Hootens.com Class 4A Rankings

Week 1, 2024

1. Warren (1-1)

2. Arkadelphia (0-1)

3. Bauxite (1-0)

4. Elkins (1-0)

5. Ozark (1-0)

6. Mills (1-0)

7. De Witt (1-0)

8. Prairie Grove (0-0)

9. Highland (1-0)

10. Southside (1-0)

11. Dardanelle (1-0)

12. Gravette (1-0)

13. Forrest City (0-1)

14. Malvern (1-0)

15. Stuttgart (1-0)

16. Nashville (0-1)

17. Clinton (1-0)

18. Ashdown (0-0)

19. Gosnell (1-0)

20. Pottsville (1-0)

Not Ranked

1-4A: Gentry (1-0), Lincoln (1-0), Green Forest (0-1), Huntsville (0-1), Berryville (0-0)

2-4A: CAC (0-1), Hall Steam (0-1), Heber Springs (0-1), Lonoke (0-1), Bald Knob (0-0), Riverview (0-0)

3-4A: Cave City (1-0), Trumann (1-0), Blytheville (0-1), Jonesboro Westside (0-1), Pocahontas (0-1)

4-4A: Dover (1-0), Lamar (1-0), Mena (1-0), Waldron 0-1)

7-4A: Genoa Central (0-1), HG Haskell (0-1), Fountain Lake (0-0)

8-4A: Helena (1-0), Crossett (0-1), Monticello (0-1), Hamburg (0-0), Star City (0-0)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 11 Dardanelle (1-0) at No. 4 ELKINS (1-0): Both teams coming off impressive opening wins (Elkins throttled Miami, Okla., 52-14; Dardanelle beat Hall Steam 45-7). Elkins replaced most of its offense from last season, but didn't show any signs of slowing down against Miami. Junior quarterback Ben Napier (21-28-293-1 passing; 6-25-1 rushing) played well in his first varsity start. Senior running back Ja'Quae Walden (14-96-4) led the ground attack, while seniors Landon Martin (8-136) and Pucci Townsend (9-106) were the top receivers. Junior safety Connor Hamm led the defense with 4 tackles and 1 interception, while senior cornerback Davian Hall had 3 tackles and 2 QB hurries.

Dardanelle dominated Hall Steam last week. Junior QB Creed Vega was Dardanelle's top offensive weapon (131 yards, 3 TDs rushing; 115 yards, 2 TDs passing; 44-yard TD reception). Junior WR Rod Chaten caught 2 TD passes. Chaten (7 tackles), defensive lineman Latrevious Robinson (13 tackles, 1 forced fumble), linebacker Jace Finkenbinder (10 tackles) and linebacker Charlie Poteete (10 tackles) were the top defensive performers.

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com predicted 26 of 31 games (84 percent).

WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)

1-4A

Dardanelle (1-0) at No. 4 ELKINS (1-0): Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week.

PRAIRE GROVE (0-0) at Talequah (Okla.) Sequayah (0-0): Both teams start their season. Prairie Grove scrimmaged Clarksville 2 weeks ago. Senior QB Alex Abshier, junior RB Elijah Sugg, senior RB Jace Edwards and senior TE Morgan Cobb all played well in the scrimmage, Coach Danny Abshier says. Talequah, a Class 5A program, won 8 games and advanced to the quarterfinals last season while starting 4 freshmen.

GRAVETTE (1-0) at Jay, Okla. (0-0): Gravette senior Gabe Holmes accounted for 4 TDs in last week's 26-6 win over Class 5A Pea Ridge. Jay lost to Adair, Okla. by 26 points a week ago.

LINCOLN (1-0) at Westville, Okla. (0-1): Lincoln has 10 wins and 1 tie in the past 17 years vs. Westville, including a 24-point triumph a year ago. QB Kale Jones (7-11-173-2 passing; 11-192-4 rushing) and WR Caden Brewer (3-75-1) sparked the offense, while Kayden Job led the D with 5 TFL and 2 sacks. Colt Cushing returned a punt 78 yards for a TD and allowed only 1 completed pass at cornerback.

