Hootens.com Rankings
Class 5A, Week 1, 2016
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.
1. Pulaski Academy
2. Batesville
3. LR McClellan
4. Alma
5. Wynne
6. Morrilton
7. HS Lakeside
8. Greenbrier
9. Watson Chapel
10. Sylvan Hills
11. Camden Fairview
12. Hot Springs
13. LR Christian
14. Vilonia
15. Forrest City
16. Blytheville
17. Beebe
18. Hope
19. Nettleton
20. Maumelle
21. LR Parkview
22. Harrison
23. De Queen
24. Mills
25. Farmington
26. Magnolia
27. Paragould
28. Valley View
29. White Hall
30. Greene County Tech
31. Clarksville
32. LR Fair

GAME OF THE WEEK
Dallas Parish Episcopal vs. No. 3 LR McClellan
The football season kicks off Mon., Aug. 29 at Ouachita Baptist's Cliff Harris Stadium in Arkadelphia as part of the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic.
LR McClellan won 10 games a year ago, as many as the previous six seasons combined. The Lions finished as 5A Central and Class 5A runners-up, only losing to Class 7A Bryant and Pulaski Academy. Lion senior Pierre Strong ran for 2,248 yards and 30 touchdowns last season. Quarterback Dalvion Childs returns for his third season after generating more than 1,100 yards in 2015. Three starting linemen from last season graduated “and that's been our point of emphasis,” Coach Maurice Moody says.
Dallas Parish Episcopal won 11 games last season, but a highly recruited running back transferred in the summer. Senior linebacker Justin Morris owns offers from Hawaii and Nevada. Two other Panthers also have D-1 offers.
For more on McClellan click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-mcclellan-lions

TV SHOW
Hooten's Arkansas Football TV show airs on KATV (Channel 7) at 10:30 a.m. Saturday's this fall, beginning Sept. 3.

LAST YEAR
Hootens.com correctly predicted 158 of 201 games (79 percent) last season.

WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS (favored team in CAPS followed by point spread)
5A CENTRAL
DALLAS PARISH EPISCOPAL (7) vs. LR McClellan (Mon., at OBU): Read hootens.com Class 5A Game of the Week above.
WARREN (16) vs. LR Christian (Tue.): Warren started three freshmen most of last season and seven were significant contributors in the playoffs. The Lumberjacks return all-conference QB Hayden Lassiter (more than 2,000 yards in 2016) and all-state running back Dennis Daniels (more than 2,500 yards and 27 TDs). But coach Bo Hembree beams about five returning offensive linemen, headlined by tackle Devonta Brown (6-4, 270).
Beebe at GREENBRIER (7): Beebe's 14-point victory last year snapped Greenbrier's stronghold in the series (the Panthers had won five straight). Greenbrier coach Randy Tribble expects a big season from two-way lineman Kyle Harshberger-Walker (56 tackles in 2015). Beebe's junior high went 9-1 last season.
LR Fair at LR HALL (2): LR Hall has 49 straight losses, while LR Fair has lost 28 of its past 30 games (beat now-defunct North Pulaski Week 1, 2014 and received a forfeit from LR McClellan in 2015).
Mills at JACKSONVILLE (10): Jacksonville changes from the Red Devils to Titans after absorbing North Pulaski and creating its own district this year. The Titans crushed Mills by a combined 80-14 the past two seasons. Jacksonville relies on strong linemen in 2016. For more on Jacksonville click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-jacksonville-titans
Sand Springs, Okla. at PULASKI ACADEMY (7): Two-time defending Class 5A champion Pulaski Academy has 27 straight victories. The Sand Springs (Okla.) Sandites won nine games last season before losing at Bixby, Okla. in the playoff quarterfinals. Pulaski Academy all-state running back Jaren Watkins ran for 2,067 yards and 24 TDs last year and caught three TDs. For more on PA click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-pulaski-academy-bruins
LR CATHOLIC (3) at Sylvan Hills: These teams were members of the former AAAA-Central from 1991-1995 and played non-conference games from 2002-2007, with LR Catholic winning the last meeting 28-12 in 2007. Sylvan Hills has won nine of its past 12 non-conference games. Sylvan Hills senior QB Jordan Washington gained more than 2,600 yards last fall.
For more on Sylvan Hills click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-sylvan-hills-bears
LR Parkview is open.

