HOOTENS.COM RANKINGS

Class 3A, Week 1, 2021

Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. Prescott (1-0)

2. McGehee (0-0)

3. Harding Academy (1-0)

4. Booneville (1-0)

5. Osceola (0-1)

6. Centerpoint (1-0)

7. Charleston (0-0)

8. C. Harmony Grove (1-0)

9. Paris (1-0)

10. Hoxie (1-0)

11. Newport (0-1)

12. Melbourne (1-0)

13. Jessieville (0-0)

14. Glen Rose (0-0)

15. Rison (0-1)

16. Harrisburg (1-0)

17. Cedarville (1-0)

18. Salem (0-0)

19. Perryville (0-0)

20. Lincoln (0-1)

21. Dollarway (1-0)

22. Hackett (0-0)

23. Walnut Ridge (0-1)

24. Greenland (0-0)

25. Bismarck (1-0)

26. Atkins (0-0)

27. Piggott (0-0)

28. West Fork (0-0)

29. Smackover (1-0)

30. Mayflower (0-0)

31. Genoa Central (0-1)

32. Palestine-Wheatley (0-1)

33. Drew Central (0-0)

34. Mountain View (1-0)

35. Baptist Prep (1-0)

36. Fouke (0-1)

37. Lake Village (0-1)

38. Lavaca (0-1)

39. Manila (0-1)

40. Corning (0-0)

41. Barton (0-0)

42. Mansfield (1-0)

43. Riverview (0-1)

44. Danville (0-1)

45. Two Rivers (0-1)

46. Horatio (0-0)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 5 (Class 4A) Ozark at No. 4 Booneville

It’s Ozark Week in Booneville. Booneville's first-team  offense only ran 20 plays in last week’s 32-0 win over Dardanelle. Its defense allowed 93 yards and forced five turnovers. Senior Mason Goers logged one sack, two TFL and five solo stops, while LB Casey Mattson recorded two TFL, an interception and five solos. Booneville could face its toughest test of regular season in Ozark. Booneville has 29 players on its roster, the fewest since 2015. Booneville leads the overall series 52-27-4. Ozark needed OT last week to beat Clarksville 14-13. The Bearcats won this matchup 20-19 in 2020.

LAST WEEK

hootens.com correctly predicted 23 of 27 games (85 percent) involving Class 3A teams.

WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS (Favored team CAPS followed by point spread)

1-3A

DARDANELLE (1) at Charleston: Class 4A Dardanelle is typically disciplined and features a dangerous QB in Drew Vega and ATH Robert Millard. Dardanelle won this matchup 27-0 a year ago. Charleston must win the battle up front to pull the upset.

Mountainburg at CEDARVILLE (20): CANCELLED Twenty-seven miles separate these rivals. Class 3A Cedarville took the past two games in the series by a combined 80-6 after Moutainburg had won four straight from 2015-2018. Mountainburg expects to dress 27 for its opener, led by a senior backfield of QB Isaac Cowett, 220-pound FB Gus Newton and all-league ATH Noah Johnson. Cedarville beat a covid-depleted Berryville 42-20 last week. All-state Cedarville RB Darryl Kattick ran for 194 yards and a TD, while Cody Dickens completed eight of 16 passes for 105 yards and a TD.

Greenland at ELKINS (10): Not a good matchup for Greenland,  which will dress fewer than 20 players. Elkins boasts a 40-man roster. Quarantines have made Greenland’s practice sessions difficult. Elkins shut out Lincoln 40-0 last week by intercepting three passes.

LINCOLN (10) at Westville, Okla.: Junior all-league safety Rafael Pena played well last week for Lincoln with eight solo tackles in a 40-0 loss to Elkins. Lincoln walloped Westville 21-0 last year.

West Fork at BERRYVILLE (6): Berryville has won three of the past five meetings in this series. West Fork was scheduled to play Green Forest last week, but the game was moved to Sept. 17. Berryville lost to Cedarville 42-20 a week ago.

Pocola, Okla. at HACKETT (7): Pocola is physical up front, and has owns speed than Hackett. Hackett HC Michael Meador expects a physical encounter, noting the Oklahoma team runs the ball 90 percent of the time. The Hornets have two players quarantined, but they should return by Friday. Hackett defeated Pocola 68-42 in 2020 on the road.

