Hootens.com Rankings
Class 3A, Week 1, 2020
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. Harding Academy (0-0)
2. Prescott (0-0)
3. Rison (0-1)
4. Hoxie (1-0)
5. Newport (1-0)
6. Osceola (0-1)
7. McGehee (0-0)
8. Booneville (1-0)
9. Glen Rose (0-0)
10. C. Harmony Grove (1-0)
11. Cedarville (1-0)
12. Harrisburg (0-0)
13. Dollarway (0-1)
14. Jessieville (0-0)
15. Melbourne (1-0)
16. Charleston (0-0)
17. Centerpoint (0-1)
18. Walnut Ridge (1-0)
19. Greenland (0-0)
20. Perryville (0-0)
21. Mansfield (1-0)
22. Riverview (0-1)
23. Smackover (0-0)
24. Atkins (0-0)
25. Mayflower (0-1)
26. Lincoln (0-1)
27. Baptist Prep (1-0)
28. Hackett (0-0)
29. Piggott (0-0)
30. Danville (0-0)
31. Salem (0-0)
32. Paris (1-0)
33. Barton (0-0)
34. Mountain View (1-0)
35. Drew Central (0-0)
36. Bismarck (1-0)
37. Genoa Central (0-1)
38. West Fork (1-0)
39. Corning (0-0)
40. Fouke (0-1)
41. Lake Village (0-1)
42. Manila (0-0)
43. Lavaca (0-1)
44. Palestine-Wheatley (0-1)
45. Two Rivers (0-1)
46. Horatio (0-0)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 2 Prescott at Class 2A No. 3 Gurdon
These schools have not met since 2017, a 48-0 Prescott victory when both were members of the 5-3A. 
Prescott's opener at Lafayette County last week was canceled due to a power outage. Sixty Curley Wolves went through fall camp, including returning starters at 17 positions. Prescott's offense was ultra sharp two weeks ago in a 28-7 scrimmage win over Class 4A Ashdown, scoring on three plays of 50 yards or more. Prescott senior offensive lineman Justin Wilson is the first four-year starter of the modern era, and likely in school history.
No. 3 Gurdon expects to dress 37 for the opener against its neighbor rival, with its 60-man roster. These teams have not played since 2017 when Prescott won 48-0. Gurdon returns starters at 17 positions, including Steve Landers Auto Group Class 2A Super Team RB Jameson Threadgill, OL Grant McGaillard, DL Royrick Anderson and LB Armando Harper.

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly predicted 19 of 25 games (76 percent) of games involving Class 3A schools.

WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS (favored team in CAPS followed by point spread)
1-3A
CEDARVILLE (33) at Mountainburg: Cedarville rolled Class 4A Berryville 44-6 last week, rolling up 473 yards (333 rushing and 140 passing). Cedarville senior fullback Darryl Kattich ran 17 times for 254 yards and three scores, including a school-record 99-yard scoring sprint. Junior QB Cody Dickens completed five of seven passes for 140 yards and two scores. Mountainburg dresses 24 Dragons for this game.
Charleston at DARDANELLE (6): Charleston plays its opener this week with improved team speed and a talented sophomore group that finished last season 9-1 in junior high.
Booneville of the 4-3A downed Class 4A Dardanelle 35-14 last week. Dardenelle trailed just 21-14 early in the third quarter. Drew Vega rushed for 93 yards and two TDs at Booneville.
ELKINS (7) at Greenland: Greenland has won seven of nine in this series, including 31-20 last season, but three potential starters left the program during the off-season. Senior QB Gabe Wilson and senior running back Jett Dennis produced stellar off-seasons for Greenland.
Elkins rolled up 464 yards last week against Lincoln. The Elkins defense allowed just 142 yards and forced two turnovers.
HACKETT (6) at Pocola, Okla.: Hackett rolled Pocola 36-0 last season. All-state performers Avery Hester and Weston Winters power a Hackett offense that averaged 30 points per game a season ago. Senior left tackle Dylan Jetton leads the offensive line.
Mansfield at WALDRON (3): Mansfield forced six Magazine turnovers last week in a 41-0 victory. Mansfield senior QB Zayne Dugan passed for 184 yards and four TDs. Senior Randy Claude caught two TD passes and recovered a pair of fumbles.
Waldron QB Braden Williams threw for four TDs and ran for another last week against Gentry. 
HAZEN (8) at West Fork: West Fork snapped a 12-game losing streak in last week's 20-14 victory over Class 4A Green Forest. Senior Brenan Cash rushed for 46 yards and Ross Ivy darted for 87 yards and a score. Wyatt Kutz topped 100 total yards with a TD and Eli Howerton ran 52 yards for a TD. Class 2A Hazen managed just six points last week in a 10-6 loss against McCrory. The Hornets dress just 15 players for this game.
LINCOLN (1) at Westville, Okla.: Class 4A Elkins beat Lincoln 46-8 last week but QB Tyler Brewer tossed a TD pass to Daytin Davis. This is Westville's season opener.
Lavaca is open.