5A EAST
JONESBORO (7) vs. Batesville (Tue.): Both teams expect to contend for state titles this year. Jonesboro advanced to the semifinals five straight times, while Batesville has gone six straight times. Batesville all-state QB Zach Griffin passed for 1,630 yards and nine TDs last year, and enjoyed a solid summer on the camp and combine circuit.
Osceola at BLYTHEVILLE (25): Blytheville has beaten neighbor Osceola the past two seasons by a combined 79 points. Chickasaw senior Demekko Clark ran for 1,999 yards and 23 TDs last season. 
Forrest City at WEST MEMPHIS (8): West Memphis goes for its third straight win over Forrest City. Mustang senior Kendriel Johnson ran for 1,252 yards and 15 TDs a year ago, while two-time all-conference receiver Trajan Norment had 700 yards and nine TDs. West Memphis all-state running back Devontae Dean ran for 18 TDs in 2015.
Greene Co. Tech at VILONIA (10): Vilonia first-year coach Ron Young implemented a run-first offense in the summer. The Hot Springs native plans to showcase all-state QB Luke Gordon (2,234 yards and 13 TDs in 2015) on play-action passes. Greene County Tech has won 11 games the past five seasons.
Nettleton at POCAHONTAS (6): Class 4A state title contender Pocahontas upgrades its non-conference schedule in 2016, subbing Riverview and Corning with Class 5A Nettleton and Class 3A traditional-power Osceola. Redskin sophomore QB Devon Adams impressed in summer workouts.
RIVERCREST (3) at Paragould: This game has been decided by a total of six points the past two seasons (Paragould won by 38-33 in 2014 and Rivercrest won 14-13 last year). Paragould first-year coach Michael Sloas assisted Paragould's varsity the past nine seasons and coached the junior high for a decade.
Valley View at SEARCY (17): Valley View tries to increase its offensive production with a Spread attack in 2016. The Blazers averaged 18 points per game last season with a run-first approach. Class 6A Searcy went 6-5 last fall, its third winning season in 14 years.
Marion at WYNNE (2): The teams have split the past six meetings, with Marion winning by three points last season. Wynne senior fullback Jamar Dixon ran for 1,440 yards last season in the Flexbone. Marion two-time all-state running back Tom Young ran for 1,002 yards and seven TDs in 2016.

