Thompson, Lane lead Wolverines past Heritage with second‑half surge

Bentonville West 56, Rogers Heritage 28

Centerton — Bentonville West turned a tense first half into a rout behind quarterback Tre Thompson and a wave of playmakers, pulling away from Rogers Heritage 56-28 in 7A West action Thursday. Thompson accounted for five touchdowns — four through the air and one on a scramble — while receivers Jackson Lane and Ryan Adjam kept the chains moving and the scoreboard spinning. Running back VJ Warren supplied balance with a rushing score and a third‑quarter wheel‑route touchdown.

Heritage struck first, grinding 8½ minutes on the opening drive before quarterback Braedon Carroll slipped in on a keeper. Senior two‑way back Evan Gordon later cut and powered in for a fourth‑quarter score as the War Eagles kept fighting. The Heritage defense authored the night’s highlights: senior Jake Stout jumped two routes for pick‑sixes, the second a coast‑to‑coast return late.

West’s defense also scored when Gavin Cross scooped a third‑quarter fumble and sprinted in. The Wolverines stacked explosive plays around that: Lane’s jet‑sweep score, Adjam’s high‑point fade, and Warren’s burst in the red zone. After Heritage drew within 21‑14 on Stout’s first pick‑six, West answered with 14 straight before halftime and never looked back.

Coach Bryan Pratt’s Wolverines were explosive yet efficient, while coach Eric Munoz’s War Eagles showed a clear identity in a physical double‑wing, leaning on a young offensive line and special‑teams poise from punter/kicker Ronald Vizuet.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Heritage – Braedon Carroll keeper (Vizuet kick), HER 7–0.
Bentonville West – Jackson Lane pass from Tre Thompson (PAT good), 7–7.

2nd Quarter
Bentonville West – Ryan Adjam pass from Thompson (PAT good), BW 14–7.
Bentonville West – Jackson Lane end‑around (PAT good), BW 21–7.
Heritage – Jake Stout interception return (Vizuet kick), BW 21–14.
Bentonville West – VJ Warren run (PAT good), BW 28–14.
Bentonville West – Tre Thompson run (PAT good), BW 35–14.

3rd Quarter
Bentonville West – VJ Warren pass from Thompson (PAT good), BW 42–14.
Bentonville West – Jackson Lane pass from Thompson (PAT good), BW 49–14.
Bentonville West – Gavin Cross fumble return (PAT good), BW 56–14.

4th Quarter
Heritage – Evan Gordon run (Vizuet kick), BW 56–21.
Heritage – Jake Stout interception return (Vizuet kick), Final 56–28.

Players who stood out

• Tre Thompson, QB, Bentonville West — four TD passes and a rushing score.

• Jackson Lane, WR, Bentonville West — three touchdowns.

• VJ Warren, RB, Bentonville West — rushing TD and receiving TD.

• Jake Stout, WR/SS, Heritage — two pick‑sixes.

• Evan Gordon, RB/MLB, Heritage — fourth‑quarter rushing TD.