Prep Rally

By Graham Thomas

Sports & Recreation College & High School

What's Prep Rally about?

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.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Prep Rally episodes:

03.15.2024
NWA and River Valley Prep Basketball Tournament Recap
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
02.15.2024
Conference showdowns highlight final stretch of prep basketball season in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley
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...
02.08.2024
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
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...
02.01.2024
Breaking down the latest high school basketball action for Northwest Arkansas 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...
01.25.2024
The 6A-West Conference is starting to take shape
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.
01.18.2024
Wintry weather postpones highs school games, but a big thaw promises relief
Winter weather all over Arkansas has put a halt over everything for the time being, but hopefully warmer days and basketball are ahead. Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and River Valley Democrat-Gazette reports Rick Fires, Walter Woodie, Leland Barclay and Graham Thomas...
01.11.2024
Basketball and the weather are in full swing in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley
Basketball season is in full swing in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley, if the weather cooperates. So far so good. Graham Thomas, Rick Fires and Leleand Barclay dive into it and much more on this week’s Prep Rally.
12.07.2023
Fayetteville Bulldogs and Greenwood Secure Perfect 13-0 Records, Claiming Football State Titles
It's Purple Perfection in 7A football as the Fayetteville Bulldogs finish 13-0. Greenwood also finishes 13-0 and brings the state title back. We take a look at the state championship games from last weekend on this week's Prep Rally.
11.29.2023
Fayetteville defeats Conway, Bentonville defeats Bryant to set up a 7A west state championship
Graham, Rick and Leland take a look back at last week’s playoff games, including Fayetteville’s victory over Conway, Bentonville defeating Bryant and wins from Greenwood and Shiloh Christian. Then the guys look ahead to this week’s Class 5A, 6A and...
11.22.2023
The Return of the 7A West?
After Week 2 of the Arkansas High School playoffs, we're down to just a few teams here in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley. Who will survive Week 3? We take a look this week on a special Thanksgiving edition of...
11.15.2023
A recap of the first round of prep football playoffs
Round 1 of the Arkansas High School playoffs is in the books. Graham, Rick and Leland take a look back at last week’s playoff games and look forward to the second round as Fayetteville, Bentonville and Greenwood join the party.
11.09.2023
Recap of last week's games in Northwest Arkansas, River Valley and a look to the playoffs
Sports reporters Graham Thomas, Rick Fires and Leland Barclay take a look back at the last week of the regular season and look to this week’s first round of the Arkansas High School football playoffs.
11.01.2023
Playoff Picture Unveiled: Week 10 scenarios and more
It’s the final week of the regular season. Who’s in after this week? Who’s out? And who needs to win in Week 10 to keep playing? We discuss this and much more on this week’s Prep Rally. Sign up for our...
10.25.2023
Recap of Bentonville's victory, Har-Ber's shootout, and more on Prep Rally
Graham Thomas, Rick Fires and Leland Barclay look back at Bentonville’s win over Rogers, the shootout between Springdale Har-Ber and Fort Smith Southside and Farmington’s upset win over Shiloh Christian. Also, the guys take a look at this week’s games. Sign up...
10.18.2023
Fayetteville's triumph, Harrison's Hail Mary, and 3A-1 showdown
Fayetteville's win over Bentonville as Purple ‘Dogs are in driver seat for the conference championship. Harrison rallies to beat Alma with a Hail Mary pass and Booneville and Charleston set to clash in a 3A-1 showdown. All this and more...
10.11.2023
Undefeated Fayetteville faces Bentonville in a high stakes showdown for the 7A-West Conference
Undefeated Fayetteville hosts Bentonville with the winner in the driver’s seat for the 7A-West Conference championship. The wild, wild 5A-West stays wild with Alma and Shiloh Christian out in front, and big games in the 4A-1 and 3A-1. All this and...
10.04.2023
High school football recap: Fayetteville triumphs, anticipation builds for Springdale showdown, and top 5 highlights
Graham Thomas, Rick Fires and Leland Barclay look back at Fayetteville’s 47-42 victory over Rogers as well as the other big high school football games in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley. The guys then look ahead to this week, including...
09.27.2023
Rogers Mounties impress with win; Eyes on Fayetteville in 7A-West conference battle
How about those Rogers Mounties? Rogers with a huge win at Fort Smith Southside to open 7A west conference play. Can the Mounties do it again this week at Fayetteville in another conference showdown of undefeated teams? Graham Thomas, Rick Fires and...
09.20.2023
7A-West Conference Play begins in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley
