Hootens.com Class 4A Rankings

Week 0, 2022

Copyright Seventy Seven's Football Publishing, LLC

1. Warren

2. Arkadelphia

3. Stuttgart

4. Harding Academy

5. Ashdown

6. Ozark

7. Malvern

8. Star City

9. Pocahontas

10. Rivercrest

11. McGehee

12. Clinton

13. Elkins

14. Nashville

15. Lamar

16. Lonoke

17. Pottsville

18. Trumann

19. Gosnell

20. H.G. Haskell

21. Monticello

22. Blytheville

23. Jonesboro Westside

24. Crossett

25. Cave City

26. Gentry

27. Bauxite

28. DeWitt

29. Mena

30. Huntsville

31. CAC

32. Dumas

33. Heber Springs

34. Gravette

35. Berryville

36. Hamburg

37. LR Hall

38. Waldron

39. Highland

40. Bald Knob

41. Lincoln

42. Green Forest

43. Riverview

44. Helena

45. Mayflower

46. Dover

47. Harrisburg

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 1 WARREN (4) at No. 3 Stuttgart

Warren has won 13 of the past 15 meetings over the Ricebirds, including twice last season (47-21 in Week 1 and 36-29 in the quarterfinals). Warren put 42 players through fall camp and the Lumberjacks played well in last week's scrimmage against Class 7A LR Central, running 70 yards for a TD on the first play. Senior QB Maddox Lassiter played well in the summer. Sophomore WRs Antonio Jordan and Cam Davis are expected to contribute immediately. Senior DE Landon Wolfe, Lassiter and senior outside linebacker/safety Jaylin Lee are leaders on defense. Stuttgart had 50 players go through summer workouts. The Ricebirds beat White Hall 7-0 in the first half of a scrimmage last week. Senior all-state RB Cedric Hawkins could play more defense this fall. The Ricebirds emphasized blocking after the scrimmage, Coach Josh Price says.

LAST YEAR

Hootens.com correctly predicted 279 of 319 games (87 percent) involving Class 4A teams.

WEEK 0 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)

1-4A

ELKINS (7) at Pottsville: These teams split their only two previous meetings. Elkins has 45 players on its roster, and the Elks played well behind junior QB Dizzy Dean and sophomore QB Landon Neal in last week's scrimmage vs. Pea Ridge, Coach Zach Watson says. Pottsville senior FB/LB Beau Aday played well in the summer.

Westville, Okla. at GENTRY (7): These teams haven't played in more than three decades. Gentry, seeking consecutive winning seasons for the first time in 22 years, has 38 players on the roster. The Pioneers beat West Fork 18-0 last week in a scrimmage game.

Gravette at PEA RIDGE (12): These are former 1-4A conference opponents. Gravette has nine wins over the past four seasons, including two one-win campaigns (2018 and 2021). Pea Ridge (consecutive one-win seasons) has 60 players on its roster. Junior QB Gavin Dixon played well in the summer and in the scrimmage game, Coach Brey Cook says.

Class 3A West Fork at GREEN FOREST (2): This game has been decided by a total of 15 points over the past four years. Green Forest senior QB Isaiah Fraga passed for 113 yards and ran for 41 yards in last week's scrimmage against Clarksville, while senior LB Ryan Bruegel paced the defense in tackles and forced a fumble.

LAMAR (10) at Huntsville: Lamar coach Josh Jones put 30 players through fall camp, and the Warriors played well in last week's scrimmage vs. Lincoln. Huntsville has 40 players and held an intrasquad scrimmage game last week. Senior QB Amos Mayes, RB/LB Duggar Tipton, WR/DB Phillip Litterrell, junior center Cade Crumley, junior NG Armando Torres and sophomore DB Kolby Phillips played well in the summer, coach Matt Williams says.

Class 3A Greenland at LINCOLN (7): Greenland has won 10 of the past 11 games vs. Lincoln, but Lincoln won 32-14 last fall. It was one of Lincoln's three wins last season. Greenland returns 14 starters after winning two games last year (worst record since 2009).

Class 5A Clarksville at OZARK (6): Ozark beat Clarksville 14-13 in overtime last season. Ozark has 49 players on its roster. Senior QB Landon Wright, RB Eli Masingale and linemen Charlie Van DenBurg, Rylie Griffin and Jonathan Hurt all played well in the summer. Clarksville senior RB Arthur Alvarez ran for more than 1,200 yards last season.

