Bentonville landed haymakers early vs Fayetteville, racing to a 48–14 win

Published On: October 18, 2025Categories: Featured, High School, News, Uncategorized

Bentonville 48, Fayetteville 14

FAYETTEVILLE — Bentonville landed haymakers early and never looked back, racing to a 48–14 win at Harmon Stadium Friday. Senior quarterback Cole Slepecki threw four first‑half touchdowns, and senior running back Chris Ficklin ripped past 200 rushing yards with a 29‑yard score as the Tigers built a 48–7 halftime lead and triggered the sportsmanship clock.

Slepecki found DeQuane Prevo to open the scoring, then hit Jack Dunn twice on vertical shots and Blair Irvin III on a 40‑yard strike. Kameran Thornton‑Mead powered in from three yards and kicker Kylee Sallee converted six PATs before the break. Bentonville’s offensive line—anchored by Paxton Ghidotti, Will Neumann and Gio Estrada—controlled the trenches all night, springing Ficklin between the tackles and on screens.

Fayetteville showed its firepower in flashes. Junior quarterback Hank Hendrix tossed touchdowns to Catavion Taylorand Kinyun Johnson, with receivers Charles Whitlow and Jayden Nicholson moving the chains and backs Kaleb Johnson and Terrence Garden providing balance. Freshman kicker Ethan Farthing was perfect on PATs, and punter James Nolen flipped the field.

Bentonville’s defense stifled most of the Bulldogs’ drives. Mason Meyer and Aiden McCarthy each intercepted Hendrix, Eli Pearson logged a sack and multiple stops in space, and the Tigers’ pressure hurried throws all evening. Bentonville also executed situational special teams: Gio Puga’s pooch kicks neutralized Taylor, and the Tigers’ punt team twice pinned the Bulldogs inside the 15.

The victory keeps Bentonville unbeaten in 7A‑West play with Rogers up next, while Fayetteville looks to regroup for the stretch run.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Bentonville – DeQuane Prevo TD pass from Cole Slepecki (Kylee Sallee kick), 7–0.
Bentonville – Jack Dunn 47-yd pass from Slepecki (Sallee kick), 14–0
Bentonville – Blair Irvin III 40-yd pass from Slepecki (Sallee kick), 21–0.
Fayetteville – Catavion Taylor TD pass from Hank Hendrix (Ethan Farthing kick), 21–7.

2nd Quarter
Bentonville – Chris Ficklin 29-yd run (Sallee kick), 28–7.
Bentonville – Conrad Schmitz 14-yd pass from Slepecki (Sallee kick), 35–7.
Bentonville – Kameran Thornton‑Mead 3-yd run (kick failed), 41–7.
Bentonville – Jack Dunn 14-yd pass from Slepecki (Sallee kick), 48–7.

4th Quarter
Fayetteville – Kinyun Johnson TD pass from Hendrix (Farthing kick), 48–14.