Varsity Vibe: Arkansas

After an exciting opening week of High School Football action, the fun continues into Week One. Alyssa Orange and Brey Cook break down the five games they are watching this Friday Night.

Coming off their 43-42 win over Edmund North (MO) to open the 2025 season, senior QB Ayden Lester has the highest of confidence in the Cardinals this season. He talks with host Alyssa Orange on the season opening win, their upcoming game against Har-Ber, and what it's like to play for Head Coach Tommy Tice.  Bentonville Kicker Kylee Sallee also joins the show, sharing her story of what it&apo...

On Wednesday's Varsity Vibe Today, Heritage Senior golfer Ava Henshaw has fallen in love with the game of golf since picking up clubs her freshman year. As she looks to continue to improve her own game for the future, she's also excited to be a part of the growth of girls' golf in the area. 

Fayetteville Volleyball player Piper Batie wants to leave her own mark on a program no stranger to State Championships. Transferring in from Gravette her junior season, the senior is set to continue her volleyball career at Missouri after graduation. Her dedication to her sport is unmatched (she even built a gym in her barn at home with her dad!), but when she's not playing volleyball she has...

Southside Head Coach Kim Dameron joins the show to highlights the Mavericks 27-7 win over Northside in the Battle of Rogers Avenue. Plus, find out who is this week's Lindsey Boys Athlete of the Week.

Between upsets, blowouts, thrillers and comebacks, Week 0 of High School Football in Arkansas had a little bit of everything. Host Alyssa Orange gives her top three games from Friday's action, and we introduce you to our Team of The Week. 

Aaron Danenhauer's Head Coaching debut comes Friday night as the Har-Ber Wildcats host Broken Arrow to kick off the 2025 season. After 12 seasons as the Offensive Coordinator at Bentonville, and coaching under guys like Barry Lunney Sr., Jody Grant and Chris Wood, he is looking forward to leading his own program.

It is finally GAMEDAY! As Friday Night Lights start around our area, Alyssa Orange and Brey Cook preview the match-ups in the 7A West and beyond.

Fayetteville Head Coach Casey Dick and the Purple Dogs bring back a lot of talent to the 2025 roster while also adding QB Hank Hendrix, who moved to Fayetteville from Boerne, TX. He shares what he's learned about his team ahead of the start to the season, plus information on how you can be a part of the FHS Football Outreach Fundraiser in October. 

Springdale Football started the 2024 season 6-0 for the first time in 15 years. Heading into 2025, Head Coach Brett Hobbs says what his team hangs their hat on is being tough and physical. How do the Bulldogs feel heading into a brand new season? 

It's never easy to take over for a legend, especially when that's eight-time state champion Head Coach Barry Lunney Sr who won his titles at FS Southside and Bentonville. When Jody Grant was promoted from Defensive Coordinator to Head Coach in 2015, he knew he had big shoes to fill. Grant joins Alyssa Orange to look ahead to 2025, look back at what he's learned as a Head Coach, and...

A season ago, the Heritage War Eagles went 0-10. Their last win came on their season opener in 2023. That's a 19 game losing streak. However, the past isn't here to haunt the War Eagles in 2025, but rather motivate them. They see this season as an opportunity to flip the script. Join Head Coach Eric Munoz and seniors Jake Stout and Evan Gordon as they explain what excited them about thei...

In today's episode of Varsity Vibe Today, Alyssa Orange sits down with Bentonville West head coach Bryan Pratt and senior QB Tre' Thompson to see how the Wolverines are feeling heading into the 2025 season, and find out what the adversity they went through in 2024 made them better.  Plus, high school volleyball officially starts today. 

Tommy Tice ranks third among all-time winningest coaches in Arkansas high school football history. The once head coach at Harrison and Huntsville came out of retirement in 2024 to take over the Farmington Cardinals program and led them to their first state title game appearance since 1973. From his early days of coaching to Crooked Creek Magic at Harrison, Tice is full of stories, advice, and love...

In today's episode of Varsity Vibe Today, our final player to watch in 2025 is Fayetteville defensive back Kyndrick Williams. Throughout his high school career, Williams has changed high schools and changed from offense to defense. Now he's ready to leave it all out on the field his season year.  Plus, former Arkansas Offensive Lineman & Former Pea Ridge Head Coach Brey Cook will joi...

"I do unfortunately still get butterflies until the first snap." There isn't much Greenwood quarterback Kane Archer hasn't done during his 3 years as a Bulldog, and as he begins his senior season he's looking to help this senior class accomplish something that's never been done- go 39-0. Fort Smith Southside is the most experienced team in the 6A-West returning 16 sta...

During his Junior season, two-way player Braxton Lindsey caught 14 touchdowns as a receiver, and 9 sacks as a linebacker for the Mounties. Heading into his Senior season he wants to make a bigger impact on both sides of the ball as he prepares to head to BYU. 

If there is anything people know about Fayetteville High School football, it's the quarterbacks the program has produced over the years. Junior Hank Hendrix is the next man up. Moving to town from Boerne, TX, he's excited to help lead the Bulldogs in 2025.  Rogers Head Coach Chad Harbison took over as in 2021, but he was no stranger to the Mounties program. Now heading into year five, Ha...

After three season at Liberty Eylau in Texarkana, TX, wide receiver Dquane Prevo is joining the Bentonville Tigers for his senior season. Turning heads with his speed and electric playing style, Prevo is excited to try and help Bentonville grab their first state title since 2014.  Get to know the Arkansas Razorbacks commit in today's episode, and hear what Fayetteville's Casey Dick and G...

Welcome to Varsity Vibe Today! High School Sports are starting all across our area and the Natural State, including High School Football. With the 2025 season kicking off next week, we share our Top Five Players to Watch, starting with Greenwood Offensive Lineman Cody Taylor.

Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley are home to some of the most passionate student-athletes, dedicated families, and loyal fans, and Varsity Vibe wants to bring a consistent, high-quality platform to spotlight its talent and stories. Hosted by Alyssa Orange, we’re here to provide authentic, in-depth coverage that celebrates local athletes and strengthens community pride.