Class 5A - Week 11 - 2009

Class 5A - Week 11 - 2009

Share this article

Hootens.com Rankings
Class 5A, Week 11, 2009
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.


1. Greenwood (9-1)
2. Monticello (10-0)
3. Camden Fairview (7-3)
4. Forrest City (8-2)
5. Greenbrier (7-3)
6. Alma (5-4-1)
7. Pulaski Academy (7-3)
8. White Hall (8-2)
9. West Helena (6-4)
10. Magnolia (7-3)
11. Greene County Tech (8-2)
12. LR Christian (7-3)
13. Wynne (5-5)
14. Vilonia (6-4)
15. Pulaski Robinson (5-4-1)
16. LR Mills (6-4)
17. CAC (5-5)
18. Blytheville (4-5-1)
19. Batesville (5-4-1)
20. Harrison (5-5)
21. Sylvan Hills (4-6)
22. Beebe (3-7)
23. Crossett (5-5)
24. Hope (3-7)
25. Morrilton (1-9)
26. Siloam Springs (3-7)
27. Paragould (2-8)
28. Hot Springs (2-8)
29. HS Lakeside (1-9)
30. North Pulaski (1-9)
31. LR McClellan (1-9)
32. Nettleton (1-9)

Game of the Week
No.7 Pulaski Academy at No. 9 West Helena

These teams play for the fourth time in the past 26 games. Pulaski Academy has won two straight over the Cougars, including 35-32 in last year's state championship game and 35-33 in this year's opener.

West Helena ended the regular-season on a four-game winning streak after it lost at Wynne 26-0 in Week 6. The Cougars clinched a playoff spot by shutting out Batesville 35-0 in last week's regular-season finale. The Cougars vault to the top of the 5A East coincides with Jonathan Johnson's shift from receiver to quarterback. Running back Antonio Hughes has rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season and accounted for three touchdowns against Batesville. "Johnson can take the ball and score from anywhere at any time," Pulaski Academy coach Kevin Kelley said. "He's more prone to score than most kids. He expects to score whenever he touches the ball."

Pulaski Academy blew a chance to win the 5A Southwest title and secure homefield advantage last week, losing at Little Rock Christian by 21 points. The Bruins have struggled this season against teams with power running attacks, which led Kelley to focus on defense in practices this week. Senior safety Sam Vogel averages nine tackles per game, while linebacker Josh Jones has collected 70 stops this season. Pulaski Academy averages 34 points per game. Senior QB Wil Nicks has passed for more than 3,600 yards this fall. "Wil can't turn the ball over against West Helena," Kelley said.

Last Week
Hootens.com correctly predicted 12 of 16 games (75 percent). For the season, Hootens.com has correctly predicted 156 of 199 games (78 percent).

TV Show
Hooten's Arkansas Football TV Show doesn't air this week, but returns to its normal 11 a.m. timeslot on Today's THV and KFSM 5 Fayetteville/Fort Smith next week.

Week 11 Predictions (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)
Top of the Bracket

Sylvan Hills at GREENWOOD (24): Top-seed Greenwood makes plays with QB Tyler Shook (2,243 yards and 21 TDs) and an opportunistic defense (21 turnovers). Sylvan Hills earned a playoff spot with a one-point win over Beebe last week.
PULASKI ACADEMY (1) at West Helena:Hootens.com Game of the Week. A rematch of last year's state title game.
Vilonia at MONTICELLO (14): Both these teams rely on Double Wing attacks. Monticello, the only unbeaten team in Class 5A, averages 39 points per game. The Billies combine a strong running game with QB Joe Carmical and stout passing game. Vilonia averages 22 points per game, but the Eagles rarely pass.
Greene County Tech at MAGNOLIA (2): Magnolia takes the No. 2 seed after getting help from Camden Fairview and Little Rock Christian. Panther running back L.J. Berry has rushed for more than 1,100 yards this season. Greene County Tech set a school record with eight victories and returns to the playoffs for the first time since 1991. The Eagles rely on senior running back Standrick Williams, who has rushed for more than 1,200 yards this year.

Bottom of the Bracket
Blytheville at CAMDEN FAIRVIEW (8): Blytheville sneaks back into the playoffs for the third straight season. Camden Fairview has homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Senior QB Chase Foster (more than 1,700 total yards this year) missed the second half of last week's 29-28 victory over Pulaski Robinson with a knee injury. Senior cornerback Brian Berry, who has a scholarship offer from Tulsa, intercepted eight passes this season, returning three for TDs.
ALMA (7) at White Hall: Alma standout QB Burke Broadfoot "is questionable" to play this week, Airedale coach Todd Dilbeck said. The senior left last week's game against Greenwood and his status won't be determined until later in the week. The Airedale's must attempt to slow White Hall's running back tandem of Larry Walls (1,770 yards and 22 TDs) and A.J. Richardson (1,068 yards and 12 TDs).
LR Christian at FORREST CITY (1): Michael Dyer carried Little Rock Christian (221 yards and five TDs) to a 42-21 win over Pulaski Academy last week, allowing the Warriors to sneak into the post-season. Forrest City, the outright 5A East champion, hosts a playoff game for the first time in almost two decades. Forrest City features a balanced offense with QB Barrett Astin, running back Theodis Goodwin (more than 1,300 yards) and dangerous receiver Dayvon McKinney (more than 800 yards).
Mills at GREENBRIER (7): The Panthers are in the playoffs for the first time since 1995 and host a post-season game for the first time since 1994. Junior running back Hunter Winston (1,355 yards and 19 TDs) and sophomore QB Neil Burcham (2,353 yards and 23 TDs) pace an offense that averages 32 points a game. Mills returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2006. The Comets were stopped on the goal line in overtime last week, falling at White Hall 26-20, costing them the league's No. 2 seed.

(c) 1993-2009 Hooten Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this site may be retransmitted without the express written consent of Hooten Publishing, Inc.





11/9/2009

Share this article

Have your say

Feel free to take part in the discussion! Please be nice and do not include any abusive comments or spam. All comments are moderated and Hootens.com reserves the right to delete any comment.

-->