Berryville is open.

2-4A

Bald Knob at Class 3A MELBOURNE (7): This is the first meeting between these teams. Bald Knob second-year coach Lonnie Roberson stressed the weight room in the off-season. Longtime Batesville defensive coordinator and former Arkansas House of Representatives member Stu Smith takes over as Melbourne's third coach in as many seasons.

CLINTON (4) at Cave City: Clinton has won both of the previous meetings with Cave City. Clinton has 32 players this season. Clinton played well in its scrimmage vs. Riverview, coach Chris Dufrene says. Senior QB Jobe Chalk completed 9 of 11 passes for 174 yards and 4 TDs, with senior WR Brody Emberton catching 5 passes for 150 yards and 3 TDs. Junior WB Zane Widener caught a TD pass. Cave City has 30 on its roster. The Cavemen played Manila, Marked Tree and Earle in a jamboree last week. Lineman T.J. Haney and senior RB Kolbie Birdsong played well.

LONOKE (14) at CAC: CAC has won 10 of the past 14 meetings over its former conference rival. First-year Lonoke coach Chris Norton has 40 players on the roster, but only 33 are expected to dress due to injuries. Junior Bradon Allen played well at QB and CB in last week's scrimmage at Joe T. Robinson. Junior NG Devin Rollason and senior LB Cody Amato played well on defense. CAC coach Tommy Shoemaker has high hopes for sophomore QB Grayson Wilson, who played for the varsity late last fall.

Harding Academy at Class 5A VALLEY VIEW (1): These teams played for the first time last season, with Valley View intercepting a pass in the end zone in the final seconds to preserve a 31-30 triumph. Blazers coach Sean Cockrell drilled 70 players in fall camp, with junior LB Brian Huff, and senior CBs De'Kwon Gallaway and Jay Morman playing well. Harding Academy bumps to Class 4A after winning three consecutive 3A titles. Harding Academy's returning all-state QB quit in the summer to focus on baseball. Sophomore QB Owen Miller took snaps in July. Junior RB/WR Wyatt Simmons and sophomore center Kaynan Harris played well in fall camp.

MALVERN (24) at Riverview: This is the first meeting between these teams. Malvern senior QB Cedric Simmons (2 TD passes) and junior RB Jalen Dupree both played well in last week's scrimmage vs. Class 6A Sheridan, when the Leopards bolted to a 14-0 advantage in the first quarter. Junior LB Angel Perez captains Malvern's defense. Former Cross County coach Steve Williams takes over as Riverview's fourth coach in as many seasons.

WARREN (4) at Stuttgart: Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week.

Heber Springs is open.

3-4A

Piggott at GOSNELL (14): These teams were conference foes from 1991-2002. Gosnell has 38 players on its roster. Senior Bryce White caught 4 passes for 58 yards in last week's jamboree vs. Paragould and Corning. Senior QB Reid Shelton completed 6 of 10 passes for 109 yards, while senior Floyd Williams ran 3 times for 31 yards and 2 TDs. Piggott plans to dress 22 players this week.

HARRISBURG (3) at Class 2A Cross County: These former conference foes have an 8-8-1 record in the past 17 meetings. Former Harding University player Darrick Ware takes over as Harrisburg coach. Ware spent the past three seasons as defensive coordinator at McKinney (Texas) Christian.

HIGHLAND (4) at Class 3A Walnut Ridge: These teams have split the past two meetings. Highland beat Walnut Ridge by 10 points in last year's opener. The Rebels rely on four veteran offensive lineman and a strong group of sophomores this fall. Walnut Ridge had 31 players complete fall camp.

JONESBORO WESTSIDE (3) at Class 5A Brookland: Jonesboro Westside had 42 players complete fall camp. Junior center Tyler Watlington, sophomore RB Clay McMellon and senior RB/LB Connor Crain played well in the summer, Coach Bobby Engle says. Mark Hindsley takes over as Brookland's fourth coach since the varsity program debuted 10 years ago. Hindsley led Newport to a 54-28 record over the past seven seasons.

Trumann at Class 3A HOXIE (2): Hoxie has won 8 of the past 12 meetings. Hoxie plans to use size to its advantage in 2022. The Mustangs defense held six opponents to six points or less last season. Trumann led Brookland 14-7 at halftime last week in its scrimmage game. Senior QB Murphy Williams and DE Payton Callahan played well.