5A SOUTH
JOE T. ROBINSON (8) vs. HS Lakeside (Mon.): Joe T. Robinson (formerly called Pulaski Robinson) features some of the state's more dynamic playmakers with running back Myles Fells and receivers Nathan Page and Koilan Jackson. Fells committed to Navy in the spring, while Jackson committed to Arkansas. Hot Springs Lakeside won the 5A South title last season, its first since 1977.
For more on Lakeside click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-hot-springs-lakeside-rams
For more on Robinson click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-31-days-pulaski-robinson-senators
Camden Fairview at EL DORADO (7): Former El Dorado defensive coordinator Jake Monden takes over as Camden Fairview's coach. Monden praises Fairview's work ethic and competition in August camp, and he expects senior Chris Hargraves to surprise after sliding from defense to running back in the off-season. El Dorado defensive tackle Lake Tucker owns an offer from Army.
Mena at DEQUEEN (6): De Queen broke a three game losing streak to Mena with last year's dominating 41-13 triumph. The Leopards return 12 starters and several 5A South coaches believe they'll surprise the league this fall. Senior Leonardo Dominguez and junior Brandon Haygood ran the ball well in fall camp.
NASHVILLE (10) at Hope: Defending Class 4A champion Nashville has won nine of the past 10 in the series, including last year's one-point triumph. The Scrappers averaged 45 points per game in 2015, and return senior running back Darius Hopkins (1,614 yards and 27 TDs a year ago) and Arkansas Razorback commit Kirby Adcock. The Scrappers had no major injuries in the off-season and no players quit the team, second-year coach Mike Volarvich says.
LAKE HAMILTON (3) at Hot Springs: Expect another close one. Hot Springs beat Lake Hamilton by four points last season and Lake Hamilton won the match-up by one-point in 2014, their first meeting since 1999. Lake Hamilton first-year coach Jeremy Reed installed the Flexbone in the off-season, as participation shrunk from 90 to 70 players.
For more on Hot Springs click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-hot-springs-trojans
For more on Lake Hamilton click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-lake-hamilton-wolves
Dollarway at WATSON CHAPEL (15): Watson Chapel has lost eight straight games against teams outside the 5A South, including six straight non conference games. All-conference junior QB Jakobi Jackson passed for 2,389 yards and 34 TDs last season, with just five interceptions. Coach Lee Hardiman returns to the sideline at Dollarway, after serving as athletic director the past three seasons. Hardiman coached the Cardinals from 1981-1992, winning 116 games and four state championships.
Magnolia at CROSSETT (2): Crossett has won three of the past four over Magnolia, including last year's three-point decision. Crossett goes for its third straight playoff appearance with an experienced defense, anchor by lockdown corners Marcus Bornslater and Greg Junior.
WHITE HALL (1) at Dumas: White Hall tries to break its 11-game losing streak. The Bulldogs went 0-10 last season for the first time in more than 60 years. But they possess more team speed this season, coach Mike Vaughn says. Dumas senior receiver Jaleen Cobbs caught 14 passes for 201 yards last season and averaged more than 7 yards per carry.
For more on White Hall click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-white-hall-bulldogs

5A WEST
Van Buren at ALMA (11) (Tue.): Alma has won five straight over Van Buren in the “Battle of The Bone”. Airedale senior QB Noah Dotson passed for 2,121 yards and 14 TDs last season and ran for 578 yards and three scores.
LAMAR (30) at Clarksville: Lamar has dominated the past recent meetings of Highway 64, winning the past two by a combined 84-26. Former Clarksville player Khris Buckner returns as head coach after Eli Cranor left for an assistant job at Morrilton in June.
FARMINGTON (1) at Prairie Grove: Farmington has won six of the past 10 in the series, including a 28-12 decision last season. Prairie Grove rebounded with 13 straight wins and played in its first state title game. The Tigers return 10 starters this year, including athletic senior receiver/cornerback Isaac Disney (6-0, 165).
Beebe at GREENBRIER (7): Beebe's 14-point victory last year snapped Greenbrier's stronghold in the series (the Panthers had won five straight). Greenbrier coach Randy Tribble expects a big season from two-way lineman Kyle Harshberger-Walker (56 tackles in 2015). Beebe's junior high went 9-1 last season.
Mountain Home at HARRISON (12): Harrison has won three straight in the series and seven of the past 10. Mountain Home has lost 39 of its past 40 games.
Maumelle at NORTH LR (35): Maumelle has opened with dominating victories over Jacksonville the past two years, but participation shrank in summer workouts. North Little Rock won seven straight games last season and opens as the preseason favorite in the 7A Central. Senior all-state running back Alex Day gained 1,847 yards and 24 TDs last season.
For more on North LR click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-north-little-rock-charging-wildcats
Morrilton at RUSSELLVILLE (5): Morrilton's 14-point win last year over Russellville was its second in the series in the past 10 years. Morrilton seniors Lane Grandberry (72 tackles in 2016), Corey Ferrell (55 tackles) and Geron Williams (30 tackles) form one of the better linebacker tandems in Class 5A.
Greene Co. Tech at VILONIA (10): Vilonia first-year coach Ron Young implemented a run-first offense in the summer. The Hot Springs native plans to showcase all-state QB Luke Gordon (2,234 yards and 13 TDs in 2015) on play-action passes. Greene County Tech has won 11 games the past five seasons.