Class 5A - Week 12 - 2009

Class 5A - Week 12 - 2009

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Hootens.com Rankings
Class 5A, Week 12, 2009
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.


1. Greenwood (10-1)
2. Monticello (11-0)
3. Camden Fairview (8-3)
4. Pulaski Academy (8-3)
5. Greenbrier (8-3)
6. White Hall (9-1)
7. LR Christian (8-3)
8. Greene County Tech (9-2)
9. Forrest City (8-3)
10. Alma (5-5-1)
11. West Helena (6-5)
12. Magnolia (7-4)
13. Wynne (5-5)
14. Vilonia (6-5)
15. Pulaski Robinson (5-4-1)
16. LR Mills (6-5)
17. CAC (5-5)
18. Blytheville (4-6-1)
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)

Hootens.com Game of the Week
No. 4 Pulaski Academy at No. 1 Greenwood

These teams meet in the playoffs for the fourth straight season, and the winner of the past three has finished as state champion. "Greenwood has the best tradition of any Class 5A team in the state, especially since Coach (Rick) Jones got there (2004)," said Pulaski Academy coach Kevin Kelley. "They have good talent and are more experienced than last year (54-24 Pulaski Academy win)."

Greenwood's potent offense has improved with the emergence of sophomore running back Justin Sunde (452 yards and four touchdowns) and Wildcat package quarterback Tony Sandifer (220 yards rushing and five TDs). Bulldog QB Tyler Shook has passed for 2,536 yards, 24 TDs and just five interceptions this season, while senior Spencer Harris, the state's leading receiver, has caught the attention of college coaches by snagging 69 receptions for 1,352 yards and 20 scores. Harris also doubles at safety on defense, collecting 50 tackles and five interceptions. Linebackers Josh McCutcheon (79 tackles) and Marco Vota (72 tackles and three fumble recoveries) top Greenwood's tackle chart.

Pulaski Academy's dynamic offense improves as first-year starting QB Wil Nicks matures. Nicks has passed for a state-best 4,318 yards and 38 TDs this year, but he's thrown 17 interceptions. Juniors Zac Reyna (85 catches, 1,338 yards and five TDs) and Garrett Lamb (84 catches, 1,069 yards and 15 TDs) create ways to fool defenders and get open. "We've got to make a few big plays to beat Greenwood," Kelley said. End Josh Jones (78 tackles, including 18.5 tackles for loss), linebacker Cody Sanders (101 tackles and nine sacks) and safety Sam Vogel (97 tackles and three interceptions) pace Pulaski Academy's improved defense.

Last Week
Hootens.com correctly predicted 5 of 8 games (63 percent). For the season, Hootens.com has correctly predicted 161 of 207 games (78 percent).

TV Show
Hooten's Arkansas Football TV Show airs Saturday at 11 a.m. on Todays THV Channel 11 in Little Rock and KFSM Channel 5 in Fayetteville/Fort Smith. Games featured this week include Pulaski Academy at Greenwood, White Hall at Camden Fairview and Little Rock Christian at Greenbrier.

Week 12 Predictions (favored team in CAPS followed by point spread)
Top of the Bracket

Pulaski Academy at GREENWOOD (7): Hootens.com Game of the Week. These teams meet in the post-season for the fourth straight season.

Greene County Tech at MONTICELLO (10): Greene County Tech advances to the quarterfinals for the first time in school history after rallying to beat Magnolia 28-24 last week. Senior Kyle Davis, one of the few Eagles who play on both sides of the ball, returned an interception for a TD and ran 32 yards for the game-winning score last week. Monticello advances to the quarterfinals for the third straight season. They jumped on Vilonia 31-0 by halftime last week when QB Joe Carmical ran for 126 yards, and passed for 164 yards and a pair of TDs.

Bottom of the Bracket
White Hall at CAMDEN FAIRVIEW (7): White Hall beat Camden Fairview 28-19 in the quarterfinals in 1991, the last time these teams played. 5A Southwest champ Camden Fairview gave up a TD or less in four of its past six games, and the secondary may be one of the stronger in the state. Safety James Gulley has collected 100 tackles this season, while cornerback Sybhrain Berry has 63 tackles and nine interceptions, returning one for a TD. White Hall is in the quarterfinals for the second time in four years. Bulldog running back Larry Walls has rushed for 1,964 yards and 25 TDs. White Hall's secondary knocked down Alma's potential game-tying, two-point conversion attempt with 10.9 seconds left in the first round.

LR CHRISTIAN (3) at Greenbrier: Little Rock Christian's two-game winning streak came against Pulaski Academy and Forrest City. The Warriors knocked down a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter to preserve a 29-27 triumph at Forrest City last week. The state's leading rusher, Michael Dyer, has gained 2,246 yards and 29 TDs this year. Greenbrier advances past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 1995 and is in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1990. Sophomore QB Neal Burcham has passed for 2,703 yards, 28 TDs and just three interceptions, while junior running back Hunter Winston has rushed for 1,443 yards and 20 scores.

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11/16/2009

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