It’s time for 7A-West Conference play. Sports reporters Graham Thomas, Rick Fires and Leland Barclay examine this week’s best matchups, including Rogers at Fort Smith Southside and Fayetteville at Bentonville West along with looking back at last week’s games. Sign up...
09.13.2023
Week 2 is over, week 3 is set to kick off
Week 2 is over as week 3 begins before Arkansas High Football conference play begins, Graham Thomas, Rick Fires and Leland Barclay drill down in last weeks games and the upcoming games. Don’t miss theirs top 5 picks from around Northwest...
09.05.2023
Week 1 recap including a matchup between 7A titans Bentonville, Conway; Shiloh Christians Bo Williams monster game
Graham Thomas, Rick Fires and Leland Barclay take a look back at Week 1 in high school football in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley. The guys break down the Conway Wampus Cats’ 42-39 win at Bentonville in a match...
08.30.2023
A look back to week zero
Sports reporters Graham Thomas, Rick Fires and Leland Barclay look back on the games from Week Zero in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley. The guys then turn their attention to the Week 1 football games, including the Game of...
08.22.2023
Football is back in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley
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...
05.25.2023
The toughest kids in high school sports
Toughness is the theme today as Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporters recap the spring state championship games and Booneville’s Lexi Franklin pitching with 6 stitches over her right eye after getting hit prior to the Lady Bearcats’ 3A state championship...
05.18.2023
Weekend of Champions and 5 consecutive no-hitters
It’s Weekend of Champions this week and the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporters break down all championship games in Conway this weekend. In the Feats of the Week, Benton’s Alyssa Houston has thrown 5 consecutive no-hitters to lead the Lady Panthers...
05.11.2023
Introducing NWA's newest sports editor and some fantastic high school sports feats
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Sports Editor Graham Thomas joins the podcast this week. A plethora of spring sports were the topic today starting with Gunnar Woolard’s big day for the Gravette Lions as they win the 4A-North Regional baseball championship. In the feats...
05.04.2023
State Track Meets Begin - Ozark's Anna Woolsey Dominates
In today’s podcast, Anna Woolsey of Ozark had another big day on the track, scoring 46 points with four first place finishes in the Class 4A state track meet Tuesday. In our Feats of the Week, Rogers Gael Salinas drove in...
04.27.2023
A Champion clinches the conference on a walk-off
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporters talk on today’s podcast about the merits of a perfect game and Stephanie Crittenden’s three-homer game for Bentonville West. Also on today’s show, we hit the feats of the week including Caleb Champion’s conference-clinching walk-off single...
04.20.2023
No-hitters and perfect games
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporters dive into spring sports to recap Springdale Har-Ber pitcher Ross Felder’s no-hitter and Hackett sophomore pitcher Makenzie Freeman’s 10th career perfect game. Also reporters give a brief preview of the upcoming track meets including the...
04.13.2023
Dive into spring sports in Northwest Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporters dive into spring sports in recapping baseball, softball and soccer games from this week. And this week’s feats of the week were incredible from Ozark’s Anna Woolsey’s 56 points in a track meet to Lincoln’s...
04.06.2023
Rain couldn't stop these outstanding feats for three NWA schools
Rain wiped out a large number of games this week, but it did not diminish three outstanding feats of the week. Farmington’s Justine Davidson had a huge day for the Lady Cardinal softball team in back to back games, hitting...
03.29.2023
Spring sports are in full swing
Spring sports are in full swing after spring break and there were a number of highlights this week. The three Feats of the Week are: Jaison DeLamar of Fayetteville threw a no-hitter in Fayetteville’s 1-0 win against Fort Smith Northside; Janie Kramer of...
03.16.2023
State Basketball Championship recap and incredible pitching from Pea Ridge
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporters break down Pea Ridge pitcher Emory Bowlin's incredible week, she struck out all 21 batters she faced in a game against Rogers Heritage, then came back four days later and pitched another perfect game against...
03.08.2023
The Basketball Championship Games are Set
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporters break down state basketball tournaments as teams advance to state championship games this week in Hot Springs. The Springdale boys (6A), Greenwood girls (5A), Farmington girls (4A), Lamar girls (3A) and County Line boys (1A) all...
02.27.2023
Basketball, Basketball and Even More Basketball
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporters will preview state basketball tournaments which start Tuesday across the state. Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley will host three conference tournaments. Rogers will host the 6A tournament, Lamar will host the 3A and Ozark High...
