Hootens.com Rankings
Class 3A, Week 0, 2019
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. C. Harmony Grove
2. Osceola
3. Prescott
4. Booneville
5. Rison
6. Smackover
7. McGehee
8. Newport
9. Mansfield
10. Harding Academy
11. Glen Rose
12. Lamar
13. Hoxie
14. Clinton
15. Atkins
16. Walnut Ridge
17. Danville
18. Charleston
19. Harrisburg
20. Melbourne
21. Jessieville
22. Baptist Prep
23. Barton
24. Fouke
25. Piggott
26. Centerpoint
27. Greenland
28. Mayflower
29. Cedarville
30. Perryville
31. Mountain View
32. Lake Village
33. Yellville-Summit
34. Drew Central
35. Bismarck
36. Dollarway
37. Genoa Central
38. Palestine-Wheatley
39. Horatio
40. Marshall
41. Corning 
42. West Fork
43. Paris
44. Manila
45. Cedar Ridge
46. Rose Bud
47. Two Rivers

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 3 Prescott vs. No. 5 Rison
Two of the stronger programs in south Arkansas clash in the nightcap of the 2019 Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 27 at Southern Arkansas. Prescott was 2-0 against Rison in 2008 and 2009 when the teams were members of the 7-3A.
Prescott has the potential for a prolific offense this fall behind junior running back Alex George (1,103 rushing yards last year with 23 touchdowns) and senior scatback Derriun Thompson (963 yards and 15 scores in 2019). Thompson captains the secondary as an all-league safety. The Curley Wolves' receiving corps is young but talented, led by sophomore Jacaylon Zachary (5-7, 135). Junior Justin Wilson (6-3, 255) starts his third season up front and two years ago was the first freshman Coach Tommy Poole promoted to the varsity for a full season. Coaches picked Prescott to win the 5-3A in this year's Hooten's Arkansas Football magazine.
Defending 6-3A league champion Rison enters 2019 with heightened expectations after its first foray to the semifinals in Class 3A (competed in Class 3A from 2006-2011). Rison's 13 victories last fall were its most since finishing 15-0 and winning the 2004 Class AA state title. The 2019 Wildcats scored the most points and punted the fewest times of any team in school history. Rison enters play at SAU with 37 healthy players. Dual-threat Jaylon Henry has started 17 consecutive games at QB and could rack up more than 2,000 tandem yards this year. Juniors Jamarien Frye and Eli Harrington spark the offense at tailback and left tackle, respectively. Watch Rison coach Clay Totty's preseason interview HERE. For more on the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic, go here.

LAST YEAR
Hootens.com correctly predicted 262 of 305 games (86 percent) of games involving Class 3A schools.

WEEK 0 PREDICTIONS (favored team in CAPS followed by point spread)
1-3A
BOONEVILLE (6) at Clarksville: Defending Class 3A state champion Booneville leads the all-time series against Class 5A Clarksville 10-2, including a 30-0 conquest in 2018. Booneville coach Scott Hyatt suspended five two-way starters and one defensive starter for this game. Booneville seniors Cort Mizell and Ethan Pirraglia led summer workouts and provided leadership.
CEDARVILLE (28) at J.C. Westside: Cedarville downed Westside last fall 50-0. Cedarville faithfully drilled 35 players in summer workouts, after playing the 2018 season with 25 varsity players. The plucky Pirates' juniors and sophomores won the junior high conference crown the previous two seasons. Senior Kevin Jones (6-7, 280) anchors the line, clearing holes for 900-yard rusher Kelin Mitchell (5-11, 160).
CHARLESTON (9) vs. Melbourne: Charleston mauled Melbourne 37-14 in last season's opener at Hendrix College. The Tigers pivot after their worst regular season finish since 1987 and failed to win a playoff game last year for the first time since 1995. Ricky May takes over at Charleston after guiding Waldron to a 10-21 mark in three seasons. Charleston likely plays this game without three projected two-way starters. Melbourne likely fields its best team in school history (launched varsity football in 2012) this year. The Bearkatz return return two-time all-state baller Alex Bray, who lines up at running back, receiver, QB and has led Melbourne the past two seasons in tackles from his linebacker slot. Senior QB Gabe Lawrence has accounted for more than 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in his career.
Hackett at MANSFIELD (10): Tim Cothran succeeds Craig Bentley (12-20 in three years) at Mansfield. Cothran was Mansfield's offensive coordinator since 2016 and previously coached at Greenwood and Hartford. Isaac Cothran (6-2, 215), son of the coach, plays running back and could prove the team's top pass-rusher. 
Paris at PERRYVILLE (7): Perryville popped Paris 27-19 in the 2018 opener. Four projected Paris starters left the program during the summer, including the team's leading returning tackler. Paris expects 24 players on its roster this fall. Perryville expects to compete for a playoff berth this fall under second-year coach Chris Norton, who authored turnaround stories previously at Lake Village and Rose Bud. Senior Reid Standridge (6-0, 175) sparks Perryville at QB and linebacker.