Class 5A Pea Ridge (0-1) at GENTRY (1-0): Gentry slipped by improved Stilwell, Okla., 48-45 a week ago. Junior QB Talen Williams (13-20-276-3), WR Caydon Koons (4-134-3; 1 kickoff return for a TD), RB Tristan Jackson (11-122-1) and Bennett Roberts (9-72-2 rushing; 1-42 receiving) were the offensive leaders. Roberts paced the D with 13 tackles. Pea Ridge sophomore QB Tristan Coon threw a 9-yard TD pass to senior Waylon Fletcher for the Blackhawks only score in last week's 26-6 setback to Gravette.

Class 3A West Fork (0-0) at GREEN FOREST (0-1): Green Forest lost at Holister, Mo. 20-14 a week ago. QB Mason Meador (2 TD passes, 1 rushing TD) and senior RB Ridge Gordon-Swofford (27-156) paced the offense. Senior WR/FS Brityn Gilliam (4-106-1 receiving; 9 tackles) performed well on both sides of the ball. West Fork opens its season after winning 3 games a year ago.

Class 3A Mountain View (0-0) at BERRYVILLE (1-0): Berryville played well in non conference games the past 3 years, winning 2 last fall, including the opener vs. West Fork. Mountain View lost to Cave City 14-9 last week in its return to 11-man football.

Huntsville is open.

2-4A

Central Arkansas Christian (0-1) at STUTTGART (1-0): Stuttgart beat rival Lonoke 34-23 last week. Receiver QT Johnson caught 5 passes for 77 yards and 2 TDs, while QB Cain Price passed for 227 yards and 2 TDs and ran for 2 TDs. Cordero Berry (9 tackles, 1 interception) and Keaton Byers (6 tackles) led the defense. CAC senior LB Gus McConnell had 12 tackles and senior LB Cooper Bahnks made 14 stops in last week's 31-7 loss at DeWitt.

Ashdown (0-0) at MILLS (1-0): Former Hope defensive coordinator Eryc McCaslin debuts as Ashdown's head coach. Senior WR Braedon Walton (4.5 speed) owns offers from Missouri and Ole Miss. Mills freshman QB Elijah Moody (15-19-214-3 passing; 12-222-3 rushing) dominated in last week's 46-6 win at Blytheville.

Heber Springs (0-1) at CLINTON (1-0): Clinton has won 13 of the past 22 over its rival, including the past 3 by a combined 106-60. Clinton junior QB Brodie Dufrene competed 6 of 8 passes and ran for 1 TD, and Zach Hunt dashed for 1 TD in the Yellow Jackets' 28-6 win over H.G. Haskell last week. LB Briar Gadberry (14 tackles) and safety Josh Fultz (90 yard fumble return for TD) were defensive leaders. Heber Springs fell to Pottsville 17-14 in Caleb Carmikle's debut as Panther coach. Junior Seth Dudeck punted 5 times for 251 (50.2 yards per punt) and had a school-record 4 punts downed inside the 20-yard line vs. Pottsville. Dudeck also caught 2 passes for 37 yards and 1 TD.

LONOKE (0-1) at Class 5A Jacksonville (0-1): Jacksonville senior QB Marion Ball threw a 43-yard TD pass to junior Keyshawn Glenn in last week's 22-point loss at Malvern. Lonoke hung with rival Stuttgart last week before losing by 11 points in Clay Bemberg's Jackrabbit coaching debut. Senior RB Marquez Jackson, Jr. (13-80), sophomore QB Dylan Dean (11-19-184-1 passing) and sophomore WR Trey Jackson (3-76; 1 kickoff return for TD) were leaders offensively, while sophomore LB Jonathan Hixson made a team-high 16 tackles.

Forrest City (0-1) at Class 5A WYNNE (0-1): These are former conference foes, with Wynne picking up victories in 16 of the past 20 meetings. Forrest City's receivers caused issues with Southside's secondary and could feast on Wynne's pass defense this week. Wynne's run defense cost it in last week's 34-28 loss to Marion (allowed 5 rushing TDs). Wynne senior Cam Smith ran for 2 TDs and a 2-point conversion, and QB Siler Holbrook threw 2 TDs.

