Hootens.com Rankings
Class 5A, Wk 1, 2021
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. Pulaski Academy (1-0)
2. LR Christian (1-0)
3. Harrison (1-0)
4. Wynne (0-1)
5. HS Lakeside (0-1)
6. Vilonia (0-0)
7. White Hall (1-0)
8. Camden Fairview (1-0)
9. Maumelle (1-0)
10. Magnolia (0-1)
11. Batesville (0-0)
12. Nettleton (1-0)
13. Greenbrier (1-0)
14. Texarkana (0-1)
15. Farmington (1-0)
16. Hot Springs (1-0)
17. Watson Chapel (0-1)
18. Valley View (0-1)
19. Morrilton (0-1)
20. Clarksville (0-1)
21. Greene Co. Tech (1-0)
22. Beebe (0-1)
23. Alma (0-0)
24. Jacksonville (0-0)
25. Brookland (1-0)
26. Pea Ridge (0-1)
27. Forrest City (0-1)
28. Hope (0-1)
29. Paragould (0-0)
30. De Queen (0-1)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
Madison Ridgeland (Miss.) Academy at No. 1 Pulaski Academy.
A battle of defending state champions. Madison Ridgeland Academy won the MAIS (Midsouth Association of Independent Schools) title last season. The Patriots play their third game of the season this week after losing to Oakland (Tenn.) 31-13 last week on ESPN2. The Patriots have 60 players on the roster. Senior receiver Davis Dalton (13 receptions for 174 yards this fall) owns 13 Division I offers and has committed to Southern Miss. Sophomore quarterback John White owns a pair of DI offers, and is expected to garner more. The Patriot defense tries to create turnovers by blitzing almost every play.

Pulaski Academy trailed Joe T. Robinson 7-0 early last week, but led 53-14 at halftime. Senior QB Charlie Fiser completed 17 of 28 passes for 345 yards and five touchdown, while senior Charlie Barker caught four balls for 72 yards and a pair of TDs. Sophomore John Mark Charette caught five passes for 102 yards and a pair of TDs in his varsity debut. The Bruins, in Coach Anthony Lucas' debut, recovered one onside kick and went for the two-point conversion after their first six TDs.

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly predicted 21 of 23 games (91 percent).

WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)
5A CENTRAL
Madison Ridgeland, Miss at PULASKI ACADEMY (8): Hootens.com Class 5A Game of the Week. 
MORRILTON (4) at Beebe: These teams were blown out last week by a combined 87-29. Morrilton ran for 114 yards and jumped on Russellville 6-0 last week behind junior Kaleb McCuien's TD run. Senior Julian Brockman also caught a TD pass for the second straight week (caught one in the scrimmage game). Beebe trailed Greenbrier 21-10 in the third quarter last week before losing 45-17. The Badgers offense managed 330 yards. Morrilton blasted Beebe by 34 points last year, in the first meeting between these teams in 30 years.
MILLS (2) at Jacksonville: Jacksonville has won 10 of the past 14 in the series. Jacksonville lost its scrimmage game to Magnolia 56-28, despite three TD runs from junior Kamron Dunbar. Senior right guard Armani Carl played well throughout the summer. Mills beat Hope 56-38 a week ago. Junior athlete Jabari Shaw, a transfer from Watson Chapel, impressed in his Mills debut.
MAUMELLE (3) at Joe T. Robinson: Maumelle didn't allow a point in the second half of last week's 31-21 win over Sylvan Hills, while forcing four turnovers. Senior defensive lineman Nico Davillier racked up five tackles for loss. Joe T. Robinson jumped on Pulaski Academy 7-0 last week, but trailed 46-7 early in the second quarter (lost 60-27).
Searcy at LR CHRISTIAN (6): Searcy struggled to score last week, punching in just one TD in five drives inside the 30-yard line. Senior TB/WR Daniel Perry, who owns an offer from Harding, presents a matchup problem with LR Christian. Senior WR Reid Miles paced the Lions with six catches for 77 yards in last week's 28-point loss to Cabot. LR Christian senior Jayvean Dyer-Jones ran 18 times for 188 yards and four TDs in last week's 41-6 win over LR Central. The Warriors held LR Central to 98 yards.
WARREN (2) at White Hall: White Hall senior Zaire Green ran for a pair of first-quarter TDs in last week's mercy-rule win over Sheridan. For much more on this matchup see hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week. 
Watson Chapel is open