POCAHONTAS (6) at Southside: Pocahontas has won three consecutive in the series by a total of 47 points. Pocahontas drilled 52 players in summer workouts, highlighted by senior QB/LB Connor Baker and LB Reed Bigger. Coach Charles Baty says senior WR Tripp Risley, senior Bishop Percell, senior NG Braden Vancil and senior RB Grayson Maupin performed well in the summer. Southside bumps to Class 5A this season, as Kenny Simpson returns as head coach (previously coached the Southerners from 2011-2019). Senior QB Cole Duncan spearheads the offense, and LB Adam Dennison will be the strength of the defense, Simpson says.

RIVERCREST (6) at Class 3A Manila: The Colts put 42 players through fall camp. Senior Jaden Stovall, who missed last season with an ACL injury, had 2 TDs negated by penalty in last week's scrimmage. Junior QB/WR Michael Rainer, senior FB Koby Turner and junior RB Marcus Slayton played well in the summer.

Blytheville is open.

4-4A

STAR CITY (9) at Bauxite: Star City has 43 players. The Bulldogs scrimmaged Class 5A Camden Fairview last week (won first-half varsity vs. varsity 13-7). Senior CB Austin Wilkerson intercepted 2 passes, returning 1 for a TD. Bauxite senior QB Hunter Ferrell played well in last week's jamboree vs. Mills and Prescott.

CLINTON (4) at Cave City. See game summary above.

LONOKE (14) at CAC: See game summary above.

Class 5A DARDANELLE (17) at LR Hall: This is the first meeting between these teams. Dardanelle (33 players went through fall camp) moves up to Class 5A this fall after winning 59 games the past six seasons. Senor QB Drew Vega accounted for 2,515 yards and 32 TDs a year ago. Senior WR Dakota Rich, OT Brayden Moore, center Asher Hodges and junior NG Jacob Freeman played well in the summer. LR Hall, which played at the state's largest classification until two years ago, drops into Class 4A. The Warriors played 8-man football last fall.

Class 2A J.C. Westside at DOVER (1): Dover hasn't won a game since 2018, while J.C. Westside has five wins during that span. Dover has 40 players this fall. Jaiden Morris intercepted a pass in last week's scrimmage vs. Hector.

ELKINS (7) at Pottsville: These teams split their only two previous meetings. Elkins has 45 players on its roster, and the Elks played well in last week's scrimmage vs. Pea Ridge. Junior QB Dizzy Dean and sophomore QB Landon Neal both played well against Pea Ridge, Coach Zach Watson says. Pottsville senior FB/LB Beau Aday played well in the summer.

H.G. HASKELL (6) at Lake Village: These teams have never played. H.G. Haskell plans to rotate six running backs this fall in the Diamond T scheme. Lake Village senior Aquavious Dunbar ran for 1,048 yards and 14 TDs a year ago.

LAMAR (10) at Huntsville: Lamar coach Josh Jones put 30 players through fall camp. The Warriors played well in last week's scrimmage vs. Lincoln. Huntsville has 40 players on its roster. The Eagles played an intrasquad scrimmage game last week. Senior QB Amos Mayes, RB/LB Duggar Tipton, WR/DB Phillip Litterrell, junior center Cade Crumley, junior NG Armando Torres and sophomore DB Kolby Phillips played well in the summer, coach Matt Williams says.

MAYFLOWER (2) at Class 3A Smackover: Mayflower bumps to Class 4A this fall after winning six games over the past three seasons in 3A. Smackover’s 23-player roster includes DKylan Hildreth, an all-conference WR last season who has been impressive after moving to QB. Coach David Osborn says Hildreth gives his team a different look. “We’ve probably had our best July and first week of practice in years,’’ Osborn says. Sophomore WR Gunner Zeek is banged up from a car accident but is expected back for Smackover.

7-4A

ARKADELPHIA (2) at Class 5A Camden Fairview: Nick Vaughn, son of former Hazen and White Hall coach Mike Vaughn, succeeds Jake Monden as Camden Fairview's coach. Vaughn drilled 78 players in fall camp, when senior slot receiver Aaron Alsobrook and senior DE D.J. King played well. Arkadelphia has 55 players on its roster, including senior playmakers (QB Donovan Whitten and receiver Lantonnieo Hughes). The Badgers expect an improved defense to carry them this fall, with LBs Marveon Berry and Cade McBride.

