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PREP RALLY: CLASS 7A | 8.21.2022 10 SHINE ON 7A-West ready to reclaim bragging rights HENRY APPLE NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Coaches in the 7A-West Conference agree that five years without one of its football teams hoisting a state championship trophy is long enough. It was in Fayetteville's grasp last fall when Bladen Fike's 2-yard touchdown run and two-point conversion pass to Isaiah Satenga gave the Bulldogs a 38-35 lead with 4 minutes, 7 seconds remaining. Bryant, however, scored with just under two minutes remaining, then forced a fumble — Fayetteville's fifth turnover — to seal its fourth straight title with a 42-38 victory. The 7A-West, whose teams dominated the largest schools from 2005-16, will look again this fall to break the current grip the 7A-Central teams, mainly Bryant and North Little Rock, have had on the state championship. "I think our league will be improved from last year, which I think is really critical," Springdale Har-Ber coach Chris Wood said. "When you talk on a state level, we have to improve the play in our league at a higher level. We're doing a good job, but we have to take it to the See BRAGGING, Page 13 CARSON MORGAN SCHOOL Bentonville West POSITION Running back CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6-1 WEIGHT 205 TWITTER HANDLE @CarsonMorgan17 THE DIGITS Injuries limited him to just eight games, but he compiled 947 yards and 9 TDs and 140 carries (6.8-yard average) through the next eight games. … Also had 18 receptions for 236 yards and 1 score. … Finished with 135 yards and 2 TDs in a win over Springdale, the first of five games where he surpassed the 100-yard mark in a game. … His season-high performance came against Fort Smith Southside, where he ran for 191 yards and 2 TDs on 31 carries. … Has received offers from Air Force, Tulsa, Davidson, Pittsburg State, Navy, Harding and Army. MY HERO IS "Football-wise, I would say Ray Lewis. He inspired me to love the game. Outside of football, I would say my dad because he developed me in every way. He coached me when I was a kid and taught me stuff. I wouldn't be the man I am today or I will be without my dad." WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT FOOTBALL IS "I love running the football, plain and simple. I'm a running back, and I love running the football." IN 10 YEARS I WILL "Hopefully, I'll be graduating med school and doing orthopedic surgery or cardiology. That's the fields I want to go into, or best comes to best, the NFL — something like that." Good Luck Teams! Sisco Funeral Chapel 705 W. Meadow • Springdale, AR 479-751-4577 • www.siscofuneral.com Ty Durham | Bentonville West File Photo