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8 PREP RALLY PLAYOFF: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 CLASS 7A "eir offensive line has gotten better each week. Defensively, we got to identify what they are doing and get him on the ground when we hit him." e winner travels to defending 7A champion North Little Rock for a Nov. 12 quarterfinal matchup. — Walter Woodie • Special to the NWA Democrat-Gazette FS NORTHSIDE Grizzlies host Pointers in rematch Aer beating its city rival last week, Fort Smith Northside plays one of its oldest rivals in Van Buren in the first round of the 7A playoffs. e Grizzlies won the first meeting 46-21 at Blakemore Field in Van Buren on Sept. 7. Tonight it will be the Pointers (4- 6) that have to travel across the Arkansas River into Sebastian County to face the Grizzlies (6-4). "It's great to have a home game for the playoffs," Northside coach Mike Falluer said aer Friday's 23-13 win over Southside. "ere is no place I'd rather play than Mayo-ompson Stadium." Aer losing three straight 7A-West games, the Grizzlies had to beat the Mavericks last week to earn the 7A-Central's fourth seed and a home playoff game. Northside pulled it off thanks to a great effort by its defense, which allowed 93 total yards to Southside in the second half, 248 for the game. "I thought our kids fought back (last week) aer three hard weeks," Falluer said. "We played a lot better defensively in the second half. We got aer them." e Grizzlies offense is fueled by quarterback Derrick Wise, a dual-threat with his legs and his arm. Wise leads Northside in rushing with 803 yards and 11 touchdowns while throwing for 1,159 yards and 12 touchdowns. Since 1919, Northside leads the all-time series 65-11-3. e winner travels to 7A-West champion Bentonville for a Nov. 12 quarterfinal game. — Walter Woodie • Special to the NWA Democrat-Gazette SPRINGDALE HIGH Red'Dogs ready to host playoff game e Bulldogs accomplished two goals in their 35-24 win at Van Buren last week. Springdale assured itself of a seven-win season and secured a home playoff game for the first round, something the program has not done since the school split in 2006. Coach Zak Clark said the win was something his team needed aer dropping back-to-back games to Fayetteville and Bentonville. "We just needed to get that feeling back," Clark said. "It was a relief. e kids have battled really hard and it was good to see them be rewarded." Springdale trailed Van Buren for a lot of the game but rallied late. at has been the case for most of the season. In five of their six wins, the Bulldogs have trailed at halime. "I've never seen a team do that," Clark said. "I think that speaks for how hard we play. Our kids don't think they are ever out of it." Springdale (7-3) hosts Fort Smith Southside (5-5) at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium. Connor Hutchins started at quarterback last week at Van Buren and Will Mueller helped the team on its late surge. Clark did not name a starter for this week but said both quarterbacks would be ready. — Chip Souza • @NWAChip NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE/ANDY SHUPE Springdale High running back Garrett Vaughan (right) fends off Alma linebacker Logan Chronister in a game earlier this season. Vaughan, the 7A-West Conference rushing leader, will lead the Bulldogs into a home playoff game against Fort Smith Southside in Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium. Sisco Fun al Chapel 705 W. Meadow • Springdale, AR 479-751-4577 • www.siscofuneral.com good luck springdale teams!