Bentonville overpowers West behind Ficklin, Slepecki in rivalry win

Published On: November 10, 2025Categories: High School, News

Bentonville 48, Bentonville West 31

CENTERTON — Bentonville imposed its will after halftime to complete a 10–0 regular season and clinch the 7A West’s No. 1 seed, pulling away from rival Bentonville West 48–31 at Wolverine Stadium on Friday. Running back Chris Ficklin powered the Tigers with two rushing scores, including a burst that broke a scrum and flipped momentum early in the third quarter. Quarterback Cole Slepecki threw three touchdowns—two to DeQuane Prevo and another to Blair Irvin III—as Bentonville strung together four straight TD drives after West drew within 20–17. Up front, an experienced line featuring Will Neumann, Jed Rasico and Paxton Ghidotti consistently created creases, while Kameran Thornton‑Mead added a 43‑yard scoring sprint. Kicker Kylee Sallee converted 5 of 6 PATs.

West, coached by Bryan Pratt, traded blows early behind senior quarterback Tre Thompson, who accounted for three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing). Sophomore VJ Warren supplied West’s late 11‑yard scoring run, while receivers William Davis, Jackson Lane, Ryan Adjam and Asher Swoboda were frequent targets in the quick game. Kicker Nick Byrne hit a 32‑yard field goal and was perfect on PATs. Coach Jody Grant’s defense answered when needed with timely pressures and open-field stops to close out the final quarter.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter Bentonville – DeQuane Prevo 18 pass from Cole Slepecki (Kylee Sallee kick), BEN 7–0.
1st Bentonville West – Tre Thompson 13 run (Nick Byrne kick), 7–7.
1st Bentonville – Chris Ficklin 1 run (kick blocked), BEN 13–7.
2nd Bentonville West – Nick Byrne 32 FG, BEN 13–10.
2nd Bentonville – James Pratt 1 run (Sallee kick), BEN 20–10.
3rd Bentonville West – Thompson 39 run (Byrne kick), BEN 20–17.
3rd Bentonville – Ficklin run (Sallee kick), BEN 27–17.
3rd Bentonville – Kameran Thornton‑Mead 43 run (Sallee kick), BEN 34–17.
3rd Bentonville – Prevo pass from Slepecki (Sallee kick), BEN 41–17.
4th Bentonville West – Thompson TD pass (Byrne kick), BEN 41–24.
4th Bentonville – Blair Irvin III pass from Slepecki (Sallee kick), BEN 48–24.
4th Bentonville West – VJ Warren 11 run (Byrne kick), Final 48–31.