Hootens.com Rankings
Class 2A, Week 0, 2022

Copyright Seventy Seven's Football Publishing, LLC

10. Carlisle
11.Marked Tree
12. Earle
13. McCrory
14. Clarendon
15. Cross County
16. Lafayette County
17. Mineral Springs
18. Hampton
19. Dierks
20. Conway Christian
21. Murfreesboro
22. Mountainburg

23. Magazine

24. Bearden

25. Foreman

26. J.C. Westside

27. Marianna

28. England

29. Decatur

GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 11 Marked Tree at No. 5 HECTOR (7): Hector looks to build off last year's success (8-4, playoff win) with six returning starters from a defense that forced 31 turnovers last season. Senior all-state linebacker Drake Riley recorded 122 tackles and 3 interceptions a year ago. Marked Tree (5-6 in 2021) posted its best record since 2017, when the Indians won their only conference title in the past decade.

LAST YEAR

Hootens.com correctly picked 168 of 201 games (84 percent) involving Class 2A teams.

​​PREDICTIONS (Favored team in CAPS followed by point spread)

1-2A

Class 3A Atkins at BIGELOW (2): Bigelow was 11-0 before losing 16-13 to Hazen in the second round of playoffs. Junior QB Rhett Neumeier returns. Senior Chance Page leads the defense after recording 9 sacks last season. Atkins, which lacks numbers, is coming off a 5-5 season, its fewest wins since 2014.

Conway Christian at Class 3A QUITMAN (21): Quitman routed Conway Christian 52-8 last season, but Conway Christian is loaded with young talent from a 10-0 junior high team. Sophomore QB Jeryn Thomas could be key to turning the fortunates for Conway Christian, which finished 1-9 last season and has five wins in the past three seasons. Quitman returns 17 starters after finishing 8-4 and advancing to the third round of the playoffs.

EPISCOPAL (12) at Decatur: Both programs resume 11-man action this fall after spending the past four years as 8-man teams. Episcopal posted an eight-win campaign back in 2015 before winning two games from 2016-2017.

Marked Tree at No. 5 HECTOR (7): Hector looks to build off of last year’s 5-6 season with six returning starters from a defense that forced 31 turnovers. Senior all-state linebacker Drake Riley recorded 122 tackles and 3 interceptions a year ago.  No. 11 Marked Tree posted its best record (5-6) since 2017, when the Indians won their only conference title in the past decade.

Class 3A MANSFIELD (34) at Magazine: Mansfield returns 20 starters and 12 seniors from a team that routed Magazine 41-7 last season. Mansfield’s offense features senior QB Fisher Willsey, who earned all-conference honors while totaling 1,094 yards and 15 TDs. Willsey, senior lineman Braxton Byers and senior tight end Kindel Noblitt, have impressed Coach Tim Cothran in early practices. Magazine’s only varsity win in 2021 was against J.C Westside. The Rattlers also beat Waldron’s junior varsity.

MOUNTAINBERG (2) at Class 3A Danville: Zach Dean takes over as coach at Mountainburg, which will alternate at QB with junior Shay Pixley as the primary passing threat, and senior Kai Baldwin leading the ground attack. Danville started August practice with 17 players, but second-year coach Kody Hamlin expects 20 by the end of the month.

J.C. Westside at Class 4A DOVER (1): No. 26 J.C. Westside was picked to finish sixth by 1-2A coaches. The Rebels will be young with five starters from last year's 2-8 team returning. Dover hasn't won a game in three years, but the Pirates stay optimistic with speedy playmakers in the secondary.

2-2A

Class 4A Helena at CLARENDON (8): Class 2A No. 14 Clarendon captured its first conference title since 1998 last year under first-year head coach Mark Courtney. The Lions must replace significant production on offense with the loss of Farm Bureau Insurance Awards Class 2A Offensive Player of the Year Quincey McAdoo (1,511 total yards, 19 TDs) and All-6-2A quarterback Caleb Williams. Helena has lost 24 straight varsity games and the junior high went winless in 2021.

Class 4A HARRISBURG (3) at Cross County: Former Class 3A Harrisburg opened last season with a 28-8 victory over Cross County. But the Hornets, who finished 5-6, graduated five all-conference performers in May and have three starters returning on offense. Cross County Coach Cody Goulart opens with a 30-man roster, including 10 starters on both sides of the ball.

Class 3A SALEM (6) at Earle: Salem coach Josh Watson greeted 38 players in August and is counting on senior leadership from WRs Dalton Steward and Ayden Swingle. Salem is fairly healthy. Junior lineman Luke Foster suffered a dislocated finger in practice but will play against a veteran Earle team, which finished 4-6 last season for long-time coach Albert Coleman.

No. 1 HAZEN (28) at Marianna: Reigning 6-2A champion Hazen opens as the favorite in Class 2A with the return of all-state quarterback Luke King (3,175 total yards and 38 touchdowns in 2021) and three all-conference linebackers. No. 27 Marianna transitions back into 11-man ball after playing last year as an 8-man team.