2-3A
Bald Knob at HARDING ACADEMY (7): Bald Knob has won three straight against Harding Academy, including 21-19 last season. Harding Academy expects to compete for its first league title since 2015 this year with a deep stable of skill players and the top defensive line in the state, per Hooten's Arkansas Football magazine. Junior QB Caden Sipe and senior outside receiver Connor McGaha could form one of the top passing duos in the state. 
CHARLESTON (9) vs. Melbourne: Charleston mauled Melbourne 37-14 in last season's opener at Hendrix College. The Tigers pivot after their worst regular season finish since 1987 and failed to win a playoff game last year for the first time since 1995. Ricky May takes over at Charleston after guiding Waldron to a 10-21 mark in three seasons. Charleston likely plays this game without three projected two-way starters. Melbourne likely fields its best team in school history (launched varsity football in 2012) this year. The Bearkatz return return two-time all-state baller Alex Bray, who lines up at running back, receiver, QB and has led Melbourne the past two seasons in tackles from his linebacker slot. Senior QB Gabe Lawrence has accounted for more than 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in his career.
Mountain View at MAGNET COVE (10): Class 2A Magnet Cove downed Mountain View 28-18 last season. Mountain View expects improved participation this season with 30 varsity players, including sophomores who went 8-1 last year in junior high. All-conference performer Tim Curran (6-5, 215; 4.0 GPA and 30 ACT) takes over at QB with 4.6 speed. 
Rose Bud at QUITMAN (38): Class 2A Quitman ripped Rose Bud last fall 51-6. Rose Bud welcomes its third coach in three seasons in Greg Tibbitt, most recently Mena's defensive coordinator and soccer coach. The Ramblers have cancelled two of their past three seasons at midseason, but won a school-record four games in 2017. 
MARSHALL (7) at Two Rivers: Greg Bigham is the third Marshall coach in as many seasons. The Bobcats have not won more than four games in any season since winning its last conference title in 2007. Two Rivers rides a 36-game losing streak in this game, the second-longest skid in the state. 

3-3A
VALLEY VIEW (1) vs. Osceola (at Arkansas State): This game kicks off 7:30 p.m. August 26 at Arkansas State University on the first night of the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic. Osceola is 5-1 all time against Valley View when the teams were members of the 3-4A. These teams have not met since 2011. Valley View (5A East) and Osceola (3-3A) are defending conference champions. Osceola last year played for the state title for the first time since 1998 and has won or shared the past two 3-3A league titles. Osceola worked out three QBs this summer, all of whom may play in this game. All-3-3A player Greg Hooks (6-1, 177), cousin to Coach Robert Hooks, makes plays at receiver and cornerback. Senior all-league performer M.J. Vance sparks the Osceola defense from his inside linebacker slot. Valley View earned Hooten's Arkansas Football magazine's top secondary this summer. The Blazers last year won the second league title in school history, sharing the 5A East title with Wynne, Nettleton and Blytheville. The Blazer defense allowed just 17 points per game a year ago and seven starters return on defense. For more on Osceola, watch Coach Robert Hooks interview HERE. For more on Valley View, watch Coach Sean Cockrell's interview HERE. For more on the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic, go here.

