Setzer powers Fayetteville in victory

FAYETTEVILLE — Christian Setzer can run the ball, too.

Setzer rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries as Fayetteville defeated Fort Smith Southside 30-24 Friday night in the second round of the Class 7A state playoffs at Harmon Field. The game was a rematch from Oct. 6 when Fayetteville won 45-31 at Southside.

Fayetteville (11-0) will face Conway next week in a state semifinal game. Conway eliminated Fayetteville 37-0 last year in a second-round game.

Southside came into Friday night’s game as the top rushing team in the 7A-West Conference. Isaac Gregory began the night with more than 1,050 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns, while Amari Tucker holds a Southside single-season record with more than 1,800 yards yards with 20 touchdowns.

Fayetteville is mostly know for its passing game with senior quarterback Drake Lindsey throwing to the league’s deepest corps of receivers. But Fayetteville tested Southside early with its ground game and kept going to Setzer, who had 76 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries in the first half.

Setzer was just as effective in the second half and he picked up critical first downs to help run out the clock after Southside cut a 30-10 deficit to 30-24.

Setzer displays a patient running style that allows him to make full use of his blockers.

“I need to be patient because my linemen, they like to move around a lot,” said Setzer, who’s had a standout senior year to add balance to Fayetteville’s passing game. “I’ve just got to wait for those big bodies, then see the holes develop.”

Fayetteville’s defense mostly contained Southside before the Mavericks rallied in the fourth quarter to put a scare into the home crowd at Harmon Field. Fayetteville forced back-to-back turnovers in the third quarter with an interception from Lucas Roblee and a fumble recovery by Landon Jones, who returned the ball to the Southside 9. Fayetteville settled for Nathan Kachel’s third field goal of the night to increase its lead to 23-10.

Southside (7-5) continued to fight and got to within 30-24 after the Mavericks recovered an on-side kick with just over 2 minutes to play. A poor punt provided Southside with an opportunity to complete the comeback but Isaiah Taylor ended the threat with an interception after he stepped in front of an intended receiver.

“Defense played phenomenal,” Fayetteville Coach Casey Dick said. “Southside has an elite offense line and our defense made plays all night.”

Fayetteville defensive coordinator Derek Davis said he was particularly proud of his unit, especially after he had to move some personnel around.

“We had a kid who’s been out a couple of weeks, then Jeff Miller gets hurt,” Davis said. “So we basically, we had to shift schemes and philosophy. Those three turnovers kind of bailed us out. Unbelievable toughness with these kids. There’s no quit in them.”

Southside managed only a field goal in the first half by Greyson York. Southside rallied in the second half but Setzer’s runs and turnovers forced by Fayetteville enabled the Bulldogs to stay undefeated on the season.