hootens.com Rankings
Class 2A, Week 2, 2018
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.
1. Foreman (0-1)
2. Junction City (1-1)
3. Mount Ida (1-0)
4. Hazen (1-0)
5. Mineral Springs (1-0)
6. Des Arc (1-1)
7. Conway Christian (1-1)
8. Hector (1-1)
9. Hampton (0-0)
10. Fordyce (0-1)
11. Gurdon (1-0)
12. England (1-1)
13. Earle (0-1)
14. Bearden (0-1)
15. Cross County (1-1)
16. Magnet Cove (1-0)
17. E. Poinsett County (1-0)
18. Mountainburg (1-0)
19. McCrory (0-1)
20. Poyen (1-0)
21. Salem (1-0)
22. Parkers Chapel (1-1)
23. Hackett (1-1)
24. Bigelow (2-0)
25. Quitman (1-0)
26. Mountain Pine (0-1)
27. Marked Tree (0-1)
28. Lavaca (0-1)
29. Strong (0-1)
30. Carlisle (0-1)
31. Lafayette County (0-2)
32. Magazine (0-2)
33. Clarendon (0-1)
34. Murfreesboro (0-1)
35. Brinkley (1-0)
36. W. Yell County (1-0)
37. Marianna (0-0)
38. Dierks (0-1)
39. Spring Hill (0-1)
40. Rector (0-0)
41. Cutter M. Star (0-1)
42. J.C. Westside (0-1)
43. Midland (0-1)
44. Marvell (0-0)

GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 14 Bearden at No. 4 Hazen
Bearden comes off an emotional 22-14 loss to rival Camden Harmony Grove. Bearden senior QB Cohen Word directed a scoring drive that included a fourth-and-10 conversion from its 35-yard line. Word and junior fullback Robert Miller are perfect fits for first-year head coach Trey Outlaw's ShowGun offense. Hazen was idle Week 1 after opening with a six-point win over Cross County, which took down Class 3A Harrisburg 22-20 last week. Hazen struggled on the offensive line at Cross County, which is huge and physical. Hazen linebackers Cade Perry and Chance Taylor recorded 17 and 15 tackles, respectively, at Cross County. Hazen held the Thunderbirds to 58 rushing yards.

TV LAND
Hooten's Arkansas Football airs 10:30 a.m. Saturdays on KATV (ABC Little Rock) Channel 7, covering the Razorbacks, high school teams and players to watch.

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly picked 23 of 31 (74 percent) of games involving Class 2A teams. Hootens.com has picked 34 of 43 (79 percent) for the season.

WEEK 2 PREDICTIONS (favored team in CAPS followed by point spread)
3-2A
McCrory at DES ARC (18): No. 6 Des Arc, with 27 players including nine two-way starters, pushed Class 4A Bauxite and dropped the potential winning TD pass late in a 45-44 road loss.
Excellent team chemistry at Des Arc but senior safety-OLB Blayne Cook (ankle) could miss the rest of the season. Junior Cooper Roberts shifted to QB here he ran for 40 yards and two TDs and passed for a TD at Bauxite. Roberts improvised on a QB sweep, reversed the field, weaved through defenders, and while being tackled, pitched at the last second to WR Zeke Tacker who ran 35 yards for a TD. McCrory intercepted three passes last week and dropped two more in a 26-20 loss at England. The Jaguars lack size on the offensive line with just one returning starter, and he is out with an injury.   
WALNUT RIDGE (18) at E. Poinsett County: EPC seeking answers on its defensive front seven after leading Class 3A Manila by three TDs early last week but then holding on for a 42-36 win. EPC junior Rashon Gates carried 24 times for 185 yards and three TDs. Sophomore QB/DB Preston Rains returned an interception for a TD and senior safety Jonathan Gilmore sealed the victory with an INT. This is an old rivalry EPC has dominated, but Walnut Ridge won in 2015 and 2016 and hold again Friday night.
SALEM (8) at Yellville-Summit: Salem senior RB Jordan Turner rushed for 315 yards on just 14 carries last week in a 30-6 win over Class 3A Mountain View. Salem overcame four turnovers with sophomore QB Gavin Guiltner completing timely passes to a talented receiving corp that includes 6-4 split end Ethan Sanders. Salem has won three straight in this series.
Manila at MARKED TREE (1): Class 3A Manila rallied from a 22-point deficit last week but fell short at EPC, while Marked Tree committed four turnovers last in a 44-0 loss at Class 3A Walnut Ridge.
Corning at RECTOR (1): Rector, which did not field a team 2010-2013, has not defeated a team on the field other than Midland since 2009 when it topped Palestine-Wheatley 22-20. Corning owns the state's longest active losing streak at 33 games.
Midland at QUITMAN (12): Quitman senior QB Levi Balentine (an All-1-3A QB last year at Rose Bud) ran for 103 yards and two TDs last week and passed for two TDs last to senior Trey Lovelady, a former QB who caught seven passes for 97 yards in a 51-6 rout of Rose Bud. Midland last won on the field one year ago vs. Quitman, 20-0.
CROSS COUNTY is open.

