Fayetteville won the Class 7 A state championship last season, and the Bulldogs are working hard this summer with a goal of repeating.

If Fayetteville is successful in its repeat bid, a couple of names familiar to University of Arkansas coaches will likely play a huge role. Senior safety Bobby Petrino, 5-8, 180, and sophomore quarterback Brandon Allen, 6-1 1 / 2, 180, were among the Bulldogs in Little Rock this weekend competing in the Shootout of the South 7-on-7 football tournament.

Petrino is the son of Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino, while Allen is the son of Arkansas assistant Bobby Allen.

“We’re working on our cover two here,” said the younger Petrino, who played his junior season in Atlanta. “We’re using this to come together as a team.”

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Petrino will be used at safety and will return kicks.

“I like hitting and making tackles,” Petrino said. “I like to cover also.”

Petrino said his father has played a large role in his development as a football player.

“My mom tapes everything,” Petrino said. “Even if [Coach Petrino ] is there, she will tape it. We go over the film right after it, and he usually knows everything.”

Petrino’s speed is around 4. 6 or 4. 7 seconds in the 40-yard dash, but he feels he can compensate for any lack of speed with his instincts and the football knowledge he’s picked up from his father.

Petrino said he plans to continue to play 7-on-7 football this summer and work on all aspects of his game.

“I’m working on getting bigger, stronger and faster,” he said.

Allen took about 80 percent of his team’s snaps at quarterback during Friday’s games and is trying to prove to Coach Daryl Patton he can lead the Bulldogs back to the state title despite his youth. Allen said this weekend’s tournament is Fayetteville’s first of this summer, and he’s enjoying working with the talented receivers Fayetteville has returning.

“The receivers are good and all have good hands and speed,” Allen said. “The timing is good with them.”

Allen helped lead Woodland Junior High to an outstanding season last fall but suffered a setback this spring when he came down with viral meningitis. Allen has made a nice recovery and looked extremely sharp during most of the action Friday.

“I’m a good decision-maker,” Allen said. “I’m working on my accuracy. I have been around football a lot, and that makes me like it. Just being around football and seeing everyone else do it helps.”

Like Petrino, Allen is looking forward to the fall and expects the Bulldogs to challenge for the top spot again.

“We can be real good,” Allen said. “We can win a state championship. That is our goal.”

While Allen is competing hard for the starting spot at quarterback and is talented, he admits there is pressure that comes along with the glamour of playing quarterback at a school like Fayetteville.

“There’s a little because they’re past state champions,” Allen said of the pressure.

While Allen and Petrino are among the familiar names for Fayetteville, they are surrounded by plenty of talent. Senior fullback-linebacker Cody Hammer, 5-10, 225, is expected to be one of the leaders on the team. Franco Broyles, 6-0, 175, is the grandson of former Arkansas Athletic Director Frank Broyles and will play wide receiver and help in the secondary.

Offensive guard Colby Berna, 6-4, 280, has orally committed to Arkansas and is one of the top two players in the state.

Among the top young players playing key roles for Fayetteville are junior tight end Josh Hale, 6-4, 220, and sophomore running back Dylan Hale, 5-11, 195, Josh’s younger brother. Sophomore wide receiver Demetrius Dean, 6-3, 200, made several outstanding plays as well Friday.