Hootens.com Rankings
Class 4A, Week 1, 2012
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. Nashville
2. Warren
3. Stuttgart
4. Dollarway
5. Pottsville
6. Monticello
7. Prairie Grove
8. Heber Springs
9. Malvern
10. Ashdown
11. Ozark
12. CAC
13. Highland
14. Gravette
15. Booneville
16. Farmington
17. Clinton
18. Hamburg
19. Southside Batesville
20. Maumelle
21. Star City
22. Lonoke
23. Mena
24. Arkadelphia
25. Gosnell
26. Dumas
27. Valley View
28. Dardanelle
29. Crossett
30. Pocahontas
31. Newport
32. Trumann
33. Pea Ridge
34. DeWitt
35. Pulaski Robinson
36. Dover
37. Bauxite
38. Gentry
39. Lake Village
40. Cave City
41. Arkansas Baptist
42. Lincoln
43. Marianna
44. Waldron
45. Subiaco Academy
46. Berryville
47. Jonesboro Westside
48. Brookland

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 2 Warren vs. Shiloh Christian
The first night of the season (Mon,. Aug. 27 at UCA) showcases two of the top programs in the state. These teams combined for nine state titles in the past 14 years.

Shiloh Christian beat Warren 48-7 in the first round of the playoffs in 2010 and by one point in the second round in 2005. Warren junior quarterback Drake Jones started 15 games over the past two seasons. Sophomore running back Kilay Cox (1,110 yards) and receivers Darvion Brown, a sophomore, and junior Von Eric Gonder (48 catches for 580 yards and eight TDs) pace Warren's prolific offense.

Shiloh Christian won four titles between 2006-2010, but won just five games last fall. The Saints bump to Class 5A this season.

TV SHOW
Hooten's Arkansas Football airs Saturday mornings statewide at 8:30 a.m. On Fox 24 Fayetteville/Fort Smith and at 9:30 a.m. On KARZ-42 in Little Rock.

LAST YEAR
Hootens.com correctly predicted 271 of 322 games (84 percent) in Class 4A.

WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)
1-4A
FARMINGTON (10) at Huntsville: Farmington beat Class 5A Huntsville by a combined 50 points the past two years. Huntsville won three games over the past two years, but the Eagles return starters at 17 positions.
Gentry at WEST FORK (7): West Fork has won three conference titles in the past four years. Gentry won six games and advanced to the playoffs in 2010, but won just once a year ago.
Lamar at GRAVETTE (12): Lamar replaces longtime opponent Jay, Okla., on Gravette's schedule. Lamar first-year coach Josh Jones led Class 2A Magazine to three straight league titles and 38 wins since 2009.
Westville, Okla., at LINCOLN (1): Lincoln beat the Yellowjackets by 30 points a year ago, but two-time all-state QB Cheyenne Vaughn transffered in late May. Westville won just five games over the past three years.
OZARK (7) at Booneville: Booneville won six of the past eight over rival Ozark. Defending 1-4A champion Ozark returns talented receivers Toby Richard (1,130 yards and nine TDs) and Brandon Brokeshoulder (240 yards) and QB Jonathon McKenzie (1,784 yards and 12 TDs).
Elkins at PEA RIDGE (11): Pea Rigde beat the Elks by eight points last year, snapping a three-year losing streak against its rival. Pea Ridge returns 15 starters, including all-state running back Dayton Winn (more than 1,500 yards in 2011).
PRAIRIE GROVE (14) at Lavaca: These teams have split the past six meetings. Prairie Grove, the 1-4A favorite, returns 35 lettermen, including senior linebacker Jacob Kahl (105 tackles).
Berryville is open.

