Hootens.com Rankings
Class 5A, Wk 0, 2021
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. Pulaski Academy
2. LR Christian
3. Harrison
4. Wynne
5. HS Lakeside
6. Vilonia
7. White Hall
8. Camden Fairview
9. Maumelle
10. Magnolia
11. Batesville
12. Nettleton
13. Greenbrier
14. Texarkana
15. Watson Chapel
16. Farmington
17. Hot Springs
18. Valley View
19. Morrilton
20. Clarksville
21. Greene Co. Tech
22. Beebe
23. Alma
24. Jacksonville
25. Brookland
26. Pea Ridge
27. Forrest City
28. Hope
29. Paragould
30. De Queen

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 1 Pulaski Academy at Class 4A No. 4 Joe T. Robinson
Pulaski Academy likely draws more scrutiny this week than any other program in the state with former junior high coach Anthony Lucas succeeding Kevin Kelley. Adam Thrash takes over as offensive coordinator and play-caller, while Madison Taylor is the defensive coordinator after serving as co-coordinator the past four years. The Bruins battled three-time defending Class 7A champion Bryant in last week's scrimmage. Senior running back Joe Himon, a commit to Northwestern, bolted for a pair of touchdowns while nursing a sore hamstring. Lucas expects Himon to be healthy this week. Senior receiver Charlie Barker and PA's offensive line impressed against Bryant. Senior cornerback Beau Miller was one of the surprises in August camp, Lucas says.
Joe T. scrimmaged Drew Central and Green Forest last week, with starters getting one quarter of action. Senior two-way lineman E'Marion Harris enjoyed a good summer and scrimmage. The Senators rely on senior running back Daryl Searcy (365 yards, five TDs in 2020), who owns offers from Arkansas State, Memphis and North Texas. Junior linebacker Ashtyn Williams paces the Senator defense.

LAST YEAR
Hootens.com correctly predicted 169 of 197 games (86 percent).

WEEK 0 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)
5A CENTRAL
MAUMELLE (4) at Sylvan Hills (Thurs.): Sylvan Hills struggled in last week's scrimmage game against Greenbrier, surrendering six TDs in the first half. Maumelle linemen Andrew Chamblee (6-7, 300) and Nico Davillier (6-5, 275) committed to Arkansas. The Hornets pulled away from Ozark late in last week's scrimmage game, winning 21-7.
PULASKI ACADEMY (10) at Joe T. Robinson: Hootens.com Class 5A Game of the Week.
GREENBRIER (17) at Beebe: Greenbrier has won nine of the past 11 over Beebe, including the past three by a combined 82 points. The Panthers scored 42 points in the first half of last week's scrimmage vs. Sylvan Hills. Beebe returns starters at 19 positions, but the Badgers lack of size up front could hurt.
LR Central at LR CHRISTIAN (7): Former Augusta, Dollarway and Watson Chapel coach George Shelton takes over at LR Central. LR Christian stuffed a two-point conversion at the end of the first half last week to preserve a 21-20 advantage over Benton.
Watson Chapel at PINE BLUFF (2): Pine Bluff has won eight of the past 10 over Watson Chapel. Last year's game was canceled due to Covid-19, Watson Chapel won 39-33 in 2019 and battled to a 14-14 tie the previous year. Watson Chapel's QB and a starting receiver transferred to Mills in July. Sophomore Marquez Brentley takes over at QB. Watson Chapel and Star City battled to a 0-0 tie in a weather-shortened one quarter scrimmage last week.
Sheridan at WHITE HALL (6): These teams play for the Highway 270 trophy. White Hall's starters beat Stuttgart 7-0 in the first half of a scrimmage game. Sheridan lost its scrimmage at Malvern 21-14, with junior LB Austin Webb making eight solo tackles. Sheridan junior linebacker Landon Feimster, last year's second-leading tackler, will miss this fall after tearing his ACL in practice.
Jacksonville is open.

5A EAST
NETTLETON (11) at Blytheville: Former Blytheville coach Lance Stone left in the summer and is currently an assistant at Camden Fairview, and all-conference QB Jeremiah Northern (2,925 yards, 25 TDs in 2020) left the school in the summer after signing a recording contract. Nettleton has won three of the past four in the series, including a forfeit in 2018 and a seven-point decision a year ago. Nettleton QB Cameron Scarlett played well in a preseason scrimmage vs. Osceola.
BROOKLAND (9) at Gosnell: These are former conference foes. Brookland's four-point win last year was its first in the series. An all-state linebacker, an all-conference running back and an all-conference lineman, all Division I prospects, left Gosnell for Osceola in late July. Brookland junior Joseph Wright ran for 133 yards and two TDs on three carries in a scrimmage vs. Corning, while Kaden Matthews logged seven carries for 99 yards and a TD.
Forrest City at STAR CITY (18): Star City has beaten Forrest City two of the past three years, including last fall by 36 points. The Bulldogs played Watson Chapel to an 0-0 stalemate in a weather-shortened scrimmage. Star City junior running back C.J. Turner, junior QB Mason Taylor and senior tight end/defensive end Trey Proctor performed well in fall camp. Former Memphis Trezevant Teli White (91-35 record, two state titles in 10 years) succeeds Rich Trail at Forrest City. Trail's Mustangs were 71-73-1 in 14 seasons.
GREENE CO. TECH (4) at Jonesboro Westside: GCT won 20-0 last year and by one point in 2018. Jonesboro Westside didn't' scrimmage, but senior tight end/lineman Spencer Long and center Edward Wilson played well in the summer.
WYNNE (7) at Marion: Wynne has won five of the past eight over Marion, with five games decided by six points or less (two went into overtime). Wynne's starters trailed Searcy 21-0 in the second quarter of last week's scrimmage. Wynne could be without
SOUTHAVEN, MS. (15) at Valley View: Valley View led Pocahontas 21-0 at halftime of last week's scrimmage. Sophomore QB Carson Turley completed four of five passes for 46 yards and ran 10 times for 102 yards and a pair of TDs. Southaven senior defensive lineman Aaron Bryant (6-4, 306) owns more than 20 DI offers, including Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Texas and Texas A&M.
Batesville is open.
Paragould is open.

