
There's been a lot of really good football.
Strong started off strong, pun intended towards 66 points into double overtime win over mountain Pine.
The Pulaski Academy does what Pulaski Academy does, and then El Dorado really impressive earlier today did it with defense.
We thought it was going to be an offensive slugfest, but this one right here.
This is just good old fashioned big boy football the states.
Largest classification tool.
The largest schools as far as enrollment and certainly to the largest goals as far as talent on the field.
Bryant has won the opening coin toss for today's ball game as they are going to receive the football to start today, 7/8 Clash says the Hornets are wearing their all white uniforms trimmed in blue with blue helmets and the white be on the side of the helmet.
There is Coach Buck James, the three time defending state champion head coach.
Opposite of him, the Fayetteville head coach Casey **** former Razorback quarterback, and a guide, Bobby that has really resurrected this Fayetteville team.
He really has, you know, he's done a nice job.
It wasn't exactly, you know, in the toilet when he took over, but he's put them back at the top.
You know they're in the mid 2010.
They had three straight coaches that got him to the finals in three different coaches in three straight years, like after a couple down years.
Valuable took down Bentonville to claim back the conference the first time they beat in Bentonville in the regular season.
And all 15 years First Conference championship at.
50 years now they're looking for their first title in about 6 years.
Kittle is the kicker, he kicks it as it goes up the right side and out of bounds, and so just like that, Brian is going to get great field position to start their first drive of this 7A state championship.
Let's go ahead and give you the starters for the Brian Hornets.
They come in 11 and one on the season.
They're going to have quarterback.
Carson Burnett, the senior.
He's thrown for 2200 yards this year, 24 touchdowns in nine interceptions.
He's also run for 525 yards and eight touchdowns.
Your wide receivers that the really the big ones that you need to look for?
You've got Blake Everett, these senior who's caught over 500 yards in receiving yards.
And then my Taurean Singleton, who's had over 1000 yards receiving with eight touchdowns.
And of course the running backs we talked about Chris Gannaway, who's rushed for over 1000 yards, first possession as it's given off to Gannaway.
He'll go up the left side.
And gains about a yard on the play to bring up second down and the player to watch for Fayetteville's defense is going to be right in the middle of it.
#9, the middle linebacker, Kaden Turner.
He's committed to play at Indiana, got all kinds of D1, offers many Powell starting linebackers committed to play for the Razorbacks, tore his ACL early in this season so he's out for today.
#9 is going to be the focal point for that Purple Dog, D. Here's the shotgun snap.
Rolling left as a man crosses the 50, gets a first down and much more as that time for Bryant.
For this class that was Blake Everett, the senior nice job I ever had just found a whole plenty of time to throw for the Bryant QB rolling to his left and makes a strike and Everett is a nice job holding onto the football.
First, in 10 ball spot at the 46 yard line.
As Burnett brings a man in motion and I handed off to Gannaway Gannaway around the right side.
They will pick up about four yards and that brings up second down.
Nice open field.
Stop there for kaid fields for the senior shutdown, Gannaway after a pickup of those four yards.
Second down and six just under way here in the seven Day State championship game, balls gonna be spotted at the 42 yard line in Fayetteville territory.
Or it's going to have three wide to the nearer to that far side on the top of your screen.
Burnett and I handed off to Gannaway Gannaway picks up maybe a yard on the play and that defense for Fayetteville.
They're really stacking the box and knowing exactly where ganaway is right now there is.
Kaden Turner, right there, he just met Gannaway in the hole, and as soon as he makes contact you saw there.
Running back immediately, go to the ground.
He's a powerful linebacker.
The frame is not huge, but he's got explosive from that middle linebacker position.
Third down and seven for Bryant.
Four wide receivers in the formation with a running back Gannaway to the left of Burnett.
Burnett looking to throw going big ball left side.
And he's gonna throw it out of bounds and I'll bring up.
Fourth down, that's just good coverage at the top of your screen will strive for stride was Ryan Maxwell the defensive back now decision time for Bryant's?
They're keeping the offense out there for now, as Buck James Roll the dice here on the opening drive of the game intended target for the Hornets.
That time, Jordan Knox, the junior as the ball was thrown out of bounds, so the Hornets looked to go for it on 4th down, as Burnett is going to be in the shotgun.
4th down at 7 takes the shotgun snap.
He's gonna roll left under pressure Burnett and he's gonna be taken down in the backfield that time for the Fayetteville Bulldogs.
It looked to be Luke Janski who came up and made the tackle and the sack and Fayetteville gets the ball and turnover on downs.
Yeah, design played a role to the left, janski to shucks off a blocker there and gets burnet around the ankles.
And that's a huge defensive stop for Fable to start this game and now they have excellent field position as their first snaps going to come and Hornet territory blatant fight.
This senior quarterback leads the troops on the field for the Bulldogs.
Two wide receivers on either side of the formation.
As Fike is going to have his wires running back sets are.
Excuse me, no, that's not so.
That's actually Murray to his right.
I think there's a little confusion as I don't know if it's the actual football or what the deal is here.
Swap out the football.
And I said it was Murray the running back.
That's who we were told was going to be in there.
Actually Espino is going to be the running back on the right side of fight.
Fight looks to throw.
Fike rolls, right, hasn't open running lane after the 4540, and he's gonna slide down at the 39 yard line just enough for the first down.
And just like that first play for Fayetteville fight, gets a big run.
They're not afraid to run.
The quarterback 84 carries coming into the game, just 240 yards and four touchdowns, but the offensive line did a nice job.
Rant only brought three.
It finally broke down and fight scrambles and picks up 10.
Trips to the near side as fight gonna look to throw again goes right side has his man they're gonna say incomplete pass.
He juggled about the football and that time trying to get into the hands of his wide receiver.
I believe that was Jalen Blackburn.
Miguel Grand did a great job of disrupting that that pass and got his hands on the football and knocked it away.
So second down in 10 for Fayetteville, three wide to the near side fight gonna look to throw under pressure.
Steps up now, works it back and he'll be sacked in the backfield.
He stepped right into the pressure for Bryant.
Only a three man rush, but the two ends for Brian immediately got pressure on the outside, forced the quarterback to step up into the pocket, and that quickly collapsed.
And now it's gonna be third and long for the purple dogs.
Turn down in 14.
Third down and 14 with the ball at the 43 yard line.
Four wide.
The formation for Fayetteville.
Fight looking to throw goes across almost intercepted as it went off the hands of Bryant's Cameron Booth, the middle linebacker.
And that's gonna bring up fourth down for Fayetteville.
Kind of threaded the needle there he is trying to get to his man #8 Dylan Kittle.
And you know there was a tight window just over their hands of the Bryant player off the hands of his receiver.
Lucky that one fell incomplete.
Now looks like Fayetteville is going to punt it away as they're facing a fourth and 14.
Punches away and it's going to be.
Into the end zone for the touchback.
As my touring Singleton he he thought about picking this thing up and running this and know what I'm gonna get back in the end.
Zone 43 yard punt rolls into the end zone so just a net of 23.
But both of these defenses have weathered that initial drive.
We saw it last night, especially in that five game the officers came out like a shot out of a cannon tonight.
The defenses came to play and now it's the chess match.
Starts feeling out process what's going to work.
What's the other team going to line up and prepare for?
Universe driver so Carson Burnett has got the horns back on the field with four wide.
He'll hand it off to Gannaway she made us Martin Martin's gonna work out the left side's, got a running lane left side, first down and more as he'll step out of bounds at the 39 yard line.
It's a great piece of running there by James Martin the sophomore, you know, patient in the whole finally bounces it to the outside, made a couple purple Dog defenders miss great Seal, block there and stiff arming.
It's a nice drive starter there for the Hornets.
Great job keeping his balance after coming off that block.
So first and 10.
Ball to 39 yard line.
Two wide receivers to the top of the formation.
Gonna hand it off right side that's Martin again and he'll pick up about a yard on the play and that'll bring up second down in McComb, #5 read that play nicely to follow him down the line of scrimmage goes parallel and explodes and makes the play just beyond the line of scrimmage.
About 1/2 yard gain.
Second down and 9.
Burnett brings the man in motion.
Will take the snap.
Give it to Martin Martin running lane.
Right side is it will pick up three and then I'll bring up third down.
Works juracek the linebacker in the hole there might have lost his footing.
Your check there to shut that one down before it really get rolling.
Checking the ball game for the Hornets is Alex Humphries, Alec is.
The guy that's accumulated 108 passing yards this year?
Two wide on either side.
Burnett alone in the shotgun.
Gonna look to throw.
Works left Side Burnett back finds a receiver, but he's out of bounds.
There's a great job as a receiver to come back to the football, but this let him just a little too far out of bounds and a quick three.
And out now the Bryant pump team comes on for the first time.
A Taurean Singleton was in Denver receiver that time and.
On 4th down and six.
The punt team will come on on to punt for the Hornets would be Malachi Graham.
It's Graham whittle.
Excuse me, Dylan Patel is going to drop back deep.
Grabs pawn is away.
It's a spiral kick.
It'll be fair caught and dropped back at the 8 yard line.
And just like that, Fayetteville will have the football deep in their own territory with 7:05 to play here in the first quarter is you're watching the Centennial Bank State championships in Arkansas.
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Also set program reminders so Fayetteville with the football.
They had their second drive is fine.
His in the shotgun he's just gonna hand it off straight up the middle nowhere to go as Espino worked his way left side and got back to the original line of scrimmage.
Ramp, second down, Espino led the team in rushing attempts.
116 times he's touched the football this year, 513 yards, four touchdowns.
Fayetteville is really just a team that is going to run the football just to keep you honest.
They want to throw it first.
Backing down in 10 here comes bike in the shotgun.
Looking to throw works back right side.
And he's got a man, but he was hit hard at the 34 yard line and that'll bring up third down.
Time on the tackle for the Hornets now with Joshua Rice is Dylan Kettelle who's trying to make a play on the football and just couldn't corral it after it took a big shot in the back and take a look at it here.
Nice strong thrilled by Fike hits you on right the hands, but you see that collision joystick ball loose.
So third down and 10 ball at the 8 yard line for Fayetteville.
I haven't seen.
I say it's Attainia touched the football.
He's going to be the receiver to the bottom of your screen.
Bike looking to throw overshoots.
His target is that time trying to hook up with his wide receiver.
Hayes Robinson.
Quick three announced the Fayetteville's offense.
Bulldogs are gonna have to punch out of their own end zone and barring anything crazy, the Hornets should get excellent field position and said that was Hayes Robinson.
That was actually Dylan Kittle.
They was trying to hook up with and so a quick three and out they'll be putting out their own end zone and.
Add.
Brian's return man torrent singles Singleton is going to be at the 40 yard line.
And over and kick Singleton will take it at the 45 working back up the middle and will be taken down at the 31 yard line.
So the horns will have great field position as they'll start in Fayetteville territory with 618 to play in the first quarter.
Kaden Turner.
It's a big hit there on Singleton, and you know he's there.
He's the big playmaker on the outside for the Brian offense.
Obviously he can do some things on special teams, but he's there.
Gucci guy.
And once they do go to the air the match up with he and the fatal secondaires.
Kind of that secondary, but to watch the exception of Gannaway Carson Burnett, the quarterback for the Hornets in the shotgun, has three wide receivers to the near side.
Those back left side as he's got his ear Hale and Hale is going to catch it two yards or three yards shy of the first down big hit there by Owen McCown.
Right.
As soon as the football gets there at a great job by the receiver just to hang on to it as he is met.
With a little force.
Second down in two.
Burnett looking to throw going towards the end zone in just over the outstretched arms of his wide receiver Blake Everett and he had a step on the defender.
Everett did just overthrown and that would have been an easy pitch.
Should have been an easy pitch and catch for this.
Overshoots its target.
Now it's gonna be third and short for Bryant.
I like the shot to a lot of people think you're just going.
Second is short.
You run the football.
The shot at the end zone, third down, and two has two wide receivers on the top side, the formation man comes in motion.
Brunette gives it to Gannaway.
Gannaway gets stuck at the line.
Maybe he picked up a yard and then I'll bring up fourth down, Luke Janski split a gap, able to get around gannaway's feet and taking down right at the line of scrimmage.
Maybe a gainey of a yard.
Now it's another fourth down attempt.
Brian failed on their first drive.
Will see if convert this time with the Fayetteville Deacon make another stand.
It's 4th down in one favors, got their white towels waving on the West side.
Single tear excuse me?
Now let's get away, get away, go run left side has the first down and he'll be taken down at the 16 yard line that's a great job on the left side of that offensive line they moved the line of scrimmage and they just paved the way for their running back.
Gannaway picks up the first down.
Run behind as a pancake there by the left guard.
I'm trying to get pancakes up front.
That's gonna be good things for your running back first and 10 for Bryant as Burnett lines up three to the outside on the right side.
Gannaway strap the middle has a warning light at the five.
He's a little walk into the end zone for a touchdown.
Might have been the exact same play RJ they pulled the backside guard and he didn't have anybody to block.
There wasn't enough defenders in the box for Fayetteville and the Hornet strike first.
On to Kick 4 Bryant is gonna be Stephen Fuller.
Books.
Edmondson the guard pulled and he had nobody to block his Gannaway walks into the end zone.
P80 was the Hornets seven advantage?
So the Hornets go up 7 nothing.
Let's go down the sideline and check in with our main man.
Kyle Sutherland.
Guys just exactly what we expected that Brian offensive line.
It's one of the best in the state.
They get Chris Gannaway get to.
Break free and he gets on the board.
Put the Hornets on 1st and so let's see what the defenses do or we'll see what the Fayetteville defense does here.
If they can get another stop.
Yeah, we've seen this a few times in a different title games RJ.
They've started with a light box, 3 down lineman, maybe just for one or two linebackers and teams have been able to take advantage of earlier today.
Eldorado took advantage of that defensive approach from Greenwood now we'll see if Fayetteville and defensive coordinator Kim's chicken to make an adjustment added extra man in the box, which of course opens things up in the passing game.
And that's why it's a pick.
Your poison type of decision facing the team.
Like Brian, I failed to mention at the start of the ball game, but our officials today, James.
Durham is the referee.
The centers Mike Durham umpires Robert Burrus, linesman Danny King, lime judged, Brandy Ballard and the back judges Shea Hamilton.
Kick is away and it'll bounce and go out of bounds, but was it touched by a Fayetteville player?
That Fable touched it, and so that's going to give him the ball inside the 10.
Yeah, it's gonna be Fayetteville football to 8 yard line if he doesn't touch that football, that's gonna be a penalty on Bryant.
That's going to cost Fable about 25 yards and field position.
But anytime you see the football on the ground that the natural instinct is to reach down and pick it up or or try to stop it and grab it.
And at that time Fayetteville would have been better suited to let that roll out of bounds.
Bryant catches the huge advantage there.
Now for the second straight drive, Fayetteville, starting inside their own 10.
So blatant fight the senior quarterback gonna bring his guys back on the field with two wide receivers on either side of the formation.
Flag stands alone in the shotgun looking to throw.
Looked left now comes back across that's intercepted at the 30 coming up the right side to the 2015 to the five touchdown Hornets.
Pick six for the Brian Hornets and they're up 13 to nothing.
Fight tried to force that.
Went across the middle of the field.
The one thing you can't be your throwing across the middle field.
RJ is high and that Drake Fowler the defensive back has this one this fall right into his lap and an easy return for the touchdown.
He's just sitting there waiting on it and he knows what to do with it.
When he's got the rock in his hands and blank quickly up two scores power only a sophomore.
Making that pick six and on to kick the.
Extra point is Stephen Fuller.
Exactly what you couldn't afford to do.
If you're faithful, you know Brian Scott's you know the mystique of being a three time defending state champion and now you spot him in a 14 point lead.
Now you gotta play uphill 429 to play here in the first quarter that pick six was riding for the College Sutherland and Kyle.
You had a great look at that one.
Yeah, look like that.
I say it's a techno.
Was trying to run somewhere else or at least they got a little confused on the route and then it was just easy from there.
For Brian to get that interception, get the pick six.
Now they got a 14 to nothing lead and now paying bills.
Gotta get something going.
You'll never miss Turner.
429 to play here in the first quarter, as the Hornets have built a 14 to nothing lead here in the seven Day State championship game.
So on the kick for the Hornets is gonna be Malachi Graham.
I do.
Here's the kick.
It, speaking to be taken at the four yard line.