WALDRON (6) at Mansfield: CANCELLED Mansfield junior Fisher Willsey carried five times for 75 yards and four TDs last week against Class 2A Magazine. Willsey recorded six tackles and a fumble recovery as an inside linebacker. Waldron, which won this matchup 41-0 last year, gave up 8.4 yards per play last week in a 26-point loss to Gentry.   

LAVACA is open.

2-3A

Heber Springs at NEWPORT (3): CANCELLED. Newport gave up more than 400 yards last week in a 56-6 loss to top-ranked Prescott. Its lone TD came on a 10-yard fumble return by junior DB Brendon Curry. The 2-4A coaches picked Heber Springs to finish last in the league.

Quitman at MELBOURNE (4): Class 2A Quitman senior QB Will Litton completed 12 of 18 passes last week for 224 yards and three TDs in a 52-14 win over Class 3A Two Rivers. Melbourne amassed 447 yards in 33-6 win over Clinton. Melbourne junior QB Trey Wren connected on nine of 13 passes for 176 yards and two TDs. Junior TB Holden Hutchins carried 24 times for 152 yards and a TD. Melbourne won this matchup 34-6 last season.

SALEM (14) at Walnut Ridge: Walnut Ridge senior TE Mason Andrews, junior 'backs Walker Ward, Kai Watson and Logan Sain played well last week in a 30-20 loss to Class 4A Highland. Salem features senior TE/DE Tyler Siddons (6-5, 250). Salem junior QB Dakota Jackson impressed in preseason camp.

HOXIE (8) at Mountain View: Hoxie senior QB Cade Forrester completed nine of 13 passes last week for 224 yards and a TD in a 46-28 win over Class 4A Cave City. He also rushed for 139 yards and four TDs. Mountain View returns starters at 20 of 22 positions. In last week's 32-7 win over Fouke, senior QB Elijah Carlton carried 13 times for 94 yards, returned a kickoff 75 yards for a TD, intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble.

Riverview at CAC (28): Riverview coach Chris Keylon was pleased with his line play in 35-7 loss to Bauxite. CAC did not play Week 0 because Mayflower canceled. CAC won this matchup last year, 33-12.

Harding Academy at VALLEY VIEW (1): This game came about Wednesday after Gosnell cancelled its trip to Valley View due to covid quarantines. The latter matchup will not be played at a later date. Class 5A Valley View produced just 71 yards in last week's 30-0 loss to Southaven, Miss. Two-time 3A state champion Harding Academy was originally open this week.

3-3A

Blytheville at OSCEOLA (6): Starters at 14 positions return from a 5-5 Osceola team that lost last year to Blytheville 25-24. The Seminoles dropped another heart-breaker last week to Crossett 33-26. This could be a shootout. Blytheville has won six of past seven games in the series.

HOXIE (8) at Mountain View: Hoxie senior QB Cade Forrester completed nine of 13 passes last week for 224 yards and a TD in a 46-28 win over Class 4A Cave City. He also rushed for 139 yards and four TDs. Mountain View returns starters at 20 of 22 positions. In last week's 32-7 win over Fouke, senior QB Elijah Carlton carried 13 times for 94 yards, returned a kickoff 75 yards for a TD, intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble.

TRUMANN (3) at Harrisburg: Always a close game and was decided by five points last fall. Harrisburg junior RB Will Cronin carried 13 times last week for 144 yards and a TD in a 28-6 victory over Class 2A Cross County. This is the season opener for Class 4A Trumann, which returns starters at 16 positions.

SALEM (14) at Walnut Ridge: Senior TE Mason Andrews, junior 'backs Walker Ward, Kai Watson and Logan Sain played well last week in a 30-20 loss to Class 4A Highland. Salem features senior TE/DE Tyler Siddons (6-5, 250). Junior QB Dakota Jackson impressed in preseason camp.

PIGGOTT (6) at St. Pius, Mo.: Piggott senior WR/DB Hayden Emerson and QB Ethan Ralph and senior linemen Logan White and Will Vancil stood out in preseason camp. The Mohawks beat St. Pius last year 12-0.

Palestine-Wheatley at MARKED TREE (12): Palestine-Wheatley managed 50 total yards against Class 2A No. 1 Des Arc, which rushed for 394 yards and won 52-0. P-W junior TB P’Caylin Carter is one to watch. Marked Tree expects to dress 21 for its opener, led by all-state TE B.J. Marshall and junior lineman Bryce Dunn, and senior linemen Logan Smith and Corey Jacobs.