BALD KNOB (0-0) at Melbourne (1-0): Melbourne was one of the more impressive teams in the state last week with a 49-13 victory over Hoxie. QB Wyatt Buchanan (11-16-192-3), RB Carson Medina (5-81-1) and WR Tanner Williams (4-47-1) paced the offense. Bald Knob hasn't played this season, and the Bulldogs beat Melbourne 32-16 a year ago.

Hall Steam (0-1) at MENA (1-0): Hall had 12 lost yardage plays in last week's 45-7 setback to Dardanelle. Mena throttled De Queen 42-0 last week, with Michael Sullivan accounting for 5 TDs (3 rushing, 2 passing) in his debut as Mena's QB. Brody Peters tallied 100 yards and made 10 tackles on defense, while Jair Hernandez caught a 52-yard TD pass and had 15 tackles.

Class 2A McCrory (0-0) at RIVERVIEW (0-0): Neither team played last week. McCrory relies on senior RB Leevi Tucker, while Riverview gets plays from RB Trevion Greer and QB Ricky Lee (6-4 ,230). The key for Riverview is slowing McCrory's rushing attack, Coach Steve Williams says.

3-4A

SOUTHSIDE (1-0) at Class 3A Harrisburg (0-1): Southside squeezed past Forrest City 33-32 a week ago after jumping to an 18-0 advantage. RB Owen McLaughlin led the Southerners with 28 carries, 230 yards, while Louis Calhoun ran for 2 TDs. Calhoun also scored a defensive TD. Safety Braden Simpson tallied 81 yards on offense and made 9 tackles on defense. Harrisburg lost to Class 2A Cross County 22-0 a week ago. Hayden Anderson (11-54) and Andrew England (13-63) led Harrisburg's rushing attack, while Trent Fitzgerald (11 tackles, 1 forced fumble) played well on D.

HIGHLAND (1-0) at Mountain Grove, Mo. (0-1): Mountain Grove lost to Fair Grove, Mo. by 21 points last week. Highland senior Keagan Statler ran for 118 yards and 3 TDs and caught a 36-yard TD pass in last week's 61-6 win over Piggott. Junior Cole Boyer led the D with 6 tackles, while senior Brody Brogdon logged 4 stops. DB Ronnie Brewer intercepted 2 passes and forced 1 fumble.

Class 5A GREENE CO. TECH (0-1) at Pocahontas (0-1): Pocahontas gave up 381 yards in last week's 30-28 loss to Salem. D.J. Coffey led the Redskins with 23 carries, 140 yards and 2 TDs and on defense he registered 17 tackles. Linebacker Ricky Regina had 5 tackles, 1 sack and returned a fumble 90 yards for a TD. Greene County Tech lost to Gosnell 26-7 a week ago.

GOSNELL (1-0) at Class 3A Rivercrest (0-1): These are former conference rivals, with Rivercrest winning 3 straight in the series. Rivercrest opens its season dropping into Class 3A after playing for last year's Class 4A title. Senior QB Cavonta Washington (2,081 yards passing, 24 TDs, 73 carries, 359 yards and 4 TDs rushing) moved back into the district in July and should spark the offense again this season. Gosnell beat Greene County Tech 26-7 last week, with sophomore Jaden Young making 12 tackles, 5 TFL and 1 sack, and Daniel Smith added 11 tackles and 2 sacks. Jai Jacobs returned an interception for a TD in the fourth quarter.

Class 3A OSCEOLA at Blytheville: Robert Hooks returns to Osceola after spending the past 4 seasons (18-25 record) at Class 6A West Memphis. Hooks coached Osceola to 3 conference titles and a 2018 state runner-up appearance before going to West Memphis. Blytheville played well in its preseason scrimmage game vs. West Memphis, but lost Mills 38-6 last week. WR Derick King, Jr., and TE Chris Hatcher played well, coach Jett Howard says. Blytheville standout QB Jonatavious Johnson (1,555 yards, 16 TDs in 2023) was injured vs. Mills.

TRUMANN (0-1) at Class 3A Walnut Ridge (1-0): Trumann hung with 5A East contender Nettleton before losing 27-20 last week. QB Kayden Dunavin ran 25 times for 193 yards, while RB Bradon Whitset logged 90 yards and 2 TDs and 1 2-point conversion. Fullback/defensive tackle Gavin Cubit had 6 pancake blocks and led the Wildcats with 8 tackles. Walnut Ridge shutout Class 2A East Poinsett County 37-0 a week ago. QB Jersie Cunningham (19-136-1 rushing) and RB Jayden Saulsbury (9-87-1) were the offensive cogs.

