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Glaser Hurts Fayetteville In Multiple Ways
Last updated Saturday, October 4, 2008 9:52 PM CDT in Prep Sports
By Ryan Malashock
The Morning News
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SPRINGDALE -- Fayetteville knew that Springdale High would rely heavily Friday night on senior quarterback Ashton Glaser. But the Purple’Dogs still couldn’t do anything to contain Glaser, who will play at the University of Missouri next year.
Glaser rushed for 123 yards and four touchdowns and threw for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the Red’Dogs’ 55-27 victory at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium. He showed that opposing defenses must worry about Glaser hurting them in a variety of ways.
“He is just as strong with his legs as he is with his arm,” Springdale coach Kevin Johnson said.
Glaser has now completed 76 of his 125 passes (62.2 percent) for 1,120 yards with 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions. He also has rushed 54 times for 240 yards and eight touchdowns.
Glaser continually fought through tacklers for extra yardage, and that beating eventually took its toll. He left the game late in the fourth quarter after rolling his left ankle. He was on crutches after the game with ice on his left ankle, but he vowed to play next Friday night at Fort Smith Southside.
“I took too many hits to count,” Glaser said. “I always end up running more against Fayetteville, and I always end up injured. I guess it’s tradition. ... It was heated out there. There was a lot of hard-hitting, a lot rough-housing, a lot of hits after the play. It was crazy. There’s a lot of hatred there — a lot more than with Har-Ber.”
Changes Coming At Fayetteville
FAYETTEVILLE -- Three consecutive losses have forced Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton to reevaluate his team.
The Bulldogs (2-3, 0-2 7A-West) are committing turnovers in bunches. They’re being dominated physically up front on both sides of the ball. They’re not tackling consistently.
And, most of all, they haven’t appeared comfortable with Fayetteville’s game plan.
“Me and the staff, we’re going to have to figure out something different to do,” Patton said.
Even so, Patton has been surprised by the sloppy play the Bulldogs have shown in losses to Russellville, Bentonville and Springdale. He had every indication that Fayetteville would show up ready to play Friday night at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium.
But the Bulldogs, the 7A defending state champions, didn’t.
“I really don’t know what to say,” Patton said. “I thought we were fired up and excited. We had a great week of practice. We preached all week about taking care of the football, and we didn’t do it.”
Gean Delivers Promise
BENTONVILLE -- Pearson Gean walked up to Barry Lunney following Bentonville’s victory over Fort Smith Southside on Friday and reminded him of a promise he previously made.
“I told you we weren’t going to let those baby blues come into our house and beat us,” the sophomore quarterback told Lunney. “This is home and we always win at home.”
Although the game was significant for all of Bentonville’s players, it was especially meaningful for Gean, who like Lunney, spent many years living in Fort Smith before moving to Bentonville.
“Coach Lunney and I are both from Fort Smith, so we both especially wanted to win,” Gean said. “It was great for (Lunney) to win that game.”
Gean played a big part of the Tigers’ 14-7 victory over Southside, as he ran for a touchdown and threw for another in the second quarter.
Gean also played the entire game by himself while senior J.C. King, who normally subs in-and-out with Gean during games, couldn’t play because of back spasms.
“(The offense) had a lot of moments where we faltered,” Gean said. “But we did what we needed to do to win. I had my fair share of flaws, but we’re getting better all the time.”
Gean said he’s started to feel more comfortable running Bentonville’s offense.
“At the start of the season, I was nervous,” Gean said. “But just like my coaches told me, playing on Friday nights is just like playing in any other game. That really helped me relax and I think it’s made a huge difference.”
— NATHAN ALLEN
Peacock On The Run
ROGERS -- Rogers High coach Ronnie Peacock did something Friday night he hasn’t done in a long time.
Peacock has been a pass-first guy for all of his high school coaching career but against Rogers Heritage the Mounties coach called 45 running plays.
It worked quite well.
Running back Michael Tibbs rushed for 203 yards and four touchdowns and the Mounties finished with 326 yards rushing in a 49-14 victory over the War Eagles before a packed house at Mountie Stadium.
Quarterback Andy Couture added 42 yards as did running back Justin Reed. Alex Flowers rushed for 40 yards in mop-up duty in the fourth quarter.
“I hadn’t done that in a long time, where you just hand it off and be in control,” Peacock said.
Tibbs has rushed for 627 yards on 69 carries this season. He has nine rushing touchdowns.
“Tibbs ran it at running back, he ran it at quarterback,” Peacock said. “He is a good back but our offensive line did really good, also.”
— PAUL NIELSEN
Which Team Is It?
PRAIRIE GROVE -- Prairie Grove supporters have had a hard time this year anticipating which team will show up on Friday nights.
After dealing Lavaca a 38-32 defeat in their opener, the Tigers (3-2, 2-0 4A-1) suffered two setbacks against Cassville, Mo., and West Fork, looking nothing like the team on opening week.
But Prairie Grove has opened conference play just as strong as it was the first week. The Tigers have literally ran past Huntsville and Farmington on their way to a 2-0 conference start.
But coach Danny Abshier is still cautious about the youthful team. His weariness could be seen late in the game Friday night against Farmington. Up 28-15, the Tiger offense was setting up its victory formation. After the first kneel, the Tigers began celebrating, nearly forgetting they had to kneel one more time to seal the game.
“I hope they decide (to play like this every week),” Abshier said. “They just seem like such a young bunch and they play like it.”
Prairie Grove will look to continue its current streak at Shiloh Christian Friday night.
— Cory Crawford
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