High School Clipboard

Fayetteville linebacker James Bornhoft signed on the dotted line. And now the senior belongs to the United States Naval Academy, for which he will suit up next season on the gridiron. Bornhoft inked his letter of intent with Navy at a signing ceremony Wednesday at Bulldog Fieldhouse.
Bornhoft was offered a Division I scholarship by Air Force, Navy, Cornell, Yale and Penn. Other suitors included: Missouri Southern, Northeastern Oklahoma and Arkansas Tech.
“He’s a great young man with a lot going for him,” Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton said. “This is a great opportunity for him and I’m proud of him. He’s earned it.”
Bornhoft (6-3, 240) logged 112 tackles, tying the former school record for defensive stops. Bornhoft also intercepted two passes, logged three sacks and forced a fumble to help the Purple Dogs to the Class 7A state championship, the first in school history for football.
“My family and I came to the decision that Navy was the best place for me,” Bornhoft said. “They offered me the opportunity and I had a very good visit there. I know I’m going to have to get a haircut but everyone has to grow up some time. This is just the opportunity of a lifetime, a dream come true and for me it was an offer I just couldn’t pass up.”

The Fayetteville Lady Bulldogs (20-4, 9-2) are the surprise team in the 7A-West Conference and have won five-straight games. Tonight’s contest at Fort Smith Northside will give Fayetteville the inside track to a first-round bye at the upcoming 7A state tournament in Conway

Tonight’s game pitting Fayetteville against Fort Smith Northside carries more significance than any other 7A-West Conference game this year, as first place will be on the line.
Both teams enter the fray with win streaks. Northside is the hottest team in the league after winning nine-straight games, and Fayetteville (16-6, 9-2) is also rolling, winners of four straight.
Both teams feature deep benches. Keeping Northside (18-5, 9-2) off the offensive glass will be imperative to Fayetteville’s hopes of winning.

Relying on a deep bench, a star guard, a talented post man and key role players, Fayetteville has won three straight in 7A-West Conference play. The versatility of it personality has it two-way tie with Fort Smith Northside for the conference lead.

The Fayetteville Lady Bulldogs will vie for their fifth-straight win tonight in Bentonville. After being picked to finish in the middle of the pack in the 7A-West Conference standings, Fayetteville is in the running for a conference title with four regular-season games remaining.

Fayetteville receiver Gionni Harris will ink a letter of intent to play football for Arkansas-Pine Bluff Wednesday at Bulldog Fieldhouse.
Harris will be the only Purple Dog who signs on or before national signing day this Thursday. While Harris will sign Wednesday at 3 p.m. another press conference is scheduled for Fayetteville junior left tackle Colby Berna Thursday at 3 p.m.
Harris committed to UAPB last Saturday after being offered a full ride and will have a chance to play right away, Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton said.
“I’m very excited for Gionni and this is a big opportunity for him,” Patton said. “He’s had a great career here and we will miss him.”
Harris set single-season school records last season in catches (64), receiving yards (1,218) and receiving touchdowns (14). He received offers from Tennessee-Martin, Elon (N.C.) University, Missouri Southern, Northeastern Oklahoma, Truman (Mo.) State, Missouri S&T and Arkansas Tech before committing to UAPB.

Fayetteville High left tackle Cobly Berna was offered a scholarship by the Arkansas Razorbacks Thursday morning. Berna, who is just a junior, said he hasn’t officially accepted the offer but added that a decision could come as early as this weekend.
Berna confirmed he will meet with Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino, offensive line coach Mike Summers and running backs/tights ends coach Tim Horton Saturday at the Broyles Complex.
Berna (6-4, 270) spoke to Petrino and Horton Thursday on the telephone and Berna was offered a scholarship.
“We’re going to sit down and talk and seriously consider it,” said Scott Berna, Colby’s father. “I know Colby’s always wanted to be a Razorback and dreamed about running the ‘A.’ I know he will come to the decision he feels is best for him.”
Berna said he had spoken briefly with Horton last week but said Thursday’s offer came as a bit of a surprise. Berna, who is beginning to receive a lot of Division I attention, said Arkansas is his only official offer so far.
“I’ve thought about playing for the Razorbacks since I was little,” Colby Berna said. “I’m still a little shocked that they offered me already. My dream is at my fingertips and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I’m going to talk to [Arkansas] Saturday and [Thursday] I just told them I wanted to talk to my family and hopefully make a decision real soon.”
Berna has one more year to hone his skills before he makes the leap to the collegiate gridiron. Berna was an all-conference left tackle last season for the Purple Dogs and was a key cog in helping his team win its first-ever state title in football.
“We’ve never had an All-American at Fayetteville but Colby’s got a chance next year,” Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton said. “I think he can be that guy. He had an unbelievable year at left tackle. When you talk to coaches in the conference and around the state, they know who Colby Berna is. He was a dominator on the line of scrimmage.”

Fayetteville rode junior fullback Cody Hammer to its first state championship in football Saturday at War Memorial Stadium.
Hammer ran for 205 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries to spur Fayetteville (9-3-1) to a 28-7 win over Springdale Har-Ber in the Class 7A state championship. The victory avenged a 42-41 overtime loss to Har-Ber (10-3) in Week 9.
Hammer’s Herculean effort garned MVP honors. He carried the ball on 22 of Fayetteville’s 37 second-half snaps, including the final 16 plays of the game. An injury to quarterback Blake McDonald’s right ankle put the onus Hammer to carry the load.
McDonald, the 7A record holder for single-season passing yards, threw only three times in the second half. He finished the game 9 of 20 for 142 yards and a touchdown.
Har-Ber quarterback Patrick Calcagni was 12 of 19 for 139 yards and a touchdown. Josh Fohner was the Wildcats’ leading receiver, catching five passes for 108 yards and a touchdown.

Blake McDonald is favoring the right foot he injured in the first quarter. The injury is affecting his footwork, as he completed 1-of-3 attempts for 4 yards in the third quarter. The Bulldogs have limited McDonald’s injury by operating exclusively from a power formation.
The formation features bruising fullback Cody Hammer, who’s ran for 170 yards with 7:55 remaining. His 5-yard touchdown gave Fayetteville a 28-7 lead. Hammer carried on all eight of the scoring drive’s plays, gaining 61 yards

Alex Miller’s interception ended Har-Ber’s second series of the second half. An earlier muffed punt gave Fayetteville possession near midfield.

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