Hootens.com Rankings
Class 2A, Week 1, 2016
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.
1. England
2. Rison
3. Hector
4. Mount Ida
5. McCrory
6. Danville
7. Des Arc
8. C. Harmony Grove
9. Magnet Cove
10. Earle
11. Conway Christian
12. Bearden
13. Lafayette County
14. E. Poinsett County
15. Marked Tree
16. Dierks
17. Cross County
18. Hackett
19. Murfreesboro
20. Hampton
21. Foreman
22. Lavaca
23. Mountainburg
24. Carlisle
25. Hazen
26. Brinkley
27. Augusta
28. Poyen
29. Clarendon
30. Salem
31. Palestine-Wheatley
32. Mineral Springs
33. Parkers Chapel
34. Strong
35. Spring Hill
36. Woodlawn
37. Bigelow
38. Quitman
39. J.C. Westside
40. Magazine
41. Decatur
42. Mountain Pine
43. Western Yell County
44. Cutter M. Star
45. Rector
46. Midland
47. Marvell

GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 5 McCRORY vs. SHERIDAN
These teams meet Tuesday night, Aug 30 at UAPB as part of the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic. For Class 6A Sheridan, multiple injuries in August slowed development of the offensive line and questions persist at quarterback. Defending Class 2A state champion McCrory breaks in a new QB in senior Ken DeWitt, who has impressed in preseason at QB and linebacker. Senior Bradley Wiggins is much improved at left tackle, but all-league RT/DE Jamone McCoy (stress fracture lower leg) is unlikely to play early this season. Senior Bryson Leonard has emerged at middle linebacker. McCrory must rebuild its defensive line where now graduated DE Chauncie Green wreaked havoc the past two seasons.
For more on this matchup watch here: http://www.hootens.com/videos/8-state-title-contender-meet-in-first-games-of-2016/2783.html
For more on Sheridan click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-sheridan-yellowjackets
Fore more on McCrory click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-mccrory-jaguars

LAST YEAR
Hootens.com correctly picked 248 of 294 games (84 percent) involving Class 2A teams.

WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS (favored team in CAPS followed by point spread)
3-2A
Harrisburg at CROSS COUNTY (7): Cross County coach Steve Williams (92-71-2 in 15 seasons) was suspended in August and likely has coached his last game at Cherry Valley. Interim coach Bert Greenwell is the son of former Trumann head coach Lynn Greenwell.
EARLE (3) at W. Helena; Earle returns junior QB Gerry Bohanon, but the Bulldogs are not big up front. Senior tackle/linebacker Fredrick Williams also earned All-3-2A honors in 2015.
Augusta at E. POINSETT COUNTY (1): Numbers are low at EPC and projected QB Hayden Malone, a junior, re-injured his knee (ACL) in baseball and will not play football. Augusta returns an all-league running back and play-making receivers, but line play has kept the Red Devils under .500 the past five years.
MARKED TREE (21) at Clarendon: No. 15 Marked Tree boasts a 31-man roster, the largest in years with a good mix of athletes and big bodies (linemen average 250 pounds). Junior WB Paul Coleman averaged 7 yards per carry last year as the No. 2 running back. Freshman RB A.J. Johnson (6-0, 200) joins Coleman and ultra-aggressive junior QB/LB Julian Booker, in the backfield. Senior DE Nick Andrews (6-5, 275) owns scholarship offers from Ouachita and Harding.
MOUNTAIN VIEW (15) at Salem: Former Highland coach Clay Wiggins takes over at Salem, which has not posted a winning record since winning 11 games and a league title in 2012.
W. Yell County at MIDLAND (1): Midland matches its win total in each of the past two years on opening night of 2016.
PALESTINE-WHEATLEY (12) at Rector: League coaches say P-W may possess the most athletic ability in the 6-2A. Rector drops to 0-20 since bringing back varsity football in 2014 after a four-year hiatus.

