Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Williams, Springdale run past Heritage
SPRINGDALE — It’s taken Springdale High just four weeks to surpass its win total from a season ago.
Credit can certainly be directed toward defensive improvements, as well as quarterback Layne Hutchins and Kyler Williams, who connected three times for touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 42-21 conference opening win over Rogers Heritage.
Williams caught a then-season high nine passes for 85 yards and a score in last week’s loss to Russellville, but one-upped himself against the War Eagles in week four, totaling 10 catches for 265 yards and three touchdowns.
“Kyler is Kyler,” Springdale coach Zak Clark said. “It didn’t surprise me. We’re trying to move him around, but he’s the best around for a reason.”
“We just kind of took what the defense gave us,” Williams said. “They were kind of playing me 1-on-1, and (Hutchins) put the ball on the money. All I’ve got to do is run a good route. When we’re on our A-game I don’t think anybody can stop us.”
Hutchins found Williams for scores twice in the first half and Alex Thompson once as Springdale built a 28-7 halftime lead. But in the closing minutes of the game, the two put the finishing touches on win No. 3.
The junior quarterback found Williams, who evaded Heritage defenders and scampered 68 yards to set the final score. Hutchins finished 12of-19 for 321 yards and four passing scores.
“He was open,” Hutchins said with a grin. “I missed some passes, but luckily he stepped up and had some big catches. There’s a lot more we can be doing (as a team), but a win is a win. We’re a lot better than what we’ve been.”
A week after being stifled on the ground, Springdale included a new wrinkle in its running game for Heritage. It paid dividends as the Bulldogs rushed for 160 yards in the win, led by Erick Mendez’s 116 yards and two scores.
Heritage appeared much-improved Friday after suffering three consecutive losses to open the year, and took its first lead of the season on its opening possession, capping the 84-yard drive with a Dylan Qualls 7-yard score. The halfback totaled a team-high 183 rushing yards
and two scores on 32 carries.
The War Eagles were slowed by four costly turnovers, three in the second quarter. Springdale’s Jayden Minchew and Stone Ben each picked off Trey Kitterman passes in the first half, which the Bulldogs turned into points.
Overall, Clark was pleased with the effort and fight his team showed to begin league
play.
“This week was kind of about challenging our toughness and getting back to being physical,” Clark said. “The next step for us is we’ve got to learn to close it out.”
The Bulldogs take on crosstown rival Springdale Har-Ber at Wildcat Stadium next week.