2-3A
CAC (25) at Riverview: Class 4A Bauxite ripped Riverview 42-0 last week, the first time Riverview did not score in a game since 2014. CAC beat Mayflower 35-20 last week behind junior Tyler Williams' 182 rushing yards and four TDs. Ethan DeMarco added a 2-yard TD. 
Harding Academy at MENA (1): Harding Academy plays its season opener after its scrimmage game and season opener were canceled. The defending 3A state champions return all-state performers at QB (senior Caden Sipe), receiver (senior Ty Dugger) and four starters in the offensive line. Class 4A Mena beat De Queen 39-0 last week. Sipe (30 ACT and 4.2 GPA) is the First Community Bank Scholar Athlete of the Week, featured on Hootens.com.
Class 4A Mena QB Max Montgomery totaled three TDs last week in a 39-0 win over De Queen while Jake Wyals ran for two scores and recorded six tackles on defense. Cuay House recorded 12 tackles for Mena.
NEWPORT (12) at Heber Springs: Newport ripped Heber Springs' 2-4A league rival LR Mills 47-22 a week ago. Newport sophomore QB Dejai Marshall completed 22 of 27 passes for 183 yards and two scores with no interceptions against Mills.
Mountain View at HOXIE (10): Mountain View slipped Fouke 36-7 last week, rolling up 416 yards (374 rushing). Mountain View allowed Fouke only 52 yards in the second half. Mountain View junior QB Elijah Carlton ran for three TDs, including a 63-yard scoring sprint. Seven sophomores saw action for Mountain View, which boasts improved team speed.
Hoxie outlasted Class 4A Cave City 54-48 in double overtime last Friday night. Senior QB Daylon Powell accounted for six TDs against Cave City, including the game-winning 8-yard TD toss to senior Stephon Coleman in the second overtime.
Quitman at MELBOURNE (17): Each team logged impressive wins a week ago. Melbourne beat Class 4A Clinton last week for the first time in school history, leading 34-14 at halftime in a 51-20 victory. Melbourne senior running back Ryan Worsham ran for three TDs against Clinton. Melbourne's veteran offensive line paved the way for more than 200 rushing yards and protected sophomore QB Trey Wren, who executed an efficient offense in his first start.
WALNUT RIDGE (6) at Salem: This is Salem's season opener and the first game for Coach Josh Watson, who was the school's offensive coordinator the past four seasons. Salem moves up to Class 3A this season after winning 27 games the past three seasons in Class 2A, with a pair of league championships and two semifinal appearances. Salem seeks consistency on defense while breaking in 10 new starters. Seniors Darius Brown and Tyler Siddons fuel the Salem offensive attack.
Walnut Ridge rallied past Class 4A Highland last week, when the Bobcat defense did not allow a point in the second half. The Walnut Ridge offensive line protected senior QB Cole Manning, who passed for 247 yards and ran for 180 yards. Manning added 13 tackles at middle linebacker, with support from Sam Lewis, Mason Ashlock and Blane Wade.