Class 3A Izard Co. (0-1) at CAVE CITY (1-0): Izard County lost to Yellville-Summit 55-7 last week in its 11-man football debut. Cave City beat Mountain View, another former 8-man program, 14-9 last week. QB Levi Jones (10-17-151-2 passing; 19-77 rushing) had success in his first game running the Gun T scheme. Clayton Walling hauled in 2 passes for 109 yards and 1 TD. Chris Robinson and Brock Smith each had 10 solo tackles.

Class 3A HOXIE (0-1) at Jonesboro Westside (0-1): Hoxie has won 7 of the past 11 over Jonesboro Westside, including 42-6 a year ago. Hoxie lost to Melbourne by 36 points last week, while Jonesboro Westside lost to Class 5A Brookland 42-0. Hoxie QB Dillon Guthrie (10-14-114 passing; 92 yards rushing) and RB Prechton Wilkerson (122 yards, 1 TD) led the Mustang offense.

4-4A

Dardanelle (1-0) at No. 4 ELKINS (1-0): Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week.

Heber Springs (0-1) at CLINTON (1-0): See comment in 2-4A.

Hall Steam (0-1) at MENA (1-0): See comment in 2-4A.

Ozark (1-0) at Class 3A BOONEVILLE (1-0): Booneville has won 4 straight in the series, 16 of the past 24 and leads the all-time series 55-27-4. Booneville coach Doc Crowley says his defense played its best game in his four-year tenure in last week's 14-10 victory over Poteau, Okla. Ozark senior QB Koby Wilbanks and junior Caden Rosson each ran for 2 TDs in last week's 31-13 win over Class 5A Clarksville, while senior LB Eli Gilstrap led the D with 15 tackles.

Class 3A Charleston (0-0) at POTTSVILLE (1-0): Charleston has won 4 straight over Pottsville. The Tigers didn't play last week, but return QB Carter Little, RB Garred Smithson and receivers Maddix Terry and Emiliano Gaona. Pottsville jumped on Heber Springs 17-0 last week and held on a 17-14 victory. Pottsville TE Landon McNeely grabbed a long TD pass at Heber Springs, while DL Tripp Price, and LBs Caleb Stancil and Slayden Graham were the top tacklers.

Waldron (0-1) at Class 3A MANSFIELD (0-1): Mansfield has won its past 2 matchups with Waldron, including 48-6 a year ago. The Tigers lost to Bismarck 35-31 a week ago, while Waldron lost to Paris 27-21.

Dover (1-0) at Class 3A ATKINS (1-0): The winner gets the Rivals Cup. Atkins puled out a 25-24 win over Perryville last week. QB Cole Crawford (12-19-176-2 passing; 1 rushing TD) and RB's Jaden Martin (14-103-1) and Mason Martin (11-77 rushing; 6-77-1 receiving) led the offense. Dover beat Lavaca 8-0 a week ago, with Matthew Honeycutt running for 99 yards. Wyatt Renfroe led the Pirates with 7 tackles, and Timmy Callans returned a kickoff 75 yards for the only TD, then ran in the 2-point conversion.

Lamar is open.

7-4A

Ashdown (0-0) at MILLS (1-0): See comment in 2-4A.

Class 5A HOT SPRINGS (1-0) at Arkadelphia (0-1): Arkadelphia has won 15 of the past 21 in the series, but Hot Springs notched a 24-7 decision last fall. Hot Springs beat West Memphis 34-7 last week, with senior QB Shawn Elia tallying 21 yards and 2 TDS. Senior MLB Braylon Young (9 tackles, 2 forced fumbles), Safety Kyin Jamerson (8 tackles, 1 fumble recovery), CB Calvin Floyd (2 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 defensive TD) and LB Chris Seguin (11 tackles) were defensive stalwarts. Arkadelphia led Camden Fairview 17-12 in the third quarter last week before losing 40-25. The Badgers surrendered 514 yards. Reese Campbell led the Badgers with 9 tackles, 1 sack, while Brayden Wagner had 7 stops. Xzavion Williams made 6 tackles and scored a defensive TD.