5A EAST
GREENBRIER (6) at Batesville: Greenbrier rolled up 446 yards in last week's 28-point win at Beebe. Senior QB Cooper Wilcox passed for 154 yards and two TDs and ran for 87 yards and three TDs. Batesville didn't play last week, and the Pioneers return only one starter from an offense that averaged 33 ppg a year ago.
BROOKLAND (1) at Jonesboro Westside: Brookland senior Jack Henry Pettit won the QB spot in the summer and threw Brookland's only TD (to senior David York) last week. Jesus Ramiz kicked the winning PAT in the 7-6 win at Gosnell. Jonesboro Westside allowed 20 points in the third quarter of last week's 27-16 setback to Greene Co. Tech. Junior Cameron Hedger 16 times for 113 yards and a TD, while junior FB/DL Darvin Fowler and senior center Edward Wilson played well. 
HAMBURG (2) at Forrest City: This game was canceled last year due to Covid. Hamburg hung with Ashdown for more almost one half last week before losing by 30 points. Forrest City gave up more than 300 yards rushing in last week's mercy-rule loss to Star City.
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. Valley View produced just 71 yards in last week's 30-0 loss to Southaven, Miss. Two-time Class 3A champion Harding Academy was originally open this week.
VILONIA (10) at Greene Co. Tech: Vilonia has 35 seniors and high expectations. Senior QB Austin Myers, all-state RB/OLB Seth Kirk and receivers Kannon Bartlett and Jamison Hinsley pace an offense that put up 26 points a week last fall. Greene County Tech scored 20 unanswered points to pull away from Jonesboro Westside last week 27-16. Senior QB Christian Barber completed 13 of 22 passes for 178 yards and two TDs, while senior inside linebacker Jax Batten made eight tackles.
Pocahontas at NETTLETON (8): This game was cancelled Tuesday due to covid quarantine. It will be played Sept. 17. Pocahontas OLB Reed Bigger returned a fumble 78 yards for a crucial third-quarter TD in last week's 20-14 triumph at Southside. Junior QB/RB Connor Baker ran for 239 yards and a TD. Nettleton senior QB Cameron Scarlett threw two TDs and ran for a TD in last week's mercy-rule win at Blytheville. 
Paragould at RIVERCREST (12): The opener for both teams, and they won't play next year. Rivercrest beat EPC 27-8 in a scrimmage game. Senior Brandyn Brownlee caught a 70 yard TD vs. EPC. Senior QB Mike Sharp threw the ball well in the summer, while junior OL/DL Trent Kimbrough (325-pound bench press) performed well in summer camp. Paragould has three wins over the past four years. 
West Memphis at WYNNE (3): These teams have split the past six meetings. West Memphis beat LR Southwest 20-0 last week despite gaining just nine yards in the first half. Wynne coach Van Paschal returns from quarantine this week after his Yellowjackets lost at Marion last week 24-21 on a walk-off field goal on the final play. Senior linebacker Timmy Watson intercepted a pass to set up a TD and in the fourth-quarter plunged for a short TD to tie the game with less than five minutes left.

5A SOUTH
El Dorado at CAMDEN FAIRVIEW (1) (Thurs.): El Dorado has beaten Camden Fairview 13 times since 2000, but Camden Fairview won last fall by 25 points. Camden Fairview senior Ja'Coriae Brown ran 16 times for 75 yards and three TDs in last week's 20-point win at Arkadelphia. Junior QB Matravius Thomas passed for 170 yards and a TD and ran for 75 yards and a TD. El Dorado struggled to slow North Little Rock's running attack in last week's scrimmage.
ARKADELPHIA (2) at Hot Springs: Arkadelphia turned the ball over four times and gave up six sacks in last week's 41-21 loss to Camden Fairview. Hot Springs gained almost 400 yards in last week's 52-7 win over undermanned Fountain Lake, but turned the ball over four times and were penalized almost 20 times.
De Queen at ASHDOWN (24): Ashdown has won 16 of the past 18 in the series. Panther junior TE and Arkansas Razorback commit Shamar Easter caught a pair of TD passes and blocked a punt for a safety in last week's 37-7 win at Hamburg. Opposing coaches say improved De Queen plays hard. The Leopards trailed Mena 12-0 in the third quarter last week but lost 42-7. Senior Donyea Whitmore ran for De Queen's only TD.
Crossett at MAGNOLIA (5): Crossett ran for 314 yards in last week's 33-26 win over Osceola. Senior QB Tyrique Jones passed for 102 yards and two TDs and ran for a team-best 144 yards and a TD. Magnolia gained 148 yards on 42 carries in last week's 26-7 setback to Harrison. The Panthers fumbled 10 times, losing two of them. Magnolia's D played well, Coach Mark King says.
Sheridan at HS LAKESIDE (6): Sheridan gained 77 yards offense and had 74 yards of penalties in last week's mercy-rule loss at White Hall. HS Lakeside returned a fumble for a TD early last week, but could slow Lake Hamilton's rushing attack (more than 200 yards) and lost by 34 points. Lakeside coach Jared McBride says he'll move players to different positions this week to shore up the D.
Hope at NASHVILLE (13): Nashville has won 14 of the past 15 in the series, including five straight by a combined 222 points. Hope moved the ball well (more than 300 yards) in last week's 56-38 setback to Mills. Nashville lost to Pleasant Grove, Texas last week 57-0. The Scrappers haven't lost consecutive games (in the same season) since Weeks 3-4, 2012. 
Texarkana is open.

