Gomez, Roach finish Har-Ber comeback against unbeaten Bentonville West

Har-Ber 17, Bentonville West 14

October 16, 2026 | Hooten’s Arkansas Football |

Roman Gomez threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Breck Roach with 3:30 remaining, and Har-Ber completed a rally from a 14-point deficit to beat previously unbeaten Bentonville West 17-14 Friday night at Wildcat Stadium.

Gomez followed the go-ahead touchdown with a 2-point pass to Gibson Green, giving the Wildcats a three-point lead. Har-Ber’s defense then finished a night in which it held the Wolverines scoreless over the final three quarters.

Cyler Moore disrupted a screen and later stopped a double-pass attempt for a loss on Bentonville West’s final possession. Sutton Reed broke up the fourth-and-23 pass intended for Ty Ross with 1:23 left, allowing Har-Ber to run out the clock.

The winning drive began with a special-teams recovery. Brice Owens punted with just over four minutes remaining, and Dylan Nelson recovered the muff at the Bentonville West 43. Gomez completed passes to Townsend Teff and Treyson Reith before finding Roach over the middle for the touchdown.

Har-Ber had entered the fourth quarter trailing 14-2. Reed McAllister scored on a 2-yard run on the opening play of the period, then added the extra point to cut the deficit to 14-9 with 11:56 left.

The Wolverines drove into scoring position again, but a mishandled snap on a field-goal attempt gave Har-Ber another chance. Eli Roper brought down the ball carrier in the backfield, and the Wildcats took possession near their 24. Har-Ber eventually had to punt, setting up Nelson’s recovery and the decisive drive.

Bentonville West had controlled the early scoring. VJ Warren scored on a fourth-and-goal run from the 5, and Ethan Robinson kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 7:24 left in the first quarter.

On the Wolverines’ next possession, Sutton Mackey found Ryan Adjam on a 22-yard tunnel screen for a touchdown. Robinson’s second extra point made it 14-0 with 2:06 remaining in the quarter.

Har-Ber’s first points came in the second quarter when a punt snap sailed over Jacob Paulk’s head. The ball rolled into the end zone, where Paulk kicked it away for a safety. Bentonville West still led 14-2 at halftime and after a scoreless third quarter.

Reed intercepted a Mackey pass on Bentonville West’s opening possession of the second half, helping keep the deficit within reach. Gomez took over after starting quarterback Wylie Gardisser left the game in the third quarter and directed both fourth-quarter touchdown drives.

The win moved Har-Ber to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the 7A-West. Bentonville West fell to 6-1 and 3-1.

Scoring summary

First quarter • 7:24 Bentonville West — VJ Warren 5-yard run (Ethan Robinson kick). Bentonville West 7, Har-Ber 0.

First quarter • 2:06 Bentonville West — Ryan Adjam 22-yard pass from Sutton Mackey (Ethan Robinson kick). Bentonville West 14, Har-Ber 0.

Second quarter Har-Ber — Safety after a high punt snap and Jacob Paulk kicking the ball out of the end zone. Bentonville West 14, Har-Ber 2.

Fourth quarter • 11:56 Har-Ber — Reed McAllister 2-yard run (McAllister kick). Bentonville West 14, Har-Ber 9.

Fourth quarter • 3:30 Har-Ber — Breck Roach 23-yard pass from Roman Gomez (Gibson Green pass from Gomez). Har-Ber 17, Bentonville West 14.

Players who stood out

Roman Gomez, Har-Ber — Directed both fourth-quarter touchdown drives; threw the go-ahead 23-yard touchdown and the ensuing 2-point conversion.

Sutton Reed, Har-Ber — Third-quarter interception and the fourth-and-23 pass breakup that ended Bentonville West’s final possession.

Cyler Moore, Har-Ber — Disrupted a screen and stopped a double-pass play for a loss on Bentonville West’s last drive.

Breck Roach, Har-Ber — Caught the go-ahead touchdown with 3:30 remaining.

Reed McAllister, Har-Ber — 2-yard touchdown run and extra point cut the deficit to five early in the fourth quarter.

Dylan Nelson, Har-Ber — Recovered the muffed punt at the Bentonville West 43 to set up the winning drive.

VJ Warren and Ryan Adjam, Bentonville West — Scored the Wolverines’ first-quarter touchdowns.