BAUXITE (1-0) at Monticello (0-1): Monticello trailed Fordyce 34-0 in the final minutes last week before scoring 2 late TDs and 2-point conversions. Bauxite led Glen Rose 20-0 at halftime last week. LB Mathys Moore led the Miner D with 13 tackles. WR/QB Marcus Wimberly and RB Tony Fox were leaders on offense, Coach Caleb Perry says.

MALVERN (1-0) at Class 3A Glen Rose (0-1): Malvern has won the Brick Bowl 10 times over the past 14 years, including 44-13 last season. Malvern tallied 338 yards (198 rushing, 140 passing) in last week's 42-20 win over Class 5A Jacksonville. Junior QB Bishop Allen (8-15-135 passing; 2 rushing TDs) and RB Tavien Clegg (106 yards, 1 TD) paced the offense.

NASHVILLE (0-1) at Class 5A Hope (1-0): Nashville has beaten Hope 18 of the past 22 years. Hope didn't play last week. Nashville lost to Magnolia last week 26-7, but first-year Scrapper coach Shawn Jackson was pleased with the defense, which held Magnolia to 255 yards. MJ Johnson led Nashville's defense with 15 tackles and 1 sack.

Class 3A SMACKOVER (1-0) at Fountain Lake (0-0): Smackover led Episcopal 10-0 in the third quarter last week before rolling to a 34-0 victory. Fountain Lake returns to 11-man football under first-year coach Matt Richardson. The Cobras scrimmaged Joe T. Robinson. CB Stennis Wilkins and OLB Brycin Smith played well in summer competitions, Richardson says.

H.G. Haskell is open.

Genoa Central is open.

8-4A

BAUXITE (1-0) at Monticello (0-1): See comment in 7-4A.

Central Arkansas Christian (0-1) at STUTTGART (1-0): See comment in 2-4A.

Class 5A White Hall (0-1) at WARREN (0-1): Both teams stinging from losses. White Hall gave up 44 points and 3 onside kicks in last week's 24-point loss at Class 6A Sheridan. White Hall led 7-6 after QB Wyatt Golden's 18-yard run, but the Bulldogs failed to recover 2 onside kicks and trailed 29-7 before the offense took the field again. Golden passed for 184 yards and 2 TDs. Warren QB Jackson Denton injured his leg in last week's 41-34 loss at Greenbrier and had surgery over the weekend. Cam Burks shined (11-21-336-3) after shifting from WR to QB. Arkansas Razorback commit AJ Jordan caught 6 passes for 204 yards and 2 TDs.

Class 3A MCGEHEE (0-0) at Hamburg (0-0): McGehee has won 2 straight over Hamburg, including a 1-point squeaker over Hamburg last fall in a conference game. Hamburg scrimmaged Drew Central 2 weeks ago (led 21-0 at halftime). Senior LB Peyton Sellers enjoyed a good good summer and WR Anthony Smith developed into the Lions' deep-threat.

Class 5A Watson Chapel (0-1) at CROSSETT (0-1): Watson Chapel lost its 20^th straight game last week, falling to Helena 42-18 in the coaching debut of former Pine Bluff defensive coordinator Steven Heard. Junior Malachi Rayford totaled 165 yards and 3 TDs for the Wildcats, who committed 16 penalties and two turnovers. Crossett trailed Prescott 40-10 at halftime last week before losing 53-10. The Eagles managed only 7 first downs and allowed 464 yards.

Class 3A DUMAS at Star City: This is a non conference game between 2 former conference foes (Star City has won 14 of the past 23 in the series, but Dumas won by 17 points in 2023). Star City receivers Zairen Beene and Caleb Williams played well in fall camp, along with LBs Peyton Taylor, Morgan Leopard, Colby McGough and Kevin Johnson, coach Chris Norton says.

Class 2A Earle (0-0) at HELENA (1-0): Helena snapped a 17-game losing streak with last week's 42-18 win at Class 5A Watson Chapel. Freshman QB K.J. Gilcreast passed for 166 yards and 1 TD, while senior Trey Johnson ran for 3 TDs.

DeWitt is open.