Hootens.com Rankings
Class 5A, Week 14, 2009
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

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

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
No. 2 Camden Fairview vs. No. 1 Monticello
Monticello started the season ranked No. 2 by Hootens.com and remains the largest undefeated team in the state. The Billies advanced to the semifinals the past two years, besting Pulaski Academy 34-20 a week ago. In the post-season, Monticello has beaten teams with a combined record of 24-12, and only three teams (DeQueen, Pulaski Academy and White Hall) played the Billies within 13 points this year.

Billie senior dual threat quarterback Joe Carmical (6-2, 225) started at linebacker and defensive end the past two seasons and still fills in when needed on defense. He's rushed for 1,136 yards and 19 touchdowns this season, and passed for 1,157 yards and 18 TDs. Carmical has scholarship offers from Marshall and the University of Arkansas-Monticello, and he's also considering Arkansas State, University of Central Arkansas and North Carolina, while Ole Miss wants him as a walk-on. "Nobody has stopped him yet," said Camden Fairview coach Buck James.

Monticello's Double Wing scheme needs production from senior fullback Caleb Bryant (5-8, 210), who has rushed for 473 yards and nine TDs in 2009, despite missing part of the year with a broken leg. "If we don't go to the fullback, we'll eventually get beaten," said Monticello coach Van Paschal. Junior wingback Brian Handley (5-9, 175) has rushed for more than 1,000 yards, while senior wingback Brishen Mathews (6-0, 180) has rushed for 685 yards and nine TDs and caught 15 passes for 330 yards and four scores. Against Pulaski Academy, Mathews ran for a TD, caught a TD pass, intercepted two passes and broke up three other pass attempts. Mathews has more than 100 tackles and four interceptions this year.

Conference coaches picked Camden Fairview to finish fourth in the 5A Southwest this season, but the Cardinals won the league title and advance to the state title game for the first time in school history. They won 12 games and advanced to the semifinals in 2007 before losing to eventual state champion Greenwood 24-21. "Two years ago, we had a bulls-eye on our chest in every game," James said. "Everybody we played treated it like the Super Bowl. I credit that team with putting us in this position. They taught our kids how to work and dedicate themselves (with 6 a.m. workouts in the summer)."

The Cardinals three playoff wins are against teams with a combined record of 22-13-1. Junior Brandon Keaton (5-9, 165) starts his fourth game at QB this week, filling in for senior Chase Foster, who tore his ACL in the regular-season finale. Keaton has passed for 681 yards and seven TDs and rushed for 203 yards this year. Senior running back William Brewer  (5-9, 185) rushed for 161 yards and four TDs in last week's 49-28 win over Greenbrier. Brewer has gained 580 yards and scored eight TDs this year, while multi-purpose player Ryan Purifoy (5-8, 155) has rushed for 376 yards and three scores and has 242 yards receiving. Senior Sybhrain Berry (5-9, 185) averages almost 10 yards per carry and 24 yards per reception, and doubles as a shutdown cornerback with 81 tackles and 13 interceptions. Senior safety James Gulley (6-2, 200) paces the Cardinals with 127 tackles, while cornerback Antonio Ellis (5-10, 165) has 113 tackles and two interceptions.

The 5A title game begins at 7 p.m. Friday in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium.

UAM COACHING TREE
Monticello's last state title came in 1994 when Camden Fairview coach Buck James served as an assistant. James, who coached at Monticello 12 seasons, played baseball at the University of Arkansas-Monticello with current Billie coach Van Paschal. Paschal also played football for the Boll Weevils and roomed with current Camden Fairview defensive coordinator Marc Jones. "I lived in Monticello for 17 years," James said. "It's like my second home. I know the parents of some of the players."

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly predicted both semifinal games. For the season, Hootens.com has correctly predicted 165 of 211 games (78 percent).

TV SHOW
Hootens Arkansas Football TV Show airs Saturday at 11 a.m. on Today's THV Channel 11 in Little Rock and on KFSM Channel 5 in Fayetteville/Fort Smith. It will include highlights of the 5A state championship game. Greene County Tech's Jason Sullivan will be featured as the Arkansas Air Guard Scholar Athlete of the Week.

WEEK 14 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)
Camden Fairview vs. MONTICELLO (7)

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