And out of bounds as he was taken down by a gang of of Hornets over on the Bryant sideline skirmish there, Dylan Kettelle last one to get up from that pile.
He's hobbled a little bit.
Yeah, Kotel is he finally went down and the like the Bryant Staffs calling on for the Fayetteville trainers to come in and.
You know he had about 3 Hornets fall on top of him over there on that sideline and.
You know he never know what what the weather being anchor in need, but hopefully he'll be OK.
He's a vital part of the Fayetteville offense.
53 catches, 625 yards, eight touchdowns for kettelle.
So we're gonna need to find a way to get him healthy and make sure he's right.
The rest of this contest you can celebrate game day under the arch is we've got access to tons of benefits through our rewards program.
It's available today on the McDonald's app, RJ.
We love it.
We are loving it.
We we've enjoyed the the Championships all weekend.
The injured bulldog.
As Kettelle is needing help too.
Make his way over from the side to the sidelines.
Well, maybe we'll get to Kyle to check in to find out what.
His status is for the rest of the ball.
Game is able to put a little pressure on each leg as he's walking off, so again, we'll see if we can check in, find out his status will take a look at Coach Casey **** and his offensive needs to put together or productive drive here.
Can't win a championship in the first quarter, but you certainly can lose 1.
First down in 10 fyke gonna hand it off straight up.
The middle goes Fayetteville.
As this Pinot takes it out to the 25 yard line counterplay there pulled the backside guard and tackle that TJ Lindsey fills the whole the sophomore defensive lineman shuts that down for just a gain of two.
Work off the blocker and comes over and makes the play on the spino.
Second down and eight.
Fight takes the shotgun snap looking to throw.
He'll roll right through it right at the feet of his intended target, as that time trying to hook up with Robinson.
He'd rather not bring up third down, or the Fayetteville offensive lineman lost his helmet, so he's gonna have to come off for at least a play.
It's Grayson Bandy, a senior.
Bring in a fresh body, at least for a snap here for favor.
So watch the protection and see if it holds up.
You know Brian's been content rushing just those front three and dropping eight into coverage and it's working so far is Fayetteville is oh for six passing to start this contest, one big ball and it's caught out of bounds that time by Zayas Attainia he did catch it, but it was about 2 yards out of bounds and it'll bring up.
Fourth down, they finally try to get the ball to number one as you mentioned are.
Hey though if he hauls it in but couldn't get a foot down, he's ruled that way.
He's going to be a good look at it.
Well out of bounds when Satini comes down with it now it's it's danger time for Fayetteville.
They're putting away and Brian is going to have really good field position.
A chance to take a three score lead Singleton bag deep for Bryant and he'll catch at the 40 yard line.
Singleton had tripped up at the 50 and the end of Fayetteville territories.
He'll be taken down to 49 yard line.
There's a big drive for the Fayetteville defense.
Got to find a way to to whether that early storm?
You know Brian is going to come out land a haymaker or two and they've done that.
Find a way to get your offense back on the field and see if they can get rolling.
So it'll be first and 10 for Bryant at the Fayetteville 49 yard line.
Bryant has scored back to back touchdowns.
Want a defensive touchdown and won an offensive touchdown here in the first quarter is we've got 333 to play in the first naval average is 320 yards a game through the air and right now they've got squash.
Carson Burnett I'll take the snap, faked the handoff, gonna look to throw, but he's under pressure and he goes down as two Fayetteville linebackers were able to take him down, leading the way for Fayetteville.
That time was Gabriel Ferrell, the senior.
Have Fable got really lucky there?
That's the pressure got to him as Burnett had a receiver running wide open in the secondary.
One of the defensive backs fell down for Fayetteville.
The big break for the purple dogs and their defensive front makes a play cross.
Garner also in on that sack as it's a big loss of 12 yards and brings up second down in 22.
Burnett takes the snap and look to throw, and it's caught at the 49 yard line so they get back to that original line of scrimmage, that time making the catch for the Brian Hornets was my tour in Singleton Singleton's to go to Guy.
They had bracket coverage and almost picked off as faithful defender to just outside his reach.
Singleton, able to to focus on and make the play.
It was third down in 10, with the ball at the 49.
Here's the snap to Burnett looking to throw going left side at ease.
He's thrown with intercepted Bobby through the bean bag so they're gonna rule.
That was a fumble and recovered by Fayetteville.
They may take a look at it and see if the arm is going forward with the initial call was when they throw that blue beanbag.
That means it's a fumble.
It's gonna be Fayetteville football Bobby.
I thought even regarding, regardless of whether it was a fumble or interception, I thought he caught it in the air is there's the IT was a fumble and.
I think it did hit the ground, so either way they'll get a fumble recovery of the deal.
I'm trying to credit that young man Jason Johnson with the sack and then brooks your check there to to corral the loose ball.
Yeah, I was trying to fit him with an interception.
I think we're going to get a review on this to see if if the arm was going forward or not.
It's going to bring up.
It would bring up a fourth down either way, but obviously field position would be huge with this call and referee James there.
I'm going to make the the long jog to the sideline to get on the headset.
Of the replay official in any turnovers, scoring plays, even targeting can be reviewed here in the state championship games so that while they look down, we will as well because.
Couple things you know.
As Bobby said, it's a field position game at this point, and here's the the hit.
I mean he tried to get his arm to go forward Bobby, but it got pinned to where he he really couldn't get it to go forward.
Honestly, you look at that play in your checks.
Got two hands on it as it goes to the grounds, and this is where you could really get into the weeds of what is a catch or what isn't a catch.
He's got both hands on it.
Well, and that's why I was saying it could be an interception and either way.
But if you watch it right here.
I don't know if his.
His arm was trying to go forward, but it got trapped somewhere he couldn't allow for it to go forward anymore, and but either way, I think that it could be an interception and the question is, is there enough evidence to overturn it?
That's going to be an empty well.
47 yard line.
Be careful, global Yep, so either way I think that you could make the argument that Juracek had both hands on it and made it catch, and I think you could make the argument it was still a fumble.
So either way.
So it is ruled an interception on that, so you credit Brooks your check with the interception.
I'm sure you recognize the last name, some of the athletic director at the University of Arkansas now.
Here's fight for Fayetteville.
He's gonna go big ball this time looking for setegne and he makes the catch of the five penalty flag down touchdown we've been waiting to see when they were going to go to the speedster on the outside.
And that time I say it ain't got to go.
Randy Moss if I'm even I'm leaving.
It makes a great.
Get into the end zone.
Gonna say pass interference on the Hornets.
I'm almost fairly certain on that Bobby, but what a play?
Not only the catch, but the dive for the end zone to get the touchdown.
Yes, it started with a great protection.
A great throw from fight.
And the defense.
That this thing will be taken.
So I say Sertaneja adds to his huge season stats already as he goes into the end zone and Fayetteville got a little life.
What a play just to get for the goal line, and they bobbled the snap on the extra point and they will not get that.
And so with that being said, with a minute 46 left here in the first quarter, Bryant leads at 14 to 647 yard pitching catch and.
Fable misfired on their first 7 passing attempts, and that's on the snap.
Just couldn't be handled.
Backup quarterback.
Believe that's Drake.
Lindsey just couldn't corral that one.
Brian keeps an 8 point lead, but that's how quickly sertaneja can can change things.
And you're and you're right, Bobby.
The speed he has to outrun the the corner and be able to just run underneath that football.
You just have to throw it up to him and he's able to run underneath and go make a play.
There's one thing to have, you know, confidence in your defense, confidence, comanda man on the outside.
But when you're facing someone with the speed loxitane, yeah, I mean you've got to offer help more times than not because he's going to burn you and a quarterback Bladen.
Fike has shown he's going to be able to throw it out there 3700 yards on the season.
40 touchdowns for the quarterback.
Able to get the advantage of kicking off from 15 yards farther up and you're kicking from this side of the 50 onside kick always creeps into your mind.
A minute 46 to play in the first quarter 1406, the Hornets lead the Bulldogs.
Free.
So they're going to kick from the Bryant 45 yard line.
It's a line drive kick that will go into the end zone.
And so the Hornets will get the ball at the 20 yard line.
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So Brian will have it first and 10 from the 20 yard line with a minute 46 to play here in the first quarter.
Fayetteville answered, now will see what Bryant hasn't response the ground game's been working for the Hornets and here's the thing missing.
That extra point could that could be a big thing.
And if you go back and forth and touch and a touchdown game doubt about that Carson Burnett gonna give it off to Gannaway Gannaway straight up the middle and be able to pick up 3 yards to bring up second down.
Jackson Taylor will be Gannaway around the legs taking down.
Fables get a lot of duplicate numbers.
It takes a little minute to figure out OK, which one is the offensive player, which ones the defensive player.
Second down in seven Burnett looking to throw under pressure and he's gonna be taken down for the sack.
Don't have to look that one out for the second time in his mini drives.
Jason Johnson gets into the backfield, drops Burnett for a loss.
That's the second sack of the ball game for the fabled Bulldogs, and then I'll bring up third down in 18 for the Brian Hornets gonna see him in the middle of your screen.
There just beats the right tackle to the inside, will swim, move to get inside leverage he knows what to do when he finds the quarterback.
Now it's third and long 18 yards to go for the Hornets.
His Fayetteville defense is really getting after this offensive line for Brian Burnett.
Looking to throw has a man.
Short crossing pattern goes for nothing.
Got him back to the line of scrimmage.
Hooking up that time with his wide receiver.
Robert Hendricks.
Nice job there for Fayetteville.
It kind of like the underneath screening.
Try to run it off and try to get some cheap yard is there for Brian but fate.
Those defense stays at home and they're going to get the football back.
Probably close to near midfield.
The chance to cut into this eight point deficit.
Here's the first quarter might run out before they get this pun away.
4017 is the punch.
Gonna be on the way.
And now we've got a whistle this quarter, and that'll do it for the first quarter of play.
So as we in one quarter, Bryant leads at 14 to six over favor on the seven Day State championship game.
And you're watching the Centennial Bank State championships in Arkansas.
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And a short kick by the Hornets takes a big roll out past the 40 yard line and pay bills going to get outstanding field position here to start the second quarter.
It will send some pressure matter rush the punter just a bit couldn't get a hand on it but did force the errant pump made.
Looks like that one about a shanked off his foot, and as you mentioned RJ, they're going to start at the 41 yard line.
Another drive starting in Brant territory.
Last time they chucked the 47 yard touchdown.
Pastor isais attainia You gotta believe that number one is going to be the focal points from anything that failed was going to try to do the rest of the way.
'cause I just, I don't.
I don't think Brian's got the these overall teams to be to keep up with them first and 10 ball to 41.
Fight and I hand it off now he fakes it on an end around his attainia.
The Hornets bottle him up in the backfield and he'll lose about two yards on the play.
It's the numbers game there.
Bryant stayed at home on the reverse and the first time all season, this Attainia had a rushing attempt that didn't go for a touchdown.
At three carries for 148 yards with three scores for that one, Brian stays at home, able to track down number one, and now it's second and long.
All the 43 yard line fight.
They will look to throw inside tunnel outside to Blackburn and he'll pick up.
It looks like he's gonna lose a yard.
Yeah, he lost two yards that I bring up third down now that's a great job.
By #12 right there on your screen.
Miguel grant.
He recognized tunnel screen, got into hip pocket of the receiver.
This followed him on the route and made contact as soon as he caught the football and drops him for a loss.
So it's third down in 13.
Blade and fight.
And take the snap have to step up, he's gonna run out past the 40 still going.
He's going to go out of bounds at the 33 yard line which will be about 2 yards shy of the first down.
There's a flag in the secondary, though it's usually never a good sign for the defense.
You forgot my guard holding on the defense.
It's big because it's added to the end of the run, so fight gets the scramble yards you get the 10 yard penalty and you are well behind the change facing third down and now it's a fresh set of downs for Fayetteville.
So it's first and 10 ball at the 22 yard line.
Fayetteville looking to try to tie this ball game.
As fight in the shotgun can I hand it off?
Goes over to sets are sensor goes left side and he'll pick up about four yards on the plane.
I bring up second down.
Sophomore Christian sets are 37 carries on the season 214 yards and they don't have that dominant running game.
There was a holding penalty on the play that's going to back him up.
I think they're going to get Fable for illegal formations.
I want to do it back him up for five.
OK, I didn't hear the official turn his mic on, so either way, so that's gonna back him upset at run.
Did not count.
Usually you'll have the official come out and tell the crowd, but they just backed him up and he gave a hand signal.
So it's first in 15 now.
Bike looking to throw left side.
Trying to hook up with Sertaneja and it goes through his hands to grab second down a combo router.
Bit of a dig router and in routes and they tried to get set a new on the corner.
Just a little too far out in front and the receiver couldn't track it down.
One thing blatant fight does not lack.
That's velocity on the football.
He's not afraid to show off the arm strength.
Sometimes you might need to take her back just to touch.
That time is pretty well thrown.
Ball instantaneous, couldn't track it down in the air.
Second out in 15 ball to 27.
Shotgun snap looking to throw sets up the screen right side.
He's got a lot of real estate.
Espino works inside the five.
I said it was.
A spider was actually Tyler Reed and Reed was able to take it inside the five down to the three.
Oh well set up playing two Fayetteville blockers route in front and they didn't add to run 15 yards to find a white jersey to get a hat on.
And then they finally do a great job of those big lineman to get out in front.
Its first and goal for the Purple dogs.
So ball at the three and I handed off straight up the middle this time.
Went off two is running back.
Kaden Turner and Turner.
His back to the line of scrimmage may have lost a yard on the play.
He did lose a yard that I bring up second down bringing the linebacker Turner in short yardage situation.
Try this muscle it in.
5 carries for two yards, but has it touchdown this year.
Now, Fayetteville going back to that traditional spread look.
Fight gonna look to throw rolls right under pressure.
Gonna keep it himself and he steps out of bounds and he's gonna step out at the five which is gonna lose another yard.
Thought he might've had Blackburn in the in the back of the end zone but couldn't tell from our angle but it looked like he might not have had a clear throwing lane so probably a wise decision by the Fayetteville quarterback not try to force it and lived to see third down.
Blackburn was kind of shadowing his quarterback along that back line of the end zone is couldn't find a way to get him the football.
So in it running back is Espino.
As Frank is the quarterback with three wide to the left side, third down and five as now we've got a whistle and it's like Fayetteville going first.
Probably a good time to call a timeout Bobby and talk this one over.
Yeah, didn't didn't like the look.
It is clearly a man to man defense since attainia across the formation in motion and the defender followed him in case he didn't like the look that he was getting from his deeply from the defense on his offense.
And now it's time to call timeout regrouping and try to put together your best play here on 3rd and goal from the five.
858 to play here in the second quarter, let's head down to Kyle Sutherland on the field to see what's going on that Brian sideline guys.
They went extra Bryant went extra big with Will Diggins and Jason Shifflet there on the defensive line and Fayetteville was able to get a big play on and get inside the five yard line.
But let's see what happens here on 3rd down with the extra big guys in there along with TJ Lindsey.
Thank you Kyle.
Well yeah, I mean Bobby this is a big possession for the Bulldogs because you know, you got five yards try to punch it into potentially tie this ball game.
I really want to get this one right, but then again, is it 4 down territory which kicked field goal.
Yeah, I think you might go for it and you've got a lot of momentum.
Your defense is playing well.
Then whether that initial store and they've only given up seven points defensively?
Gotta remember this word once on defense that Brian.
And then if you turn the football over, you're forcing them to go 95 yards.
Either way, I, I think you wouldn't roll the dice.
If you don't convert here on 3rd down, so finding the shotgun has Espino tours, right?
Any comes in motion.
Fight they look to throw under pressure.
Running right throws left and it's intercepted in the end zone.
Support decision thereby fight to he's rolling to his left.
He couldn't should have and could have just thrown that one away.
But instead he tries to force it into the end zone and that takes points off the board for Fayetteville.
And Brian's defense comes up with another big turnover.
Jonah Brewster, the junior defensive back for Bryant, was the one that came down with the interception and the Hornets will get first and 10 from the 20 yard line.
He's gotta throw that away just gotta make a better decision there.
If you're bladen Fike.
Throwing the ball away is not the worst decision you know.
He's they're struggling to compete complete passes right now.
Just three of 12.
He's got two completions to the other team.
He's just got to settle down and trust his arm.
Trust his players.
Carson Burnett, the quarterback for the Hornets, is in the shotgun and I handed to Gannaway.
Gannaway is gonna spin forward for about a yard to bring up second down.