Corning at CAVE CITY (14): First-year Corning coach Farrell expects to dress 29 players, including FB/LB Rhett Eddington, RT Fisher Francis and WR/S Parker Davis. Class 4A Cave City allowed almost 500 yards in its opening 46-28 loss to Hoxie. 

Manila at EPC (6): Manila senior RB Dustin Clark carried 13 times last week for 148 yards and a TD in a 22-14 loss to Earle. Junior LB Bryan Neal II recorded a strip sack that was recovered in the end zone for a TD by junior LB Eli Lackey. Senior LB Peyton McQueen paced the Lions with 11 tackles. Manila committed six turnovers in the loss. Class 2A No. 10 EPC led Class 4A Pottsville most of the game but could not finish without its staring QB, junior Carter Smith. Smith was injured late in the second quarter with EPC leading 16-6.

4-3A

Ozark at BOONEVILLE (4): See Game of the Week.

PARIS (40) at J.C. Westside: Six different Eagles scored TDs last week in 49-12 win over Lavaca. Paris held the Golden Arrows to negative-12 yards in the first half. J.C. Westside, which whipped Class 3A Dover in a preseason scrimmage, dresses 19 for the season opener, including 13 seniors. All-4-2A senior QB Braydon Edwards and senior RB Dakota Beavers pace the offense. Paris won this matchup 62-6 a year ago.

PERRYVILLE (6) at Mount Ida: Perryville returns starters at 19 positions, and the Mustangs average 278 pounds up front, including all-state left guard Garrett Farnam. Mount Ida won a shootout last week with Danville 49-47.

Mayflower at SOUTHSIDE (10): Mayflower coach Austin Emerson expects most of his Eagles to return from covid quarantines early this week. The Eagles’ game with CAC last week was canceled after half of the Eagles were quarantined. Class 4A Southside, which lost to Pocahontas 20-14, is physical up front on both sides of the ball. A lack of depth hurt Mayflower in last year’s 28-13 loss to Southside.

ATKINS (16) at Dover: Atkins has won three straight in the series. Atkins features senior QB Zach Berkemeyer and WR Devin Roberts. Dover, with only 18 players, hung with Class 2A Hector into the second half last week of a 28-6 loss. 

BAPTIST PREP (24) at Conway Christian: BP senior QB Tyler Hesley threw his first career TD pass in a 14-0 win over Yellville-Summit. Senior Owen Throneberry scored a TD and forced a fumble, while classmate Jackson Mullen intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble. Conway Christian expects to dress 16 for its season opener, including senior leaders Hayden Hall at RB and Wyatt Buckman at C/NG. BP won this matchup 48-14 a year ago.

Two Rivers at YELLVILLE-SUMMIT (26): Two Rivers played Quitman tough for a half before falling 52-14. Two Rivers junior WR Dominic Dailey logged six receptions and 10 tackles. Y-S played with tenacity last week for four quarters in a 14-0 loss to Class 3A Baptist Prep. Y-S senior DB Kayden Geier recorded a forced fumble, a QB pressure, six tackles and recovered an onside kick.

DANVILLE is open.

5-3A

Gurdon at PRESCOTT (20): No. 1 Prescott is even more explosive than normal but lacks size up front. It ripped Newport 56-6 last week when junior QB Carston Poole completed nine of 12 passes for 250 yards and four TDs, while all-state RB Jaylen Hopson ran 10 times for 144 yards and two TDs. Gurdon rushed for 380 yards in a 60-18 win over Lafayette County with senior RB C.J. Dickerson covering 226 yards on just 15 carries. Prescott won this matchup last year in a shootout, 43-36.

Glen Rose at MALVERN (2): Glen Rose is young and inexperienced but the Beavers love to get after Malvern. Malvern is  avored at home with three-year starter Cedric Simmons back at quarterback. Simmons completed a fourth-quarter TD pass last year at GR to push the Leopards to a 33-27 win.

Murfreesboro at CENTERPOINT (28): Centerpoint senior quarterback Josh Lawson completed 11 of 13 passes last week for 327 yards and five TDs in a 49-0 win over Hampton. He played less than two minutes in the second half. Seniors Kaden Owen and C.J. Fox caught TD receptions for the Knights. Murfreesboro lost to Magnet Cove 42-7, managing 128 yards on 41 plays.