02.22.2023
It's Regional Tournament Time for High School Basketball
On this week’s Prep Rally podcast, reporters Henry Apple, Rick Fires and Leland Barclay turn their attention on the regional tournaments for Class 1A through 4A and how important winning the first-round game becomes as it leads to a berth...
02.16.2023
6A Basketball Conference Tournament Preview
Sports writers with the NWA Democrat-Gazette and River Vally Democrat-Gazette take a look at the upcoming 6A conference basketball tournaments and the small schools conference play starting this week. Read more sports stories at: nwaonline.com/sports/prep/ Sign up for our free Prep Sports newsletter...
02.09.2023
Basketball Roundup for Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporters recap Bentonville West’s big home win against Bentonville; and Springdale Har-Ber girls home win against Fort Smith Northside. Read more sports stories at: nwaonline.com/sports/prep/ Sign up for our free Prep Sports newsletter at: nwaonline.com/sportsemail/
01.25.2023
Weather wrecks this week's basketball games in Northwest Arkansas and River Valley
Sport writers with the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette talk about the effect weather is having on the high school basketball season, a big night at Farmington, and give a shout out to the now winningest high school girls basketball coach. Read more...
01.18.2023
The Dominant 6A west basketball conference
Join Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports editor, Chip Souza and writers Henry Apple and Leland Barclay on this week's Prep Rally Podcast. The crew will recap the past week of basketball action including the seeming dominance of the 6A west boys conference,...
01.12.2023
Prep Rally Jan. 12, 2023
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporters recap conference basketball games including Springdale HIgh’s huge comeback win Tuesday against rival Har-Ber. Read more sports stories at: nwaonline.com/sports/prep/ Sign up for our free Prep Sports newsletter at: nwaonline.com/sportsemail/ Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas,...
12.15.2022
Arkansas State 3A Football Championship Recap
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporters recap the Class 3A state football championship as Charleston knocked off Booneville. Read more sports stories at: nwaonline.com/sports/prep/ Sign up for our free Prep Sports newsletter at: nwaonline.com/sportsemail/ Support your local news by subscribing at: nwaonline.com/subscribe
12.08.2022
State Football Championship Recap
State football championship games recapped and Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporters preview this weekend’s big basketball tournaments. Read more sports stories at: nwaonline.com/sports/prep/ Sign up for our free Prep Sports newsletter at: nwaonline.com/sportsemail/ Don't miss the latest news in Northwest Arkansas, sign up for our free...
11.30.2022
State Championship Preview
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporters preview this weekend’s state championship football games at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Read more sports stories at: nwaonline.com/sports/prep/ Sign up for our free Prep Sports newsletter at: nwaonline.com/sportsemail/
11.24.2022
Week 2 recap of the football playoffs
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Reporters Chip Souza, Rick Fires and Leland Barclay recap week two of the high school football playoffs, and the Big Show Tip-Off basketball tournament at Fort Smith Northside. Read more sports stories at: nwaonline.com/sports/prep/ Sign up for our free...
11.17.2022
A recap for week 1 of high school football playoffs
Chip Souza, Paul Boyd, Leland Barclay talk about the week 1 football playoff results, preview next week's games and a basketball tournament at Fort Smith Northside. Leland will also preview a feature story about a coaching family in the River Valley. Read...
11.09.2022
Regular season wrap up, with a look to the playoffs
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporters recap the final week of the regular season of high school football and preview National Signing Day as Farmington’s Jenna Lawrence signs to play basketball at Arkansas along with other signees. Read more sports stories at:...
11.03.2022
The Crowning of NWA and River Valley champions
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporters recap championship-clinching wins by Shiloh Christian, Greenwood and Elkins, and give props to Fayetteville’s superior volleyball team. Read more sports stories at: nwaonline.com/sports/prep/ Sign up for our free Prep Sports newsletter at: nwaonline.com/sportsemail/
10.26.2022
The Shiloh Christian Saints marched over Farmington
Shiloh Christian’s dominating win against Farmington is the main topic today as Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporters recap the Saints’ 51-30 win. Chip, Henry, Rick and Leland also look ahead to this week’s big games as the prep football season enters...
10.20.2022
Tigers win big over Bulldogs in OT and a preview of this week's big matchups
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporters recap Bentonville's overtime win against Fayetteville last week, and take a look ahead at this week's huge 5A-West clash as Farmington rolls into Shiloh Christian.