Mr Countertrade pulls the backside guard and tackle, but Fable right there to shut it down.
It's a lot of beef pulled over as well.
For that bright line.
Second down and nine ball to 21 yard line will always ask what's the what's really.
The biggest difference between if, say, the state, maybe 7A and 5A or 4A?
It's those guys up front.
Now let's see if the overall size as Bryant's got to be close to 300 across the board.
And I handed the ganaway again.
Gannaway stays on his feet and dives poured out to the 26 yard line and find a way to get 41 on the ground.
If you're Fayetteville, you had him hemmed up right near the line of scrimmage, but he's able to squirt out and picks up six tough yards.
And now it's third and manageable.
I want to play that look like should have been shut down near the line of scrimmage.
Oh, you said it a minute ago.
This payable defense.
They're playing lights out and you gotta feel good.
If you're Fayetteville with the way that their defense is played so far.
Third, down fakes.
The handoff swings it outside.
Who is wide receiver and he's going to be bottled up for about a 2 yard gain.
That time.
Coming up with the reception for the Hornets with Singleton.
When McCown makes another stop in the secondary, he's made already called his name a handful of times.
A nice open field tackle.
They'll stops him short of the sticks and.
At least first indication is they've got themselves a defensive stop and get football back.
Hello Max, welcome to drop back deep for Fayetteville.
It's a short short kick.
It's going to bounce at the 41 and then save before going any farther by a Hornet, and so that's where Fayetteville will have it first and 10 from the 42 yard line.
Our score Bryant 14, Fayetteville six and you're watching the Centennial Bank State championships in Arkansas.
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14 to six with 6:55 to play here in the first half as.
Fayetteville comes back on the field with good field position as the ball is going to be at the 43 yard line.
It's kind of settle in if you're Bladen Fike.
Think he's trying to press a little too much now.
Here's the handoff goes up the right side and nice second effort that time by Espino as he's going to pick up 9 yards on the play.
Nice job by Espino.
Keeps the legs churning.
Don't tell the whistle until you hit that terrorism.
Nice job I. Fayetteville running back.
Second down in one for the Bulldogs.
Espino.
Right side, he'll get the first down and more as he crosses the 45 to the 44.
Straight ahead, right there for Fayetteville, pull the backside guard.
He gets the block right there, #60 coming into your screen.
Sam Vanhook nice block there paves the way for a first down.
So first and ten with the ball at the 44 yard line.
Fight they look to throw steps up in the pocket.
Has a man.
It bounces off his chest that time trying to hook up with Jalen Blackburn.
And your quarterback.
If things aren't going your way, that's what tends to happen.
That was a perfect dart right in the chest.
As you mentioned RJ of Blackburn, and it's not where you're supposed to catch the football.
The worst place to hit it guys right in the numbers.
You gotta make the hands catch the time he just let it get into his body and bounces away.
So it brings up second down and 10/2 wide receivers on the top side of the formation.
Viche looking left.
Gonna throw left has a man off his hands that time tried to hook up with a spino.
This lack.
McKinney.
Oh yeah, McKinney.
So that people don't usually McKinney had it just go right off his hands at 11 catches 148 yards this year from McKinney as a great concept.
They run a city out 'cause I'm gonna post her out.
The cornerback in the safety go with number one and 20 is wide open on the flag.
He just couldn't haul it in.
So now it's turned down in 10.
And we've got a whistle and.
It would be a timeout charged to Fayetteville.
Confusion on trying to get that play in for the Bulldogs, so we're going to talk it over as they've got a third chin here.
And if it's kind of no man's land RJ if you pick up four or five here, maybe you consider going for it on 4th down.
PRC will get more women like you got to stay tuned for the Arkansas PBS halftime show with David, Basil will talk with deadly on the Chief Operating officer at Arkansas.
PBS also learn about the 1991 you see a Bear Football Championship and we're gonna meet Conway Wampus Cat West Boudreaux.
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Wampus cats have six, you know.
I actually did that interview with West Boudreaux and was over hanging out at Conway.
Have you seen Conway lately?
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Indoor arena for the football team to practice and soccer is mid.
They've got it going on at Conway right now.
Yeah, facilities have this exploded near Northwest Arkansas, Central Arkansas, even down South.
It's amazing facilities at some of these high school tab now third down and 10 Fike.
Gonna look to throw and he overthrows his intended target.
Now we've got a penalty flag down and that's why it came well into the secondary and I might have missed little hand fighting.
A lot of held him.
He's Robinson was the intended target.
Holding on the defense 10 yard penalty from previous spot.
First down.
That's automatic first down, but it was third and ten there.
That's a big break for faith was that pass sailed well out of bounds.
That is a huge a huge penalty, and so now you've got first and 10 for the Bulldogs with the ball.
Resting on the 34 yard line.
Fights going to throw it into the wheel route right side got his man.
Is that time he was able to find.
Christian sets are on the wheel route and so that'll set up.
Get it fresh set of downs to bring up first and then again.
I don't throw it to the running back at town in this Fayetteville office for you.
Make sure they get sets around the wheel route.
His 12th catch at the season.
That's a big one.
Another knocking on the door.
The red zone.
So first and ten with the ball to 22.
Working the ball straight up the middle, that time was set Sir, it's just tough sledding inside for Fayetteville.
They can't get a whole lot going on the ground.
Game 11 carries 29 yards.
Longest run of the day for Fayetteville was a quarterback scramble from fight.
So it's second down in 10.
Fight takes the shotgun snap.
Get along to go deep.
Has a man in the end zone, touchdown touchdown.
Fayetteville Jalen Blackburn Blackburn with a double move on the outside fight gave a pump.
He was wide open as the Bryant defender bid on it and as an easy pitch and catch for the score.
It makes up for the drop pass earlier in the drive and Fable is going to pick kick the P80.
So on the kick.
Kick is up and it is good.
And just like that, we've got a one point ball game 14 to 13 Bryant on top of fanvil, but all the momentum right now is in favor of the Fayetteville Bulldogs.
They went on a seven play 57 yard drive in two minutes and one second.
Let's head down to Kyle Sutherland on the sidelines.
Guys, you know that was a big time confidence confidence booster for Bladen fight.
There have been other than that.
Touchdown does.
Estany earlier was a pretty tough game so far for him, but that that pump and then the.
Throw wide open for a touchdown.
Momentum has shifted just like you said RJ thank you.
Kyle is wonder 5 minutes to play here in the first half.
Bryant 14, Fayetteville 13.
It's kind of lost in with this offense.
Everybody knows about Isaiah's attainia, but Jalen Blackburn and Dylan could tell they've combined for 117 catches this year.
He's talking about over 1400 yards receiving between the two of them.
They've got weapons in this offense, so if you start to put all your eyes on number one.
Numbers two and eight can also torch you.
Important African so Harrison Dennis will be on to kick.
You'll put a foot into it.
And will be taken at the six yard line.
Bring it up for the Hornets is Jordan, Knox and Knox will bring it all the way out past the 25 yard line to the 27th.
So famous responded RJ they can't they fall down 14 nothing.
They reel off 13 straight points now.
How did the Hornets respond back?
We got plenty of time here in this first half 448 remaining until the intermission.
The Dryfire gets a lot of momentum.
Gotta remember Fable gets the football to start.
The third quarter brought needs to put it together at at at Dr offensively just to get a little confidence when they only have 69.
Yards of offense in this first half we wide receivers on the top of the route.
Burnett fakes the handoff, looks to throw, has a man and the ball is caught now they're gonna say it's incomplete now.
Well, are they?
I saw two things.
I saw an incomplete, then I saw a catch by another referee.
So they are going to call it a complete catch at the 42 yard line.
My Taurean Singleton?
He's the go to man is the sophomore.
But great catch there takes the blow from the defensive back and moves the chains first.
In 10 they're going to hand it off right side to Martin.
Martin is going to get out for a 5 yard gain to bring him second down.
Little surprised by how stagnant the Bryant Hornet offense has been really.
I mean, and that's really a testament to what Fayetteville's defense is done.
Favors done a nice job of getting pressure by not having to rush extra defenders.
He talked about how Bryant's rushing only three Fayetteville majority of the time, only bringing that front three and they were able to get to the quarterback second down, and I handed to Martin again straight up the middle.
He's going to be very near the first down as he gets it across the 50 to the 48.
And Jan's gonna be there on the tackle.
And they are gonna call it a first down.
See if Brian wants to slow it down.
Just a touch.
Now we're inside.
4 minutes will make sure that hey, you capitalize on your drive and beat.
You don't want to fail too much time before the half.
Carson Burnett he's in the shining.
They've got stacked wide receivers on either side.
Burnett looking to throw its intercepted at the 43, bring it up the left side for Fayetteville it's Turner Turner is gonna go out of bounds at the 38 yard line.
Just didn't see the middle linebacker for Fayetteville who came.
Turner is using the the man you want to find in Burnet.
Just threw it right to him.
He tries to throw it across the middle and right place.
Drops into that zone and Turner with the big return and now Fayetteville again going to start and drive with great field position and another.
Big play for number 9.
The senior linebacker for the Purple Dogs.
So they're gonna say officially went out of bounds at the 37 yard line.
322 to play here in the second quarter you get you lock onto receiver.
You see the open area on the guy that's covered in a lot of time.
Those linebackers who are dropping into zones get lossed to a quarterback and Turner takes advantage of it fight.
My hand it now he's gonna fake it.
Step up in the pocket he's under pressure and he's gonna be taken down back across the 45 they got marking down to 46 that's a big play by the defense from Bryant.
You've got to try to answer the bell.
Fayetteville's defense is rising to the occasion, and that's on the front for the Hornets breaks free.
Vice not been easy to bring down tonight he he they have chased him all night long and that's really one of the first times they've been able to get to him.
Yeah, every Gilmore 44 junior defensive lineman there makes the play for Brian Outfit will face in a second in 19.
Here's the shotgun snap to fight looking to throw fight now under pressure and he's gonna be taken down again.
This time taken down by Jaylen Brown the junior linebacker initial protection was there for Fayetteville.
Had four receivers running deep routes.
Nobody was open.
Fight steps up, and then the linebackers just converged and Brown makes the play.
Now you're at a third down in 26 for Fayetteville, and we're down to 216 and counting in the quarter starting to see Bryant make that initial adjustment.
They're starting to drop a safety over the top of setegne wherever he's at now, they're bailing on the coverage.
Here's bike looking to throw goes.
Left side has a wide open man that's attainia as he's going to get it back near the original line.
Original markers and they'll take him out of bounds at the 39 yard line, which is 2 yards shy of that original.
Line to gain and Brian's going to burn a timeout as they're going to say his momentum was stopped in the field of play.
So the clock was continuing to run.
The Hornets burn their first time out, hoping to get the ball back for their offense, so it's fourth down and 12 for Fayetteville.
There's no indication there that Fayetteville is going to pump the football.
Again.
This is kind of no man's land.
You've got dynamic playmakers.
Instantanea Blackburn.
For Fayetteville, so why not see if you guys can go up there and make a play.
The official well see the natural state from a Birds Eye view and exploring Arkansas from above the ears after the game tonight, 9:30 Ish.
930 ish key depending on the on this game.
Never know alive sports.
Yes.
Well if it's anything like that eight man game that we had the other night it's at 11.
But we we started that game at what seven and ended up finishing it about five.
Yeah, I know I got home at about 11:45.
So it's fourth down and 12 with the ball at the 39 yard line.
A minute 49 to play here in the first half offense out there for Fayetteville.
Setegne is going to be receiver to the top of your screen.
Vikings in the shotgun gonna look to throw as a man caught taking down the 20 yard lines exactly what I was talking about.
You've got playmakers on the outside and that time the coverage was rolling to the top of setegne they go to Blackburn.
He makes the big play at a huge first down is now fables in the red zone so it's first and 10 for Fayetteville.
Fight gonna look to throw again, pump fakes, goes left side and it's knocked away as it was well overthrown that time.
For Bryant it was Drake Fowler who knocked it away and lucky that one wasn't intercepted.
They faked the tunnel screen.
They try to get the would be blocker to sneak out on a wheel route.
And they throws into double coverage and again lucky that one wasn't picked off into another Fayetteville lineman lost his helmet so he's got to come out for a play.
7 of 19 passing is Bladen Fike.
He's got a couple touchdowns.
Bikes gonna look to throw steps up in the pocket.
Gonna run with it.
Fight takes it down to the 16 yard line so he'll pick up about 3 maybe four yards on the play and that will bring up third down now for Fayetteville.
So really good play by trail in Rush for Brian he doesn't go for that.
Pump fake, get spike on the ground the alligator roll, grab a leg and and spin forcing third down.
There's third and seven fight gonna look to throw again he's got it right side it's intercepted at the three yard line.
They're gonna say he stepped out of bounds at the three.
Another interception for Brian Hornets.
What a big time play there.
We've called his name a few times.
Miguel gram.
This played a excellent place.
There's going to be a stop route, maybe a back shoulder throw and he sees it.
He recognizes he picks it off.
It was also his knee was on the ground.
That's why they blew it dead.
But I thought Blackburn was going to make the play.
He deflects it and able to corral it himself.
They may look at this if his foot was out of bounds before he corralled the interception.
That could be an incomplete pass.
That he was taking another look at a replay of that because if his foot was out of bounds before he had firm possession of that pass would be a turnover, would not be an interception to be an incomplete pass.
Bust it down yet.
Bobby's on buzzer watch.
Here we go and blow it into play, and now Burnett's gonna be working out of his own end zone will say from that angle.
Gonna hand it off to Gannaway who goes straight up the middle and he gets back to the original line scrimmage that this kind of field position.
And even though you've got two timeouts, I bet Brian's content with just running the football one more time and getting into the half of the one point lead down to 37 seconds to play here in the quarter.
If you're faithful, you just make sure that you don't let anything over your head.
You don't draw in on a play Action pass.
You better believe that this one is going to go to 41 to straight ahead and head to the locker room.
Down to 10 on the game clock here in the first half and I hand it off again.
Gannaway out of the right side.
Danaway has a running lane out past the 30.
He gets out of bounds with one second left on the clock.
That's the ones hanging fruit your favor.
You're trying to avoid.
You let Gannaway break three.
He steps out of balance.
One second on the clock and now still a long way to go for.
Brian, do you try something crazy you try hooking line or are you trying to throw one deep?
Maybe a screen pass?
See if you can break a play, or if you're wanting to play a conservative, just hand it off to #41 again and take it to the locker room.
Well, Fayetteville is gonna put four people back with their heels on the 50 yard line.
Jalen.
Omar Omar so Burnett, with three wide receivers to the near side, gonna throw Burnett.
Going left side has his wide receiver that time hooked up with Jordan.
Knox goes out of bounds and that's going to do it for the first half.
It's going to pad the stats for that play pretty inconsequential, or Bryant's got a 1413 lead at the half.
So as Buck James is walking off the field, Kyle Sutherland is going to catch up with him and get his thoughts here on the first half of play.
As the Hornets, they lead it 14 to 13 over Fayetteville and.
Bucks making his way to lock room and here momentarily will chat with our own Kyle Sutherland.
And it looks like Kyle's got him now taken away, comma coach.
Your defense had three interceptions.
Then on offense you just had some good plays right there.
How do you guys keep the momentum going and get Carson going in the passing game?
Well, we hadn't kept the momentum going.
That's one thing we're gonna have to get the momentum going.
I mean, they've outplayed us.
I think in every aspect game, we're lucky to be alive.
A winning right now.
Well, we got to play a lot better.
We're not playing very well.
Thank you, coach.
Thank you, Kyle.
I appreciate that this bucks not very happy right now as his team leads by one as we've reached the halftime mark.
And when we come back.
We will give you a little recap of everything going on here in the first half, some stats and then hit you off to some interviews that our own Arkansas PBS folks have gotten done during the offseason.
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We're at the half where the Brian Hornets lead it 14 to 13 over the Fayetteville Bulldogs.
I'm RJ Hawk along with Bobby Swofford and Bobby.
Are you surprised with the way this one's gone so far here in the first half?
I think I'm a little surprised about how well the two defense have been playing, especially the three man front for both sides.
We've talked about Johnson a few times, got the two sacks, had the big hit that forced the turnover for Fayetteville in the three man fronts, been holding its own for Bryant as well, getting pressure on fyke.
They've got the three interceptions.
The defenses are playing well, and that's why we've got a low scoring 1413 affair.
Total offense so far in this ball game the Fayetteville Bulldogs, 154 yards of total offense Bryant was 149 so far and I think the one thing that's the most important we saw the big run there from Gannaway that's added to those stats.
