’Dogs capitalize on Mavs’ errors
7A-WEST
FAYETTEVILLE 45, FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE 31
FORT SMITH — As well as Fort Smith Southside has played this season, turnovers have been an issue in 7A-West Conference play.
The Bulldogs scored 21 points off turnovers and pulled away to a 45-31 conference victory over the Mavericks on Friday night at Jim Rowland Stadium.
Fayetteville (6-0, 3-0) now has a home showdown with Bentonville next week for the 7A-West lead.
The Bulldogs used three turnovers to score 21 first-half points to open a 28-17 halftime lead, then scored on their first two possession of the second half for a 38-17 lead that the Mavericks could not overcome.
“We were able to capitalize on those turnovers which obviously help us,” Fayetteville Coach Casey Dick said. “In the second half, we made some adjustments and were able to run the football.”
Despite a 5 for 13 start, Fayetteville quarterback Drake Lindsey still finished the game 17 of 31 passing for 252 yards and 5 touchdowns. Running back Christian Seltzer added 135 rushing yards and a touchdown on 26 carries.
“We missed a lot of big plays that we normally make,” Dick said. “I am not going to make excuses about the conditions. The wind was blowing but I am not going to make excuses there. We must be better and cleaner on offense.”
The Mavericks (3-3, 0-3) outgained the Bulldogs 489410, but was limited to 220 yards rushing.
“Southside is a really good football team,” Dick said. “They may be 3-3 but they are scoring points, and their offensive line is humongous.”
On the Mavericks initial drive, Amari Tucker fumbled inside the Bulldog 30-yard line as Noah Janski recovered. Fayetteville marched 73 yards in 12 plays capped by Lindsey’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Landon Lucke with 5:54 left in the opening period.
Southside, though, answered with a 17-play, 72-yard drive that took over 6 minutes of game time when Issac Gregory scored on a 7-yard run to tie the game at 7-all with 11:43 left in the first half.
After a three-and-out by the defense, the Mavs took its only lead of the half as quarterback Carter Zimmerman scrambled, broke free near midfield and raced 62 yards for the touchdown and a 14-7 edge with 9:34 left before halftime.
Lindsey then engineered a 7 play, 54-yard drive which he capped with a 10-yard scoring toss to Charlie Graves with 7:16 left in second quarter to tie the game at 14-14.
A tipped screen pass was picked off by Kaden Spencer at the Maverick 20 and he returned it to the 4. Three plays later, Lindsey hit Graves for a 21-14 lead with 4:29 left in the first half.
The Mavericks appeared poised to tie the game, but Zimmerman was again picked off, this time by Isaiah Taylor at the Bulldog 17 with just 45 seconds left.
On the ensuing play, Lindsey hit Jaison DeLamar for an 87-yard score that gave the Bulldogs a commanding 28-14 lead with just 33 second left.
Southside got a 43-yard field goal by Greyson York to end the half, cutting the score to 28-17.
Fayetteville then put the game away in the third quarter with two long drives for open a 38-17 advantage. Lindsey hit Mason Spencer for a 33-yard touchdown pass to open the half while Nathan Kachel added a 26-yard field goal with 2:36 left in the quarter.