VAN BUREN AT FS NORTHSIDE

Mayo-Thompson Stadium

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Van Buren 4-6; Northside 6-4.

ON THE AIR The game is live-streamed on each team’s mobile app.

BETWEEN THE LINES Van Buren has won as many games this season (4) as it did the previous two seasons combined under first-year coach Casey Dick, the former Arkansas quarterback. … Northside started the season strong then hit a skid that saw the Grizzlies lose three straight games before they rallied for a 23-13 win at home last week against crosstown Southside to secure the No. 4 seed in the 7A-Central and a home first-round game. … Van Buren led Springdale into the fourth quarter last week before falling 35-24. … This is Van Buren’s first playoff appearance since 2011. The Pointers were 4-26 the previous three seasons. … Northside quarterback Derrick Wise is one of Northwest Arkansas’ top dual-threat quarterbacks. Wise is 79 of 113 passing for 1,159 yards and is Northside’s leading rusher with 803 yards. … Van Buren has used quarterback Christian Morrow in a variety of ways this season. He is 118 of 236 passing for 1,388 yards, but he has also been used at receiver, like last week when he caught a 15-yard scoring pass from Gary Phillips. … Northside’s defense is stout with linebacker Anthony Travis and a solid secondary, led by DBs Greg Washington and Elijah Tabut. Standout senior Stevie Young (6-5, 280) has been playing a lot of snaps on the defensive line lately. … Earlier this season Northside defeated Van Buren 46-21, but the game was actually close in the first half.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Van Buren — QB Christian Morrow (Sr., 6-0, 195), QB Gary Phillips (Jr., 6-0, 175), RB Brayden Rivas (Jr., 5-6, 165), LB Landry Wilkerson (Sr., 5-7, 140). Northside — QB Derrick Wise (Sr., 5-11, 186), RB Eli Bolton (Sr., 5-7, 178), DB Greg Washington (Sr., 6-0, 185), DB Elijah Tabut (Sr., 5-10, 175), OL/DL Stevie Young (Sr., 6-5, 280), LB Anthony Travis (Sr., 6-2, 225).

HOOTEN’S RANKINGS Van Buren is No. 13 in Class 7A. Northside is No. 7. HOOTEN’S LINE Northside by 11 OUR TAKE Northside 37, Van Buren 21