Fables been able to control their running game of Brian.
We know that through the years and through this dining said they've had a three state championships.
They've had some good quarterbacks they like to run the football first book.
James has built his legacy on running the football first.
Fayetteville's done a nice job of slowing that controlling the line of scrimmage, forcing them to pass, and that's been advantageous for the Purple Dog defense.
One thing Brian has done a really good job of I think, is containing sertaneja because he's only got 59 yards and a touchdown on two receptions so far here in the first half.
Yeah, they were gonna go man to man not give any safety help until they got beat and they did that on the 47 yard touchdown right there with the touchdown.
Those simple go route.
So now they're starting to go a little safety help, but that's also opened up things for Jalen Blackburn.
Now we've seen favors offense start to settle in because of that one big play to sustain.
Yeah, but we've got much more coming up here at halftime as we've got interviews and some.
A look at the 1991 national champions for the UCA Bears.
It's all coming up next.
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Hey everybody, is halftime here?
Arkansas PBS sponsored by the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas.
I'm your host.
David Basil here at the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.
Thanks for joining us coming up.
Will it back?
30 years ago to celebrate the national championship run by the UCA Bears plus our Jayhawk talks with the West Boudreaux, another standout student athlete in the Seven Day Division.
But first, we can't believe this is already the 4th year Arkansas.
PBS has partnered with the orchestra.
Activities Association to cover High School championship finals in football, basketball, baseball and softball.
Joining us is deadly on the Chief operating officer for Arkansas PBS to discuss how high school sports fit into the Arkansas PBS mission.
Ed, thanks for being here.
Bas, my pleasure.
Thank you.
Yeah, I think 10 years ago if somebody would have asked having sports fit with Arkansas PBS, there's there wasn't a fair no, there wasn't a fit and we saw this as an opportunity to fulfill our mission to Arkansas.
We see ourselves as a public service where a resource for the entire state of Arkansas and the creative people and our broadcasts you know, infrastructure is something for the you know, in service of the state.
And this is one way we are really stepping up and helping to to fill void what kind of feedback have you got?
Listen initially the all the people who watch the British dramas are like what's going on here, but now it is.
You know we.
We do surveys.
Sports is a beloved programming that we do, even the people that that put number one choice.
You know mysteries and and comedies will put sports as their number two priority on this on the channel, so it's really resonated across the state.
And because we're a statewide network, we go everywhere free, right?
So in the past that the coverage for the championship games has not been universal in the state, right?
But with our broadcast coverage statewide, we're able to do that.
And that means that grandma and grandpa and and you know, they get the family extended family.
That can't make it to the stadium at War Memorial.
They can watch the game at home and engage with the with all the other fans.
We have to acknowledge to you guys are putting out a great product.
This is not some halfway attempt in pulling off these this coverage.
It's his top class coverage.
Thank you for saying that.
I mean, you know coming from you, that's a big compliment.
We have just a tremendous you know creative team here that does that.
And we're very proud of our partners.
AAA R Co production partners.
Eminem and you know talent like Cube as you come in here you help us out every year to put a first quality product out there and we take it seriously.
Listen, I'm I'm from Los Angeles II.
Love sports.
I want you know I want us to.
I want us to be proud of our of our broadcast.
Well, can we expect anything in the future?
More coverage, the same coverage and what's what's the future for sport?
So listen?
Last year we took on softball and baseball for the first time and it was really well received.
So we're just trying to elevate our game and and the other thing we do is these sports stories that we run here in the halftime show, you know, listen, this is this is uniquely Arkansas.
Where are we see ourselves as Arkansas storytellers and these stories some of them Emmy Award winning.
We want we want some Emmys for some of these stories.
You know that that really bring home the student athlete experience?
And the whole community around sports.
It's not just the game on the field, it is the the bands of the cheerleaders and the whole community engagement.
I mean, these stories are really make the sports come alive.
You have real quick.
Do you have a favorite of all the sports that you enjoy watching?
Oh geez, I'm a I'm a basketball fan.
So so I'm I'm always willing, I'm I'm I'm I listen I'm in the truck you know with the team putting on these broadcasts myself so I'm I'm hands on well listen and we appreciate your leadership when the great job that Arkansas PBS.
Is done and I think it's a great fit and you know, as an audience member, I appreciate the fact you guys are teaming up with the Arkansas Activities Association and sharing not just a sport as you mentioned, but the inspiring sports stories with the station statewide audience.
But now we need to take a look at a dose of inspiration in a title run that happened 30 years ago.
It's the tell of a 1991 University of Central Arkansas Bears who took a 6/2 and two record into the NAI playoffs and found glory on a cold December day.
Here's their story.
We actually got embarrassed our first two games.
There's a lot of people down on us.
There's a lot of people that didn't think this team was going to be very good.
You know at one point we were two, two and two.
I mean, who does that?
I don't think anyone gave us a chance and sometimes I don't know if I gave us a chance.
Be honest with you.
We just kind of kept getting a little better every ball game.
We got all to slow start out of the gates and we rolled two and one.
It was highly disappointing.
We had time they transferred, felt like was going to be our quarterback.
He got hurt so went to freshman quarterback Ken columns can columns quarterback.
From Vernon, TX.
In column this skinny kid, he was a true freshman.
I'll put it to you like this the day where the picture guy comes in for team pictures.
I didn't even get a picture made.
My mom got mad at me.
It's but it's like I'm not going to play this year so I don't know.
I'll get a picture of when I'm playing and he was just an outstanding athlete.
A better quarterback football player than we anticipated.
Probably game four.
Played about half of that game.
We ended up winning and and after that coach.
Awesome said hey, you know I'm.
I'm bout to play this rookie so everybody get behind him the confidence that he had in his decision was very impressive to me.
It's because this was his second year as a head coach and I'm, you know, putting my paycheck in a rookie's hand, he ran the offense.
He didn't make mistakes and then we had the two great running backs and Aaron Bobo and Jose Knowlton.
Then you have a guy like Tyree Davis.
It doesn't drop things, he punt returns, he does it all for the teams.
We had a great defense and we had a great running game and you get in a groove.
And you start playing well and you start looking around going alright.
We got a real shot at this.
We felt fortunate to get into the playoffs.
We got into the playoffs as the number eight seed and we're playing the number one seed and they were number one team this country and didn't have much trouble with.
These are powerful opponents in the quarterfinals and semifinals, but we didn't know what to expect out of Central State other than they've just traditionally been very good.
We we were definitely the underdogs.
Central State, Ohio had hundred players on their team, all on scholarship, and we had 35 scholarships.
They had played for the national championship two years previous and they had won the two previous games.
Then it started snowing during the first half.
It's a full on Blizzard type situation.
We actually ran a play where you know I faked it to faked it to Jose.
I kind of stuck it on my hip, but we had white jerseys and I I can't help but think that that helped a little bit not stuck in the corner of the end zone playing in snow as far South as we are is not very common.
It didn't melt all but that was an interesting situation for our players.
We're ahead at halftime.
We just tried to encourage them to done to not get down to something bad happened, and the closest they got it was was that I score it on just previous to last drive and it was 16 to 16.
We were thinking like is this going to happen again in the 80s.
We ended up going to the national championship game twice.
We tide both both ball games and we did not want to tie this game.
We wanted to be outright national champions with everything that we had been through.
You're looking around going.
Let's get this thing done.
Everybody was calm, everybody was confident and we just did our thing.
You know you throw a pass to Tyree here.
You rattle off a big run.
By Jose.
You sneak it for a fourth and one and you look up and and you're in the red zone and the Steve Strange is running out there.
They've had plenty of confidence.
I felt comfortable whether he had a heart leg or not.
The first half tore my quad on my ticking foot.
It was throbbing.
There was a shooting pain.
It was miserable.
It was cold.
Blowing 25 to 30 miles an hour.
My leg hurt.
It'll be with the Broadway League Jose 22 yard field goal attempt strain Senior Center.
This is my last kick that was my last kid.
Oh yeah, I was is static.
No question about it.
That was exhilarating.
It was awesome.
Football just brings people together that team all year long was to get the reunion.
It's about the only time I get to Sam is if we have a reunion.
Yet I gotta look close and 'cause I'm Gray and they're Gray and some of them will have her and we all look different, but it's just truly cool when you go through something like that.
Just like anything in life that stirs your heart, you remember?
The people that stuck with you will always have a relationship and we may not talk every week, but it's.
But when you see him the the first thing you wanna do is hug him.
Everybody loves a national chance.
30 years old and now three decades later, the 1991 UCA bears remain the only Arkansas college football team to claim an undisputed national championship.
OK, let's meet another standout student athlete.
We sent our Jayhawk to catch up with West Boudreaux, a rising star from the Conway Wampus Cats.
Well West, you know it's been a remarkable season for Conway.
It really.
This is the first time I've been able to come down to Conway and see the facilities that were in how much preparation and how much does that help you in this team?
Really get ready for a football game knowing that if you got bad weather you got you guys have somewhere to go like this to go.
It's really great.
You know, having such a nice facility.
So when there's like rainy weather or too hot we can come in here.
So having a place to practice, even in bad weather conditions I think gives us a good.
Advantage and a good privilege at some schools.
Don't have football started for you at the age of 6, I mean Europe.
While playing flag football with the Optimist League or whoever it may have been.
Yeah, what have you learned over that time?
The biggest thing that I've learned probably has been a good work ethic because you you have to.
You have to put in a lot of work while you're here and with the team.
But then if you really want to be great at something, I think you have to be able to do work outside of the stuff that you do while you're here.
And so I think that determination in that work ethic was really instilled by the coaches.
And by my peers, especially to the competition, was told to me that your mom.
She also instilled that worth at work ethic.
What's your mom mean to you?
As far as you know, thinking about what she's talked to you as far as what you need to do outside of football to get that work ethic.
She's an extremely hard working woman, and she's done a great job providing for me and my brother and raising us on her own.
Seeing her do that and just seeing like the drive that she has every day to get up and do those things has really inspired me and instilled in me.
Good work, I think.
I think life after football you know that's when the work starts.
You know what do you?
What do you want to do when you get get done?
Playing high school football?
Going on to college?
What do you want to do?
Yeah, well I'm trying to go to an engineering college to go into either aerospace engineering or astrophysics or something like that where you want stay in state or do you want to go?
Do you want to start here and then move out?
What do you wanna do?
I'm trying to go out of state so I've applied to Columbia, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, just some big schools.
You have a 32A CTA, 4.1 GPA, First off.
When I was at school, you can only get to four or like you can't.
You couldn't go 4.1 your 4.1.
I mean you've got to be top of your class right now, right?
I think I'm up there pretty close.
What's that mean?
I mean to not only be a leader on this football team, but to be a leader in the classroom?
That's gotta be pretty special.
I I try not really to think about it too much 'cause I don't really like to toot my own horn, but I kind of just put my head down and do my work and take care of my business.
Well, thanks so much for the time.
I'd say I'm really looking forward to seeing what you grow into, what your life.
Takes you on when you become an adult.
So best of luck and will hopefully soon.
That's it for the cemetery halftime show.
Remember, you can keep up with what's happening at Arkansas PBS by signing up at myarpbs.org backslash sign up.
I'm David basil.
Let's get you back to War Memorial Stadium for the second half of the 7-8 championship on your home for the high school football state finals, Arkansas PBS.
The electric cooperatives of Arkansas over 2500 team members across 17 local electric distribution co-ops powering homes, farms and industries somewhere across Arkansas.
We are the electric cooperatives of Arkansas power and people.
We are at the half where Bryant, they lead Fayetteville by 114 to 13 here at the seven Day State Championship.
I Mark Jayhawk alongside Bobby Swofford and Bobby.
You know if the first half was any indication of what the second half is going to be like.
We're in for a good one I. I thought we, we expect that this was going to be a good contest.
We knew they're the two best teams in seven a.
They've been ripped, essentially number one and two, or at least in some former fashion.
For most of the year.
And they're playing like it.
The defenses have certainly showed up.
The offense is what we're going to see in the second half.
Who makes the halftime adjustment Fayetteville going to get the football to start this half?
They've got a chance to continue that 13.
Oh, run there on, take their first lead and you never know what's going to happen to faithful grabs the lead.
How does the other guys across the way respond?
Because they haven't been behind in the second half many times?
If all season long?
Well, let's take a look at the first half highlights and and really, the highlights are the the Fayetteville defense they have been playing outstanding, but there's a run by Gannaway that you know if you look at any bright spots on this offense for Bryant, it's been.
Ganaway he's done outstanding and then fight.
He's been just trying to make plays downfield, but that Brian Defense got three interceptions there in the first half, including this PIC 6 right here.
And really, outside of you know them playing good offensively.
The Bryant defense with their three interceptions.
That's the difference in the ball gets 100% the difference in the game 'cause you think about the interceptions where they happened.
One happened in the end zone, one happened at the three yard line, so that's 14 points taken off the board because of the Bryant defense making plays.
Fable could has to feel pretty good about themselves about their office, but they gotta stop the turnovers.
Hey, let's sit down in the field and check in with Kyle Sutherland.
He's with Fayetteville head coach Casey **** coach Blades done, some really good things on offense, but Brian's done a pretty good job against him and for the most part.
And So what do you guys have to do to stay consistent on offense?
I think you look at the first half.
We could just make the routine plays.
You know we're in a lot better situation, just not extraordinary plays, just the easy ones that we make every single day in practice.
And then we made all year and our defense has played great like they have all year and put us in position.
Just go on.
Have a great second half.
Thanks Coach, thank you, thank you Kyle as.
Fayetteville has made their way back onto the playing service here at War Memorial Stadium.
As we are just about setting ready to go for second half action and Bobby, you know we went over some of the numbers.
For the first half of this ball game, and you know time of possession is pretty much equal.
1311 for Bryant 1049 for Fayetteville total offense in this game.
Bryant 31 plays 149 yards Fayetteville, 34 plays 154 yards.
Give me some keys to the game for the second half for both these teams.
Will start with Flynn.
I think Casey **** just hit the nail on the head.
I'm gonna grant he's the head coach he knows about his football team, but if they make the routine plays don't try to do too much.
You've got yourself a big lead.
Right now it's just trying to do too much, trying to force the football into tight windows type cover.
Just throw the ball away and live to fight another down.
That's what Fayetteville has to do on the other side for Bryant's, I think they're facing a defense that they probably haven't faced a lot this year.
A team that's getting pressure with just the front three without having to bring extra blitzers.
And from the linebacker or the secondary.
So try to establish their own take advantage of the light hat counts in the tackle box.
That means only three down lineman.
A lot of times Fayetteville is only going one linebacker in the middle of the field.
Make them stop you.
Time and time again in the box run Gannaway and if they shut you down there then you've got to try to go with option number two.
Well, both teams have made their way back onto the playing surface.
There, Derek during that three minute warm up time to get all stretched down after the bands that had played here at the stadium.
Bobby one thing that we talked about earlier in the ball game was the size of the crowd.
A good contingent of Fayetteville fans have made their way here to the capital city.
Bryant, of course, has got a huge crowd on the visitors side, but we're going to have a really, really.
Oh good attended ball game.
I'll be interested to see what that number looks like after this game.
Yeah, the rain and the cloud cover from earlier in the day probably scared some fans away from coming out there watching at home in Arkansas.
PBS shout out to you guys at home watching.
But I mean this is what you want.
The the weather is perfect tonight.
You know if the sun was out there wouldn't be a cloud in the sky.
There's not a whole lot of wins and they're watching two really good football teams.
Just go blow for blow.
Duke it out.
Fayetteville took the early punch.
They got knocked down.
They got back up.
Now they've knocked Bryant down.
How did the Hornets respond?
I'm really pumped about this final 24 minutes because I think we're in for a good one for the remainder.
By the way, you talk about folks watching back at home.
I just got a text from my wife and my little girl Addison, is watching Arkansas PBS bank at home.
So remember, if you are, if you're watching the game, want to interact, hit us up on Twitter throughout the ball game and interact with us as this game goes on.
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For this game at home, while you're watching the game on Arkansas PBS Sports, there's bug James, the head football coach for the Brian Hornets, making his way out.
He was not a happy camper as he talked to Kyle Sutherland as he went to the break.
Yeah, that's what happens when you play good football team and that means you're not playing as well as you'd like.
I mean, you know, in Buck James is not a guy to hide his emotions.
I mean, he went in there and I guarantee you, he told the guys exactly what he told Kyle inside.