5A SOUTH
Camden Fairview at ARKADELPHIA (3): Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week.
HOT SPRINGS (6) at Fountain Lake (Thurs.): Hot Springs' first-team D allowed one TD in last week's scrimmage against Glen Rose. Defensive end/linebacker Jayvion Walker paced the Trojans in TFL's, while Steve Robinson and junior corner Devren Brown played well. Fountain Lake beat Magnet Cove 33-7 in a scrimmage by running for more than 300 yards. The defense forced four turnovers.
De Queen at MENA (17): De Queen has won 11 of the past 21 in the series, but Mena has won four straight by a combined 124 points. De Queen has one win the past three seasons. Mena bulldozes opponents with linemen Jake Brotherton (6-1, 280), Logan Yang (5-11, 310) and all-conference center Jett Baber (5-11, 195).
HARRISON (2) vs. Magnolia (at Harding University): Harrison trailed Rogers 27-21 at halftime in last week's scrimmage.  The Goblin D played well, and senior QB Logan Plumlee has improved as a passer, and junior Beck Jones offers a downhill running threat at multiple spots. Magnolia scrimmage Jacksonville a week ago. Junior QB Dalen Blanchard completed six of nine passes for 206 yards and four TDs, while junior Garrion Curry ran for 104 yards and two TDs and hauled in two TDs.
MILLS (1) at Hope: Former Watson Chapel all-conference QB Jabrae Shaw (2,000 yards, 37 TDs in 2020) and receiver Anton Pierce transferred to Mills in the summer. Hope has three wins the past five years. Opposing coaches say Hope was much improved in summer seven-on-seven play.
HS Lakeside at LAKE HAMILTON (7): This is the fourth straight meeting between these Garland County rivals since the series resumed (was shelved from 2000-2017). In scrimmage games last week: HS Lakeside ran the ball well against Nashville, while Lake Hamilton struggled at times to slow Arkadelphia's passing game.
Texarkana at PARIS, TEXAS (12): Texarkana didn't scrimmage last week. Senior defensive lineman Christian Torres can take over games. Paris, Texas advanced to the quarterfinals last fall before losing to eventual state champion Argyle.

5A WEST
GREENBRIER (17) at Beebe: Greenbrier has won nine of the past 11 over Beebe, including the past three by a combined 82 points. The Panthers scored 42 points in the first half of last week's scrimmage vs. Sylvan Hills. Beebe returns starters at 19 positions, but the Badgers lack of size up front could hurt.
OZARK (7) at Clarksville: These teams played last September after the Week 0 game was canceled due to Covid-19. Clarksville senior Bryce Buckner ran for 81 yards, and junior Arthur Alvarez had four totes for 40 yards in a little more than one quarter in last week's scrimmage vs. Prairie Grove. Ozark junior Eli Masingale ran for a TD in last week's scrimmage vs. Maumelle, while senior guard Brock Burns blocked well.
FARMINGTON (15) at Heritage: Farmington first-year coach J.R. Eldridge has expectations soaring in Cardinal country. Farmington trailed Van Buren 15-14 at halftime of its scrimmage. Sophomore Cameron Vanzant won the QB spot with a solid summer. Improved Heritage (three wins the past six seasons) ran the ball well in a scrimmage against Siloam Springs.
HARRISON (2) vs. Magnolia (at Harding University): Harrison trailed Rogers 27-21 at halftime in last week's scrimmage.  The Goblin D played well, and senior QB Logan Plumlee has improved as a passer, and junior Beck Jones offers a downhill running threat at multiple spots. Magnolia scrimmage Jacksonville a week ago. Junior QB Dalen Blanchard completed six of nine passes for 206 yards and four TDs, while junior Garrion Curry ran for 104 yards and two TDs and hauled in two TDs.
Morrilton at RUSSELLVILLE (3): Russellville has won 11 of the past 15 in the series. Morrilton senior receiver/defensive back Julian Brockman played well in last week's scrimmage against Conway.
SHILOH CHRISTIAN (24) at Pea Ridge: Shiloh Christian led Springdale 35-0 in the second quarter of last week's scrimmage. The Saints returned the opening kickoff for a TD, held the Bulldogs to a three-and-out, then threw a long TD pass on the first play from scrimmage. Pea Ridge beat Elkins 28-0 in last week's scrimmage. Blackhawk senior left tackle Clay Sebree impressed opposing coaches in the summer.
Alma is open.
Vilonia is open.