HOXIE (24) at Cave City: Hoxie has won two straight in this series, including 42-17 last August. Hoxie pursues its first league title since 2015 this year behind starters returning at 15 positions and three skill players who transferred in the spring. “I think we are much improved across the board,” Hoxie coach Tom Sears says. 

4-3A
Hector at ATKINS (13): Atkins slipped Class 2A Hector 43-13 a year ago. Atkins is optimistic after losing four of its final five games in 2018. Senior all-league QB Eli Roberson (6-7, 195) sparks the potent Red Devil offense, while senior Rylee Bowden earned all-league honors last year at linebacker. 
Mayflower at CAC (14): Mayflower enters during the best two-year run in school history (combined 21-3 in 2017 and 2018), but many of the heroes that carried the Eagles to new heights graduated in May. Senior All-4-3A linebacker Tayshun Mattison (6-0, 170) produced an industrious off-season for Mayflower. 
Dover at DANVILLE (3): Danville downed Class 4A Dover 43-19 last September. Danville presses on following the graduation of 22 seniors in May, and starters return at just five positions. The Little Johns could run the ball more early this season with talented 'backs Gabe Stanley (5-10, 165) and Julian Becerra (6-0, 175). 
Paris at PERRYVILLE (7): Perryville popped Paris 27-19 in the 2018 opener. Four projected Paris starters left the program during the summer, including the team's leading returning tackler. Paris expects 24 players on its roster this fall. Perryville expects to compete for a playoff berth this fall under second-year coach Chris Norton, who authored turnaround stories previously at Lake Village and Rose Bud. Senior Reid Standridge (6-0, 175) sparks Perryville at QB and linebacker.
MARSHALL (7) at Two Rivers: Greg Bigham is the third Marshall coach in as many seasons. The Bobcats have not won more than four games in any season since winning its last conference title in 2007. Two Rivers rides a 36-game losing streak in this game, the second-longest skid in the state. 

5-3A
PRESCOTT (7) vs. Rison: See Hootens.com Game of the Week. 
Junction City at C. HARMONY GROVE (3): The top-ranked teams in Class 2A and Class 3A for Week 0. Defending Class 2A state champion Junction City expects to dress more than 50 Dragons weekly. No. 1 Harmony Grove goes behind all-state playmaker Xaylon Falls, who rushed for 128 yards and two TDs last year in a two-point overtime time defeat at Junction City. Falls added 170 yards with two scores on kickoff returns. 
BISMARCK (7) at Cutter M. Star: Bismarck expects to dress 30 varsity players this season, the most under third-year coach D.J. Keithley. The Bismarck defensive line and linebackers saw massive gains this off-season in the weight room, which should also aid the team's running game. Cutter Morning Star dresses 26 players this fall. 
Centerpoint at H. GROVE HASKELL (9): Centerpoint retools its offense after its leading passer, rusher and receivers graduated in May. The Knights will lean on a seasoned offensive line, which boasts three returning starters, led by all-conference left tackle Jonathan Daniel (6-3, 320). Six starters return on defense, including all-conference linebacker Hayden Boyett (team-high 55 tackles in 2018) and cornerback Rance Turner (team-high two interceptions a year ago). 
Hampton at SMACKOVER (21): Teams were scheduled to play last season, but Class 2A Hampton forfeited due to several suspensions that left it unable to field a team. Smackover worked Dawson Biggers, Austin Goodwin and Jaqueze Modica at QB this summer and all will take snaps in this contest. “Our senior leadership has been great so far,” second-year coach Brian Brown says.

6-3A
PRESCOTT (7) vs. Rison: See Hootens.com Game of the Week.
Conway Christian at MCGEHEE (17): McGehee pursues its first conference title since 2012 this season with returning starters at 11 positions and a gifted sophomore group that finished last season 7-1 and won the district title. The Owls are 15-2 the past two seasons after October 1. 
Dollarway vs. MCCLELLAN (28): Class 5A McClellan dominated Dollarway 55-0 in last season's opener. The Cardinals drilled 46 players in the spring, including more than 15 seniors. Dollarway's three wins a season ago were more than its total from the previous two years combined. The Cardinals have not won a conference championship since 2014.