Hootens.com Rankings
Class 6A, Week 1, 2016
Copyright Wooten Publishing, Inc.
1. Greenwood
2. Pine Bluff
3. Jonesboro
4. El Dorado
5. Benton
6. Russellville
7. Searcy
8. West Memphis
9. Texarkana
10. Marion
11. Lake Hamilton
12. Siloam Springs
13. Sheridan
14. Jacksonville
15. Mountain Home
16. LR Hall

GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 13 Sheridan vs. Class 2A No. 5 McCrory
The fourth and final game in this year's Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30 at UAPB's Golden Lion Stadium.
Injuries set back Sheridan during preseason camp, particulary on the offensive line (a position group identified in the spring as a strength for this year's team). Meanwhile, junior newcomer Justin Pruitt and sophomore Daniel Easterline battled at quarterback. The Yellowjackets will rely on senior fullback McKinley Williams (6-2, 205) to carry the load. Look for senior linebacker Bryce Boatright and senior safety Clayton Palmer (4.6 speed) to make plays on defense.
Class 2A McCrory captured its first state championship last fall in school history. The Jaguars, which averaged 253 yards rushing per game, will run the ball more this year, utilizing 195-pound QB Ken Dewitt and senior tailback Tyler Hall (4.6 speed). Dewitt also plays outside linebacker, racking up 121 tackles over the past two seasons. Junior right tackle/defensive end Jamone McCoy (6-3, 265) will not play after suffering a stress fracture in his lower leg this summer.
For more on this intriguing 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
For more on McCrory click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-mccrory-jaguars

LAST SEASON
Hootens.com correctly picked 105 of 130 games (81 percent) involving 6A teams.

WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS (favored team in CAPS followed by point spread)
6A EAST
Batesville vs. JONESBORO (7) (Tue.): Jonesboro coach Randy Coleman raved about his team during preseason camp. The Hurricane enjoy skill galore and a defensive line that impressed in August. Jonesboro has won the past four meetings with Batesville.
Pine Bluff at CABOT (9): Pine Bluff graduated 23 seniors in May after capturing its second straight state title last December. The Zebras reload on offense with senior QB Simeon Blair, senior TB Dalvin Smith (5-10, 229) and senior receiver Xavier Smith.
For more on Pine Bluff click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-pine-bluff-zebras
For more on Cabot click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-cabot-panthers
Mills at JACKSONVILLE (10): Jacksonville has crushed Mills by a combined score of 80-14 the past two seasons.
LR Fair at LR HALL (2): Both teams went 0-10 last fall. It's been almost five years since Hall has won a game. Fair's last win on the field came at North Pulaski (20-0) three years ago. Hall's roster features 16 seniors, including QB Jaden McGraw, FB Daevon Martin and shifty receivers Kelvin Williams and Kyshaun Johnson.
Marion at WYNNE (2): Marion forced two turnovers and three turnovers on downs in last year's 26-23 win over Wynne. Senior RB Tom Young, a two-time all-state performer, rushed for 126 yards and a TD and caught a 16-yard TD pass. Young finished 2015 with 1,002 yards and seven scores.
Mountain Home at HARRISON (12): Harrison has won three in a row over Mountain Home, including a 42-21 victory last fall.
Valley View at SEARCY (17): Searcy junior QB Mason Schucker moved this spring from Clarksville, where he passed for 2,246 yards and 24 TDs last season. All-league senior guard Peyton Fisher anchors the offensive line.
Forrest City at WEST MEMPHIS (8): West Memphis flogged Forrest City 41-6 a year ago. All-state senior RB Devontae Dean rushed for 654 yards and 18 TDs in 2015.

6A WEST
MCCRORY (5) vs. Sheridan (Tue.): See Hootens.com Game of the Week.
BENTON (1) vs. Bryant: The 17th annual Salt Bowl, a rivalry that dates back further with Benton leading the overall series 24-17-2. But the Panthers haven't won since 2005. First-year Benton coach Brad Harris inherits a veteran squad that has won 20 games over the past two seasons while he served as defensive coordinator. Harris' son, Brayden, leads the defense at linebacker along with senior DE Chandler Clift, senior NG Mel Hegwood, senior safety Preston Stone and senior CB Junior Hendrix. Senior RB Brandon Hunter rushed for 1,049 yards and nine TDs a year ago. Bryant spent the summer learning the Spread and adapting to a new coaching staff. First-year coach Buck James guided Class 5A Camden Fairview to a 91-24 record from 2006-13, capturing seven conference championships and the 2012 state title. The Hornets lack size and could play as many as nine sophomores. Senior end Hayden Knowles, senior LBs Phillip Isom-Green and Marvin Moody and junior safety Cameron Vail return on defense. All-state senior RB DeAmonte Terry rushed for 1,054 yards and four TDs in 2015.
For more on Bryant click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-bryant-hornets
For more on Benton click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-benton-panthers
GREENWOOD (8) at FS Northside: Greenwood went 7-0 last year against Class 7A opponents, winning at Northside 34-24. Junior QB Connor Noland (872 yards and nine TDs in 2015) committed to Arkansas in July.
SILOAM SPRINGS (4) at Rogers: Siloam Springs beat Rogers 18-6 last season for the first time in three years. Senior QB Luke Lampton (4.6 speed) triggers the Panthers' Spread attack. Injury note: Senior receiver Dawson Armstrong will not play after tearing his ACL this summer.
Camden Fairview at EL DORADO (7): El Dorado features a pair of college prospects on the defensive line in senior Lake Tucker (6-4, 255; Army offer) and junior Terry Hampton (6-2, 250; Arkansas State offer).
LAKE HAMILTON (3) at Hot Springs: These teams have split the past two meetings, which have been decided by a total of five points. Lake Hamilton senior FB Johnathan Buss rushed for more than 1,000 yards last year before injuring his knee Week 9.
For more on Lake Hamilton click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-lake-hamilton-wolves
For more on Hot Springs click here: http://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-hot-springs-trojanshttp://katv.com/sports/high-school/31-teams-in-31-days-hot-springs-trojans

Morrilton at RUSSELLVILE (5): Russellville has defeated Morrilton eight of the past 10 seasons. Senior tackles Paul Chiolino (6-1, 270) and Jacob Reed (6-3, 300) and senior end Layton Bicanovsky (6-1, 215) spearhead a stout defensive line.
Texarkana at TEXARKANA, TEXAS (7): The Razorbacks have defeated Texas High once since 2000 (20-14 in 2014).