Marked Tree at HECTOR (7): Fifth-ranked Hector looks to build off of last year's success with six returning starters from a defense that forced 31 turnovers last season. Senior all-state linebacker Drake Riley recorded 122 tackles and 3 interceptions a year ago.  No. 11 Marked Tree posted its best record since 2017, when the Indians won their only conference title in the past decade.

DES ARC, E. POINSETT COUNTY and MCCRORY are open. 

3-2A

Fouke at DIERKS (1): Fouke was competitive playing 18 sophomores in 2021. Coach Jerry Littleton is counting on those same players a lot this season. Fouke’s numbers are rising and could be comparable to Prescott’s in a year or two. Dierks’ projected quarterback moved to De Queen in June. Senior all-state running back Eli Sharp is back and looking good. 

Class 3A HORATIO (2) at Foreman:  Jared Jackson takes over as coach at Foreman, which returns 12 starters, seven on defense. Senior Hunter Fowler is back for his third season at QB. Junior QB Grayson Porter is Horatio's best athlete. Horatio is seasoned at running back with senior Kevin Quiroz. The Lions have size in the lines.

Lafayette County at Class 3A GURDON (14): Lafayette County is looking for its first winning season since 2015. First-year coach Adrian Ivory inherits quality skill players, but small linemen. He returns starters at 18 positions. That group lost at home in 2021 to Gurdon, 60-18.  Gurdon is predicted to finish second in 5-3A behind Prescott. Gurdon simply has too many weapons. Defense was Gurdon’s strength a year ago.

Mineral Springs at Class 3A JESSIEVILLE (20): There was talk of Mineral Springs dropping to 8-man football in 2021, but the Hornets played the 11-man game and reached the playoffs with an 0-8 record. Jason Hathcock is new head coach at Mineral Springs. Jessieville must replace QB Carson Hair and RB Matthew Huff. Sophomore Dalton Ellison and senior Hunter Thomas are top candidates to replace Hair.

Class 3A Magnet Cove at No. 4 POYEN (12): Magnet Cove is jumping up to 3A. Senior QB Jacob Clausen took over early last year. He plays with a lot of confidence, says coach Caleb Carmikle. Senior Julius McClellan is dangerous running and catching passes out of the backfield. Junior Brayden Hull moves from receiver to quarterback for Poyen. Nine players on offense graduated. Look for Poyen to start slow, but challenge for a playoff spot before the season ends.

MOUNT IDA and MURFREESBORO are open.

4-2A

CARLISLE (7) at Class 3A Palestine-Wheatley: Carlisle won the regular-season finale over England to reach playoffs with 1-9 record.  Palestine-Wheatley did not score in eight games, its only score coming in a 49-7 loss to Corning.

Baptist Prep at YELLVILLE-SUMMIT (6): Baptist Prep is an unknown factor with seven starters returning from 5-5 team. Class 3A Yellville-Summit won at Baptist Prep 14-0 last year. Yellville focused on getting stronger in 2022. Mission accomplished, but Yellville still hasn’t had a winning season in a decade. A soft schedule and 13 returning starters enhance Yellville’s chances.

England at Class 3A TWO RIVERS (1): England has fallen from top of 2A to the bottom in six years. England was 0-9 in 2021 after back-to-back 13-1 seasons in 2015 and 2016. Two Rivers was 0-10 last year. The Gators also have another new coach in Jonathan Ellis. It’s two frustrated football teams with a rare opportunity to win.

Bearden at 3A DREW CENTRAL (12): Bearden’s Wing-T offense sputtered last season, scoring a touchdown or less in eight games, en route to an 0-11 finish. Brandon Austin takes over as head coach. A move to 4-2A might enhance Bearden’s prospects in 2022.  Coach Larry White takes over a Drew Central team that was winless last season. Several Division II colleges have shown interest in senior QB Kade Bodiford, who is a dual threat.

No. 1 HAZEN (28) at Marianna: Reigning 6-2A champion Hazen opens as the favorite in Class 2A with the return of all-state quarterback Luke King (3,175 total yards and 38 touchdowns in 2021) and three all-conference linebackers. No. 27 Marianna transitions back into 11-man ball after playing last year as an 8-man team.

No. 6 EPISCOPAL (12) at Decatur: Both programs resume 11-man action this fall after spending the past four years as 8-man teams. Episcopal posted an eight-win campaign back in 2015 before winning just two games from 2016-2017.

HAMPTON is open. 

