Hootens.com Class 5A Rankings

Week 1, 2024

1. LR Parkview (1-0)

2. Harding Academy (0-0)

3. Joe T. Robinson (0-1)

4. Greenbrier (1-0)

5. Pine Bluff (0-1)

6. Valley View (1-0)

7. Maumelle (1-0)

8. Searcy (1-0)

9. HS Lakeside (1-0)

10. Camden Fairview (1-0)

11. Hot Springs (1-0)

12. Wynne (0-1)

13. Morrilton (1-0)

14. Farmington (0-1)

15. Alma (0-1)

16. Nettleton (1-0)

17. White Hall (0-1)

18. Harrison (0-0)

19. Beebe (0-0)

20. Magnolia (1-0)

Not Ranked

5A Central: Jacksonville (0-1), Watson Chapel (0-1)

5A East: Brookland (1-0), Paragould (1-0), Batesville (0-1), Greene Co. Tech (1-0)

5A South: Arkansas High (0-1), De Queen (0-1), Hope (0-0)

5A West: Clarksville (0-1), Pea Ridge (0-1), Vilonia (0-0)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 8 Searcy (1-0) at No. 6 VALLEY VIEW (1-0)

Both teams coming off impressive wins a week ago. Searcy junior Curtis Goodrich ran for 4 touchdowns in Searcy's 42-18 victory at Batesville. Senior Rickey Love adds a combines with Goodrich to form one of Class 5A's best running back tandems. Love broke a 75-yard run in the second half at Batesville.

Valley View was out gained 319-254 yards in last week's 42-14 win at Poplar Bluff, Mo. The Blazer defense forced 5 turnovers. Senior quarterback Drew Gartman, an all-state receiver last season, ran 11 times for 100 yards and passed for 87 yards and 1 TD at Poplar Bluff, while sophomore Carter Wallace ran in 2 TDs. Junior LB Ryder Wooten, who missed last year with an ACL injury, paced the Blazers with 6 tackles and 1 blocked punt, while R.J. Estrich had 2 interceptions.

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com predicted 22 of 26 games (85 percent).

WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)

5A CENTRAL

No. 8 Searcy (1-0) at No. 6 VALLEY VIEW (1-0): Hootens.com Class 5A Game of the Week.

No. 3 Joe T. Robinson (0-1) at Class 6A JONESBORO (0-1): Jonesboro ran for 154 yards and din't commit a turnover in last week's 42-21 loss to Class 7A power Conway. RB T.J. Brown ran for 111 yards and 1 TD. Joe T. Robinson hung tough with Pulaski Academy last week before falling 35-21. QB Tyson Braden passed for 192 yards and 1 TD, while Charles Petty caught 7 passes for 77 yards and Nick Abrams ran for 67 yards and 1 TD.

No. 1 LR PARKVIEW (1-0) at No. 7 Maumelle (1-0): Maumelle led Sylvan Hills 6-0 in the third quarter last week before scoring 24 points in the quarter and easing to a 36-0 win. QB Andrew Bjork passed for 107 yards and 1 TD and ran for 78 yards and 1 TD, while Marshaun Wiley led the Hornet ground attack with 8 carries for 98 yards. Top-ranked LR Parkview impressed with last weeks 27-20 win at Melissa, Texas. Senior RB Monterrio Elston (12-162-2) paced the Patriot offense. Senior DB Omarion Robinson returned an interception 40 yards for a TD, and late in the fourth quarter LB Kevin Ellis forced a fumble when he sacked Melissa, Texas' QB. Chris Edwards recovered the fumble, had 1 sack and added 4 TFL.

KIMBALL, TEXAS (1-0) at No. 5 Pine Bluff (1-0) (Sat.): This game has been moved to Saturday at 11 a.m. at Simmons Bank Stadium at UAPB. Pine Bluff lost 14-0 at Millwood, Texas last week. Marques Lee led the Z's with 6 tackles and 1 interception, while Emmanuel Hudson made 5.5 tackles and 2 TFL. Kimball lost to Mansfield Timberview (Texas) 20-6 a week ago, gaining just 130 yards (113 rushing, 17 passing).