4-2A
HECTOR (14) at Perryville: No. 8 Hector takes on its second opponent from the 4-3A in Perryville, which just gave up 53 points in a 19-point loss to 5-2A member Bigelow. Hector rebounded from its opening 43-13 loss to 4-3A title contender Atkins to blank Marshall 42-0 last week. Senior QB Cody Day leads Hector with 488 total yards and four TDs.
Two Rivers at JC WESTSIDE (1): Two Rivers, which is big up front and in the backfield, managed just 129 yards last week in a 32-6 loss to 4-2A member Western Yell County. Two Rivers has dropped 27 games in a row, dating to Week 4, 2015, a 40-24 win over Booneville. Two Rivers scored 17 points all of last season.
MANSFIELD (7) at Lavaca: Lavaca gave up a 72-yard kickoff return last week in an eight-point loss to Class 4A Subiaco. Mansfield seeks its first 3-0 start since 2008. Mansfield junior QB Ethan Stovall completes 62 percent of his passes for 352 yards and four TDs, and he's rushed for 91 yards and five scores. Juniors Blayne Bryant and Jaicy Griffin pace Mansfield with 16 tackles apiece.
GREENLAND (3) at Mountainburg: Junior Malachi West and sophomore Ethan Gregory ran for two TDs apiece last week for Mountainburg, which defeated Class 3A neighbor Cedarville (40-28) for the fourth years in a row. Mountainburg gave up 437 yards to Cedarville.
Lamar JV at WESTERN YELL (12) (Tues.): Confidence surging at WYC after the Wolverines held Two Rivers to 129 total yards last week in a 32-6 victory. WYC seniors Hunter Greenfield and Aaron Gomez rushed for a combined 273 yards and three TDs.
MAGAZINE is open.
HACKETT is open.

