Bulldogs get offensive weapons back

Springdale High has struggled offensively with the injuries that sidelined its top passer, rusher and receiver in the past two weeks. But there is good news going into Friday’s game at Van Buren.

Coach Zak Clark expects running back Garrett Vaughan and receiver Brock Pounders to be ready to go as the Bulldogs play perhaps the biggest game for the program in the past 12 years.

“It’s a big game, no doubt,” Clark said. “We have a chance to host a playoff game and we have a chance at a seven-win season.”

Springdale (6-3, 3-3) would claim the No. 4 seed from the 7A-West with a win over Van Buren and a Fayetteville win over Springdale Har-Ber. A loss could send the Bulldogs as low as the No. 6 seed.

In addition to Pounders and Vaughan, Clark is also hoping to have Connor Sikes and Jujuan Boyd back, but they are game-time decisions, he said.

Former starting quarterback Grant Allen was lost for the season with a leg injury against Fayetteville. Allen had passed for more than 2,000 yards before the injury. Will Mueller, who took a number of snaps last season as a junior, was sacked five times against Bentonville and was 7 of 17 passing for 98 yards and two interceptions against the swarming Tigers’ defense.

“Getting Garrett and Brock back will be a shot in the arm for us,” Clark said. “And we’ve had another week to prepare without Grant Allen, so hopefully we’re going to show some improvement there as well.”