2-4A
CLINTON (7) vs. Arkansas Baptist (Mon., at UCA): The first game of the season features Class 4A newcomer Arkansas Baptist. The Eagles finished second in the 2-3A last season. Clinton won 17 games over the past two seasons. Coach Chris Dufrene said every Yellow Jacket player reported to fall camp.
DOLLARWAY (2) at West Helena: Dollarway could run toward the state title game this fall. The Cardinals won six games last season despite forfeiting four wins in mid October. Cardinal senior Jeremiah Young ran for more than 1,700 yards a year ago.
POTTSVILLE (3) at Heber Springs: Defending 2-4A champion Heber Springs won 11 games last fall. The Panthers rely on skill players Ethan Bly (more than 700 all-purpose yards) and Clint Ligon (419 yards receiving). Defending 4-4A champ Pottsville won 11 times a year ago. Junior Michael Perry started at QB the past three seasons.
Star City at LONOKE (4): These team's play for the third straight season, but for the first time in Lonoke. Lonoke revamped its defense in the spring after giving up 33 points per game in 2011. Star City could rely on 15 sophomores this season.
NETTLETON (1) at Newport: These teams play for the first time since 2001. Newport has advanced to the playoffs 25 straight seasons. Nettleton has won seven games over the past four years. The Raider running attack revolves around junior linemen Marcus Caskey (6-3, 305) and Dedrick Massey (6-2, 285).
SOUTHSIDE BATESVILLE (7) at Cave City: Cave City's move into the 3-4A forced the rivals to play in nonconference this season. Southside Batesville beat the Cavemen by 12 points last year. Both teams gained two transfers from 2011 Class 5A finalist Batesville in the off-season.
STUTTGART (3) vs. CAC (Mon.): CAC drops into Class 4A this season, so these teams could meet again in the playoffs. Stuttgart faces high expectations in 2012 with QB Dontrell Brown and tight end/linebacker Waymon Johnson.
Marianna is open.

3-4A
Brinkey at BROOKLAND (1): Brookland makes its varsity debut against the Class 2A Tigers, who've won three games over the past two years. Ed Duncan takes over as Brinkley's third coach in three years.
SOUTHSIDE BATESVILLE (7) at Cave City: Cave City's move into the 3-4A forced the rivals to play in nonconference this season. Southside Batesville beat the Cavemen by 12 points last year. Both teams gained two transfers from 2011 Class 5A finalist Batesville in the off-season.
FORREST CITY (3) at Gosnell: Former McCrory coach Gary Moody takes over at Gosnell, which returns just two seniors. Forrest City won the 5A East title in 2009, but didn't win a game last season.
Thayer, Mo., at HIGHLAND (8): Defending 3-4A champion Highland returns starters at 17 positions after winning eight games last season. Rebel QB Sterling Stowers passed for 1,433 yards and 12 TDs and ran for 1,052 yards a year ago. Stowers excelled in summer seven-on-seven competitions.
JONESBORO WESTSIDE (1) at Manila: Former Van Buren assistant Chad Mitchell takes over at Jonesboro Westside, which went 1-19 the past two years. Manila won seven games since starting its varsity program in 2008.
POCAHONTAS (7) at Bald Knob: Pocahontas beat Bald Knob by seven points a year ago, when the Redskins won seven times and advanced o the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Bald Knob senior QB Cordell Crisp passed for 3,790 yards and 40 TDs a year ago.
Hoxie at TRUMANN (1): Trumann won just two games last fall, but all-conference linebacker Josh Evans returns for his third season. Hoxie has won just 14 games the past three years.
VALLEY VIEW (10) at Paragould: Valley View beat Paragould by 31 points in last year's opener. The Blazers have advanced to the playoffs four straight seasons since starting its program in 2005. Blazer receiver Payton Sanders tallied more than 1,000 total yards a year ago.

4-4A
OZARK (7) at Booneville: Booneville won six of the past eight over rival Ozark. Defending 1-4A champion Ozark returns talented receivers Toby Richard (1,130 yards and nine TDs) and Brandon Brokeshoulder (240 yards) and QB Jonathon McKenzie (1,784 yards and 12 TDs).
DARDANELLE (4) at Danville: This game usually goes to the wire with the past two games decided by a TD each. Dardanelle QB/cornerback Evan Carter generated more than 1,500 yards and made 38 tackles a year ago.
ATKINS (3) at Dover: Atkins beat Dover by 26 points last season. Dover first-year Dover coach Greg Smith lead Prescott to 86 wins the past decade.
FOUNTAIN LAKE (6) at Maumelle: Maumelle won six games last year, three of them by a combined seven points. Fountain Lake has won 44 games over the past four years.
MENA (3) at De Queen: De Queen beat Mena four of the past five years. The Leopards jump to Class 5A this fall. Mena senior QB Austin Warren generated almost 1,700 yards in five games last season.
POTTSVILLE (3) at Heber Springs: Defending 2-4A champion Heber Springs won 11 games last fall. The Panthers rely on skill players Ethan Bly (more than 700 all-purpose yards) and Clint Ligon (419 yards receiving). Defending 4-4A champ Pottsville won 11 times a year ago. Junior Michael Perry started at QB the past three seasons.
Decatur at SUBIACO ACADEMY (7): These teams combined for one win last season. Subiaco Academy returns starters at 18 positions, including running back Austin Breed (more than 700 total yards in 2011).
Waldron at MANSFIELD (6): Mansfield has beaten Waldron six straight times, but the past two games were decided by a total of 15 points. First-year Waldron coach Shane Davis led Strong to the Class 2A state title a year ago.

