A week ago, Bryant (Arkansas) survived a close call to return to a familiar postseason venue.
The Hornets are right back in Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium, playing for an Arkansas Activities Association state title for the seventh time since 2018. They will go for another Class 7A championship as they take on Bentonville in a rematch of last season’s 7A title game, when Bryant pulled off a 28-23 win.
LIVE STREAM: Watch Bryant vs. Bentonville live on the NFHS Network (Sign up today!)
Bryant comes into Friday’s title match at 12-0, but that undefeated season appeared to be in serious jeopardy last week in the semifinals. The Hornets trailed Rogers by two touchdowns with less than three minutes left in the fourth quarter before forcing overtime and pulling off a 50-43 win.
As for Bentonville, the Tigers (12-0) also had to rally late in their semifinal, with running back Chris Ficklin scoring from 2 yards out with 10 seconds remaining to grab a 26-21 win against Conway.
Bryant has won six state titles in program history, all since 2018. Bentonville is seeking to win state for the first time since claiming back-to-back titles in 2013-14.
Follow The Sporting News correspondent Buck Ringgold (@Bucks_Ballpark) for all of the live updates and scoring from Little Rock.
Scroll down for live score and game updates from kickoff to the postgame. Refresh this page for the latest.
BRYANT 21, BENTONVILLE 7 3RD QTR.
Refresh for latest
THIRD QUARTER
– Bentonville has to punt late in the third. Bryant should have the ball and a two-touchdown lead going into the fourth.
– Bryant gets inside the 5, but is stopped on fourth down at the 2. We have more than three minutes left in the period.
– FUMBLE RECOVERY BRYANT. Oklahoma signee Matthew Nelson gets a strip sack and then gets the fumble recovery. Hornets have the ball near the Bentonville 30.
– Bentonville forces a three-and-out on the next series, and will get the ball back after a Bryant punt.
– TOUCHDOWN BENTONVILLE. Tigers get on the board, as they take advantage of the interception, with Kame Thornton-Mead punching it in from 4 yards out. Kylee Sallee adds the PAT. (Bryant, 21-7 | 10:19, 3rd)
– INTERCEPTION BENTONVILLE. A much-needed big play for the Tigers, as Eli Pearson picks off a pass at his own 30 and returns it 52 yards to the Bryant 18. Tigers in business.
– Bryant receives the kickoff to start the second half.
HALFTIME
– Bryant misses a 33-yard field goal attempt on the final play of the opening half, but it was still all Hornets as they take a 21-point lead into the locker room at intermission.
SECOND QUARTER
– Bentonville has had six drives so far tonight. Tigers have punted on four of those, thrown an interception on another and turned it over on downs.
– TOUCHDOWN BRYANT. Hornets capitalize on the interception, and punch it in as running back TJ Hodges gets it in from 13 yards out on a third-down play. Grayson King adds the PAT. (Bryant, 21-0 | 7:11, 2nd)
– INTERCEPTION BRYANT. The Hornets’ Terrium Jones picks off a pass at the Bentonville 35 and returns it 11 yards to the 24. Bryant in great shape to possibly break this game wide open.
– Bentonville forces Bryant to punt, and the Tigers take over near their 25.
– Bentonville has had to punt on each of its first three series. Bryant has the ball just past midfield as we start the second period.
FIRST QUARTER
– TOUCHDOWN BRYANT. Hornets add to their lead on a punt return, as Jakobe Boone takes it back 54 yards after initially fumbling it before picking it back up and finding big-time space. (Bryant, 14-0 | 6:56, 1st)
– Bentonville QB Cole Slepecki was shaken up on the opening series after being brought down to the turf on the third-down sack. He came back to start the second series but lasted a play before leaving the game. Tigers forced to punt for the second time tonight.
– TOUCHDOWN BRYANT. Jeremiah Motes finds a wide open Keenan Latin over the middle from 29 yards out, and the Hornets have a successful opening drive. (Bryant, 7-0 | 8:18, 1st)
– Bryant converts on a fourth-and-short and are inside the Bentonville 30.
– Bryant defender Sam Nelson comes up with a sack on third down, and Bentonville will punt. Hornets to get the ball for the first time.
– It’s a chilly 39 degrees as we begin the game. Bentonville returns the kickoff to its 29-yard line.
PREGAME
– Bryant wins the toss and defers to the second half. Bentonville will receive the opening kickoff.
– Bryant is the designated visiting team in this game. Hornets are wearing blue helmets, white jerseys and blue pants. Bentonville, the home team, is in all black.
– Live from War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, it’s a rematch for the Class 7A state championship. Defending champ Bryant takes on Bentonville.
MORE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS NEWS
The Sporting News 2025 High School Football Top 25 – Week 17: December 2