Football is back and so is the Prep Rally Podcast.
Sports reporters Graham Thomas, Rick Fires and Leland Barclay discuss the Week Zero games in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley, including rivalry matchups with Alma at Van Buren, Northside at Southside and this week’s game of the week, Cabot at Fayetteville.
They also discuss how the extreme heat will impact the start times for kickoff.
The guys also will break down their Top Five storylines heading into the 2023 season.

Football is back in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley

The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's sports team talks about local high school sports. We'll also interview local players, coaches and administrators from Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley.

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College & High School

Sports

We’re back with a post basketball season edition of Prep Rally. Join us as we recap the state finals in Hot Springs and local state tournaments

NWA and River Valley Prep Basketball Tournament Recap

We’re into the final week and a half of regular season prep basketball in NWA and the River Valley. A lot of exciting conference races coming down to the finish line. We’ll talk about it next on Prep Rally.
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports editor Graham Thomas, reporters Rick Fires and Leland Barclay cover some of the best games from this past week.
Rick returns after time on the disabled list. Something about a mule we hear. Leland witnessed the battle of Crawford County part two. Alma vs. Van Buren where the Pointers handed Alma their first loss and earned a trip to the postseason. Rick watched Rogers Heritage come in Springdale Har-Ber's Wildcat stadium get decimated by Courtland Muldrew and the rest of the Wildcats. 
Bentonville and Fayetteville, was a fight for most of the game. Other teams include Bentonville West, a dangerous Springdale team and upcoming district tournaments. 
We figured it would all come down to the final weeks of the year and that's ringing true.

Conference showdowns highlight final stretch of prep basketball season in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley

Graham Thomas and Leland Barclay take a look back at the best games from Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley.
The crew talk about the stellar atmosphere as the Springdale boys down Fayetteville, the New School sweeps Ozark Catholic to win their conference, Bentonville sets track records are over the weekend, Fayetteville girls win over Springdale and the latest wrestling victories for NWA schools. 
In the River Valley, Van Buren wins another championship. In what? Better listen to find out. Also, several River Valley athletes found success in track, Northside Lady Bears continue to excel and Alma starts 9-0. The first since the 1940's.

From hard fought victories on the court to record-setting track wins, Graham and Leland cover the top performances from NWA and the River Valley

Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporters Graham Thomas and Rick Fires join River Valley reporter Leland Barclay to discuss the latest high school basketball action, including Van Buren’s visit to Alma, along with the best games in the 6A-West Conference including Bentonville's win against Springdale, and the split series between Rogers and Heritage. 
They also preview upcoming games and mention standout performances from players like Annabelle Perry, Alyson Edwards of Mansfield, Marco Smith of Fort Smith Northside, Erianna Gooden of Fort Smith Northside, Israel Towns-Robinson of Alma, and other high school athletes.

Breaking down the latest high school basketball action for Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley

The 6A-West Conference is starting to take shape on both the boys and girls sides. Who’s out front? Who’s in the mix? And How bout that 5A-West? All this and more on this week’s Prep Rally.

Football is back in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley

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