Like.
Look guys, we're not playing very well, they're outplaying us.
We're lucky to have A one point lead.
There's head coach Casey **** for Fayetteville is.
He's got his purple dogs back on the sideline, you know, really for Casey **** ** his third year's got, he's 20 and 14.
Is the Fayetteville head coach in in three seasons.
And you know, a lot of people moving on from Darrell Patton was tough for a lot of people because this is the success that he had, but case has done a good job with his favorite team.
Why?
What cases brought to the Fayetteville football program instability?
You mentioned Darrell Patton, but they had a couple coaches after that.
They went to one year with Bill Blankenship, who want to state championship.
Then he left and Billie Dawson came in.
And so Fayetteville is just glad they've got a coach in place.
Is now he's got the foundation built the last couple of years there about a 500 team.
There's no way to easy way to put it.
But now they've got the momentum rolling.
They've got to the system and play.
These guys have been in this offense for a couple years.
They've been in the defense for a couple of years.
It's a very senior, heavy team.
They knew their window was to win this year, and now they're just 24 minutes away, and they've got a chance to do it.
OK, we're just about set and ready to go as.
Fayetteville is going to receive the kick here in the second half.
Back deep for Fayetteville.
You've got Isaiah's attainia as well as drove Ryan Maxwell.
But again, this second half, malachite green will kick off for Brian.
And basically the white towels for Fayetteville are.
It's almost like the the Pittsburgh Steelers they're rolling right now here on the home side, everybody on the bright side standing up and we're just about set for second half action as the kick is in the air and it's going to be taken down at the 10 yard line.
Took a weird balance and Maxwell goes out of bounds as he was hit right there at the sideline.
It'll be first and 10 for Fayetteville.
There's an odd rotation coming off the foot there, and you mentioned the odd bounce.
It takes a direct.
Right turn in favor.
Lucky to get all that loose football and now they're gonna start this drive inside their own 20 and we'll see what adjustments these two squads have made had to break.
You gotta believe number 1 #2 for Fayetteville state Enian Blackburn gonna be at the forefront of anything that the purple dogs trying to do offensively.
Bladen Fike 7 of 24136 yards, two touchdowns, 3 interceptions in the first half brings his purple dogs onto the field with three wide to the near side Fike.
Gonna look to throw.
Going left side has his wide receivers attainia at the 31 yard line.
He's able to get 2 feet in.
Got the NFL catch in and went out of bounds.
What that?
Looks like he got to sit sit up like he's going to run deep and also he just stops in the balls already there and nice back shoulder throw.
It's a great angle at it.
Makes the catch but two feet down and it's moving the chains.
First, in 10, they're going to hand it off as pinyo is going to get about a yard on the play and then I'll bring up second down.
That's all you want to do.
If your favor, you gotta keep him honest, you know eventually you feel like you might pop one here or there, but they're not going to try to routinely or consistently run the football.
There's going to try to keep him honest.
Keep those safeties from you, know, from dropping back too much, and maybe you do eventually pop on second down and 10 Fike drops back.
Looks to throw going across the middle finds Attainia.
Past the 50, he's off to the races at the 3025 and he's taken down down the 19 yard line.
That's why he's so dangerous in a late flag.
I think they may get a horse collar tackle, but really, really good.
Throw a strong throw right in the middle instantanea feeling it already in this second half.
We're going to get a penalty.
Down at the 19, let's find out what is the end of the play here.
So Tanias signaled first down.
Here comes the call.
Personal file horse collar tackle on the defense half the distance to the goal.
First down, that is a big penalty against the Bryant Hornets, as that's going to take him half the distance to the goal.
And now that sets Fayetteville up big time on their first drive here in the second half.
This is a chance for Bladen fight to to make up for those first two mistakes in the red zone.
Just make the simple play.
They'll turn the football over.
You got a chance to put your team up front like looks to throw fines tytania down at the two yard line.
He dives for the end zone.
Balls on the turf is picked up by Brian and it goes out of bounds.
Brain gets another turnover in the red zone.
Fayetteville is a shooting every told they have off three turnovers now in the red zone set a new was just trying to do a little too much.
He was fighting for that goal line.
Here's a check.
A look at the replay.
This loses possession of the football.
You can see it comes out right there.
Definitely balls out.
Recovered by Bryant, a couple different players and #30 eventually comes out of the pile with Drake, Fowler and.
The Hornets defense ever so opportunistic and turnovers are just killing Fayetteville.
The Red Zone defense for the Hornets has been exceptional tonight.
So now Brian comes out Carson Burnett in the shotgun.
Can I give it off to Gannaway Gannaway with some running lanes?
He's off to the races at the thirty 3540, still going midfield.
40 has one man to beat as he causes the 30 yard line down to the 2015 and he's caught up and take it out of bounds down the 8 yard line.
What a big time.
Run by Gannaway this how quickly momentum changes you feel like you're about to score touchdown.
You've turned the football over and Gannaway breaks a big long one is available.
Defensive lineman is down behind the play, but that was just wide open right up the middle.
It's exactly what I talked about.
RG established the run game with Gannaway one place not going to establish it, but that's a pretty good start and we've got a Fayetteville player down all the way back at the 9 yard line on the other end of the field.
Looks like he may be cramping.
You know.
One thing Bobby that we haven't really talked about this weekend.
It's unseasonably warm here at the stadium as the temperatures are up in the upper 50s.
Low 60s and you know, you seem stretched out there like he like.
He's stretching out a cramp, but you haven't seen a lot of cramps this weekend, so we have it under the weather.
You know, at this point in the season, you shouldn't be granted.
You should be in shape.
You shouldn't have to worry about it and see if he's able to get up and walk off his own power.
But what a big run by Gannaway he goes.
From his own 8 to the 7th, you know you think about the the big time superstars on both these teams with set Anium and his speed, but Gannaway showed a heck of a lot of speed right there.
Yeah yeah it was wide open and.
It's a big big run, and now Brian's got a chance to take a stranglehold on the momentum.
So Burnett in the shotgun he's got James Martin to his left.
And now we've got a whistle and a penalty flag.
Bad ball balls start on the offense.
5 yard penalty first down.
Let's go deeper.
85 yard run by Gannaway took me a minute to do some math they they took him out of the out of the game 'cause he was winded that catch his breath.
Now here's Burnett gives it all to Martin Stretch.
Playwright sign he's at the 10/5 dives touchdown, Bryant.
Martin, with the effort there it is stretches it out.
Trust his blocker, and finally turns upfield and he works for the goal line and finally gets the call from the far official and the Hornets take advantage of yet another Fayetteville turnover.
It took a minute to to see if the touchdown came the the side official.
He had a look at it and.
He was able to finally get in for the touchdown after he dove for the for the line.
And now on to kick is going to be Stephen Fuller.
He's perfect on the year, by the way, Bobby, as now looks like we're going to have a review by the.
By the replay booth and you know one thing they they, the officials kind of paused for a minute prior to the touchdown because I think they were also thinking was his leg down prior to stretching out for that touchdown.
Will find out here in a moment and So what they're looking for is to see if any part of the football touches the white line of the goal line.
It doesn't have to get completely across as long as that football touches the white line, it's the touchdown would stand.
Not gonna be able to see it from that angle.
Good blocking downfield from his receivers.
I don't think you're going to see a leg down, and if his elbows down that's not considered down elbow is down.
I mean the forearm though warmers down as well.
After review, the call stands on the field touchdown really not because it was.
His form was down right there at the at the beginning, and so they they claim that it's a touchdown.
So the Hornets get the touchdown verbiage is big.
There is the as the call stands they.
Because the way that his forearm was down just right before the goal line on that one on the one replay.
Fuller's extra point is up and it is good and just like that.
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By the way, that last drive two plays 91 yards in 16 seconds efficient right now?
Yes it is.
Now here comes Fayetteville with the football is Maxwell's got it?
Maxwell, he's gotta run away now past the 4045 and he's taken down at the 49 yard line.
That's what you need is a spark.
The offense is turning the football over a couple of times you give up a big play defensively.
Now this special teams gives you a spark.
There's a lot of time left.
We've still got more than 10 minutes left in the 3rd court and I felt like we've seen everything we could possibly see in the second half.
Yeah, we've seen more action in the second half so far.
Then we did all the first half a buckle up we're in for a treat.
The rest of the night and we're nowhere near finished.
So now three wide receivers go to the top side of the Fayetteville offense, as Fike is in the shotgun, Espino to his right.
He's gonna look to throw and he's got a receiver right side this Blackburn and he'll walk out of bounds just past the 40 yard line.
And that'll be a first down.
It's a perfect throw, a bit of a dangerous throw.
His two defenders were near him at Blackburn, able to make the catch on the sideline.
And that's where you can see the armed out of fight and he's got a cannon he could handle it could maybe trust it a little too much, but that time he rifles it in there and Blackburn makes the play.
Fyke takes the shotgun snap pump fakes left.
Looking to throw.
And he'll swing it left side to sustain Ian Tanias little bit about it out of his reach and so that'll bring up second down at little behind him.
But I like the decision there.
He had a couple of receivers running downfield.
He didn't try to force it into any tight windows, just tried to dump it out to say Tanya would have been a short gain or the the ball was a little behind his intended target, but not a bad decision.
You can live with that if you're faithful.
So second down in 10.
Ball at the 40 yard line.
Frank gonna look to throw goes with a fade route to Blackburn right side and just overthrows him and so now that's third down.
Trying to push push the defense pushed the ball down the field.
Blackburn had a step on the secondary, but too far out in front.
Now it's third down.
We've seen this.
This is kind of the Benmore fables kind of ran into some trouble right here.
Bout between the 50 and 30 yard line and going in, they faced numerous third downs have been bailed out a couple times because of a defensive penalty and see what happens here on this third down attempt.
Third down and 10 is set.
Enian Blackburn are set on the left side of the offense.
Fight looking to throw across the middle has continued down the 20 yard line that is a big time catch by division wide receiver in Malachi.
Graham is going stride for stride with him.
Pretty good coverage for Bryant but a good throw.
It is an even better play on the football for SAT and he goes up and gets in the purple dogs back in the red zone.
Three wide to the left side.
Fight looking to throw going right and he throws it right at the feet.
Love his running back.
Christian sets are tried to set up the screen there.
Bryant sniffed it out, there was nothing happening there just had to bury the football.
So second down in 10.
I've got a one score game between Fayetteville and Bryant in the seven A state championship game.
Here's fight.
Going towards the end zone and overthrows his intended target, Hayes Robinson.
Then again, they faked the tunnel screen and try to get the wheel route going up the outside.
Pretty good coverage that'll take the perfect throw in that far.
Just two out in front of his target.
Now it's another third down for Fayetteville.
You know Fayetteville has done a really good job in between the 20s.
Today it's just anytime they've gotten inside the 20.
It's been a struggle.
Here comes fight now steps up in the pocket gonna look to run.
He crosses the tin and gets the first down as he's going to be taken down at the 7th.
That's a great job.
I fiki saw the late pressure fail or excuse me Bryant brought a delayed blitz with the middle linebacker and that just opened up the middle of the field.
Fike steps up, sees the open window and steps through it.
Now his first and goal.
I know you've got first and goal with the ball at the 7 yard line.
Fight going to fake the handoff.
Gonna look to keep himself rolls right and he'll be bottled up back at the 11 yard line.
That's another one where he's gotta learn to throw it away.
If you're fight one.
Also, if you're going to try to run a tuck that football, it's out there flopping around in your right hand.
Could easily been knocked away.
So second down, now ball at the 11 yard line.
I keep thinking that Fable.
Maybe you're on a speed sweep trying to get sustained to go into the outside, but Bryant's walking their outside linebackers up outside of the tackles and really taking away anything of that nature out of the equation.
Here comes fight thrown a fade route left side and he overthrows 2 Brian defenders.
There was no faible purple dog in the end zone on that pass.
I guess there's a little bit of miscommunication there because there was not a Fayetteville player going for the corner of the end zone fight threw it up and lucky that one falls incomplete.
Third down, probably four down territory.
The only field goal Fayetteville kicked all season was last week against Conway in the semifinals that won the game for him.
Here's fight looking to throw, and it's incomplete.
There's a yellow hanky down though in the end zone.
I think they're gonna get ahold again on gram grams.
Played pretty well coverage wise, but he's not afraid to get his hands on a receiver.
And I think they're going to flag him for a hold.
That flag definitely came out.
Howling on the defense half the distance to the goal.
Third down looks like came out before the ball got there.
So not a first down like it is in the pro game.
Fayetteville gets another shot, this time from the five.
So third down and goal.
Ball in the five yard line.
Spread them out a near the slot on the left side.
Fight gonna look at those across the middle and it's incomplete.
It was tipped at the line.
Tried some shallow crossers.
There were Fayetteville, but Bryant did a nice job.
If you don't get home as a defensive lineman, they teach you to get your hands up.
They get him in the passing lanes and deflect that one.
Looks like fable.
Gonna try it on the field goal squad.
99 TJ Lindsey got a big pool on it so on to kick for Fayetteville.
Is Jalen Blackburn?
Kick is on the way and it is good.
So Fayetteville they draw within five with 818 to play here in the third quarter, got a lot of ball game left here at War Memorial Stadium.
Let's head down the sideline and check in with Kyle Sutherland.
Just like Bobby said, if you if you give Bryant the opportunity, they're definitely gonna make you pay and that's what happened on that last offensive drive.
For them, a scoring in two plays and then Fayetteville.
Though you certainly can't count them out, they got the points here and as they've done all postseason, won't quit and they'll continue to come back.
Or at least that's what you would expect.
Thank you Kyle as.
You know they at least they got points out that Dr. Balmy compared to the last couple that they've had down in the red zone where they had a turnover and you got it.
That would give the Fayetteville Purple Dogs a little bit of confidence moving forward that when they get down there they they can at least rely on Blackburn kicked field goal.
Yeah well, if your favor, though, you've got to take advantage of these red zone opportunities.
I mean, you look at the numbers there, oh, of three as far as scoring touchdowns when they get in the redzone their their touchdowns have been from outside of the scoring area and we've got to find a way to.
Put the ball in the end zone and that that's the big thing is you take the simple play.
You don't turn the ball over there, so yes, she got a kudos for that, but you gotta find a way to get sick because you're not going to be the team as good as Bryant settling for field goals.
Here's the kick.
As it's taken in the end zone for a touchback, and so Bryant will get it at the 20 yard line first and 10.
So I go to the ground game on their first possession of this drive, and I think if you're buck James I would lean on that.
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So Brian is going to come back out.
With two wide on either side of the formation.
Burnett gonna hand it off to Martin and Martin is going to dive forward out to the 25 yard line.
It's gonna pick up five yards on it to bring up second down.
Ross Garner wraps him up, but initial hit not able to take him down.
As you mentioned RJ, he's able to fall forward.
Lunge forward and and pick up five.
Singleton comes in motion from left to right.
They handed off to Martin.
He's bottled up in the backfield and he's just dragging players, but he'll be taken down for a big loss.
Nice job by Fayetteville.
Will Stoke and Barry able to finally corralling down as as much as the second effort got him extra yards on the previous carry that time.
The second effort cost him a few more yards.
He's dropped for a 7 yard loss.
So that brings up third down and 12 for Bryant with the ball in the 18 yard line.
Three wide receivers on the top side of the formation.
Burnett gonna look to throw has to scramble.
Eludes convertible purple dogs finds a man and that time able to hook up with his wide receiver Jordan Knox.
But it's gonna be well short of the line to gain and that will bring up fourth down.
That's a really good job all the way around, on both sides of the football.
RJ you follow the scramble rules, the receivers come back for Bryant and give your quarterback a window, but Fayetteville doesn't breakdown, and a nice open field tackle.
Thereby Tyreek Scott and short of the chains by about four and a half yards in Fayetteville looks like they're gonna get the football back.
Maybe with another chance to take a lead.
Malachi Graham on to punt for Bryant as he'll put a foot into it and it will hit at the 34 yard line and be taken by Fayetteville has coming up with it for the Purple Dogs is going to be Ryan Maxwell and he'll take it all the way out to the 34 yard line.
This is Fayetteville's defense has come to play the game of the big play.
You wipe that clean but nice bounce back drive for that Fayetteville D and now you've got a chance to give your offense another opportunity.
To go down and see if they can put some points on the board and maybe take advantage of a drive that gets to the red zone.
But of course we've got to start to drive first.
First attempt at low.
Purple dogs down by five with 621 to play here in the third quarter.