5-2A
Bigelow at CEDARVILLE (5): Class 3A Cedarville averages 441 yards per week but lost last week to Class 2A Mountainburg 40-28 when two fourth-quarter drives stalled inside the 20-yard line. Senior fullback Tate LaRue rambled for 106 yards and a TD, and sophomore playmaker Kelin Mitchell zipped for 72 yards and two scores. Bigelow is 2-0 for the first time since 2012 when it went 9-1 in the regular season and finished second in the 5-2A.
Conway Christian at CLINTON (14): No. 7 Conway Christian did not slow down Class 4A Dead T operator Bauxite in the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic, giving up 7.4 yards per rushing attempt, mostly between the tackles. Class 3A No. 3 Clinton, with its Wing T offense, might fall flat after rallying past arch rival Heber Springs 36-34 last week in a game that featured four lead changes in the fourth quarter.
Rose Bud at CUTTER M STAR (6): CMS junior linebacker Tyler Mace recorded 11 solo tackles, blocked an extra point and returned at interception 60 yards in the opening loss to Bismarck. Class 3A Rose Bud, with its projected starting QB at 5-2A member Quitman, just lost to Quitman 51-6.
ENGLAND (15) at Clarendon: Opposing coaches praising the progress at England after two games, particularly its linemen. England overcame five turnovers last week to get past McCrory 26-20. Clarendon, dressing 18 varsity players, stayed close to Palestine-Wheatley for a half but lost 42-7.
ATKINS (12) at Magnet Cove: Class 3A No. 13 Atkins averages 6.6 yard per carry, while its passing attack has been slow starting. The Atkins defense scored twice last week in a 28-0 blanking of Dover. Magnet Cove will run right at the Atkins defense with senior RB Eli Dawson (205 yard, four TDs) and Landon Stone (107 yards, one TD). Magnet Cove defeated Mountain View 28-18 in their Week 0 opener.
MOUNTAIN PINE (11) at Dierks: Mountain Pine battled No. 5 Mineral Springs a week ago and owns superior team speed over Dierks, which just lost 39-6 to Class Horatio.
POYEN (2) at Bismarck: No. 20 Poyen travels for the second year in a row to Bismarck where the Indians have found it difficult to win. Bismarck beat Poyen 28-16 a year ago when Poyen had two TDs negated by penalties.
Midland at QUITMAN (12): Quitman senior QB Levi Balentine (an All-1-3A QB last year at Rose Bud) ran for 103 yards and two TDs last week and passed for two TDs last to senior Trey Lovelady, a former QB who caught seven passes for 97 yards in a 51-6 rout of Rose Bud. Midland last won on the field one year ago vs. Quitman, 20-0.

6-2A
Bearden at HAZEN (5): See Game of the Week.
DEWITT (21) at Carlisle: Class 4A No. 20 DeWitt goes 3-0 to open the season for the first time since 2002. Carlisle trailed Class 4A No. 30 Lonoke 30-0 at half last week and lost 37-0. DeWitt crushed Carlisle 54-16 a year ago and has won three of past four meetings in this series.
McCrory at DES ARC (18): No. 6 Des Arc, with 27 players including nine two-way starters, pushed Class 4A Bauxite and dropped the potential winning TD pass late in a 45-44 road loss.
Excellent team chemistry at Des Arc but senior safety-OLB Blayne Cook (ankle) could miss the rest of the season. Junior Cooper Roberts shifted to QB here he ran for 40 yards and two TDs and passed for a TD at Bauxite. Roberts improvised on a QB sweep, reversed the field, weaved through defenders, and while being tackled, pitched at the last second to WR Zeke Tacker who ran 35 yards for a TD. McCrory intercepted three passes last week and dropped two more in a 26-20 loss at England. The Jaguars lack size on the offensive line with just one returning starter, and he is out with an injury.
ENGLAND (18) at Clarendon: England overcame five turnovers a week ago to defeat McCrory 26-20. England execution and endurance getting better weekly, and senior junior QB Mason Brazeal started last week despite a Week 0 clavicle injury. 
Brinkley at RISON (19): Brinkley knocked off Class 3A Corning 28-8 a week ago, but it faces a stiffer challenge this week in Class 3A No. 10 Rison. Rison held speedy Fordyce to 109 rushing yards in a 34-6 win.
BARTON (6) at Earle: Barton has yet to play a game this fall after Marvell canceled on the Bears last week. Earle's offensive line blocked well last week for 265-pound RB Jaylon Coopwood in 20-point loss to Helena.
HELENA (42) at Marianna: Helena has won seven straight over Marianna, including the past five meetings by an average of 51.8 points.
Marvell at PALESTINE-WHEATLEY (38): Marvell expected to play after cancelled last week on Class 3A Barton. P-W has won four straight in the series. P-W ran away from Clarendon in the second half last week 42-7.