White Hall (0-1) at Class 4A 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.

NETTLETON (1-0) at Beebe (0-0): Nettleton survived Trumann 27-20 last week. Senior QB Maddox Hampton (9-10-152-2 passing; 1 rushing TD), RB Xavier Harrell (15-78-1) and WR Jorden Simmons (3-94-1) sparked Nettleton's offense, while Isaac Black registered 12 tackles. Former Gentry coach Justin Bigham debuts as Beebe's coach. Beebe's top expected running back transferred in late June, so look for the Badgers to feature a senior Mason Harbin and his brother Madden Harbin in the run game.

Class 4A LONOKE (0-1) at 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.

Watson Chapel (0-1) at Class 4A 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.

5A EAST

No. 8 Searcy (1-0) at No. 6 VALLEY VIEW (1-0): Hootens.com Class 5A Game of the Week.

NETTLETON (1-0) at Beebe (0-1): See comment in 5A Central.

No. 2 HARDING ACADEMY (0-0) at Class 6A Marion (1-0): This is the first meeting between these teams. Harding Academy has played in 5 consecutive state championship games. The Wildcats bump up in classification after winning last year's Class 4A title. The Wildcats didn't play last week, but return a plethora of offensive weapons including 2-time all-state QB Owen Miller (4,656 yards, 61 TDs in 2023) and 2-time all-conference receiver Endy McGalliard (40-654-10). Marion erased a 14-0 first-half deficit last week to slip past Wynne 34-28. Senior RB Jalen Smith accounted for 191 yards and 5 TDs, including the game-winning 21-yard pass to senior Mitrell Lewis (3 catches, 82 yards) with less than 3 minutes left.

Class 4A Forrest City (0-1) at 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.

Batesville (0-1) at Class 3A NEWPORT (1-0): Batesville played well in last week's 42-18 loss to Searcy. Jackson Elam nailed a 27-yard field goal in the first half. Newport beat Class 2A Marked Tree 48-30 last week. Senior RB Kiandrea Barker (15-93-2), QB Luke Reynolds (5-14-158-1 passing; 14-81-1 rushing) and Tonio Phillips (3,132-1) provided big plays on offense, while Aamonii Wren ignited the team with a 75 yard kickoff return for a TD.

GREENE CO. TECH (0-1) at Class 4A 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.

PARAGOULD (1-0) at Kennett, Mo. (0-1): Paragould won both its previous 2 meetings over Kennett, Mo., but that was more than a decade ago. The Rams beat Manila 28-7 a week ago behind RB Cole Chipman (15-191-1). “Kennett is athletic and rolls the dice on defense,” Paragould coach Randy Phillips says. “They will stunt, blitz and play cover 0 (no safety help).”

Brookland is open.

5A SOUTH

No. 1 LR PARKVIEW (1-0) at No. 7 Maumelle (1-0): See comment in 5A Central.

No. 10 Camden Fairview (1-0) at Class 6A EL DORADO (0-1): El Dorado has won 8 of the past 10 against Camden Fairview, including a dramatic come-from-behind 21-20 win a year ago. El Dorado pushed Class 7A LR Christian last week (led 14-13 at halftime) before losing 21-14. LB Jakori Lumsey and CB Jaquavion Hampton each interception passes. Camden Fairview rallied past Arkadelphia 40-25 last week. Senior QB Darrell “Juney” Atkins (18-24-270-2 passing; 18-103, 3 rushing) was one of the state's top performers a week ago, while senior Trent Haygood had 5 carries for 85 yards and 1 TD, caught a TD pass and had a kickoff return for a TD negated via penalty.

Class 6A SHERIDAN (1-0) at No. 9 HS Lakeside (1-0): These teams split non conference games in 2020 and 2021. Sheridan impressed last week in Kevin Kelley's debut as Yellowjacket coach, recovering 3 onside kicks in the first half (led 44-7 at halftime, won 44-20). Junior QB Dax McMellon (21-36-330-4) threw the ball well, while sophomore sensation Zay Stephens had more than 200 yards and 3 TDs. HS Lakeside beat rival Lake Hamilton 34-29 a week ago. HS Lakeside senior Grady Ohman ran in 4 TDs and intercepted a pass to seal the win late in the fourth quarter.