Ball at the 34 yard line.
Press coverage on the outside by Brian is they're going to hand it off to Espino.
Espino.
He's got a running lane crosses the 15th of 40.
He's finally taken down back at the 38 yard line.
It's the one of the show me runs you're hoping to pick up two or three yards and eventually you're going to pop one.
Bryant spread the defense there with the offensive receivers.
The outside the old Countertrade pulled the backside guard and tackle a great kickoff block there by 70 Colin Rd, Raeford and Fayetteville's on the move already, here's.
Fight.
In the lane penalty flag downhill slide down.
It'll be a loss of about four on the play, but we've got a penalty flag down at the 43 yard line.
Third time, we've seen a fayville offensive lineman.
Lose a helmet blood to see if maybe that was illegal.
Hands to the face.
Yep, it's going to be a personal foul hands to the face on the defense 15 yard penalty first down.
Never big penalty against the Bryant Hornets.
We saw it on the last drive for Fayetteville.
They got a big penalty on a hold and they get another one right here that was Rayford, who had his helmet knocked off, made the nice block on the previous play.
Now here's fight looking to throw.
Goes across the middle.
Has a man down to the 10 yard line.
The ARM talent is there for fight and he does rears up and throws a missile to lack McKinney coming across the middle of sophomore makes the catch and this is that critical spot on the field.
RJ first and goal.
Can Fayetteville finally take advantage and put it into Peter 535 and counting.
Fight gonna hand it off to Espino and he's met the backfield.
54 for Prime 7.
None of that will Diggins.
Gobbles up the the rusher and slams him down for a 2 yard loss.
Second and goal from that.
Well, it's second down and goal.
Now for Fayetteville.
Last trip down here, they had to kick a field goal.
Fight takes the shotgun.
Snap goes to look for the end zone to Blackburn and he goes out of bounds.
He caught it, but he went out of bounds and his third down it just didn't have enough room on that near sideline.
You got to kind of set your defensive back up and give your quarterback space along that sideline to make a play.
Great throw tried to drop in the bucket just a little too far out in front and Blackburn could get to down.
So third and goal now for Fayetteville.
The ball sitting at the 12 yard line.
Espinos it off to the right of fight.
Fight gonna look now scramble runs right.
The middle alludes one defender and he's knocked down back at the 10 yard line.
Thought he might have had some running room there, but the Bryant defense closes quickly.
It looks like the filgo unit coming back on.
The Bryant defense in the redzone has been really, really good today.
I mean, I'm not sure they could be any better, no, but honestly it forced 3 turnovers in the redzone now holding Fayetteville to a second field goal attempt on the kick.
Locked it is they they catch on.
They've got it off the block is it's all the way back in the 40 yard line learner try to scoop it up and take it to the house.
Running down the 30, it's gonna be a scoop and score.
Taking it in his Malachi Graham.
He's gonna go in for the touchdown.
Brian ordered touchdown.
The Hornets have made the big plays, make one on offense.
They've made one on defense and now on special teams, as 22 essentially comes in almost untouched.
Trailing rust not only blocks the field goal, but he swats it back.
The other direction allows gram time to go pick it up.
He outruns the Fayetteville Special teams unit.
And just like that Fable, can't take advantage of the red zone opportunity and the Hornet sport points on the board.
Stephen Fuller on for the extra point.
It's up and it's good and.
Just like that, the Bryant Hornets.
They lead it 28 to 16 over fairville.
They're not doing it offensively, Bobby.
They're doing it through special teams and defense.
It's the red zone.
Fayetteville been moving the football.
They had over 300 yards of total offense in this game, but they're not able to finish these drives off.
And I know I sound like a broken record saying it over and over, but it keeps happening and that's the one thing that fables gotta be able to do, and Bryant's bending.
But they're not breaking, and that's why they've got a 12 point lead.
And going back I would hopefully.
Our truck and go back and show us the replay of that block kick and I mean he literally just split the two defenders almost untouched.
Here's that replay.
You look 22 right?
There splits both defenders and gets it just a clear shot.
Took it off the face mask actually and got the block.
But boy, you're not going to be.
You're not gonna get a much easier path to the football than going straight up the middle like that.
And it's it's tough for kicker to get any kind of confidence.
Any kind of momentum when you hit a player.
Right in the face with it.
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Three more title games next weekend.
Good matchups it's been high.
After watching some of those semifinal games last night, there's gonna be some great games next weekend as well.
Hello, when Robinson in the finals again in the four a game.
At four guys in McCrory in the two a game, here's a kickoff as it's going to be taken by Maxwell at the six yard line.
Maxwell, across the 25, and he's taken down at the 27.
But we've got a yellow penalty flag in all the way back at the 29 yard line.
Personal foul face mask on the kicking team.
15 yard penalty.
First down.
The penalties is about the only knock on Bryant's.
I mean it's the 8th penalty now for 86 yards compared to this one infraction on Fayetteville for five yards.
The total yards is going fayetteville's way.
The penalties are going their way.
Points not so much because they're not able to capitalize and finish drives.
So it's first and ten with the ball at the 38 yard line for fayetteville's blatant fight is back in the shotgun.
Fight, gotta go with a big ball and just overshoots his intended target that time as he was trying to hook up with his wide receiver McKinney.
He had him open.
Could not drop it in there for the rifle in there.
Maybe put a little touch on that and allow McKinney to run underneath it.
So that brings up second down in 10.
Fight.
Looking across the middle now gonna scramble.
Going to be brought down after a not a 2 yard gain.
And so that's going to bring up third down.
Great job by 51 to closeout.
Get back in the rush lane.
Tyler Mosley seeing there it reaches out, grabs the jersey and able to takedown the quarterback.
It looked like he had a little running room right up the middle.
Lovely gets up on Feigen.
It will take him down 3rd down and 9.
Empty backfield, 5 wide receivers in the formation.
Fight.
Gonna step up, looks to throw, has a man enough for the first down that's attainia and he'll get it out past the 45 to the 44.
So nice job on the offensive front for Fayetteville.
Gives Fike enough time to step up in the pocket and allows just enough to get that out.
Breaking route, make the catch and get across midfield.
So now a new set of downs for Fayetteville.
As the balls at the 44 yard line 255 in county.
Here in the third quarter fight.
Looks to throw again, finds Attainia again, and he's wrestled down at the 38 yard line.
Quick hitch routes picks up 6 yards for Fayetteville get you ahead of the chains on 1st down.
Chance to get the offense a little flow going.
Cool.
Second down.
Ball at the 38.
Fight three step drop now rolls left.
Gonna take it himself going to get to the first down marker, then be driven out of bounds.
And it'll be a first down for Fayetteville.
It's a big hit on your quarterback that you don't want him to take.
You'd like to see him just step out of bounds after he picks up first down yardage.
Who's driven to the turf by one of those big defensive lineman for Brian who showed good hustle to chase down the play even though he rolled out of the pocket.
So first and 10 for Fayetteville with the ball at the 32 yard line.
Espino to the right of fight.
Looking to throw.
Has a man left side, walks it in for the touchdown.
That time for Fayetteville.
It was McKinney who was able to walk in the end zone for the touchdown that great throw their Beyblade and flag.
Just a poster out.
He had inside position McKinney able to make the catch.
Makes a man missing.
Famous offense gets in rhythm, gets in the end zone.
Little behind his his intended target, McKinney makes a nice adjustment on it, finishes it off of the score back and forth.
We go in this 7A state championship game.
As coming on to kick the extra point as Jalen Blackburn.
Snaps hold kicks up and it's good.
So it's 2823 with under 2 minutes to play here in the third quarter.
And we've got a heck of a ball game.
You know, we talked about it on the onset of the second half that.
You know you better you better buckle up because this was gonna be a track meet and if you're famous defense you've got to feel pretty good about yourself.
You've only given up 14 points.
Bryant scored on defense, they've scored on special teams and still just go out and continue to do what you do.
But Brian started to have some success running the football and the numbers are numbers are actually going to be pretty skewed.
They've got 161 yards on the ground but or 85 or 87 of that came on one play for Gannaway.
Now they got a chance to answer back and this is.
Kind of what we expected to see, or maybe a higher scoring affair.
Distes teams going back and forth trading scores that drive for Fayetteville 6 plays 58 yards.
It took two minutes and eight seconds.
Give a big shout out to Ashley Media.
They've helped us get the word out about the state football championships.
Of course we appreciate their support.
So here's the kick.
As it's an end over end kick that'll carry.
Jordan Knox into the end zone and so Bryant will get it first and ten from the 20 yard line.
Let's check in with Kyle Sutherland and Chicken on the pulse on the field.
Kyle fellas, you could pretty much compare Fayetteville to Happy Gilmore.
Right now they're scoring better on the long drives as opposed to getting in the red zone.
And like Bobby said, it's pretty much like a wall right there, but they continue to fight and they're continuing to come back.
But it's it's just a complete roller coaster and that's kind of how it's been on both sides.
Basically, you hear a lot of cheering on one and then the other and.
So a lot of fireworks right now, so if you take if your first and goal do you take two to two delay a game so you get out of the red?
Man comes in motion that Singleton, and now we've got a whistle and a penalty flag.
Bad ball false start on the offense.
5 yard penalty first down penalties are really racking up against Bryant.
That's the ninth penalty for Bryant for 91 yards.
We saw.
Is it El Dorado had 14 penalties and this the game earlier today found a way to get it done?
Generally, if you're creeping up on double digit penalties, it's really tough to win a game.
Bryant got a five point lead despite all those miscues.
Singleton comes in motion from left to right.
Never faked the handoff.
They find Singleton out to the 30 has the first down and more as he gets it down to the 33 yard line.
Singleton hasn't had a huge day, his fourth catcher.
He's his biggest play right there, but one of the Fayetteville defenders went for the big hit instead of wrapping him up and that allowed him to get extra yards after contact.
We try to go for the big tackle there.
You don't wrap up and gives up 7-8 more yards and allows Brian to get a fresh set of downs first and 10 ball at the 33 yard line.
Singleton comes in motion from left to right and give the handoff to Gannaway.
Gannaway gets it out just shy.
The 40 yard line as it's out to the 38 picks up five yards, and it brings up second down.
I haven't seen Bryant, but a handful of times this year, but you gotta believe that Gannaway loves the second half.
You don't get to playing them in a lot, but that's when that big frame that big offensive line really starts to wear on a defense.
He's up to 154 yards now.
Expect number 41.
You get a lot more touches as we progress towards that fourth period, down to a minute left here in the third quarter as burnetts in the shotgun.
And I handed off to Gannaway.
He's trying to get the edge Gannaway just dives forward to get back to the line of scrimmage.
May have gotten a yard he didn't bring up.
Third down, it's a nice job of fayetteville's defense, making him stretch it out.
Try to create something on the outside.
Kate Fields with one of the first players there to to make contact.
Now we've got a faithful defender download turf trying to look to see who that was.
Yeah, I believe Bobby, that's going to be Jason Johnson.
The senior would be a big loss is he's got two sacks here tonight.
He's down at over by the 36 yard line on the Bryant side of the field.
Well, they check on him, we'll go over some stats for this game.
And as Bobby mentioned, you know if you look at the stat board.
You you almost would say, well, Fayetteville is running away with this game because in total yardage Fayetteville had 362 yards of total offense and Brian has had 275 passing Bryant 108 yards passing Fayetteville 301 rushing Bryant, 167 to Fayetteville 61.
You know outside of that big run by Gannaway.
They're they're total.
Yardage is not really, you're exactly right.
I mean, 85 of their 275 yards came on one play, but again turnovers can kill you, no matter if you're playing the state championship game of the season opener.
And that's been the problem for Fayetteville so far.
Here's Martin for Bryant.
Really trying to get to the edge.
He's fighting off Bulldogs and he's taken down.
About a yard behind the line of scrimmage.
That'll be 4th down.
Rail and Palmer is going to be slow to get up, but he made the play there and able to to get Martin to the ground and gets the football back for your offense and Palmer gutting it out and makes a big big play.
So on to punt for Bryant.
Is going to be Malachi Graham.
Alexander Graham on the pond for the Hornets.
Back deep is gonna be Maxwell for Fayetteville.
He'll stand the 10 yard line.
It's a gorgeous punt.
That is a spiral.
It'll go all the way down, and wow, it'll go out of bounds at the 1 yard line.
Can't draw it up any better.
RJ that is a beautiful punt 60 yards and it goes out of bounds at the one.
And so fair Bill is going to have to go 99 yards as we've ended the third quarter of play.
Hey, buckle up.
If you're enjoying this one because we head to the fourth quarter with O'Brien Hornets lead at 2823.
And you're watching this Centennial Bank State championships on Arkansas PBS sports.
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Well, if you've been enjoyed this game.
Stick around, you don't want to miss a minute.
This fourth quarter fables got it.
The 1 yard line first and ten fight in the end zone under pressure looking to throw.
Tries to find a man it's in and out of his hands.
That time he was trying to hook up with his wide receiver Mac.
Excuse me, know that was actually McKinney and it went in and out of his hands is a pretty good, throws another tight window, two defenders right there, bracketing, McKinney and it's the receiver could not come up with it.
That would have been a big play to get Fable out of their own end zone.
So three wide to the top of the formation fight.
Looking to throw fade route left side it's intercepted.
It's intercepted down at the 27 yard line.
A fourth interception of the day for flag to Fayetteville coaching staff sayings that would hit the football.
But as it stands right now, another turnover in Malachi Graham who ran the block field goal back for a touchdown makes a big play on defense.
And the Fayetteville staff is not happy without we're going to get another look of it right here.
I thought it was a pretty clear interception as.
He caught it.
You can't see what happened on the day when he turned over.
They are reviewing it.
They've already announced this play is under review.
Let's see a couple more replays of that if we can guys and because from that angle right there when he turned over, you couldn't quite see if he if he held onto it.
Favor was pretty adamant that he didn't hold onto it, so here's the the upper view of it.
As he has it, Oh no, that ball could be out.
Yeah, I think that ball may be out at the Fayetteville coaching staff was right there in front of it.
They saw it in a quick review and here's James Durham with the call.
After review, the receiver did not survive the ground.
It's an incomplete pass.
It'll be third down the 10 from the one yard.
And how big is is to replay been in these state championships there.
There's been several calls that that looked at least live play like that.
That looks like a clean interception now.
Our vantage point, but that's why they put to replay in into these state championship games 'cause you always want to make the obvious calls correct?
Yes, no, we're not here to split hairs and make sure that we get every half yard gain correctly, but those are the type of players that you want to overturn.
Fayetteville benefits from it right there.
So now you've got a third down in 10 with the ball at the 1 yard line.
Yep.
And that they try to force it there to Blackburn on the GO route.
Bobby the almost just trying to find a place that gets you out of the shadow of your hands.
I mean just something a short crossing pattern first that you have a hole in this Brian defense has been deep middle down 15 to 20 yards right in the middle of the field.
That's where fables attacking right here.
And it's in and out of the hands of sertaneja.
And so now that's fourth down.
And now they're gonna have to punch out the back of the end zone.
But they found the weakness in the defense of Bryant.
They're they're really pushing their safety.
Over the top to the outside.
With that deep middle, well, that's right behind the linebackers.
15 to about 20 yards where they're trying to exploit that times detain.
You couldn't reel it in, and now Fayetteville punters got his heels on the back line of the end zone.
Singletons set up at the 40 yard line.
Brian could get really good field position right here.
Kick is away.
And it's going to be taken on a hop now.
It won't be taken.
It'll stop at the 44 yard line.
Singleton looked like he was going to come up and try to get that one.
Then he thought better of it.
So Brian is going to have it with great field position in Fayetteville territory at the 44 yard line.
First and 10 at the 44 with 1135 to play in this one.
Carson Burnett the quarterback for Bryant.
He's got two backs in the backfield as he's going to hand it to Martin.
Martin spins straight at the middle.
Gonna get good yardage is he gets about 5 yards and I'll bring up second down when McCown up to make that play.
But an initial surge from the offensive line from Bryant, you can see the line of scrimmage.
Move about two yards back to the to the end zone and that means you're establishing that point of contact and that's what you want to do.
When you've got those big uglies up front like Bryant US.
So second, five knows of the football in the 39.
Singleton comes in motion from.
Right to left they handed off to Martin.
He gets around the edge looking for the first downs.
Got it and he dives for the sideline as he'll be out of bounds at the 32.
It'll be first and 10 for the Hornets.
Nice job by Martin is kind of stretched that out and wait till you find a lane.
