Class 2A Week 0 Picks and Predictions
Hootens.com Class 2A Rankings
Week 0, 2024
1. Junction City
2. Carlisle
3. Conway Christian
4. Mineral Springs
5. Bigelow
6. Murfreesboro
7. Marked Tree
8. Hector
9. East Poinsett County
10. Cross County
11. Des Arc
12. Hazen
13. Mount Ida
14. England
15. McCrory
16. Earle
17. Gordon
18. Clarendon
19. Poyen
20. Lafayette County
Not ranked:
1-2A: Mountainburg, Mountain Pine, JC Westside, Magazine
2-2A: Izard County Consolidated, Marianna
3-2A: Spring Hill, Dierks, Foreman
4-2A: Bearden, Baptist Prep, Hampton
HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEKEngland at BIGELOW
The Bigelow Panthers are coming into the 2024 season as the defending state champions for the first time in school history, having beat EPC in the state-title game last December. They are ranked fifth in the first Class 2A poll after losing all-star performers Rhett Neuimeier at quarterback and running back Carter Alexander to graduation. Junior Cal Adams looks to take over at QB. Braxton Nix returns as the starting fullback. The Panthers also return their entire starting defensive line rotation from last year, that allowed only 14.2 points per game a year ago. Jayden Dunlap, Silas Schictl and Martrell Macon all return after having more than 100 tackles a year ago. The Lions went 4-5 a year ago but return 10 starters on offense and 9 on defense. They took conference champion Carlisle to the limit in a 35-26 loss in Week 9. QB Nick Brown returns for his senior year, having thrown for 1,145 yards and 17 TDs a year ago. He also rushed for 614 yards and 7 TDs. Brown, who also plays safety, had 65 tackles a year ago. Jordan Palmer caught 31 passes for 329 yards and 6 TDs. The emotion of playing at home for the first time after winning the state title should carry the Panthers to the win. However, if England’s high-powered offense can move the ball, it could be an interesting game.
LAST YEAR
Hootens.com correctly predicted 132 of 160 games (83 percent)
WEEK 0 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)
CLASS 2A NON-CONFERENCE
Hazen at CONWAY CHRISTIAN: Hazen’s roster is small, having lost several key players to school choice. JJ Pinkney projects to be the starting QB. Conway Christian returns one of the most dynamic players in all of Class 2A in QB/DB Jeryn Thomas, who missed the first half of last season with a leg injury. He came back to pass for 703 yards and 10 TDs. Brady Domokos rushed for 1,104 yards and 12 TDs a year ago. This could be a coming out party for the Eagles.
England at BIGELOW: See Hootens.com Game of the Week
POYEN at Mountain Pine: Poyen returns all-conference QB Colt Barrett, son of Poyen coach Vick Barrett. He passed for 1,630 yards and 13 TDS a year ago. Gage Brewer caught 46 passes for 442 yards a year ago. Mountain Pine is moving back to 11-man football after going 4-4 in 8-man a year ago. Running back Zyon Wyatt, who is receiving college interest, is coming back from an ACL tear.
LAFAYETTE COUNTY at Hampton: Lafayette County returns two defenders who recorded more than 90 tackles a year ago (Ricardo Wimberley and Zakarian Lawson). Wimberley also will start at fullback. A year ago, Hampton only averaged 6.2. points per game while going up 46.2 points. Hampton’s lone win came in the second game, beating Foreman 8-0.
CLASS 2A-3A NON-CONFERENCE
HG Ouachita County at JUNCTION CITY: Junction City drops back down to Class 2A after playing in 3A the previous two years. The Dragons advanced to the quarterfinals of the 3A playoffs. Junction City will be led by receiver Dominique Grimes, who caught 34 passes for 700 yards and * TDs last year. He also rushed for 604 yards and 10 TDs on 50 carries. Brady Penister led the Dragons with 99 tackles.
Class 3A CEDARVILLE at Magazine: Magazine only averaged 12.3 points per game a year ago while giving up 36.8. They do return two veteran defenders in Kolton McCubbin and Chakong Yang, who both had 75 tackles a piece last year.
Class 3A NEWPORT at Marked Tree: Marked Tree returns QB Kenyon Carter, who passed for 3,400 yards and 37 TDs a year ago. His top receiver, JJ Risper, also returns. He caught 50 passes for 719 yards and 14 TDS a year ago. The Indians also return three top tacklers in Ryan Wages with 105, Jonah Walker with 98 and Tate Swink with 94.
Class 3A WALNUT RIDGE at EPC: EPC had its most successful season in school history, advancing to the state title game, where it lost to Bigelow. The Warriors must replace several key players, but have a good one in Jacob Gaines at running back, replacing his brother Dennis. Jacob rushed for 328 yards and 4 TDs as a back up. EPC’s Zebarious Shepherd had 58 tackles a year ago.
Class 3A Harrisburg at CROSS COUNTY: Cross County finished 6-4 but missed the playoffs. They have a new coach in veteran Van Paschal, who was coach at Heber Springs a year ago. The Thunderbirds are moving from the spread to the flexbone and will be led by QB Kale Searcy.
Class 3A YELLVILLE-SUMMIT at Izard County: Izard County, which just started its football program two years ago and won the 8-man state title, transitions to 11-man this year under first-year coach Chase Brody. Cash Arnheart will start at QB.
Class 3A Centerpoint at MURFREESBORO: Murfreesboro won the conference title a year ago, going 11-1. The Rattlers season ended in the quarterfinal round against Marked Tree. Laytan Witcher returns at QB after storing for 651 yards and 10 TDs a year ago. Jordan Hill will play running back after rushing for 14 TDs and more than 1,000 yards at Dierks last season.
Gurdon at Class 3A MAGNET COVE: Gurdon is hoping for a bounce-back season after only three wins (2 on the field) a year ago. Rhett Ledbetter returns at QB after missing all of last season with an injury. Jamari Williams returns at RB, rushing for 6 TDs. Xavier Laster also rushed for 6 TDs.
Class 3A FOUKE at Dierks: Dierks returns one of the top receivers in the conference in Juan Salazar, who caught 35 passes for 264 yards and 3 TDs. They also return defender Jeron Hill, who had 65 tackles.
Foreman at Class 3A PARKERS CHAPEL: Foreman hasn’t won a game since the 2021 season. The Gators averaged only 5.4 points per game while giving up 46.6.
CARLISLE at Class 3A Drew Central: The Carlisle Bison had one of the most productive seasons in school history, advancing to the Class 2A state semifinals but must replace its QB. Freshman Ty Tanksley led the Junior Bison a year ago and will be under center this year. He has two good receivers in Gavin Davis and Kaidon Clingmon, who caught 7 and 3 TDs respectively. Carlisle also returns Gabe Boyle on defense. He had 121 tackles a year ago.
Clarendon at Class 3A PALESTINE-WHEATLEY: Clarendon struggled to a 2-8 record last year. Senior Silas Amos will start his third season at left tackle.
Bearden, Baptist Prep, Des Arc, Earle, McCrory, Mineral Springs, Spring Hil, Hector, Mt. Ida, Mountainburg and JC Westside are open.
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