HOT SPRINGS (1-0) at Class 4A 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.

Arkansas High (0-1) at MORRILTON (1-0): Arkansas High must recover emotionally after giving up a 23-yard TD pass with 15 seconds left in last week's 20-15 loss to Class 6A LR Catholic. QB William Dunbard threw TD passes to Malek Dangerfield (9 yards) and Gabriel Braggs (62 yards). Morrilton QB Maddox Berry passed for 252 yards and 3 TDs, and ran 45 yards for a TD, in last week's 35-30 win over rival Russellville.

Class 4A NASHVILLE (0-1) at 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.

DE QUEEN (0-1) at Class 3A Horatio (0-0): De Queen looks for its first win since Week 2 2021. Horatio opens its season under new coach Paul David Willis.

Magnolia is open.

5A WEST

Class 6A Russellville (0-1) at GREENBRIER (1-0) (Thurs.): Russellville beat Greenbrier each of the past 2 seasons as members of the 6A West. Russellville gave up 28 points in the first quarter of last week's 35-30 loss to Morrilton. Sam Callahan and Marcellus Olson-Patton each scored TDs for the Cyclones. Greenbrier RB Enoch Assan (30-314-3) sparked an offense that gained 515 yards in last week's 41-34 win over Warren.

Arkansas High (0-1) at MORRILTON (1-0): See comment in 5A South.

Farmington (0-1) at Class 7A HAR-BER (0-1): Shiloh Christian's 47-6 win over Farmington last week spoiled the Cardinal coaching debut of Tommy Tice. QB Ayden Lester threw a 7-yard TD pass to Roman Nye for Farmington's only score.

Class 6A MOUNTAIN HOME (1-0) at Harrison (0-0): Harrison leads the all-time series with Mountain Home 56-18-3, but the Bombers tagged the Goblins with a 44-31 loss a season ago. Mountain Home has not won at Harrison since 2012. Mountain Home dazzled in its opener last week, hitting West Plains (Missouri) with 36 unanswered points in the first half to pull away for a 43-21 victory, giving Coach Steve Ary his first win over his old school. The Bombers amassed 454 total yards against West Plains, including 381 steps on the ground. Harrison's game last week at Branson, Mo. was canceled due to weather with Harrison leading 7-3 in the first half.

Alma (0-1) at Class 6A SILOAM SPRINGS (1-0): Siloam Springs' first-year coach, Doug Loughridge, formerly coached at Alma (48-36 from 2013-2019) before promoting to athletic director. He took over at Siloam Springs in the spring. Alma has beaten Siloam Springs each of the past 2 years by a combined 55 points. But Siloam Springs has momentum after breaking a 27-game losing skid with last week's 17-0 win over Class 7A Heritage. It was Siloam Springs' first shutout since 2019. Sophomore Boaz Benson led the team in tackles, while Gage Jones, J.T. Thompson and Mikey McKinley each had interceptions. Alma gave up 3 TDs in the final 6 minutes (2 in the final minute) of last week's 37-27 loss to rival Van Buren. Airedale RB Isreal Towns-Robinson (28-197-2) led the ground attack. Senior Ashton Chanhnouvong blocked a punt that Byron Standridge returned 13 yards for an Alma TD in the first half.

VILONIA (0-0) at CLASS 6A Sylvan Hills (0-1): Clint Ashcraft debuts as Vilonia's coach. Ashcraft went 68-36 in 9 years at Conway and also coached at Siloam Springs. The Eagles didn't play last week. Sylvan Hills has won 3 straight over Vilonia, topping the Eagles in 3 consecutive season openers from 2013-2015. Sylvan Hills trailed Maumelle by 6 points at halftime last week but allowed 24 points in the third quarter of a 36-0 loss. The Bears managed just 29 yards after QB Tyler Hampton was injured.

Pea Ridge (0-1) at Class 4A 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.

Clarksville is open.