Hamburg at ASHDOWN (17): Ashdown has 43 players on its roster, including senior TE Shamar Easter (34 catches, 544 yards and 5 TDs last year), who has committed to Arkansas. Ashdown's defense forced 4 turnovers in the first half of last week's scrimmage vs. Texarkana. Hamburg won its scrimmage vs. Junction City 7-0. QB Tyson Brooks, RB/LB Tracker Whited and lineman Jackson Grubb played well, first-year coach Blake Johnson says.

MALVERN (24) at Riverview: This is the first meeting between these teams. Malvern senior QB Cedric Simmons (2 TD passes) and junior RB Jalen Dupree both played well in last week's scrimmage vs. Class 6A Sheridan, when the Leopards bolted to a 14-0 advantage in the first quarter. Junior LB Angel Perez captains Malvern's defense. Former Cross County coach Steve Williams takes over as Riverview's fourth coach in as many seasons.

Class 5A MAGNOLIA (11) at Nashville: Magnolia put 74 players through “the best summer since I've been here,” says fourth-year coach Mark King. Senior RB Garrion “B.J.” Curry ran for 1,127 yards and 12 TDs a year ago. Nashville played HS Lakeside to a 21-21 tie at halftime of its scrimmage game.

MENA (7) at Class 5A De Queen: These teams have split the past 22 meetings, with Mena winning five consecutive by a total of 159 points. Mena overhauled schemes in the off-season and plays to run the Flexbone and a three-man front on defense this fall. Former Dierks coach Jarrod Fannin takes over at De Queen, becoming the sixth coach in 14 years. The Leopards have posted a 1-18 record the past two years.

Class 3A Paris at WALDRON (1): Paris has won 9 of the past 13 in the series, but the Eagles must rebuild this season with five returning starters, including senior center Chris Hoen (5-11, 295). Waldron has 10 wins over the past four seasons.

8-4A

Hamburg at ASHDOWN (17): Ashdown has 43 players on its roster, including senior TE Shamar Easter (34 catches, 544 yards and 5 TDs last year), who has committed to Arkansas. Ashdown's defense forced four turnovers in the first half of last week's scrimmage vs. Texarkana. Hamburg won its scrimmage vs. Junction City 7-0. QB Tyson Brooks, RB/LB Tracker Whited and lineman Jackson Grubb played well, first-year coach Blake Johnson says.

STAR CITY (9) at Bauxite: Star City has 43 players on its team this fall. The Bulldogs scrimmaged Class 5A Camden Fairview last week (won first half varsity vs. varsity 13-7). Senior cornerback Austin Wilkerson intercepted two passes, returning one for a TD. Bauxite senior QB Hunter Ferrell played well in last week's jamboree vs. Mills and Prescott.

Class 3A Glen Rose at CROSSETT (7): This is the first meeting of these teams. Coach Vincent Newton takes over as Crossett's third coach in as many seasons. Crossett plans to run the ball this fall with Tayshawn Paskel and Cam'Ron Holmes. Glen Rose scrimmaged Hot Springs last week. The Beaver defense gave up a TD or less in half of its games last season.

DEWITT (15) at Class 3A Barton: DeWitt coach Tommy Cody says 34 Dragons completed fall camp. Senior OT Will moss (6-4, 303) and senior OT Keegan Menard both played well in last week's scrimmage vs. LR Hall. Barton went 1-8 last season, with seven losses by 20 points or less.

Class 3A RISON (18) at Dumas: Rison won eight games last fall with only four seniors. The numbers are up this fall. Junior QB Owen Morrison and senior Bradyn Dupuy ran well in fall camp. Dumas has 38 players this season. The Bobcats lost last week's scrimmage vs. Drew Central 28-21 after fumbling three times. Guillermo Petty caught 4 passes for 110 yards and a TD.

Helena at Class 2A CLARENDON (8): These teams haven't played in more than 30 years. Helena hasn't won a game since Week 5, 2019. Clarendon won the 6-2A conference title last fall, and returns six starters on offense, including WRTerrance Hampton (608 yards, 7 TDs in 2021).

MONTICELLO (7) at Class 3A Fordyce: Monticello has won 10 of the past 19 meetings over Fordyce. Monticello relies on 13 seniors and a solid group of sophomores, who finished as conference runner-up last season in junior high. Fordyce moves up in class after appearing in three consecutive Class 2A title games. Coach Tim Rodgers expects to start at least four sophomores.

WARREN (4) at Stuttgart: Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week.

McGehee is open.