Pointed tone
Har-Ber posts 3rd shutout in row
SPRINGDALE — Springdale Har-Ber’s streak of shutout victories has now reached three.
Har-Ber was dominant again Friday, hammering previously unbeaten Rogers (3-1, 0-1 7A-West) 49-0 to grab its third consecutive shutout. The program’s previous low for points allowed over a three-week stretch was seven from Oct. 23-Nov. 6 in 2015.
“No words,” Har-Ber defensive back Blaze Brothers said. “We’ve just got to keep grinding. No words.”
Rogers entered Friday averaging 308 yards of offense per game through the first three weeks of the season, but the Wildcats (4-0, 1-0) held the Mounties under 200 for the game. Rogers crossed midfield just once before the fourth quarter on Hunter Hawkins’ 33-yard catch.
“I was real proud of our defense. I thought they set the tone,” Har-Ber Coach Chris Wood said. “And turnovers. We got a number of interceptions.
“We got them in a hole, and kind of kept them there for the most part tonight. The defense continues to set the tone for us.”
The Wildcats came away with a pair of first-quarter interceptions that led to points. Tevin Eckwood returned Mounties quarterback Hunter Loyd’s first pick 35 yards to the Rogers 1. On Rogers’ next possession, Brothers jumped in front of a pass for his seventh career interception and second of the season.
But Brothers wasn’t done making plays in the first half. He tallied three pass breakups and also returned a punt 41 yards to the Mounties’ 21.
“Blaze is one of the best defensive backs in the state — bar none,” Wood said. “People get caught up in size all the time. Everybody recruiting is saying they’re not long enough. This guy is as good as anybody out there. I’d put him on anybody, anywhere, and he’ll guard them.”
Junior quarterback Grant Allen was sharp again. Allen threw touchdown passes of 20, 30, 39 and 46 yards to four different receivers. His 279 yards and four scores pushed him over 1,000 passing yards for the season and up to 15 touchdowns against a lone interception through four weeks.
Hunter Wood and Clay Burtrum were on the receiving end of two of Allen’s touchdown passes, giving the Wildcats nine players with at least one score through the air this season. Bryton Cook, Payton Copher and Emmanuel Smith each added touchdown runs.
“We’re really diverse this year, and we have balance,” Allen said. “We’ve got great athletes to make great plays.”
The Wildcats now turn their eyes to a big rivalry.
“Next week [at 4-0 Springdale] will be real exciting,” Allen said. “It’s going to be a great game and a great atmosphere.”