4-2A
WOODLAWN (10) at J.C. Westside: Woodlawn senior QB Dalton Rissinger looked good in preseason camp, and Dumas transfer Logan  Smallwood has emerged at halfback and linebacker. Of the 22 on  Woodlawn's roster, 16 are seniors. Junior-dominated J.C. Westside could be the sleeper in the 4-2A.
HACKETT (14) at Pocola, Okla.: Hackett jumps from 17 players last year to 35 this year, including All-4-2A senior QB and sure-tackling linebacker Ely Stormes. The rest of the backfield is stocked with two sophomores and a junior. They operate behind senior center Matt Anderson and guard Kody Hodge.
Cedarville at MOUNTAINBURG (8): Expectations are sky high at Mountainburg where starters return at nine positions on defense. Class 3A Cedarville ripped off three consecutive wins in this series before Mountainburg won 34-19 last year.
GENTRY (7) at Lavaca: Class 4A Gentry, led by junior Jon Faulkenberry, has won eight consecutive non-conference games.
Decatur at BERRYVILLE (21): In early August there was talk Decatur might not field a varsity team, but the Bulldogs expect to dress 21 players for the opener.
Two Rivers at DANVILLE (35) (Tue.): Two Rivers welcomed back Coach Josh Harrison this spring. Three years ago, Harrison's Gators won seven games, including a playoff victory. Senior QB Anthony Dominguez will target several receivers, including seniors Cody Davenport and Dawson Heflin and juniors Lance Johnson and Austin Lacy. Class 2A Danville won the 4-3A a year ago, defeating Two Rivers 42-7.
W. Yell County at MIDLAND (1): Midland matches its win total in each of the past two years on opening night of 2016.
Magazine at MURFREESBORO (28): Battle of the Rattlers goes to 7-2A member Murfreesboro, which returns most of its skill players, including senior QB Ryan Roberts and RB Cameron Snowden. Senior LB Chris French and sophomore NG Ethan Pickett (6-3, 350) try to plug a leaky defense that allowed 27 or more points seven times last year.

5-2A
England vs HAMBURG (7): Teams meet Tuesday night Aug 30 at UAPB as part of the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic. Class 2A No. 1 England loaded with skill, but this game will be decided up front where Class 4A No. 7 Hamburg simply has too many big bodies. Nine starters return for an England defense that held 13 opponents to six points or less last year.
For more on this matchup watch: http://www.hootens.com/videos/8-state-title-contender-meet-in-first-games-of-2016/2783.html
For more on Class 2A No. 1 England click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-england-lions
For more on Class 4A No. 7 Hamburg click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-hamburg-lions
Marshall at HECTOR (33): No. 3 Hector with 39 players, a new head coach in former OC Kyle Russell and high expectations after winning 32 games and three league titles over the past three years. Senior LG Zach Svolos (5-9, 215) fractured his lower leg in preseason drills and likely will not play early this season. The defense shifts from a five-man front to a 4-3 scheme. All-league junior WR Jadon Graham (5-11, 145) likely succeeds graduated Jalen Ferguson as two-time all-state senior QB Tanner Gaines' go-to receiver.
MAGNET COVE (13) at Parkers Chapel: This series is tied 3-3 over the past six years with Parkers Chapel winning 23-20 last year. Magnet Cove with much better numbers (40) and depth than a year ago with experience at almost every position, except at QB and inside linebacker. Consistent play at those two positions will enable Magnet  Cove to challenge for the 5-2A title. Numbers are low at Parkers Chapel where senior RB Dezmon Jackson (5-11, 202, 4.5 speed) runs behind a re-tooled line.
EPISCOPAL (6) at Conway Christian: Conway Christian (0-3 vs. Episcopal) must replace (2015) 4,000-yard passer and two-time all-state QB Jakob Henry, but sophomore Jacob Wood looked the part this summer after quarterbacking the 8-1 junior high team last fall. All-5-2A receiver Seth Smith headlines another deep group of wideouts at CC.
Poyen at WALNUT RIDGE (12): Walnut Ridge jumps to Class 3A with just 24 players, but Poyen lost its top playmaker, senior WR-RB Chase Rhodes this summer to a broken leg. Senior RB/LB Dakota Smith (ACL) is also out for the season.
PERRYVILLE (9) at Bigelow: These Perry County rivals have split the past four meetings. Perryville returns eight starters on both sides, including senior linemen Jesse Nelson and Michael Woodward.
QUITMAN (7) at Rose Bud: These teams have split the past two meetings. Quitman first-year coach Brian Narretto inherits a veteran squad, featuring senior dual-threat QB Trey McGhee (2,106 total yards and 26 TDs in 2015). Rose Bud returned to the Spread this spring under first-year coach Michael Perez, who volunteered in 2006 when the program started under John Flaherty.
Fountain Lake JV at CUTTER M STAR (2): CMS expects to dress 22, including senior QB Hayden Gray after a good summer. Bald Knob move-in James Butler also emerged at WR and LB. Sophomore Dakota Lepitre shifted from the backfield to the line and has embraced his new role. Senior newcomer Jacob Slayton (6-3, 190) can be a playmaker at receiver and strong safety.

