A gutsy two-point conversion call by head coach Daryl Patton paid off in a huge way for
Fayetteville (Ark.), which stunned No. 18
Bentonville (Ark.) 29-28 in overtime for the Class 7A title.
Austin Allen, Fayetteville
File photo by Richey Miller
Quarterback
Austin Allen, who threw four touchdowns, completed a pass to
Tyler Tuck and Fayetteville's shocking victory.
A major underdog, Fayetteville (12-2) nearly won the game in regulation. It missed a potential game-winning field goal with less than a minute to play and the teams entered overtime tied 21-21.
After holding for two downs, Fayetteville allowed Bentonville (12-1) to convert on 3rd-and-goal to take a 28-21 lead.
Fayetteville struggled to get into the end zone on its possession. However, on fourth down, the team turned to its star junior quarterback.
Allen connected with Reid Holmes for a 3-yard touchdown, closing the gap to 28-27 and forcing Patton to make his most difficult decision of the season.
Patton opted to again lean on Allen, who did not disappoint, hitting Tuck for the state championship-clinching conversion.
Allen had a huge fourth quarter for Fayetteville, on the heels of Bentonville's 14-point third quarter that turned a 7-7 halftime tie into a seemingly comfortable 21-7 lead. Allen threw two touchdowns in the frame to tie the score, setting the stage for his overtime heroics.
He finished with 376 passing yards and four touchdowns.
The victory for Fayetteville avenged a 41-6 loss to Bentonville in September. It also snapped Bentonville's 25-game winning streak.