5A WEST
Alma at VAN BUREN (6): Alma has won seven of the past 10 “Battle of the Bone”, but Van Buren spoiled Coach Rusty Bush's coaching debut 35-0 a year ago. Van Buren sophomore QB Bryce Perkins passed for 174 yards and two TDs and ran 20 yards for a TD in a 12-point win at Springdale. Alma beat FS Southside starters 21-14 in a one-half scrimmage. 
GREENBRIER (6) at Batesville: Greenbrier rolled up 446 yards in last week's 28-point win at Beebe. Senior QB Cooper Wilcox passed for 154 yards and two TDs and ran for 87 yards and three TDs. Batesville didn't play last week, and the Pioneers return only one starter from an offense that averaged 33 ppg a year ago.
MORRILTON (4) at Beebe: These teams were blown out last week by a combined 87-29. Morrilton ran for 114 yards and jumped on Russellville 6-0 last week behind junior Kaleb McCuien's TD run. Senior Julian Brockman also caught a TD pass for the second straight week (caught one in the scrimmage game). Beebe trailed Greenbrier 21-10 in the third quarter last week but lost 45-17. The Badgers gained 330 yards. Morrilton blasted Beebe by 34 points last year, in the first meeting between these teams in 30 years.
CLARKSVILLE (3) at Mena: Clarksville dominated Ozark last week (14-4 first down advantage, 236-98 yardage advantage), but lost in overtime by one point. The Panthers also missed three field goals, including two in the final two minutes. Senior QB Bryce Buckner scored both Panther TDs. Mena pulled away from De Queen last week, expanding a 14-0 halftime advantage into a 35-point decision. Senior QB Austin Rose threw a pair of TD passes and ran for another.
Prairie Grove at FARMINGTON (2): This rivalry usually goes down to the wire. The teams have split the past four meetings, with Prairie Grove winning last fall by 12 points. Farmington sophomore QB Cameron Vanzant passed for more than 200 yards, and Wildcat QB Myles Harvey ran for 100 yards in last week's 40-21 win at Class 7A Heritage. Prairie Grove scrimmaged Lamar two weeks ago. Coach Danny Abshier says junior wingback Ethan Miller and junior tight end Matt Velasco both enjoyed a good summer camp and scrimmage.
VILONIA (10) at Greene Co. Tech: Vilonia has 35 seniors and high expectations. Senior QB Austin Myers, all-state RB/OLB Seth Kirk and receivers Kannon Bartlett and Jamison Hinsley pace an offense that put up 26 points a week last fall. Greene County Tech scored 20 unanswered points a week ago to pull away from Jonesboro Westside 27-16. Senior QB Christian Barper completed 13 of 22 passes for 178 yards and two TDs, while senior inside linebacker Jax Batten made eight tackles.
HARRISON (1) at Mountain Home: Harrison has won eight straight over Mountain Home and 12 of the past 15. Goblins senior RB Cy Madden ran for a pair of second half TDs in last week's 26-7 win over Magnolia. Harrison's D held Magnolia to 148 yards rushing. Harrison beat Mountain Home last year by 14 points, but Mountain Home went on to win six games, its most since 2006.
Pea Ridge at SILOAM SPRINGS (7): Pea Ridge dominated Elkins in a preseason scrimmage, but the Blackhawks trailed Class 4A No. 1 Shiloh Christian 21-0 in the first quarter last week before losing 55-13. Pea Ridge sophomore QB Gavin Dixon passed for 211 yards. Siloam Springs trailed Rogers 35-26 in the third quarter last week before losing 51-40. Senior QB Hunter Talley passed for 294 yards and three TDs and ran 26 times for 100 yards. The Panthers were missing six key players due to injuries and quarantines.