They went to lunch for extra yardage.
That clock continues.
The roles were under 10.
I'm creeping up on 10 1/2 minutes here in the 4th.
Four wide receivers in the formation, this time as Martin sets off to the right of Burnett.
Singleton goes in motion from left to right now.
Here's Burnett looking to throw.
Has a man at the 10 yard line he held onto it.
Holy Moly Bobby Blake Everett was a love split, a double team and come up with the catch.
That's a great throw and even better catch by Everett as he knew it was coming.
Burnett put it on him.
A nice player right between the two defenders and able to hang on with the Fender hanging on his back.
Another one coming right at his face and he makes the big play.
Now it's first and 10 right outside.
The 10 yard line and I handed off to Martin again straight up the middle dragging tacklers all the way down to the six yard line.
The Hornets can still get a first down by getting to the one.
And we started to pick up the pace a little bit.
Did Bryant there they were.
Hurried it up there handed off to Martin.
I'm just getting a lot of touches in this contest.
We know about Gannaway, but Martin now it's got 11 carries.
Make that 12 carries second down ball in the five gives it to Martin left side.
He's gonna walk into the end zone, touchdown.
That's a big drive there for Bryant.
You get to stop defensively after the great punts, and that's when the special teams really comes into play.
You pinned to Fayetteville inside their own 1 yard line.
That defense comes up with the three announced and now your offense takes advantage of the short field, and more importantly for the Hornets pushes that lead back to two possessions.
That's the second rushing touchdown for Martin.
As the extra point is up and is good and the Hornets are out to a 35 to 23 lead here in these seven A state championship, you're watching this Centennial Bank state championships in Arkansas.
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Brians on to kick kick off with 935 to play.
Here in the ball game, Setegne and Maxwell are back deep for Fayetteville and respond here.
If you're the purple dogs were starting to run out of time and possessions guy kick is fair.
Caught over on the left side and so now Fayetteville is going to have it as Hayes Robinson was able to catch that.
Ball over at the 28 yard line and be first and 10.
The key for Fayetteville here is to stay within yourself.
Casey **** said at the half.
We just got to make the the simple play make the basic play stay within yourself.
Stay within the offense.
You can't go out and score 12 points right here.
It's just not.
It's not legally possible and so just go down March down, get points, got to put it in the end zone.
Is that your field goal?
Does you no good here?
You've got plenty of time.
You don't have to score in one or two plays.
Just run your offense and make the easy play first, and 10 Fike looking to throw under pressure.
Steps up goes left side has a man that's Blackburn.
He's across the 5945 forty off to the races he goes 25 2015 down to the 10/5 touchdown one play for Fayetteville in a strike right back.
Let's say you don't score in one play.
Nothing fair.
Let's go into the red zone.
Denton RJ Oh my goodness.
Blackburn shows off the speed everybody talks about how fast it a knee is.
Blackburn put Brandon, his rearview mirror, and one play 72 yards, and we have got a nail biter here or memorial get this, I mean just breakaway speed by Blackburn.
He puts a move on right there to cut it back inside.
And I mean just ran away from everybody.
Is the extra points up and good and it's a 3520 or 3530 game with 9:20 to play in the fourth quarter.
And we knew it was going to be back and forth.
I'm not sure we we thought we'd see this many explosive plays.
You said you know what?
At halftime?
You said, well, we thought we'd have a higher score and here we are.
Blatant fight now.
I mean his his box score numbers.
There's going to be something that is like.
Scratch your head 17 of 41 so well below 50% completion percentage but 373 yards and four touchdowns and three interceptions.
And it's this game is seen at all.
We've seen a defensive score.
We've seen a special team score.
We've seen an 85 yard run now we've seen a 72 yard pass play and then you look on the bright side.
Carson Burnets 10 to 15 for 129 yards and two touchdowns, but Gannaway's run for 155 in a touchdown and then James Martin 66.
Part 2 scores.
Now if you're faithful, you gotta slow down the run game.
Bryant started to establish that line of scrimmage.
Maybe you have to walk another defender up.
Maybe you added another defensive lineman because Brian has really started to establish himself and and one thing to point out.
You and I talked about in the break.
Bro Fayetteville's defense was tired.
You could tell that they were a little bit tired.
They didn't have much of a rest.
Now after that one play scoring drive.
Here's Singleton with it for Bryant.
As he'll cross the 20 still on his feet out to the 30 and taken down to 31 will have to see if if, if and what kind of adjustments Kenneth Chick, the defensive coordinator for Fayetteville, makes here.
Because I mean, if you're Bryant, the running game is working.
I mean 190 yards on 30 attempts are averaging 6.3 yards a carry, and that's including a negative 31 yards rushing for your quarterback because of quarterback sacks.
And you mentioned the numbers already RJ Gannaway and Martin have combined for 211 yards between themselves.
Averaging about 9 yards of carry between the two, lean on those running backs, lean on your offensive line.
They could pave the way to a title for you here in the fourth, Carson Burnett Rings Singleton in motion from left to right, are gonna give it up to Gannaway danaway.
He's off to the races left side crosses the 50 down to the 49 yard line.
A simple off tackle play or crosses the quarterbacks face crosses the defense.
He picks up good yardage moves across midfield.
First and ten ball at the 49 yard line in Fayetteville territory, Singleton, in motion now for the Hornets, gives it to Gannaway again got an open running lane, gets tripped up at the last moment that time coming up with the the really touchdown saving tackle was Jackson, Taylor, Fayetteville and that that definitely saved a touchdown.
His fate was trying to bring in a few fresh bodies and Brian starting to pick up the pace a little bit, but those front five for Brian have established themselves and they're taking over.
Then I give it a Gannaway again around the edge and he'll get out of bounds by me.
That was three straight plays that looked identical.
It's working, you know?
There's no point going to anything else.
You've got everything you've got in the playbook on film.
Fayetteville knows what you're going to do.
You know your best playing right now.
It's that kind of that stretch.
Play the lead play over to the left side and trust in Big 54, the left tackle 73 the left guard.
Moen over Faibles defensive front right now, second down for Bryant followed to 34 Burnet looking to throw big ball downfield in and out of the hands of his wide receiver.
I have to see a replay on that.
I couldn't tell if Maxwell got a hand on it.
Well that was looked like a perfect pass for Burnett and I thought that was as soon as that left his hand.
I thought that was six points for the Hornets.
Jordan Knox was the intended receiver.
He got the separation and now it just went in and out of his hands.
Right through his hand slipped to let the football get to his body.
Youngsters went home, watching it catch the football with your hands.
And now we've got a whistle and a timeout charged to Fayetteville.
Here on 3rd down and seven, and they're going to set this thing up.
Make two play sequence here for Fayetteville defense.
Let me ask you this, Bobby.
I mean, I know Brian, it's got a five point lead, but once again your kind in that no man's land and it's so you gotta think.
For Brian, you're you're going to go for it on 4th down if they don't get it.
I mean, you're sitting at third and seven, and even if you pick up six yards, I think you go for I. I think this is probably out of the field goal.
Kickers range and you don't want to risk it.
I mean, we've already seen one.
Google Block today of course, that was Bryant that did it, but the way you're running the football and if you get you know half of this back.
I actually only thing if you lose yardage here, I think you're going for it.
I think you've got two downs to pick up this.
First down if you're Bryant now you got you got to see what they dial up.
I mean, you gotta think.
You're going to have Gannaway on the field, and that stretch play.
They ran to the left side that worked three straight times.
Wouldn't you?
Almost say, let's flip the field and do it on the right side and see if that works.
It may be something with the alignment they see in the Fayetteville defenses, why they're picking on that left side, or just could be the play of of 54 and 73.
Like I mentioned a moment ago, you get Jason Shifflet and we'll diggins on that left side and neither way they're going to go five wide.
Now, here's Burnett.
He's gonna run with it, and he was only able to get back to the line of scrimmage.
Nice job there again.
Good to see him back on the field too for Fayetteville and Jason Johnson.
He was shaking up a few plays ago.
Not fooled by the option to read.
He tracks down Burnett from behind a big play and now a huge huge play for both of these sides as its fourth and seven on 4th down today.
Brian is one of two.
It's 4th and seven.
Three wide to the near side.
Burnett looking to throw going big ball downfield and it's incomplete notice I brought in Isaiah Sertaneja to play defensive back then.
They don't do it a lot, but then big situations they do turn to their best receiver to go play a little defense and that time he high points the football breaks it up and fayetteville's offense has got possession again with a chance to take a lead.
Almost came up with an interception as he went over the top of both Brian Defenders and was able to knock that thing down.
So now with 7:45 to play here in the fourth quarter, Fayetteville is going to try to take the lead as they're down by 5.
This is entertaining, isn't it?
Yes, it is.
And this is what it's supposed to be.
This is the largest classification is supposed to be the best teams in Arkansas and these two teams look like it.
Blade and fight.
He's in the shotgun under pressure looking to throw penalty flag down Fike is going to run with it.
He'll slide down at the 41 yard line, but there's gonna be a hold back in the backfield.
So this is where the offensive line is going to come out in me.
Holding on the offense.
10 yard penalty from the spot of the foul.
First time we take a look at this, the left tackle for Fayetteville.
I believe it was number 50.
Grayson Bandy is going to get called for the hold and I think what the left side of your screen watching here.
He kind of he kind of pushes the play inside.
He's got the hand inside the collar there.
I thought it was just a straight pancake block.
Now the replay shows he does have the hand inside the collar.
That's a good call by the by.
The White House and I'm shocked that and then offensive lineman agrees to that I was about to pass out there.
I thought that was just a straight pancake first in 25 Fike pump fakes.
Gonna run left side, loses yardage and it's second down throw it away and blatant fight.
Just hold onto the football too long.
You know that's not a huge loss but.
Yeah, that's just one of those plays that you can't afford to take with the whole being a spot foul or penalty from the spot.
Fayetteville is way behind the chains.
Now you're talking about second and 27.
No, so it's the ball is going to be on the 17 yard line, so it's second in 27.
I get it all the way out to the 44, but think about this favor was in the same situation in the first half and they ended up getting the first down on two plays.
Here's fight now.
Stepping up has a man and his got his man all the way out to the 39 yard line, making the reception.
That time was Christian sets are.
Sets are just makes the play.
It takes a big hit and coming right up between the hashes right up the seam and they got more than half of that back art.
Now RJ and then just certainly third management that might have been the sneaky amount of the backfield.
Third down and six with the ball at the 39 yard line 615 and counting in the ball game.
Bike drops back.
Looking to throw now.
Going to run with it.
Hasn't running length and the first down slides down at the 49 yard line and its first intent for Fayetteville.
Great job by fight to recognize the two defensive ends for Brian are are are really rushing hard to the outside but center controls the nose man for Brian to step up.
We saw an open running lane.
Took what the defense gave him slip down.
Now he's got a new first down right near midfield.
But have really impressed with this offensive line for Fayetteville and now we've got whistles and a timeout charged, right?
We've got they've given up now five sacks.
Also, that's on 47 passing tips, and Brian's got some talented players out there.
Not that I know there without Brandon Jones who's not playing tonight with a lot of people think is their best offensive player.
But those guys up front for Fayetteville have given their offense an opportunity to make place.
Sit down the sideline and check in with Kyle Sutherland.
Yeah, I guess Kyle is is having a little technical difficulties.
You want a copy of any state championship game.
Go to MM productions dot Nets, place your order.
Eight man game this week.
That's that's actually what you probably want to buy.
You want to watch that one over and over.
That one of this, one of the 266 to 60 in double overtime.
That was someone.
That's that's set.
The table for this week and the other games honestly haven't been disappointing either.
The game this afternoon was very entertaining and defensive slugfest on this one.
It's his work well worth the price of admission, or at least turn it on your TV.
Set first and 10.
Five wide receivers in the formation.
Fight gonna look to throw.
He's going to step up.
Works it on the right side.
Now cuts it back still on his feet.
He's just going inside now and he was able to pick up about 5 yards just dancing around.
That was.
Not a normal looking 6 yard run that's for sure.
He's gonna be exhausted even throw that they're gonna have to run the football because he's gonna be so tired to throw dancing around trying to make something happen in his offensive line.
Did a nice job of peeling back 72 right there.
Davis Turner circles back picks up another block.
Second down, here's the throw by fight going big ball left side.
He's got a man at the 10 yard line.
He spun down to the five.
Jason Dillmore stand.
We've called his name today and what a big play down the sideline and 1st and goal to four.
He's he's literally like the I was looking at the dump truck.
He's like the seventh receiver in his form in this group.
Doesn't matter, doesn't matter where you're on the depth chart.
If they call your number, take advantage of it now.
Fayetteville kind of find a way to take advantage of a redzone opportunity.
They marked him down to four yard line.
There's seven on the play clock orders in it running back fight now we got a whistle and a penalty flag on that far side of the field.
They're gonna say it's offsides on Bryant deadball encroachment on the defense half the distance to the goal.
First down.
Now you gotta believe they're really going to give it to Turner, the linebacker they bring in his short yardage situation.
Talked about how Bryant was leaning on their offensive line now favors gotta call in their big guys up front.
Hey, we need two yards guys this this plow forward if you're Casey **** and that coaching staff, that's what you're telling him.
Kaden Turner into the ride of fight bikes, gonna take it himself, works on the right side, dives for the end zone, touchdown, Fayetteville.
Fayetteville is taking the lead after a four yard run by Bladen Fike first time and had the chance to take the lead that actually took advantage of it.
Gotta believe they're gonna go for two to try to push his advantage to three points.
But what an effort by fight, he stood up at the really at the line of scrimmage, which fought for the goal line is going to be a good look at it.
Here he's this, wills his way into the end zone and Fayetteville's got their first lead.
One point game 3635.
Maybe asking why that's not a horse collar tackle, but in between the tackle box that's not a penalty.
3 receivers to the top of your screen fight takes the snap looking to throw left side into the hands.
Instantaneous touchdown.
That was a beautiful whipper out.
With his sustain it takes a couple of steps in like he's cutting in and then circles back out to the flat.
He watched the Patriots must.
It's a Julian Edelman route that he ran to perfection for years for those guys and satiny ran it to perfection there and gets the two point play 407 to play in this one as Fayetteville leads at 3835.
Check back in with Kyle Sutherland on the sideline guys back and forth and back and forth.
It was continuing to see and that was just a great drive by Fayetteville.
They can.
They've had their backs up against the wall multiple times.
Both teams have now.
Can Bryant respond 513 yards of total offense 436 through the air for Fayetteville and if you look at both teams Bobby you've got over 760 yards of total offense between the two schools are should be 860 yards of total offense between the two schools.
And these guys are and that isn't included.
Defensive touchdown, no.
The return yardage on a blocked field goal that went 90 yards.
I mean it, it's absolutely wild.
What we've seen here tonight.
Here's the kickoff as it will sail into the end zone for the touchback and Bryant will have it first and 10 from the 20 yard line with 407 to play here in the ball game.
Got a lot of football left.
407 bowl teams have two timeouts.
He almost feel like OK, who's going to score last?
It's not going to be OK this Bryant going to score here to take a lead.
It's like OK who's gonna have the ball last night about you, but I'm exhausted.
I feel like I've been out there playing, I'm exhausted.
This has been a heck of a football game and tell you if you are a high school fan in the state of Arkansas.
You're loving this right now, you're gonna want to watch this game over and over, and you could do it next week.
Just go to youtube.com/arkansas PBS and you could watch this game on repeat.
Parson Burnett and the shotgun brings Singleton in motion from left to right.
And I give it off to Gannaway.
Gannaway gets bottled up the line of scrimmage and he'll pick up a yard on the play.
It's a great job on that right side of the fatal defensive fronts for the first time in probably a while.
Probably going back to maybe the second quarter.
There wasn't a huge hole on that side, and Fayetteville defense able to shut it down.
But we got a Purple Dog defender.
Use loading it up.
Take quite see who that is as he's all the way on that far side.
Looks like he's just trying to stretch out those hamstrings, Bobby.
Hey don't forget next weekend right here on Arkansas PBS sports.
You'll be able to set see the second half of games in the state is we will have the two of the 3A and 4A games that will all play right here at War Memorial Stadium.
You'll be able to see those games with myself, Westmore, and Bobby Swofford, Boscow Sutherland on the field is, if anything, has been determined after this weekend, we're going to have another great weekend of games next weekend.
I mean, all I think all three games have a chance to be really good, but Jyoti?
Robinson and Shiloh Christian.
