Author: The Varsity Report

SHILOH CHRISTIAN SAINTS FOOTBALL KEEPS MARCHING ON BY DON LOWE Northwest Arkansas has seen several high schools across Benton and Washington Counties put together prominent pigskin powerhouses at various times over the past few decades. Without a doubt, the Shiloh Christian Saints have set a standard for gridiron greatness that is not only impressive across our state but stacks up against many programs on a national level. Quite honestly, in a span of just a little more than three decades since Shiloh Christian first started playing football in 1989, its ascent to becoming a dominant force most every fall didn’t…

ESPORTS GAINING POPULARITY BY DON LOWE | PHOTOS BY MARK STRICKLAND PHOTOS Interestingly, playing video games is becoming so much more than just youngsters sitting at home passing the time away, while outdueling a sibling or friends next door and then boasting about having ‘the high score.’ As a matter of fact, esports is such a phenomenon now that it has turned into another terrific option for ‘student-athletes’ in school who simply aren’t as inclined to be part of conventional extracurricular activities such as football, basketball, and baseball. In Arkansas, young boys, and girls from middle school through high school…

CLAY SHOOTING EMERGES BY DON LOWE | PHOTOS COURTESY OF USA CLAY TARGET LEAGUE Displaying greatness on the gridiron, showcasing dazzling skills on the diamond, and possessing highlight-reel talent on the hardwood isn’t for every student-athlete at the high school and junior high level. Interestingly, another option for young teenaged boys and girls who aren’t as likely to participate in the customary and longer-established athletic choices most familiar to so many of us happens to be clay shooting, which seems to be gaining more and more momentum across our country. That’s right. This truly is a spirited sport that is…

GAME CHANGER WITH JEFF WILLIAMS BY BRADLEY LINAM | PHOTO BY MARK STRICKLAND PHOTOS Siloam Springs Athletic Director Jeff Williams was hired in February of 2021 to lead the Panthers Athletic Department. Coach Williams is respected state-wide and his success as a high school football coach is legendary. Coach Williams won a state championship in 2006 at Fort Smith Southside and led several other programs to deep playoff runs. We recently spoke with Coach Williams about his football life and interests outside athletics. Growing up in Northeast Arkansas, what were some of the lessons you learned that have helped you…

NEXT LEVEL WITH KIKKO HAYDAR BY BRADLEY LINAM Kikko Haydar is a very familiar name to basketball fans in Northwest Arkansas. The former All-State basketball star from Fayetteville High School was also a two-time team captain for the University of Arkansas Men’s Basketball Team during his playing days on the Hill. These days, Kikko is attending medical school in Little Rock. He’s busy balancing school work and spending time with his wonderful family. We recently had the opportunity to talk to Kikko about his playing career and memories of growing up in Northwest Arkansas. The Varsity Report: What is your…

OVERTIME WITH CASSIE CERVANTES BY BRADLEY LINAM | PHOTO BY MARK STRICKLAND PHOTOS The Bentonville West Girls Tennis Team captured its second 6A State Championship in three years in October of 2021. Tennis star Cassie Cervantes, from the 2023 class, has been a huge part of the Lady Wolverines success. We recently had the opportunity to talk with Cassie about her tennis career and other interests. Q&A: How old were you when you started playing tennis? I was three years old when I started playing tennis. When you’re not playing tennis, what are some things you enjoy doing? When I…

10 TEXT WITH DEON BIRKES BY BRADLEY LINAM Deon Birkes has been the Athletic Director at Lincoln Public Schools for 13 years. He is well known in the state of Arkansas for his leadership in all areas of life. We had the opportunity to find out more about Deon’s career and interests in our Ten Texts feature. What has been the most rewarding part of being the Athletic Director for the Lincoln School District? Coming home and being part of something that helped shape my life as an adult. Doing the things for young people that coaches did for me…

HUMBLE CHAMPIONS BY DON LOWE | PHOTO BY MARK STRICKLAND PHOTOS The Mounties baseball team won a state championship in 2021. It was well deserved for a squad that returns most of their starters for 2022. Humility is strong with this group but they are working hard to try and repeat last year’s dominance. Being known as the defending 6A State Champions Rogers Mounties High School baseball team has a nice ring to it for sure. “That is our first state title,” reminded 14th year Head Coach Matt Melson, who started as an assistant with RHS in 1996. “We love…

NEXT LEVEL WITH BLAKELEE WINN BY DON LOWE  Blakelee Winn is one of the most accomplished high school athletes in recent memory in Northwest Arkansas. A standout basketball, softball and track and field athlete at Pea Ridge High School, Blakelee has been in the spotlight for years. She is now continuing her athletic and scholastic career at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. We look forward to following Blakelee‘s college career and wish her the best as she competes in track and field. Blakelee gave us some perspective on her sports career and personal life in this Next Level feature.…