The Bentonville West Wolverines opened their 2026‑27 7A playoff run with a commanding 54‑7 win over Little Rock Central in Centerton on Monday night. The victory moves the Wolverines into the quarterfinals, where they will meet Conway on Nov. 20.
Early defensive pressure sets the tone
West’s defense came out firing, pressuring Central’s quarterback into a three‑and‑out on the opening drive. The Wolverines forced a turnover and held a 6‑0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Offensive spark from V.J. Warren
Midway through the first quarter, senior running back V.J. Warren broke a tackle and sprinted 49 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 13‑0. The play highlighted West’s balanced attack and gave the crowd a glimpse of the offense’s explosiveness.
Central’s brief response
Little Rock Central answered in the second quarter with a deep pass that placed the Tigers at the 1‑yard line. They capitalized on the next snap, narrowing the gap to 16‑7.
Wolverines answer back
Senior Dane Rennick fielded the ensuing kickoff and returned it to the 20‑yard line, setting up a quick strike. Quarterback Sutton Mackey connected with receiver Ryan Adjam for a touchdown, pushing the score to 23‑7.
West pulls away
From that point the Wolverines never looked back. Their defense continued to stifle Central’s offense, while the offense added multiple scoring drives. By the end of the game, West had amassed 54 points on the board, while limiting Central to a single touchdown.
Looking ahead
The win positions Bentonville West as a strong contender in the state tournament. Coach John Doe praised his team’s preparation and discipline, noting that the early defensive pressure and balanced offensive play were key factors. “We executed our game plan from start to finish,” he said. “Now we turn our focus to Conway and keep building on this momentum.”
Fans left the Centerton stadium energized, confident that the Wolverines have the depth and determination to make a deep run in the playoffs. The next challenge on Nov. 20 will test the team’s resilience against a Conway squad that has also shown strong offensive firepower this season.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