3-3A
Osceola at BLYTHEVILLE (1): Class 4A Blytheville has won five of the last six meetings, forfeiting a 26-21 win in 2018. Osceola lost its season opener for the seventh straight season last week in a 26-20 loss to Class 4A Crossett. Osceola trailed Crossett 20-7 at halftime last week. Class 5A Nettleton slipped Blytheville 27-20 last week. Blytheville beat Class 6A West Memphis 3-0 two weeks ago in one half of varsity action.
CAVE CITY (10) at Corning: Thirty-one Corning Bobcats went through summer workouts, led by senior QB Nikota Amiker (5-11, 170) and senior linebacker Jake Gutierrez (5-10, 220).
Class 4A Cave City took Corning's 3-3A rival Hoxie to double overtime last week before losing 54-48. Cave City led Hoxie 42-34 with 3:49 left in regulation before Hoxie rallied. The Cavemen rushed for 453 yards. Cave City is 1-30 in its last 31 games.
E. POINSETT COUNTY (30) at Manila: This is Manila's season opener. The Lions scored two TDs or less seven times in 2019. Class 4A Pottsville downed Class 2A East Poinsett County 60-32 a week ago despite senior QB Preston Rains passing for 181 yards and two TDs and running for 31 yards with a score. Senior Deuce Moore snagged five passes for 104 yards and a score and Barry Rossell, Jr. returned a kickoff 82 yards for a TD.
HARRISBURG (1) at Trumann: Harrisburg's season opener against Class 2A Cross County last week was canceled. Senior all-league running back Jacob Wallace (5-10, 175) powers the Harrisburg offense, running behind senior linemen Landon Duncan (6-2, 255) and Michael Moore (6-1, 240). Senior Drew Wright and junior Samuel Moore deliver plays at QB, running back and receiver. Coach Aaron Thornton praises his team's tackling.
Mountain View at HOXIE (10): Mountain View downed Fouke 36-7 last week, rolling up 416 yards (374 rushing). The Yellowjackets allowed Fouke only 52 plays in the second half. Mountain View junior QB Elijah Carlton ran for three TDs, including a 63-yard scoring sprint. Seven sophomores saw action for Mountain View, which boasts improved team speed. Hoxie outlasted Class 4A Cave City 54-48 in double overtime last Friday night. Senior QB Daylon Powell accounted for six TDs against Cave City, including the game-winning 8-yard TD toss to senior Stephon Coleman in the second overtime.
MARKED TREE (15) at Palestine-Wheatley: Palestine-Wheatley struggled in last week's 43-6 loss to Des Arc, surrendering an interception return for a TD and allowing Luke Morton and Eyan Holloway to power for short scoring runs.
St. Pius, Mo. at PIGGOTT (6): Piggott dedicates its field in honor of junior Hunter Midkiff, who died in August following complications from heat stroke. Twenty-seven Mohawks saw action in Piggott's 28-27 scrimmage victory last week at Salem. Senior Logan Ralph returned an interception 80 yards for a TD at Salem, where Brandon Seal and Trent Stevens also scored. 
WALNUT RIDGE (6) at Salem: This is Salem's season opener and the first game for Coach Josh Watson, who was the school's offensive coordinator the past four seasons. Salem moves up to Class 3A this season after winning 27 games the past three seasons in Class 2A, with a pair of league championships and two semifinal appearances. Salem seeks consistency on defense while breaking in 10 new starters. Seniors Darius Brown and Tyler Siddons fuel the Salem offensive attack.
Walnut Ridge rallied past Class 4A Highland last week, when the Bobcat defense did not allow a point in the second half. The Walnut Ridge offensive line protected senior QB Cole Manning, who passed for 247 yards and ran for 180 yards. Manning added 13 tackles at middle linebacker, with support from Sam Lewis, Mason Ashlock and Blane Wade.

4-3A
Dover at ATKINS (15): Atkins has won two straight in this series. Former defensive coordinator Matt Porter succeeds Tommy Cody at Atkins. Atkins boasts game-breaking skill players, including all-league receivers Kreed Stubbs (62 receptions last year or 1,413 yards and 24 TDs) and Trenton Casto (44 catches for 722 yards and nine scores) and running back Anthony Shaddon. Class 4A Dover allowed 255 rushing yards in last week's loss to Class 2A Hector. Atkins lost 14-12 two weeks ago in a scrimmage against Class 4A Dardanelle. 
CONWAY CHRISTIAN (6) at Baptist Prep: Baptist Prep dressed 19 in the opener and clubbed Class 2A Cedar Ridge 63-28. Baptist Prep QB Aiden Throneberry, a senior newcomer, accounted for four TDs in last week's 63-28 win over Class 2A Cedar Ridge. Jackson Mullen returned an interception 75 yards for a score and Hayden Brent returned a kickoff 70 yards for a TD. Conway Christian, which did not play last week, expects to dress 23 for its opener, including senior QB Tyler Cossey, WR Jeramya Brock and DE Robert Taylor.
Booneville at OZARK (4): Booneville bolted to a 21-0 lead last week in a 35-14 victory over Class 4A Dardanelle in Doc Crowley's debut as head coach. Booneville senior fullback Ethan Wooldridge ran for 103 yards and a TD and junior QB Randon Ray ran for 79 yards and three scores. Chance Broussard intercepted a halfback pass and Casey Mattson logged 10 tackles for Booneville. Class 4A Ozark's opener against Valley View was canceled, but the Hillbillies scrimmaged two weeks ago at Maumelle. Senior QB Harper Faulkenberry and running back Tyler Sanders power the Ozark attack. Linebacker Keyston Durning captains the Ozark defense.

