Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton said he was initially unhappy with the performance of his offensive line in a 37-16 win over Shiloh Christian in a preseason scrimmage last Monday. Upon further review of the gamefilm, Patton said it wasn’t as poor a performance as he had originally gauged.

“After the game was over, I was disappointed in our offensive line because I thought we should have run the ball a lot better,” Patton said. “After watching the film, I need to apologize to those guys and offensive line coach Mark White.

Fayetteville’s first-teamers rushed for just 28 net yards in the first half and went to the air 29 times after the running game sputtered.

“I thought our offensive line played a lot better after taking a closer look,” Patton said. “Our running game struggled simply because we lost a numbers game. There was always one extra body in the box that we couldn’t block. We didn’t have a couple of our running plays in that would have put us in a better position against the defense that we saw. But our guys were doing what they were coached to do. They were hat on hat, blocking the person they were supposed to be blocking and sometimes we just got beat. We did a better job of blocking than I had originally thought.

Patton said the offensive line’s pass blocking exceeded initial expectations but added that now the bar will only get higher.

“I thought we did a good job of pass blocking but [quarterback] Brandon Allen got happy feet a few times, which comes from being a young guy and he’ll get over that,” Patton said. “The pocket probably looked like it was collapsing a little when he could have just stepped up a little. But overall, I thought the offensive line did a much better job.”

Patton said depth will be the biggest issue on the offensive line.

“We’re going to have to play some guys both ways to add some depth,” Patton said. “But I was very pleased with our conditioning and I thought we looked fresh in the scrimmage. I thought we played fast whereas at times, I saw Shiloh with hands on knees looking tired at times. I didn’t see that from our kids. From a conditioning standpoint, I’m happy with that.”

Filed under: 7A-West, Fayetteville, Uncategorized by Heath Allen. Posted on: August 28, 2008 at 1:41 pm
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Fayetteville Purple Bulldogs 2008 starters
OFFENSE
QB — Brandon Allen (6-2, 185) So.
RB — Michael Heintzman (5-10, 185) Jr.
C — Tim Heminger (5-10, 215) Sr.
LT — Colby Berna (6-4, 290) Sr.
LG — Tyler McKee (6-3, 275) Sr.
RT — Max Mulherin (6-0, 215) Sr.
RG — Nathan Watson (6-0, 240) Jr.
WR — Josh Hale (6-3, 215) Jr.
WR — Demetrius Dean (6-2, 210) So.
WR — Kellen Summers (5-11, 155) Sr.
WR — Coy Holmes (5-11, 160) Sr.

DEFENSE
DT — Bobby Nefzger (6-0, 200) Jr.
DT — Daniel Pelton (6-2, 235) Sr.
DE — Corey Harris (5-11, 205) Jr.
DE — Cody Osbourn (6-3, 215) Sr.
MLB — Matt Alston (6-0, 240) Sr.
SLB — Cody Hammer 5-10, 225) Sr.
WLB — Mike Freund (5-10, 190) Sr.
CB —Franco Broyles (6-1, 175) Sr.
CB — Alex Miller (5-9, 175) Sr.
SS — Bobby Petrino (5-8, 175) Sr.
FS — Steven Shelton (5-10, 170) Sr.

P — Franco Broyles (6-1, 175) Sr.
K — Will Rosteck (5-7, 145) Jr./Drew Patton (6-0, 150) Jr.

Filed under: Uncategorized by Heath Allen. Posted on: August 28, 2008 at 9:15 am
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Fayetteville’s passing attack looked sharp as the Purple Dogs carved up Shiloh Christian in a preseason scrimmage Monday night. There was nothing sophomoric about sophomore quarterback Brandon Allen’s performance as he led the Purple Dogs to a 34-13, halftime lead before both teams plugged in their reserves.

Allen completed 18 of 29 passes for 214 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception. Allen just missed a wide-open Coy Holmes on a post route twice. Both would have been touchdowns and added to an already stellar outing for the former Woodland Junior High signal caller. An intrepid Allen showed the poise of a seasoned veteran and his offensive line bought him plenty of time to check down to his second and third options.

Allen isn’t short or targets, either. He completed passes to six different receivers. Allen effectively utilized his big-bodied wideouts and connected with his slot receivers with the precision of an experienced marksman.