6-2A
McCRORY (5) vs Sheridan: See Class 2A Game of the Week.
Carlisle at LONOKE (21): A fresh start for Carlisle (22 players) and coach Mark Uhiren, who returned to his alma mater in April. Uhiren has installed his Diamond T, moved QB Ty Golleher from quarterback to tailback, and the offensive line may be the team strength. The starter at QB is TBD. The lack of team speed of the past few years is better, but not good enough to run with Class 4A No. 14 Lonoke.
For more on Carlisle click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-carlisle-bison  
Bald Knob at DES ARC (2): No. 7 Des Arc has won 11, 10 and 11 games the past three years and boasts the top linebacking corps in 2A football this season, led by senior Ontario Conway (114 tackles in 2015). These teams have split the past two meetings with Des Arc winning last year 29-16.
PALESTINE-WHEATLEY (12) at Rector: League coaches say P-W may possess the most athletic ability in the 6-2A. Rector drops to 0-20 since bringing back varsity football in 2014 after a four-year hiatus.
PIGGOTT (8) at Hazen: No. 25 Hazen should dress 28 players, including a sophomore class that won the junior high conference title last year. Skilled players are young, and dominating all-state lineman Donovan Gurley and Khalid Mills and game-breaking TB Logan Penn (2,145 yards in 2015) departed in May.
Augusta at E. POINSETT COUNTY (1): Numbers are lower at EPC and projected QB Hayden Malone, a junior, re-injured his knee (ACL) in baseball and will not play football. Malone has had three knee surgeries over past 2.5 years. Augusta returns an all-league running back and play-making receivers, but line play has kept the Red Devils under .500 the past five years.
MARKED TREE (21) at Clarendon: No. 15 Marked Tree boasts a 31-man roster, the largest in years with a good mix of athletes and big bodies (linemen average 250 pounds). Junior WB Paul Coleman averaged 7 yards per carry last year as the No. 2 running back. Freshman RB A.J. Johnson (6-0, 200) joins Coleman and ultra-aggressive junior QB/LB Julian Booker, in the backfield. Senior DE Nick Andrews (6-5, 275) owns scholarship offers from Ouachita and Harding.
Subiaco Academy at BRINKLEY (11): Brinkley with the most team speed in recent years and 22 on the roster,  including senior leader and QB Accoreia Couch (4.6 speed). Senior RB John James brings all 145 pounds on every carry. Junior T.J. James anchors the defense at middle linebacker.
BARTON (36) at Marvell: Barton's blue-collar Bears adapted well this summer to first-year defensive coordinator J.C. Comet's Multiple 50 scheme. Marvell's Chester Smith became the school's sixth coach in eight years this summer. Marvell owns four wins over the past seven years, the most recent a forfeit in 2015 from Carlisle.