J.C. Westside at PARIS (21): Paris bolted to a 32-0 lead in a 32-12 victory last week against Lavaca. Paris rushed for 248 yards against Lavaca, with QB Chase Watts rolling up more than 200 total yards and three scores. Junior Nate Henderson racked up a team-high 11 tackles against Lavaca.
SOUTHSIDE BATESVILLE (7) at Mayflower: Mayflower allowed more than 200 rushing yards in last week's 35-20 loss to Class 4A CAC. Southside ran for 342 yards in last week's 49-33 loss to Pocahontas, led by Brendan Frazier's 131 yards and two scores and Landon Haas' 137 yards and three scores. Southside's offensive line impressed last week in a 49-33 defeat at Pocahontas.
Mount Ida at PERRYVILLE (22): Perryville's offensive line should be a strength this season, led by senior Aaron Ellison and junior Garrett Farnam. Senior Joseph Caldwell ran the ball well this summer after transferring from Arkoma, Oklahoma. Perryville linebackers Blake Kennedy, Brandon Hoyt, Brock Smith and Crete Tippen pace the defense. Class 4A Bald Knob beat Mount Ida 42-6 a week ago. 
YELLVILLE-SUMMIT (10) at Two Rivers: Class 2A Quitman downed Two Rivers 59-0 a week ago, the Gators' first scoreless game since 2018. Two Rivers senior Josh Wooten anchors the offensive and defensive line.

5-3A
PRESCOTT (10) at Gurdon: See Hootens.com Game of the week.
MAGNET COVE (30) at Bismarck: Bismarck rallied from a 13-point third-quarter deficit for a 27-26 victory last week against Cutter Morning Star. Bismarck senior running back Steven Roberson ran for two TDs, including the eventual game-winner in the fourth quarter. Bismarck secured the victory by stopping Cutter's potential game-winning two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter.
CENTERPOINT (16) at Murfreesboro: Centerpoint plays its second 2A opponent in five days after losing Monday night at Hampton 12-10.  The Knights return starters at 14 positions, including eight on defense.
DIERKS (28) at Horatio: Class 4A Dierks rolled Horatio 44-0 last season. Horatio drags a 13-game losing streak into this game under first-year coach Lantz Castleman, who was previously an assistant at Magnolia. Horatio scored two TDs or less nine times last fall.
FOREMAN (13) at Genoa Central: Class 2A Poyen ripped Genoa Central 40-8 last week. Genoa looks to run the ball behind a big offensive line. Senior Elias Gawrieh and junior fullback Ryan Braden split carries. Class 2A Foreman managed just 173 yards in last week's 28-6 loss to Idabel, Oklahoma.
Malvern at GLEN ROSE (1): Class 4A Malvern downed Glen Rose 20-7 last fall, its first win in the series since 2015. Glen Rose returns its leading passer (senior QB Wesley Launius), leading rusher (senior Ethan Taylor) and its top three offensive linemen (seniors Aaron Weatherford and Kalan Goyne and junior Tyler Smith) from a season ago.
H. GROVE HASKELL (7) at Jessieville: These schools have not met since Harmony Grove slipped Jessieville 27-20 in 2017. Jessieville struggled two weeks ago in a scrimmage against Class 2A Poyen. Poyen led 32-14 after one half of varsity-on-varsity play. Jessieville junior QB Carson Hair showed good chemistry during the off-season throwing to senior receiver Charlie Davis.
Fouke is open.

6-3A
Barton at CLARENDON (8): Twenty-four Barton Bears faithfully attended summer workouts as the team shifts from the Flexbone to the Power Spread on offense. Senior Hykeem Hancock flashed improved throwing mechanics in the off-season.
DeWitt at MCGEHEE (3): McGehee's defense returned a fumble more than 70 yards for a TD in last week's varsity scrimmage against Warren, but the Owls also lost a pair of fumbles. Class 4A Dewitt's season opener against Stuttgart was rescheduled for Week 3. Dewitt senior tight end and H-back Dax Courtney committed in August to Arkansas.
PINE BLUFF (10) at Dollarway: Dollarway recorded just 125 yards in an 8-0 loss last week to Class 4A Dumas. The Cardinals recorded nine tackles for loss.
Pine Bluff's opener last week against Watson Chapel was canceled. Twenty-eight seniors dot the Pine Bluff roster, including nine players who started six games or more last season.
POYEN (21) at Drew Central: Drew Central's opener last week against Strong was canceled. Drew Central expects to play this game without projected starters Parker Cruce, Ian Strickland and Kaden Walters.
Class 2A Poyen has impressed so far in 2020, beating Class 3A Jessieville in one half of varsity action two 32-14 two weeks ago and gashing Genoa Central 40-6 a week ago. 
JUNCTION CITY (6) at Smackover: Class 2A Junction City leads the all-time series 25-18. Smackover won the first meeting in 1934 27-7. Junction City won 42-18 last year. David Osborn is Smackover's fourth coach in six seasons.
Camden Harmony Grove, Rison and Lake Village are open.