Demetrius Dean bowled his way to 47 yards on 5 catches with touchdown receptions of 15 and 13 yards in traffic. Josh Hale used his frame to bully his way to 46 yards on 4 catches. Kellen Summers led the Purple Dogs with 78 yards on 4 grabs, including touchdown receptions of 32 and 13 yards. Holmes snared 3 catches for 24 yards and Bobby Petrino hauled in a 13-yard reception.

Filed under: 7A-West, Fayetteville, Uncategorized by Heath Allen. Posted on: August 26, 2008 at 1:01 am
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Filed under: Uncategorized by Terry Wood. Posted on: August 23, 2008 at 2:50 pm
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Fayetteville linebacker James Bornhoft signed on the dotted line. And now the senior belongs to the United States Naval Academy, for which he will suit up next season on the gridiron. Bornhoft inked his letter of intent with Navy at a signing ceremony Wednesday at Bulldog Fieldhouse.
Bornhoft was offered a Division I scholarship by Air Force, Navy, Cornell, Yale and Penn. Other suitors included: Missouri Southern, Northeastern Oklahoma and Arkansas Tech.
“He’s a great young man with a lot going for him,” Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton said. “This is a great opportunity for him and I’m proud of him. He’s earned it.”
Bornhoft (6-3, 240) logged 112 tackles, tying the former school record for defensive stops. Bornhoft also intercepted two passes, logged three sacks and forced a fumble to help the Purple Dogs to the Class 7A state championship, the first in school history for football.
“My family and I came to the decision that Navy was the best place for me,” Bornhoft said. “They offered me the opportunity and I had a very good visit there. I know I’m going to have to get a haircut but everyone has to grow up some time. This is just the opportunity of a lifetime, a dream come true and for me it was an offer I just couldn’t pass up.”

Filed under: Uncategorized by Heath Allen. Posted on: February 14, 2008 at 2:18 pm
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The Fayetteville Lady Bulldogs (20-4, 9-2) are the surprise team in the 7A-West Conference and have won five-straight games. Tonight’s contest at Fort Smith Northside will give Fayetteville the inside track to a first-round bye at the upcoming 7A state tournament in Conway

Filed under: Uncategorized by David Showers. Posted on: February 12, 2008 at 2:21 pm
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Tonight’s game pitting Fayetteville against Fort Smith Northside carries more significance than any other 7A-West Conference game this year, as first place will be on the line.
Both teams enter the fray with win streaks. Northside is the hottest team in the league after winning nine-straight games, and Fayetteville (16-6, 9-2) is also rolling, winners of four straight.
Both teams feature deep benches. Keeping Northside (18-5, 9-2) off the offensive glass will be imperative to Fayetteville’s hopes of winning.

Filed under: Uncategorized by David Showers. Posted on: February 12, 2008 at 2:17 pm
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Relying on a deep bench, a star guard, a talented post man and key role players, Fayetteville has won three straight in 7A-West Conference play. The versatility of it personality has it two-way tie with Fort Smith Northside for the conference lead.

Filed under: Uncategorized by David Showers. Posted on: February 8, 2008 at 4:33 pm
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The Fayetteville Lady Bulldogs will vie for their fifth-straight win tonight in Bentonville. After being picked to finish in the middle of the pack in the 7A-West Conference standings, Fayetteville is in the running for a conference title with four regular-season games remaining.

Filed under: Uncategorized by David Showers. Posted on: February 8, 2008 at 4:26 pm
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Fayetteville receiver Gionni Harris will ink a letter of intent to play football for Arkansas-Pine Bluff Wednesday at Bulldog Fieldhouse.
Harris will be the only Purple Dog who signs on or before national signing day this Thursday. While Harris will sign Wednesday at 3 p.m. another press conference is scheduled for Fayetteville junior left tackle Colby Berna Thursday at 3 p.m.
Harris committed to UAPB last Saturday after being offered a full ride and will have a chance to play right away, Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton said.
“I’m very excited for Gionni and this is a big opportunity for him,” Patton said. “He’s had a great career here and we will miss him.”
Harris set single-season school records last season in catches (64), receiving yards (1,218) and receiving touchdowns (14). He received offers from Tennessee-Martin, Elon (N.C.) University, Missouri Southern, Northeastern Oklahoma, Truman (Mo.) State, Missouri S&T and Arkansas Tech before committing to UAPB.

Filed under: Uncategorized by Heath Allen. Posted on: February 5, 2008 at 12:54 pm
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