Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Last year's Class 7A champion Fayetteville proudly wears a bulls eye on its back after beating then-unbeaten Bentonville. Class 6A El Dorado wants to extend a winning streak that began with its first title since 1958.

Fayetteville won't mind proving to the world that its championship title was no fluke. With UA commitment Austin Allen – little brother to Razorback back-up QB Brandon Allen – Coach Darryl Patton has high hopes:

In the comeback win against Bentonville, Allen passed for 376 yards and 4 TDs. His development led to an summer invitation to the Elite 11 quarterback camp, and it should have Fayetteville in the mix for a title again this year.

“Our players believe that as long as he’s on the field, we have a chance,” said Bulldogs Coach Daryl Patton, who has two other UA commitments in LB Brooks Ellis and safety Alex Brignoni. Brett Gahagans returns for his third year at RB.

Find out more about the Class 7A, predictions and games to watch in ArkansasSports360.com's 2012 Football Preview.

El Dorado is still rubbing its eyes in wonder at its streak of three conference titles. Before the 6A Wildcats began the streak in 2009, they had gone over 50 years without a championship. Coach Scott Reed tells ArkansasSports360.com, heck, El Dorado should be able to do it again:

Reed isn’t poor-mouthing his program these days either. Go ahead and put the Wildcats at or near the top of 6A.

“Honestly, we should be a contender again,” Reed said.

Reed’s son Taylor led the Wildcats to the first two state champions, and now Lucas Reed is working on back-to-back crowns. Lucas Reed passed for 26 touchdowns and nearly 2,3000 yards last year. Returning RB Marque Burris powered for 2,221 yards and 27 touchdowns last season.

Read more about the 6A in the 2012 Football Preview.

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As always, the football preview is free. You can pick up a copy of our primer for the 2012 season today at locations across Central Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Arkansas. There is still a limited number of copies available though print versions of the magazine are going fast. Click here for a map of locations. Remember, the magazine is free.

Can’t get your hands on a copy of the print edition? We’ve still got you covered with our digital edition of the 2012 ArkansasSports360.com Football Preview.