Hooten’s Arkansas Football Rankings

8-Man Large School, Week 0, 2022

Copyright Seventy Seven's Football Publishing, LLC

1. Subiaco

2. Fountain Lake

3. Marshall

4. Genoa Central

5. Mountain View

6. Parkers Chapel

7. Cutter Morning Star

8. Cedar Ridge

9. Rose Bud

8-Man Small School 2022 Week 0 Picks & Rankings

1. Mountain Pine

2. Strong

3. Woodlawn

4. Rector

5. Spring Hill

6. Brinkley

7. Hermitage

8. Dermott

9. Augusta

10. Marvell 

GAME OF THE WEEK

WEEK 0 PREDICTIONS (favored teams in ALL CAPS followed by the points spread)

Rector at MARSHALL (1) 

Marshall and Rector both made the playoffs last season, the first time that has happened. Rector returns All-State RB Jacob Cox and all-conference end Sam Shipley while Marshall looks to lean on a collection of running backs and junior quarterback Canaan Horton. 

MOUNTAIN VIEW (28) at. Izard County Consolidated

First game for ICC is against a 3A playoff team from a season ago. Expect a seasoned Mountain View rushing attack to pace the way to victory. 

BRINKLEY (21) at  Marvell

Look for Brinkley’s Jeremiah Harris (6-3, 225) to have a breakout game in this Highway 49 battle. 

PARKERS CHAPEL (7) at Spring Hill

Parkers Chapel drops down from the 5-3A with one of larger lines in 8-man competition. Spring Hill looks to use every inch of the field with their Air Bears offense.. 

8-MAN CAPSULES

Subiaco Academy

Giovanni Vargas (8.3 yards per touch) will run behind three linemen — Matt Mayeaux, Camron Raino and Luke Rainwater — who will provide more than 800 pounds of protection. Coach Adam Creek expects LB Brody Koch to command the Trojans defense after racking up 122 tackles last year. 

Fountain Lake

The Cobras move to 8 man after competing for a playoff spot in the 7-4A last fall. The Cobras added a couple exchange students over the summer to reach 21 players on the roster. Abe Rose (6-0, 180) is the Cobras’ fastest athlete and will be the starting quarterback. Evan East (5-11 170) owns the team’s surest hands, and will be the primary receiver. Abram Davis (350-pound bench press, 500 squat) will be the primary RB with Juan Diggs backing him up. Kyle Pinkston will line up at center while Nick Brey returns for his third year on the offensive and defensive line.  Pinkston (290 bench press) looks to man one of the DE spots. Cody Scott didn't miss any workouts this summer and will help out both lines. Look for East and junior Sammy Tillery to lead the Cobras in the secondary.

Marshall

Coach Anthony Elliott looks to replace 1,800-yard rusher Dagyn Williams with seniors Logan Ward, Tyler Ross, and Daken England. Junior Caanan Horton triggers the offense after leading the team to a 2-0 record last year. Elliott says he expects sophomores Toby Campbell (6-3 270; 285-pound power clean) and Adam Ray Harris (6-0 250, 300-pound bench) to anchor the offensive and defensive lines. The Bobcats’ defense is led by junior safety Bryce Griffin, who utilizes 4.6 speed.

Genoa Central

First-year coach Chris Hudson will be leaning on senior RBs Connor Reed (5-7, 185) and Harrison Wilson (5-11, 200) in what Hudson describes as a power spread attack. The Dragons will run behind senior linemen Mason Shelly (6-0, 270) and Jarek Bennett (6-2, 280). Hudson says he expects the defense to be led by juniors Joshua Kirkland and Devin Hankins. Hudson says the team might lack speed, but the Dragons will play with maximum effort while maintaining a positive attitude.

Mountain View

The Yellowjackets enter 8-Man competition with a battle between Trampas Stubbs and Drew Shelton at QB. Coach Michael Gray says he expects Levi Rorie to lead the way at RB. Senior Kenner Gray (4.6 speed) has shown promise at WR and has been a vocal leader. Senior DJ Lopez anchored the line the past two seasons. “When DJ engages the block there will not be an assignment blown,” Gray says. “It’s going to be a head-on collision every time.” Mountain View’s defensive philosophy of attack and react will remain, even with three fewer athletes on the field. Moose Tinkle (6-3, 270) anchors the middle of the defense, along with his brother, Jace Tinkle (6-2, 210), the team’s leading returning tackler. Gray says he expects Landon Goins to call the defensive signals.

Cutter Morning Star

Nick Finley takes the reins after assisting Daryl Patton at Bauxite and LR Southwest and Buck James during his tenure at Camden Fairview. Sophomore Payton Mills will be the QB. Finley says he expects Jeremiah Smith (5-9, 200) to shoulder the load at RB, with junior Jock Simpson backing him up.  Clayton Weldon (6-5, 225) will anchor the OL, and is a lockdown OLB. Anchoring the defense will be tackle Nick Burnett (6-3, 260).The secondary is led by senior Drew Newlan, who will also provide depth at wide receiver.  

Rose Bud

Coach Derek Wofford says he expects senior Bryce Walls to trigger the offense, with Walls throwing to Garret Bradshaw and Brayden Reedy. The ground game will be powered by Braydon Sherwood and Garrett Reeder. 

Parkers Chapel

The Trojans made the decision to go to 8-Man July 18. You can read about them in the 2022 edition of Hooten’s Arkansas Football.