JESSIEVILLE (2) at H Grove Haskell: Fifteen returning starters, including four-year starting QB Carson Hair, give  Jessieville an edge in its season opener. Haskell also owns  experience but hasn’t won since 2019.

BISMARCK (2) at Magnet Cove: Bismarck team speed looked  improved last week when the gritty Lions piled up 438 yards in a 50-7 rout of Class 2A Dierks. Bismarck junior QB Ian Smith off to great start, completing five of eight passes while averaging 21 yards on five rushing attempts. MC mauled Murfreesboro 42-7 with senior RB Julius McClellan catching  three passes for 55 yards and two TDs. Senior Gavin McCauley recorded a team-high nine tackles. MC sophomore Matt Stone ran for a team high 126 yards, including a 76-yard TD to cap the scoring. MC won this matchup 28-20 last year.

Genoa Central at FOREMAN (1): GC playing hard and fast under first-year coach David Barker, but depth could be a factor. Barker praised junior guard Hilton Hackney last week after a 24-7 loss to Class 2A Poyen. Foreman lost to Idabel, Okla., 39-0. Sophomore Tyrance Marks carried nine times for 85 yards and made eight solo tackles in the loss. Senior WR Desmond Cornelius caught four passes for 80 yards, collected eight tackles, a fumble recovery, an interception and blocked a field goal.

Horatio at DIERKS (14): Horatio coach Lantz Castleman seeks his first win at HHS with 25 Lions on the roster. Class 2A Dierks fell 48-7 last week to improved Bismarck and dynamic junior QB Ian Smith who ripped off a 52-yard TD run, one of five rushing TDs for Bismarck. Dierks managed 132 yards on 43 snaps.  

FOUKE is open.

6-3A

MCGEHEE (14) at DeWitt: Class 4A DeWitt lost its season opener to rival Stuttgart 41-14, while second-ranked McGehee was open. McGehee won last year’s matchup 36-6 and eventually played for the 3A state title. McGehee seniors Sam Polite and R.J. Blackman and sophomore Ky Bell battle for the starting QB job.

Bald Knob at RISON (7): Rison junior RB/LB Isaac Gray recorded nine tackles and rushed 16 times last week for 122 yards, including a 65-yard run in a 20-16 loss to Fordyce. Junior Bradyn Dupuy ran 16 times for  96 yards, including a 25-yard TD. Sophomore Trey Wainwright forced and recovered a fumble. Bald Knob lost to Harding 42-8 after trailing 42-0 at halftime.

DUMAS (5) at Lake Village: Early mistakes sunk Lake Village last week in a 34-20 loss to Class 4A Monticello. LV sophomore Aquavious Dunbar rushed for 115 yards and two TDs. Senior TB Ederian Sykes ran for 85 yards and a TD. Dumas new HC Antonio Lovelady is its third in three years. Dumas should survive this test, but it may not be 43-0 like last season.

Smackover at JUNCTION CITY (6): The Buckaroos outgained Parkers Chapel 457 to 207 in last week’s 36-0 win. Junior receiver D’kylan Hildreth rolled an ankle but is expected to play. Smackover must containing the Class 2A Dragons’ big backs. Class 3A rival Camden Harmony Grove invoked the mercy rule last week on JC 39-0, marking the first time a team has done that to the Dragons since 2010 when Bearden went up 35-0 on JC in the third quarter of a 35-8 win. JC has won six of the past seven meetings in the series.

Drew Central at POYEN (25): DC numbers are up to 36. Senior LBs Parker Cruce and Ian Strickland head a stronger Pirate defense. Graduation hurt Class 2A Poyen, but the Indians rushed for 331 yards (9.7 YPC) last week in a 24-7 win over Class 3A Genoa Central. Senior QB Colton Lowe carried 17 times for 217 yards and two TDs. Poyen popped DC 35-0 last year.

CLARENDON (28) at Barton: The Spencer Adams era begins at Barton where the Bears return starters at five positions and will rely heavily on underclassmen. Adams is the son of former Farmington HC Mike Adams. Clarendon returns starters at 14 positions and expects to dress 25 for its opener. Clarendon won this matchup 65-22 a year ago.

DOLLARWAY at Pine Bluff: Game canceled.

CAMDEN HARMONY GROVE is open.