7-2A
Mount Ida vs CENTERPOINT (6): Teams meet Monday night Aug 29 at Ouachita as part of the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic. A unified, hungry senior class at Class 3A Centerpoint has high expectations, starting with two-time all-league senior QB Keenan Owens (3,017 passing yards in 2015), 1,000-yard rusher Jarrod Graves and 1,000-yard receiver Lance Chambers. Athletic linemen are not large but they are strong. Class 2A No. 4 Mount Ida is big up front, led by senior T/DE Logan Abernathy (6-3, 255). Senior TE/DE Anthony Spurling (6-3, 230) could miss most of the season with a broken leg, but sophomore DE Ethan Winkley (5-0, 185) has stepped in nicely. Sophomore QB Cade Jackson makes his first varsity start in the Kickoff Classic presented by hootens.com.
For more on Mount Ida click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-mount-ida-lions
For more on Centerpoint click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-centerpoint-knights
GURDON (21) at Lafayette County: Class 3A newcomer Gurdon buried Lafayette County 46-14 last year when LCHS featured all-state RB Tre Burks and and all-league QB Lederrick Lamay. Both have departed, but senior WR Cualan Williams (6-3, 205, 4.5 speed) returns with DI talent and scholarship offers.
DIERKS (6) at Horatio: Dierks hired Vince Perrin in June after former coach David Bennett left for Class 3A Horatio. Horatio's roster has dipped to 19 players. Perrin transitions Dierks from a run-heavy Pro I attack to an empty backfield Spread.
Magazine at MURFREESBORO (28): Battle of the Rattlers goes to 7-2A member Murfreesboro, which returns most of its skill players, including senior QB Ryan Roberts and RB Cameron Snowden. Senior LB Chris French and sophomore NG Ethan Pickett (6-3, 350) try to plug a leaky defense that allowed 27 or more points seven times last year.
FOREMAN (2) at Genoa Central: Foreman hired former Parkers Chapel and Horatio head coach Mark King in April as its fourth head coach in five years. The Gators are 5-1 against Genoa Central.
Mineral Springs at FOUKE (16): Fouke has defeated Mineral Springs by an average of 15 points the past three seasons. All-state junior RB Jarrett Easley (1,361 yards and 18 TDs in 2015), senior QB Landon Gonzales, senior FB Adam Roberts and junior RB Charley Baker fuel the Panthers.
Bismarck at SPRING HILL (17): Spring Hill first-year coach Matt McBride inherits a veteran squad, featuring senior linemen Josh Winfield, Dustyn Watson, Kyle Reardon and Brady Gentry. Gentry's uncle, Bobby, joined the staff this summer as an assistant coach. Bobby Gentry was an all-league kicker on Arkansas State's National College Division Champion team in 1970. Bismarck enters 2016 with 22 players, including senior RB Zaine Umer, senior center Tanner Corley and sophomore QB Dylan Clayton.
Mountain Pine at JESSIEVILLE (35): Mountain Pine first-year coach Sam Counce installed the Wing T this summer. Look for Jessieville to spread the ball under first-year coach T.J. Burk, who quarterbacked Jessieville to the 2006 Class 2A state title.

8-2A
Fordyce at RISON (2): Class 3A Fordyce has defeated Rison four of the past five seasons, including a 35-32 victory last fall. Despite losing all-state RB Bryson Marks (2,125 yards in 2015), No. 2 Rison's team speed could be better this fall with a sophomore class that dominated sprint events and won the junior high conference track meet. Rison lost the 2015 state title game to McCrory 26-22. Rison must overcome a pair of huge obstacles in Fordyce linemen Billy Ferrell (6-3, 295) and Tyler Dawn (6-3, 290).
SMACKOVER (8) at C. Harmony Grove: Smackover has defeated Harmony Grove the past four seasons. All-league senior QB Beau Burson (1,247 yards and 19 TDs in 2015), all-league senior RB Michael Edwards (655 yards, five TDs) and all-state senior guard Reave Mullens (6-5, 248) return for the Buckaroos.
JUNCTION CITY (15) at Bearden: Old 8-2A rivals continue the series with Junction City now Class 3A. Junction City has won seven in a row over Bearden, which should dress 34, but not explosive scatback Jay'shawn Cox who moved to Glen Rose. Cox led Bearden's junior high team in rushing last fall.
MAGNET COVE (13) at Parkers Chapel: This series is tied 3-3 over the past six years with Parkers Chapel winning 23-20 last year. Magnet Cove with much better numbers (40) and depth than a year ago with experience at almost every position, except at QB and inside linebacker. Consistent play at those two positions will enable Magnet  Cove to challenge for the 5-2A title. Numbers are low at Parkers Chapel where senior RB Dezmon Jackson (5-11, 202, 4.5 speed) runs behind a re-tooled line.
HAMPTON (29) at Drew Central: Hermitage's former Fab Four of skilled players, all-state RB Monta Thomas, all-league RB Kevin Childs, junior receiver S.T. Sumler and senior WR Alex Davis (6-2, 170), now reside in Hampton. Thomas topped 1,000 yards last year for Hermitage, which will not field a varsity team this fall. Hampton, which did not field a varsity team last year, should dress 30 players.
STRONG (7) at St. Fredrick, La.: First-year head coach Greg Anthony has numbers up to 28 at Strong. Anthony has worked as an assistant for more than 20 years at Lake Hamilton and El Dorado.
WOODLAWN (10) at J.C. Westside: Woodlawn senior QB Dalton Rissinger looked good in preseason camp, and Dumas transfer Logan  Smallwood has emerged at halfback and linebacker. Of the 22 on  Woodlawn's roster, 16 are seniors. Junior-dominated J.C. Westside could be the sleeper in the 4-2A.