Bentonville Rolls Past Northside, Grant Earns 100th Win

Published On: October 4, 2025Categories: High School, News

Bentonville 34, Fort Smith Northside 0

Bentonville’s defense and special teams set the tone early and never relented, blanking Fort Smith Northside 34–0 at Tiger Stadium. Senior WR/CB Conrad Schmidt jump‑started the night with an 89‑yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the opening play, and the Tigers kept piling on with timely takeaways and field position. QB Cole Slepecki later dropped a 34‑yard strike to Dequane Prevo, RB Chris Ficklin powered in a 1‑yard score, and LB Kameran Thornton‑Meadadded a scoop‑and‑score in the third quarter. K Kylee Sallee converted four PATs.

Northside’s defense battled, forcing punts and muddying reads in the first half. TE/P Elijah Rogers gave the Grizzlies their best spark as a direct‑snap runner, consistently churning out yards with patient cutbacks, while the coverage units limited Bentonville’s return game after the opener. But Bentonville’s front seven smothered the zone‑read looks and turned short fields into points. DB Tristan Brown authored the night’s first defensive touchdown with a first‑quarter pick‑six, and the Tigers rolled their defensive line to keep fresh legs on the edges.

Bentonville’s offense found rhythm after halftime, leaning on Ficklin’s tough inside running and quick, high‑percentage throws to Schmidt and Prevo to stay ahead of the chains. Both staffs mixed personnel on a warm night, but the Tigers’ depth showed across all three phases. The win keeps Bentonville unbeaten in 7A West play; Northside’s physical front offers building blocks as the Grizzlies return to league action next week.

Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Bentonville – Conrad Schmidt 89‑yd kickoff return (Kylee Sallee kick), 7–0.
Bentonville – Tristan Brown interception return (Sallee kick), 14–0.

2nd Quarter
Bentonville – Chris Ficklin 1‑yd run (kick failed), 20–0.

3rd Quarter
Bentonville – Dequane Prevo 34‑yd pass from Cole Slepecki (Sallee kick), 27–0.
Bentonville – Kameran Thornton‑Mead fumble return (Sallee kick), 34–0.

Players Who Stood Out

Conrad Schmidt (WR/CB, Bentonville) — 89‑yd KR TD; chain‑moving catches.
Chris Ficklin (RB, Bentonville) — short‑yardage hammer; 1‑yd TD.
Cole Slepecki (QB, Bentonville) — efficient second‑half rhythm; 34‑yd TD pass.
Kameran Thornton‑Mead (LB, Bentonville) — scoop‑and‑score; multiple disruptive snaps.
Elijah Rogers (TE/P, Northside) — most effective ballcarrier; steady special‑teams work.