What's Prep Rally about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Prep Rally episodes:

NWA and River Valley Prep Basketball Tournament Recap

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

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

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

The 6A-West Conference is starting to take shape

Wintry weather postpones highs school games, but a big thaw promises relief

Basketball and the weather are in full swing in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley

Fayetteville Bulldogs and Greenwood Secure Perfect 13-0 Records, Claiming Football State Titles

Fayetteville defeats Conway, Bentonville defeats Bryant to set up a 7A west state championship

The Return of the 7A West?

A recap of the first round of prep football playoffs

Recap of last week's games in Northwest Arkansas, River Valley and a look to the playoffs

Playoff Picture Unveiled: Week 10 scenarios and more

Recap of Bentonville's victory, Har-Ber's shootout, and more on Prep Rally

Fayetteville's triumph, Harrison's Hail Mary, and 3A-1 showdown

Undefeated Fayetteville faces Bentonville in a high stakes showdown for the 7A-West Conference

High school football recap: Fayetteville triumphs, anticipation builds for Springdale showdown, and top 5 highlights

Rogers Mounties impress with win; Eyes on Fayetteville in 7A-West conference battle

7A-West Conference Play begins in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley

Week 2 is over, week 3 is set to kick off

Week 1 recap including a matchup between 7A titans Bentonville, Conway; Shiloh Christians Bo Williams monster game

A look back to week zero

Football is back in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley

The toughest kids in high school sports

Weekend of Champions and 5 consecutive no-hitters

Introducing NWA's newest sports editor and some fantastic high school sports feats

State Track Meets Begin - Ozark's Anna Woolsey Dominates

A Champion clinches the conference on a walk-off

No-hitters and perfect games

Dive into spring sports in Northwest Arkansas

Rain couldn't stop these outstanding feats for three NWA schools

Spring sports are in full swing

State Basketball Championship recap and incredible pitching from Pea Ridge

The Basketball Championship Games are Set

Basketball, Basketball and Even More Basketball

It's Regional Tournament Time for High School Basketball

6A Basketball Conference Tournament Preview

Basketball Roundup for Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley

Weather wrecks this week's basketball games in Northwest Arkansas and River Valley

The Dominant 6A west basketball conference

Prep Rally Jan. 12, 2023

Arkansas State 3A Football Championship Recap

State Football Championship Recap

State Championship Preview

Week 2 recap of the football playoffs

A recap for week 1 of high school football playoffs

Regular season wrap up, with a look to the playoffs

The Crowning of NWA and River Valley champions

The Shiloh Christian Saints marched over Farmington

Tigers win big over Bulldogs in OT and a preview of this week's big matchups