Garrison runs circles around Springdale
SPRINGDALE — Matt Garrison made sure Friday night that Springdale HarBer earned its seventh consecutive victory over crosstown rival Springdale.
The Wildcats’ senior totaled 275 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns to lead Har-Ber to a 41-7 victory that spoiled Springdale’s senior night and ended the Bulldogs’ season in front of a capacity crowd at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium.
Garrison had 39- and 80yard touchdown receptions in the first quarter, a 12-yard touchdown run and made big plays on special teams while playing in his first game in three weeks. He finished with 4 catches for 141 yards and 2 scores, 59 punt return yards, 41 kick return yards and 34 rushing yards.
“Having Matt back was a good thing for us,” HarBer Coach Chris Wood said. “He’s one of our better special teams players. He hit that tunnel screen, had those two touchdowns early. He’s just an electric player.”
Har-Ber (7-3, 5-2 7A/6AWest) never trailed and rolled up 402 yards of offense. The Wildcats led 20-7 at halftime.
Springdale (5-5, 3-4) outgained Har-Ber 250-170 in the first half but hurt its own cause by failing to cash in on two chances inside the 20 in the first quarter. The Bulldogs missed a 30-yard field goal and lost a missed exchange on a snap into the end zone after moving the ball to the 1.
“It was huge,” Springdale Coach Shane Patrick said. “You cannot turn the ball over in the red zone and have a chance to win against a good football team. That’s just plain and simple.”
Har-Ber quickly put the game out of reach with two touchdowns in the third quarter, including Garrison’s third touchdown of the night.
Har-Ber senior running back Sain Mathew had just 9 yards on 8 first-half carries but finished with 130 yards and 2 touchdowns on 19 attempts. He is 32 yards away from breaking Derek Brinker’s school single-season record.
Springdale running back Deandre Murray ran for 157 yards on 28 carries.
The Wildcats have momentum heading into the playoffs after finishing the regular season with victories over the Bulldogs and previously unbeaten Fayetteville.
“We’re getting better,” Wood said. “We hit that low spot against Rogers. I think everybody sees Rogers is pretty hot right now. But we’ve put two good weeks together.
“I like the direction we’re headed and what everybody’s doing.”