7-4A
Arkadelphia vs. BENTON (6) (Tue.): Class 6A Benton won 11 games the past five years. Class 4A Arkadelphia shifts junior Jakahari Howell from receiver to QB in 2012. Howell gained more than 2,000 all-purpose yards a year ago.
CLINTON (7) vs. Arkansas Baptist (Mon., at UCA): The first game of the season features Class 4A newcomer Arkansas Baptist. The Eagles finished second in the 2-3A last season. Clinton won 17 games over the past two seasons. Coach Chris Dufrene said every Yellow Jacket player reported to fall camp.
Ashdown at WEST MEMPHIS (18): West Memphis won eight straight league titles and at least nine games the past five years. Ashdown won its opening five games last season by an average of 43-8.
Bauxite at HARDING ACADEMY (12): Harding Academy won 35 games the past three years, and senior QB Will Francis (3,549 yards and 38 TDs in 2011) could emerge as one of the state's best this fall. Bauxite has won two games since moving to Class 4A in 2010.
STUTTGART (3) vs. CAC (Mon.): CAC drops into Class 4A this season, so these teams could meet again in the playoffs. Stuttgart faces high expectations in 2012 with QB Dontrell Brown and tight end/linebacker Waymon Johnson.
MALVERN (3) at Glen Rose: Glen Rose won the last meeting between these teams 21-7 in 2007. Malvern won 12 games last fall, advancing to the state title game for the first time since 1993.
NASHVILLE (14) at Hope: Nashville coach Billy Dawson returns to the sideline after two years in the ministry. Nashville beat Hope six straight times, including a combined 93-30 the past two years.
Pulaski Robinson at HOT SPRINGS (1): Pulaski Robinson beat Hot Springs the past two years by a total of 15 points. Hot Springs relies on all-league wingback Quin Coleman (1,528 yards in 2011).

8-4A
WARREN (1) vs. Shiloh Christian (Mon., at UCA): Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week. These heavyweights battle during Simmons First/Hootens.com Kickoff Week.
HAMBURG (4) vs. White Hall (Tue., at UAPB): Hootens.com Class 5A Game of the Week. Hamburg missed the playoffs last season after losing three games by a TD or less.
MONTICELLO (4) vs. McGehee (Tue., at UAPB): Hootens.com Class 3A Game of the Week. McGehee won the 8-4A title a year ago, while Monticello won the Class 5A state championship in 2009.
MAGNOLIA (7) at Crossett: Magnolia has won seven straight over Crossett, including 26-6 a year ago. Mark Kelley takes over as Crossett's third coach in a year (former coach Greg Johnson resigned in September and interim coach Brad Bradshaw resigned in May). Magnolia could play 15 sophomores this season.
BARTON (8) at DeWitt: DeWitt has won just 13 games over the past 13 years. Barton finished as Class 3A runner-up a year ago and beat DeWitt by a combined 44 points the past two years.
DUMAS (11) at Mayflower: Dumas expects to compete for the 8-4A title after losing four games by a TD or less last fall. Noseguard Johnny Gibson (6-5, 315) anchors Dumas' defensive front.
Lake Village at STRONG (3): The defending Class 2A champion Bulldogs must adjust to life without two-time all-state QB Kenneth Dixon (6,357 career yards and 83 TDs). Lake Village won six games the past three years.
Star City at LONOKE (4): These team's play for the third straight season, but for the first time in Lonoke. Lonoke revamped its defense in the spring after giving up 33 points per game in 2011. Star City could rely on 15 sophomores this season.