Pointers headed in right direction as they challenge Grizzlies

Quickly, now. Can you name the only 2-0 teams in the 7A-West Conference?

Bentonville is the easy answer. The other is Van Buren, which is off to its first 2-0 since 2014.

With new stars and new coaches, the Pointers are hopeful of adding more victories in their last season in Class 7A. So far, so good for Van Buren, which owns wins over Siloam Springs and Alma.

Now comes a game at Fort Smith Northside, which has a long history of success in football and basketball. The Grizzlies are eager to get back on the field after being humbled 38-10 by Class 6A power Greenwood.

Van Buren had little trouble with the invaders from the east in the annual Battle of the Bone. Quarterback Gary Phillips threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 123 yards and three more scores to lead the attack. He had plenty of help from receiver Jude Bartholomew, who caught six passes for 162 yards and a touchdown.

Improving the offensive production was a major priority for Crosby Tuck, who took over as head coach at Van Buren after Casey Dick left for Fayetteville. Northside will provide a stern test, especially after its poor performance last week against Greenwood. The Bulldogs benefited from three Northside turnovers, which helped stretch a 13-10 lead into a 31-10.

Northside is home, and they have a talented quarterback in junior Dreyden Norwood, who guided the Grizzlies to a 36-7 victory over Rogers Heritage. Jackson King is a dynamic player at receiver for Northside, which won 4126 last year at Van Buren.

Van Buren only has a short bus ride over the bridge to Mayo-Thompson Stadium in Fort Smith. But the Pointers still have a ways to go before they can beat a team as good as Northside.

RICK’S PICK Fort Smith Northside

Other games involving teams from Northwest Arkansas (selections are capitalized).

CLASS 7A

BENTONVILLE at Tulsa (Okla.) Booker T. Washington

LR CENTRAL at Rogers Russellville at SPRINGDALE HAR-BER

Bentonville West at BRYANT SPRINGDALE at Alma FS Southside at GREENWOOD

CLASS 5A

Siloam Springs at HARRISON

FARMINGTON at Gravette

BERRYVILLE at Huntsville

Clarksville at OZARK

CLASS 4A

Keys, Okla. at LINCOLN Smackover at SHILOH CHRISTIAN

Prairie Grove at DARDANELLE

Subiaco Academy at LAMAR WALDRON at Paris West For at ELKINS BOONEVILLE at Pottsville

CLASS 3A

Mountainburg at GREENLAND CEDARVILLE at Bigelow Lavaca at MANSFIELD

CLASS 2A

PERRYVILLE at Hector LAST WEEK: 19-8 (70 percent)

OVERALL: 32-13 (71 percent)