CLASS 7A STATE CHAMPIONSIP North Little Rock vs. Bentonville High

War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock

KICKOFF Noon

RECORDS North Little Rock 12-0; Bentonville 10-2 ON THE AIR bentonvillesportsnetwork.com livestream and KNWA-TV.

BETWEEN THE LINES It’s the seventh meeting between the two schools since 2001. North Little Rock won the first meeting (24-14 in 2006), but Bentonville won the last five, including a 28-21 decision in 2015. … North Little Rock is making its second appearance in the title game after losing last year’s game to Fayetteville. … QB David Chapple has accounted for 34 of the Charging Wildcats’ touchdowns this season (17 rushing, 17 passing). … RB Brandon Thomas is North Little Rock’s leading rusher with 1,380 yards and 11 touchdowns on 184 carries, while WR Deontae Montgomery had 32 receptions for 533 yards and eight scores. … This will be the fourth straight time Bentonville has been in the state championship game when it’s played during the afternooon. … The Tigers are 5-2 in Class 7A title games, including back-to-back championships in 201314. … Because of the way the state playoff bracket was constructed, Bentonville will serve as the home team. … Senior QB Nathan Lyons enters the game with 2,431 yards and 27 touchdowns on 162-of-251 passing. His leading target is Kam’Ron Mays-Hunt, who has 66 receptions for 1,085 yards and 13 scores.

PLAYERS TO WATCH North Little Rock — QB David Chapple (Sr., 5-10, 150), RB Brandon Thomas (So, 5-11, 181), WR Deontae Montgomery (Sr., 5-7, 145), DT Zavion Moore (Sr., 6-2, 250), PK Savana Melton (Sr., 5-11, 160). Bentonville — WR Kam’Ron Mays-Hunt (Sr., 6-1, 170), TE Tyler Johnson (Sr., 6-1, 200); QB Nathan Lyons (Sr., 5-10, 175), DL Angel Guerrero (Sr., 5-9, 250); DB Jadyn Loudermilk (Sr., 6-0, 175).

HOOTEN’S RANKINGS North Little Rock is No. 1 in Class 7A. Bentonville is No. 2. HOOTEN’S LINE North Little Rock by 6.

OUR TAKE Bentonville 34, North Little Rock 24.