Hootens.com Rankings
Class 5A, Week 9, 2009
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

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

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 9 Wynne at No. 4 Forrest City
Forrest City needs one win to clinch its first conference title since 1987, and the Mustangs haven't won an outright league crown since 1985. They've won five league games this season and eight of the past nine in the 5A East, with the only loss at Wynne 35-12 last season. "Each week we get closer to our goal of winning the conference championship," Forrest City coach Rich Trail said. "But this is a rivalry game and anything can happen." Forrest City has won three league games by a touchdown or less this fall, beating Greene County Tech 14-6, West Helena 31-27 and Batesville 6-0 in consecutive weeks. The Mustangs attempt to mix the run and pass with senior quarterback Barrett Astin, who has committed to play baseball at Arkansas. Astin has passed for almost 1,300 yards. Junior running back Theodis Goodwin has rushed for almost 1,200 yards this season, while junior receiver Dayvon McKinney has tallied almost 800 yards. Senior guard Chuck Banks "is playing exceptionally well," Trail said.

Wynne's season pivoted in Week 5 when some key personnel returned from injuries, including senior running back Okoye Oring, who paces the ground attack. Wynne coach Ray Shempert also credits the offensive line and senior tackle Colby Perry with controlling games. The first-team defense has allowed a touchdown or less the past three weeks, with junior ends Ethan Dollar and Phillip Gahr applying pressure to the line and backfield, which allows juniors Jerry Perry and Justin Cobb to makes plays in the secondary. "We can't stop Forrest City every play," Shempert said. "We've got to slow them and force some turnovers."

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly predicted 14 of 16 games (88 percent). For the season, Hootens.com has correctly predicted 130 of 167 games (78 percent).

TV SHOW
Hooten's Arkansas Football airs 11 a.m. Saturday on Today's THV 11 in Little Rock and KFSM in Fort Smith/Fayetteville. Games scheduled this week include Greene County Tech at Batesville, Greenwood at CAC, Vilonia at Morrilton, LR McClellan at Sylvan Hills, Mills at North Pulaski and Hope at Pulaski Academy.

WEEK 9 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)
5A EAST
BLYTHEVILLE (7) at Paragould: Battle for pride as neither team has a chance to make the playoffs. Two of Blytheville's past three league games were decided in the final minutes. Paragould QB Chance Sugg threw three TD passes to Zach Franks at Wynne last week.
Greene Co. Tech at BATESVILLE (2): These are two of the four teams tied for second in the league. Greene County Tech's defense yields just 11 points per game, and Eagle running back Standrick Williams has rushed for more than 900 yards this year. Batesville coach Dave King says the Pioneers turned in their best second-half performance of the season last week, rallying for a 21-13 win at Blytheville.
WEST HELENA (28) at Nettleton: Nettleton has scored a TD or less in five of the past six games, including four shutouts. West Helena stuffed Greene County Tech near the goal line two times in last week's seven-point victory.
Wynne at FORREST CITY (1): Hootens.com Game of the Week.

5A SOUTHEAST
LR McClellan at SYLVAN HILLS (7): Little Rock McClellan continues improving, losing its past two games by a total of 17 points. QB Terrance Ingram has accounted for more than 1,200 yards this season. Sylvan Hills QB Jordan Spears keeps the Bears spirits high as they prepare to host Beebe with a playoff spot on the line next week.
MILLS (20) at North Pulaski: The surprising Comets play White Hall for the league's second seed in Week 10.  Five Comets scored TDs in last week's 38-24 win at Beebe.
MONTICELLO (21) at Crossett: Monticello fullback Caleb Bryant returned from a broken leg in last week's 35-7 win over Sylvan Hills. The Billies held Sylvan Hills to 53 total yards. Crossett needs lots of help (two straight wins, coupled with two Beebe losses and a Sylvan Hills loss) to make the playoffs.
WHITE HALL (14) at Beebe: White Hall running back Larry Walls has rushed for 1,413 yards this season and became the school's all-time rushing leader last week. The Bulldogs need to win their final two games to secure the league's No. 2 playoff seed.

5A SOUTHWEST
Hot Springs at CAMDEN FAIRVIEW (28): Camden Fairview can share the league title if it wins the final two games. The Cardinals have won three straight with a dominating defense.
Hope at PULASKI ACADEMY (25): Pulaski Academy appears set to win its third straight league title. Bruin QB Wil Nicks has completed 220 of 366 passes (60 percent) for 2,775 yards and 23 TDs this year. Hope has lost three straight games and six of its past eight conference games.
PULASKI ROBINSON (7) at HS Lakeside: Pulaski Robinson will make the playoffs if it wins the final two games. The Senators used a late TD to edge Magnolia 34-28 a week ago. Hot Springs Lakeside gives up 36 points a game.
LR Christian at MAGNOLIA (1): These are two of three teams tied for third in the league. LR Christian's Michael Dyer owns the state's career rushing mark with 7,274 yards. He scored five TDs in last week's win over Hot Springs Lakeside.

5A WEST
ALMA (11) at Siloam Springs: Alma lost at Greenbrier two weeks ago and struggled in last week's 15-point win over Harrison. The Airedales can win a share of the league title and get the top playoff seed with wins in their final two games.
GREENWOOD (21) at CAC: CAC only makes the playoffs if it wins the final two games and Vilonia loses its two games. Greenwood has won seven straight games, including five by at least 21 points. The Bulldog offense showcases State Farm Awards 5A Offensive Player of the Year candidates QB Tyler Shook (1,746 yards and 18 TDs) and receiver Spencer Harris (48 catches, 992 yards and 17 TDs).
GREENBRIER (8) at Harrison: Greenbrier features plenty of offensive weapons with sophomore QB Neal Burcham (1,926 yards and 20 TDs) and junior running back Hunter Winston (1,063 yards and 14 TDs). Harrison must win its final two games and get some help or it will miss the playoffs for the third straight year.
VILONIA (10) at Morrilton: Vilonia prides itself in a stout running attack and no passing threat. The Eagles have attempted just 18 passes this season. They ran for 317 yards in last week's crucial 30-22 win over CAC. Morrilton running back Justin Criswell ran 42 times for 422 yards and five TDs in last week's 23-point loss at Greenbrier.

(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.