They may come on for 140 points.
I say that there may be 6:50 like Domino's earlier today.
By the way, the attendance for today's crowd 8571 sounds like it does kind of seem a little low for there's 8000 people.
On the bright side of life.
I'm not kidding.
And there's a full house on the Fayetteville side.
It's second out of nine.
Ball in the 21 yard line.
Burnett is in the shotgun for Bryant.
Burnett looking to throw.
He's going to take off himself across the 20 still on his feet out past the 25, and it's going to be taken down at the 27 yard line.
It's a great job.
By Burnett, it looked like he had a chance to be taken down to a handful of times there, but he's able to maintain his balance, maintain his feet and pick up a few extra yards and makes it a third.
And this is that the long three that's gonna be a really long three almost flower.
Just go ahead and call it for.
I think it's Gannaway time you got to trust those guys up front, got two wide receivers on either side of the formation.
Singleton comes in motion from right to left.
Burnett looking to throw and he overthrows his wide receiver as he throws it out of bounds with two timeouts here.
I don't know that you have to go for it, but they've not been able to.
Yeah, but they've not been able to stop Fayetteville in between the 20s exactly right?
And that may be what kochbuch James is considering right here.
You got two timeouts if you punt it away.
The special teams have been really, really good for Bryant, and it looks like they're going to keep their offense on the field.
They're going to roll the dice right here.
Bryant so far tonight, one of three on 4th down.
The play clock down to 12 bucks.
James is standing right there next to the official, so if he didn't like to look he could call timeout rewind to the near side.
Burnett all by himself in the backfield.
He's gonna look to throw.
Burnett right side has a receiver that Singleton at the 40 yard line.
He gets away across the 50 and he's knocked out of bounds down the 43 yard line water throw in water catch by Singleton.
He's been quiet for most of the evening, but when you need it most should go to your most reliable target and that's what Singleton is and makes a great catch across the middle.
Absorb the blow.
It picks up huge yards after the contact.
I mean that that is a big throw and a big catch.
Because when he was covered up right there, and that's a dangerous throw.
If you're Burnett to try it to do on 4th down, you gotta unload it.
You gotta trust your playmakers.
And now the clock becomes a major factor for both sides.
Singleton in motion from left to right, Burnett gonna hand it off to Martin.
No, that's Gannaway GAIL way out past the 40 still on his feet gets out to the 36 yard line.
225 and counting here in the fourth quarter.
Jackson Taylor want to wait and see where if in win Fayetteville wants to start taking timeouts defensively to save some time for their offense.
Obviously you want to make Brad beat you.
You gotta leave yourself some time.
In some case, the Hornets do punch it in the end zone 207 and counting.
Rewind to the topside.
Burnett Low snap looking to throw going big ball into the end zone, touchdown, touchdown Brent.
But there is a penalty flag in the end zone.
We're going to see what the penalty is, as they were.
They were both going to hand checking in the end zone that was Singleton, who caught the touchdown pass.
There's a lot a lot of contact, a lot of hand fighting it is going to be there talking with the the Bryant staff, so that's going to be interference on favorites.
Down is good.
Pass interference on the defense that 15 yard penalty will be assessed on the kickoff.
This is going to sound crazy.
Art date not the end of the world.
You give up a touchdown that quickly for faithful no.
Now you've got a minute 53 and two timeouts yourself to come back and and respond.
You're down three now.
PHP would make it for you've got a chance.
Fuller is going to kick the extra point.
It's up and good and Bryant they take a 4238 lead.
With a minute 53 to play here in the fourth quarter, let's go back down to Kyle Sutherland on the sideline.
Kyle's having technical **** issues down there on the sidelines, so.
Bobby, I tell you, I mean you you go back and forth like this.
I mean, at the rate we've gone here in the second half, you could almost have two more scored three more scores with a minute 53 in the 4th.
I mean it's fair was 14 to 13 at halftime.
It's hard to forget that they these two teams have put up 28 for Bryant, 25 for Fayetteville.
But now it's going to come down to the final possession and now you gotta, this is going to be very interesting here.
Brantz kicking off from the Fayetteville 45.
You can even go onside kick.
Maybe you could try to pin them deep inside the five and go cover it.
There's a lot of things that Brian could do here, or they could just bang it out of the back of the end zone and make Fayetteville go 80.
I was about, say you got setegne back there.
As they're going to kick it off and now they're going to go through the back of the end zone, I I tell you, anytime you've got Isaiah Sertaneja sitting back there and as fast as he is, don't even let him have a shot.
So now you're Fayetteville.
I think you got it attacked the middle of the defense.
I mean, that's that's been the whole for Bryant, you know that that 15 to 20 yards right behind the linebackers is where you been able to attack between the safeties.
But the key is that is Bryant.
Make an adjustment knowing that that has been the weakness and the fables been able to explode it.
There is not a person sitting down here at War Memorial Stadium 153 left and the terminal large classification state title fight gonna look to throw.
Mr. Transitory time goes right with.
It finds a man that time it's Robinson.
He gets knocked out of bounds about a yard shy the first down what Bryant did.
There was pretty interesting.
They rushed the two defensive ends and they dropped the nose tackle back more like a quarterback spy that didn't allow fight to step up into the pocket so he rolls to his right and throws a dart to his receiver right there on the far sideline and Hayes Robinson makes the catch.
Five wide the formation Fike looking to throw.
He steps up now he's gonna run with it has the first downhill slide 3 yards past the first down marker.
It'll be first in 10.
It did the same thing right there, RJ, they dropped the spy back and that's I'm fight fake like he was going to run left Judy Mount got the 1st and it quickly got down.
Now the clocks moving I got 90 seconds left.
Fayetteville has two timeouts remaining.
It's first and 10.
Fyke looking to throw.
He's going to go left and he gets hit hard for a four yard game.
Balls on the ground, bold on the ground.
It's gonna be brain football.
It's the six turnover tonight and Brian comes up with a huge turnover.
Psych didn't feel the pressure coming from behind.
Didn't secure the football in the big hit jars though.
The ball loose you could see it there.
It is right there, a big blow coming from behind the balls out.
And I believe that defensive end for Bryant right there recovers it and a tough tough blow for the Bulldogs.
Bobby, I tell you what man this is.
This has been a game for the ages right there.
Five turnovers that said, sixes.
I meant 55 turnovers in the ball game, wow.
And it's still been a heck of a ball ham.
Fayetteville mean they've got two timeouts, so this is not a foregone conclusion.
If Brian gets a first down, they can run out the clock, but man, Fayetteville just got to be beside themselves knowing that maybe shot themselves in the foot time and time again.
But that was a big time play by the Hornet defense.
Now here's Martin running the football.
For the Hornet says he gets it out past the 40 he's gonna lose about two yards on the plane.
It's second down now.
They're going to officially spot at one yard behind the line of scrimmage, so it'll be second down 11.
We've got a time out on the field that took eight seconds to play, so if you say that second down takes 8 seconds, I put you at 59.
You burn your your final timeout for Fayetteville and Bracken burned 40.
You do not look like a whole lot of time left for Fayetteville, So what you gotta do is you gotta stand up the bulk here and you got the rest.
Your team's got to come in and swinging at the football and try to get it out.
Minutes 7 play.
Bryant leads 42 to 38.
Total yardage in this game, Fayetteville is put up 530 yards of total offense.
Brian has put up 432 yards of offense.
Second down and 11 will find a way to get the football out for the Purple Dog defense.
Martin hit at the line of scrimmage.
So he's going to lose another yard and it's gonna bring up.
Another timeout situation for Fayetteville and sold out and they have no more time outs in the ball game.
Save wilbrod extra rushers that time from the outside hand him up in the backfield and now with 103 so that play didn't quite take as long.
Grant with assuming Lee.
They they run the football here running all the way down and you take a timeout with zero on the play clock or one on the play clock and that would put you at about 20 seconds or so left in the game with fourth down.
And then you just get a first down here and then if you if you don't get the first down you just try to put it in, put him back is as deep as you can.
Yeah probably it.
Also depends on what you pick up here on 3rd down.
But then you get.
Then again, you risk the the opportunity to have a blocked punts or punt return.
There's a lot of scenarios you're going through it.
Maybe just trust your offense to kill little time so it's third down in 13.
Burnett, the shotgun?
Can I hand it off, kicks it outside?
That's Gannaway he gets it out past the 40.
Add to the 39 yard line so he only gains the yard.
Now it's 4th down the game clocks at 50 play clocks at 34, so 16 second differential.
Not a whole lot of time left.
Hello will see what you know Brian is going to let this run all the way down and they may even since they're way behind the chains.
They may even decide to take a delay a game and burn off that extra second and then decide what you do from there.
I think what I would do here RJ is I take the delay of game, it takes it all the way down to about 15 seconds.
Then I would punch opponent this ticket tell your guy to Kick It Out of the back of the end zone.
Don't allow return and say OK if you if you're going to beat us you got to do with the hell Mary from 80 yards so they call that timeout with 17 seconds.
Remaining in the ball game.
Brian's got one timeout remaining.
And we'll see what decision bug James comes up with.
Bryant looking for their fourth straight state championship at the Class 7A level.
These two teams came back and forth.
With the turnovers 7 turnovers combined between these two, but five of those for Fayetteville, four interceptions, excuse me, 3 interceptions and that fumble on that last drive is.
Crippling.
So they are going to come on and punt.
Nobody backed deep for Fayetteville.
That's Bernetta quarterback, who's lined up as the punter.
And Brian May not have enough players out there.
Well, there's still 15 on the play clock as they rush a guy on deep snapper.
Isn't it better?
That is usually a key part to this.
Now they're going to drop Setegne back.
And the point is going to sail into the end zone.
So now you've got 12 seconds left on the game clock in Fayetteville will get the ball at the 20 yard line.
What you gotta do here?
If you're Brian, let's go defensive prospection here is you don't obviously let me think deep.
You know you try to force everything back to the middle of field now at first down is going to stop the clock, but you don't want to give up those easy 1012 yard outs that only take two or three seconds.
You can't give those up if you're Bryant, so try to force everything back into the middle of field.
And of course don't let anything go over your head.
So blatant fight.
Is in the shotgun with three wide to the near side.
Bike looking to throw has a man over the left side and he got it out to Robinson and there's five seconds remaining in the ball game.
So if you're Fayetteville you either you look at that you consider going with another quick out, maybe get you five or six more yards depending on the defense is lined up.
Or you could potentially take the hell Mary here, RJ.
With lifted right now there's nobody lined up on set a NIA on the bottom of your screen, and if they stay like this, I quickly just throw it out to the receiver and let him go out of balance.
Bike steps up.
Time is expired.
He's gonna throw it.
He's going to take it to the end zone.
Bike to the end zone is batted away.
The brain Hornets are four time defending state champions.
Your final score, the Bryant Hornets 42 the Fayetteville Blue Bulldogs 38 in a classic of a state championship game.
What a game between these two teams.
It came down to the final play fight, gave his team a chance as he hailed 1 deep, but the Hornets were there defensively and batted down and they earned state Championship number four and they certainly had to work harder in this one than they had in the last three.
But what an effort for.
Fayetteville, but the better team, at least tonight, is the Brian Hornets yo in a game like this, Bobby.
I know you got a crown champion all but I give it up to Fayetteville.
I mean.
This was a.
This was the hardest game, even if you think back to the Bryant game when they went on and took on Longview out of Texas.
One of the top teams out of the state of taxes.
This was a more difficult game than that was.
Had to answer the bell.
I mean this this game when the Conway game, the last game of the regular season Bryant had to answer the bell in the second half as they trailed in both of those games.
But as championship caliber teams do, they found a way to get it done tonight they did it with their defense in the red zone.
You forget about all those extra possessions in the first half.
All those points, even if you just settle for field goals.
If you're faithful, you win that game, but instead that Bryant defense rose to the occasion, made the plays in the critical moments, and that's why they come away with a 42.
38 victory.
Well, it was a heck of a ball game and we're going to talk more about it when we come back.
In fact, Buck James is going to join us here on the broadcast as your 7-8 champions.
The Bryant Hornets, 42 Fayetteville 38 and you're watching the Centennial Bank State championships on Arkansas PBS Sports.
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The Brian Hornets are taken the 7-8 championship and trophy back to Celine County and let's go down the field right now with Kyle Sutherland as he's got but James coach with four minutes left, you got the ball back and he obviously saw much.
My story ended there.
Once you tell your team when you're in the huddle while we just tell him we had to score.
I mean, you know, I think the third the 4th down play down here was the biggest play of the game.
But you know I mean moratoriums done that all year long.
He's way beyond his years as a sophomore and you know I mean he.
He did that last week against North Little Rock.
Two and you know he's a great football player and we just gave him a chance to make a play and he made the play.
You've talked about the 212 mentality.
It's gone not from just your locker room but to the community.
What can you say?
Four straight state titles and what do you say about these players?
Well, it's unbelievable, you know.
I mean, I've been blessed and you know we called it John Wayne Football.
We call it 212.
We call it blue collar.
We call it be the best and you know all those things are metaphors for us trying to play to the last whistle blows and that's what we did tonight.
Graduations Coach thank you.
Thank you Kyle as.
You know, I like James, he's got.
He's got a saying for everything, but when you call it John Wayne football?
Yeah, that's really what it was tonight that this was a a battle between two extremely good teams in Class 7A and you know, going into this game, there was a lot of if you look on social media people saying that they really thought Conway should have been here.
I don't know if that were the case.
I mean really, after seeing this Fayetteville team they had every right to be in this game and and they showed it.
Yeah, you could say that, but Fayetteville beat him.
I mean, Fayetteville made the plays to win last week and they made almost enough plays to spite their turnovers tonight to get a victory.
And kochbuch James said it there, that fourth down play that throw by Burnett to Singleton was a bigger player going in this game because it extended their opportunity because if they turned the ball over there and give Fayetteville the football about the 30 to 35 yard line, the way they're off it was going.
They're going to put in so the game would have been over and so they made the plays when they needed to.
And that's what championship caliber teams do.
I'm not saying that people, not them, but Brian is and that's why they made the biggest play in the biggest moment.
And that's why they're about to take home a fourth St State championship.
Maski Bobby, you know over the years in state championship games you talk about Little Rock Central.
You talk about Barton and his great legacy teams.
Where do you rank Brian?
I mean, they've got to be near the top because not only are they winning championship, it's the largest classification.
They're doing it and the playoff formats, and they're and they're taking everybody's best shot.
They haven't lost to a team from the state of Arkansas.
In how long now is 1/5?
Almost 50 games they're taken everybody's shot.
Conway did it.
Cabbage tried to do it, Fayetteville did it here.
North Little Rock had plenty of opportunities the last couple seasons.
Even last week they had a 10 nothing lead on the Hornets.
They sit there, they take body blows, but when they need to deliver a knockout punch they can do it well.
The Bryant Hornets are are hoisting the trophy and and it's always a fun fun time to see that here in at War Memorial Stadium and points in a fun weekend.
Yeah, we we've done four football games.
We started on Thursday night with eight man football.
Went to double overtime that night then we had the five eight game on Friday night in which Pulaski Academy they claimed to win earlier today.
Eldorado, they got a win for the first time since 2013 and then here in the nightcap, the Bryant Hornets win their fourth straight state championship game.
Final thoughts on today.
This a lot of people expected Bryant to come out and win, but what this proved to everybody?
One Brian still really good, but the gap has shrunk.
Bryant is they're not head and shoulders above everybody else like they were two years ago like they were last year.
The gaps not that large North Little Rock, Fayetteville, Conway.
You could probably still throw Bentonville Cabot in that conversation.
Five or six teams have a chance to go out and win a state title, and that's something you haven't been able to say for a long time.
And the largest classification in Arkansas?
Yeah, no, it's it is true, and it's been something fun to watch throughout the year, well?
We like, we've got a lot of thank yous to do, but we're not done because we've got a whole another weekend of football coming up next weekend.
Wanna thank Kyle Sutherland down the sidelines?
Westmore, who did our coverage yesterday?
Everybody in the truck, as well as all the camera guys and and graphics folks everybody at Arkansas PBS, who helped make this weekend possible, but don't forget.
Next weekend we've got the two a, the three, and the four a championships right back here on Arkansas.
PBS Sports and War Memorial Stadium.
So your final in this one, Brian 42 Fayetteville.
38 for Bobby Swofford.
Kyle Sutherland.
I'm RJ hawk so long.
Everyone you're watching the Centennial Bank State championships on Arkansas PBS sports.
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