7-2A
Parkers Chapel at FOREMAN (17): Top-ranked Foreman looked uninspired in the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic, giving up 424 yards and 45 points in a 21-point loss to Class 3A Smackover. Foreman QB Kyren Batey ran for 140 yards and four TDs but the Gators committed five turnovers. PC rebounded from its opening 26-21 loss to Class 3A Fouke to get past Lafayette County 35-26, despite trailing 20-14 at halftime.
GURDON (6) at H. Grove Haskell: No. 11 Gurdon held Class 3A Genoa Central to 17 yards on 24 attempts and forced three turnovers last week in a 35-0 rout. Haskell rushed for 323 yards Week 0 in a 38-20 win over Centerpoint.
Genoa Central at LAFAYETTE COUNTY (1): Lafayette County lost to Class 3A No. 4 Prescott in the opener but had its chances last week in a nine-point loss to Parkers Chapel. LC junior Tyrekes Davis returned a kickoff 55 yards and ran 85 yards for a TD. Junior cornerback Calvon Beasley returned an interception 13 yards for a score.
MOUNT IDA (10) at Jessieville: Mount Ida has won three straight in this series by a combined 51 points. A week ago, MI shredded Magazine 33-0 behind a combined 350 rushing yards from senior QB Cade Jackson, HB Jonathan LaGrange and slotback Tyler Hamilton. Mount Ida's first-team defense limited Magazine to 67 yards.
MINERAL SPRINGS (8) at Fouke: No. 5 Mineral Springs overcame a sloppy start (119 penalty yards in first half) last week to dispose of Mountain Pine 41-12. Senior RB Tahji Beal (5-8, 205) carried 12 times for 121 yards and two TDs, while senior QB Peyton Haddan ran for 90 yards and two TDs and passed for 153 yards and a score. Class 3A No. 21 Fouke will try to run on a MS defense that allowed 4.4 yards per carry to athletic Mountain Pine.
Murfreesboro at HORATIO (14): Murfreesboro made visiting Class 3A Centerpoint earn a 41-28 victory a week ago. Murfreesboro senior QB Payten Diffee completed eight passes for 153 yards and two TDs, and senior RB Zayne Flaherty rushed for 101 yards and two TDs.
MOUNTAIN PINE (11) at Dierks: Mountain Pine battled No. 5 Mineral Springs a week ago and owns superior team speed over Dierks, which just lost 39-6 to Class 3A Horatio. 
SPRING HILL is open.

8-2A
Bearden at HAZEN (5): See Game of the Week.
Parkers Chapel at FOREMAN (17): Top-ranked Foreman looked uninspired in the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic, giving up 424 yards and 45 points in a 21-point loss to Class 3A Smackover. Foreman QB Kyren Batey ran for 140 yards and four TDs but the Gators committed five turnovers. PC rebounded from its opening 26-21 loss to Fouke to get past Lafayette County 35-26.
C. HARMONY GROVE (8) at Fordyce: Class 3A No. 14 Camden Harmony Grove got past upset-minded Bearden last week by eight points, while Fordyce lost at rival Rison 34-6. Class 3A Rison wore down the smaller (roster and physical size) Redbugs, who trailed just 14-6 late in the first half but stalled at the Rison 5-yard line twice. Fordyce sophomore QB Jaheim Brown completed eight passes for 142 yards and and TD with no interceptions despite facing an intense pass rush.
Hampton at SMACKOVER (2): Hampton will forfeit this game. Hampton was beating Drew Central 22-6 early last week when the game was cancelled after a brawl in which 17 Hampton Bulldogs were ejected. The AAA upheld the ejections, leaving Hampton with seven eligible players for this week and no option but to forfeit to Smackover. Hampton senior QB Gauge Welch ran for three TDs and senior DE Desmond Brown recorded three sacks in the first quarter at Drew Central.
LAKE VILLAGE (8) at Strong: LV won last week 37-13 at Greenville (Miss.) Christian, where senior QB Aaron Kilgore passed for a TD ad rushed for a TD.
JUNCTION CITY is open.