Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/898336
10 PREP RALLY PLAYOFF: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017 T R E E S E R V I C E PR A I R I E GR O V E 4 7 9 - 6 0 1 - 5 5 9 1 4 7 9 - 8 4 6 - 43 3 3 RICK FIRES NWA Democrat-Gazette SPRINGDALE — e Springdale roster includes 19 players who are at least 6-feet tall and 17 who weigh at least 200 pounds. But the player you don't want to mess with is Garrett Vaughan, a 5-foot-9, 155-pound junior. Vaughan is a running back who plays with his le hand heavily wrapped aer he suffered a spiral fracture in Week 3 against Russellville. Springdale's playoff hopes were enhanced when Vaughn returned with a club on his le hand in Week 8 and scored two touchdowns against Van Buren. Vaughan actually eased back into action the week before by playing in the secondary against Bentonville. But his primary function is as a running back for the Bulldogs (6-4, 3-4). who will play at Cabot tonight in a first-round game. "(Vaughan) is like that old-school Springdale type football player," Springdale coach Zak Clark said. "He's tough. He actually broke his leg going into ninth grade and it was a bad break. But he's come back and he was our most productive player by far when he got hurt against Russellville. He can run inside, outside and he's a great pass-blocker. He may be the best blocker on the team." Vaughan still leads Springdale in rushing despite missing four games on offense. He's rushed for over 500 yards and 11 touchdowns coupled with 10 catches out of the backfield for 99 yards. He scored on runs of 7 and 2 yards when Springdale clinched a winning record with a 40-23 win over Rogers High. His grunt work as a blocker has helped Springdale quarterbacks Layne Hutchins and Will Mueller combine for 17 touchdowns and over 1,800 yards passing. "I just want to win games and I'll do anything I can to help the team," Vaughan, who still has swelling on his le hand from his injury earlier this season. Vaughan is part of a family that grew up on Springdale football with varying success. His dad, Rick Vaughan, played on a Springdale team that won a state championship in 1982 under Jarrell Williams. His older brother, Zach, played on the Springdale team that went 0-10 in 2015. "Even as kids, Zach and I would go out in the yard before the Hogs' games and run the plays we thought they would run," Garrett Vaughan said. "At Springdale, Zach played some quarterback at first and he'd come home and teach me the plays. Occasionally, he'll say something when we lose but I come back with 'hey, at least we've got some wins.'" Springdale started 4-0 and will finish with a winning record aer going 4-7 last season. But the Bulldogs are hopeful for some postseason success aer getting bounced 45-14 by Bryant in the first round last year. "If we do what we're supposed to, we can play with anybody," Vaughan said. "It's all about the mindset. We have to come prepared." Vaughan packs a punch at running back for Springdale Bulldogs AT A GLANCE GARRETT VAUGHAN SCHOOL Springdale CLASS Junior HEIGHT 5-9 WEIGHT 155 POSITION Running back NOTABLE Leads Springdale in rushing with over 500 yards and 11 touchdowns despite missing four games in the backfield with a hand injury. … A fierce blocker and capable receiver with 10 catches for 99 yards. … As a junior, rushed for 468 yards and four touchdowns. … Father, Rick, and brother, Zach, also played for the Bulldogs. Springdale Bulldogs (6-4) DATE OPPONENT RESULT Sept. 1 ......................Conway ................................... W 19-17 Sept. 8 ......................Alma ......................................... W 34-19 Sept. 15 ...................At Russellville ........................ W 31-28 Sept. 22 ...................At Rogers Heritage.............. W 44-7 Sept. 29 ...................Springdale Har-Ber ............. L 56-14 Oct. 6 ........................Bentonville West .................. L 45-29 Oct. 13 .....................At Bentonville ....................... L 49-21 Oct. 20 .....................Van Buren ............................... W 42-7 Oct. 27 .....................At Fayetteville ....................... L 52-14 Nov. 3 .......................Rogers ..................................... W 40-23 Nov. 10 .....................Cabot ...................................... 7pm CLASS 7A • Packaging • POS Signage • POP Displays • Digital Printing • Pressure Sensitive Labels • Mock-ups & Prototyping • Graphic & Structural Design • Multi-Vendor Program Management • Assembly, Fulfi llment & Logistics