Hootens.com Rankings
Class 2A, Week 2, 2016
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.
1. England (1-0)
2. Rison (0-1)
3. Hector (1-0)
4. Danville (1-0)
5. Mount Ida (1-0)
6. C. Harmony Grove (1-0)
7. Conway Christian (1-0)
8. McCrory (0-1)
9. Des Arc (0-1)
10. Earle (0-1)
11. Bearden (0-1)
12. Hampton (1-0)
13. Lavaca (1-0)
14. E. Poinsett County (1-0)
15. Marked Tree (1-0)
16. Dierks (1-0)
17. Cross County (1-0)
18. Hackett (1-0)
19. Murfreesboro (1-0)
20. Mountainburg (1-0)
21. Lafayette County (0-1)
22. Carlisle (0-1)
23. Foreman (0-1)
24. Parkers Chapel (1-0)
25. Brinkley (1-0)
26. Palestine-Wheatley (1-0)
27. Clarendon (0-1)
28. Hazen (0-1)
29. Poyen (0-1)
30. Augusta (0-1)
31. Salem (0-1)
32. Magnet Cove (0-1)
33. Mineral Springs (0-1)
34. Strong (0-1)
35. Spring Hill (1-0)
36. Woodlawn (1-0)
37. Bigelow (1-0)
38. Quitman (1-0)
39. J.C. Westside (0-1)
40. Magazine (0-1)
41. Decatur (0-1)
42. Western Yell County (1-0)
43. Mountain Pine (0-1)
44. Cutter M. Star (1-0)
45. Rector (0-1)
46. Midland (0-1)
47. Marvell (0-1)

GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 4 Danville at No. 13 Lavaca
This game could decide the 4-2A title. Both teams dropped this year from Class 3A. Danville has more than 40 players on its roster, including all-state quarterback Jake Madding (deep knee bruise), who has received DI attention but did not play in the opening blowout of Two Rivers. Danville led 49-0 at halftime. Sophomore QB Preston Donnell completed six of 10 in his varsity debut for 72 yards and a TD. Senior tailback Chris Thurman carried for a team-high 108 yards and two TDs on just 10 carries. Ten Little Johns had rushing attempts. Thurman also led Danville with 10 tackles at linebacker. The Little John defense recorded 30 TFL. Lavaca is quick, physical and fresh off a four-point win over Class 4A Gentry. Junior QB Garrett Eck ran for 71 yards and passed for 66 yards. The Golden Arrows rushed for 280 yards, including 71 by junior fullback Cody Harris. Danville whipped Lavaca 62-34 last year.

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly picked 26 of 40 games (65 percent) involving Class 2A teams.

WEEK 2 PREDICTIONS (favored team in CAPS followed by point spread)
3-2A
CROSS COUNTY (2) at Barton: Class 3A Barton rolled over Marvell 62-20 last week. A year ago, the tradition-rich Bears ventured into the 3-2A and lost at Marked Tree by a TD. Cross County opened 2016 as it has the past four years, with a (43-18) blowout of Class 4A Harrisburg.
E. Poinsett County at WALNUT RIDGE (6): This was a 3-2A rivalry, and not the friendly variety, before Walnut Ridge bumped this year to Class 3A. Walnut Ridge thumped EPC 27-14 last year to end a
five-year losing streak in the series. EPC hung 60 points on WR in 2014, won in overtime in 2013, won 42-40 in 2012, won by 20 in 2011 and by 19 in 2010.
Harrisburg at MARKED TREE (7): Marked Tree outlasted explosive 6-2A member Clarendon last week, escaping with a 38-37 win. MT dropped Harrisburg by two TDs last year and should do about the same this week.
Midland at QUITMAN (42): Quitman goes to 2-0 vs. a Midland team that gave up 52 points last week to Western Yell County. WYC scored 21 points all of last year.
EARLE (6) at Halls, Tenn: No. 10 Earle travels to Halls, Tenn. (1-1), which features a 53-man roster. Earle boasts a 40-man roster but lost last week at Class 4A Helena-West Helena 36-32 despite leading 24-12 going into the fourth quarter. Earle's loss at Helena took almost 3.5 hours to play with more than 400 yards in penalties. Earle junior QB Gerry Bohanon completed 19 of 35 passes for 308 yards and two TDs. He ran for 123 yards and one TD. Senior WR Dontrell Johnson caught six passes for 112 yards and a TD. Junior Cordell Chase and freshman Jaylon Cooper recorded 12 and 10 tackles, respectively.
SALEM  (2) at Yellville-Summit: Both teams lost last week. Mountain View shut out Salem 20-0, while Y-S managed one first down in a 50-12 loss to Paris. Salem has won four of the past six meetings, including last year's 18-7 victory.
RECTOR is open.

4-2A
DANVILLE (18) at Lavaca: See 2A Game of the Week.
MOUNTAINBURG (2) at Hackett: Mountainburg loaded with nine returning starters on defense, but all-conference WR Elisha Vanourny (ACL surgery) may be out for the season. Dragons didn't miss him last week in a 35-0 blanking of rival Cedarville. Hackett senior QB Ely Stormes ran for a TD and completed a 48-yard TD toss to sophomore Brady Hester last week in a 28-14 win at Pocola, Okla. All-4-2A senior Robert Collins intercepted a pass and returned a punt 45 yards for a TD. Hackett won this matchup 26-25 last year.
W. Yell County at J.C. WESTSIDE (2): J.C. Westside considered a  playoff contender in the 4-2A but failed to score in the opening 14-0 loss to 8-2A Woodlawn. Western Yell, however, exploded for 52 points (31 more than it scored all of last year) in a blowout of No. 46 Midland.
Lamar JV at MAGAZINE (6): Magazine junior QB Trevor Blake passed for 98 yards and rushed for another 53 yards last week in a 34-6 loss at Murfreesboro. An improved Magazine defense held Murfreesboro on downs five times, forced one punt and forced a fumble. 
GENTRY (35) at Decatur: Class 4A Gentry evens its record at 1-1 vs. the 4-2A after losing last week to Lavaca 20-16.

5-2A
ENGLAND (6) at Junction City: The down cycle at Class 3A newcomer Junction City lasted one year. Junction City, which won three straight 2A titles 2012-14, dumped old rival Bearden 27-6 last week behind 228 rushing yards from senior tailback Demontauz Gray, a move-in from California with Junction City family ties. All-league tailback and 1,300-yard rusher C.J. Johnson, is now at slotback. Senior DE Brennan Lee returned a fumble 78 yards for a score last week, when senior cornerback Corde Meadows recorded an interception, five solo tackles and a school-record five pass breakups. England counters with a defense that held Class 4A Hamburg to 138 rushing yards (4.6 ypc) in a 42-28 win during Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic. England senior QB Brayden Brazeal completed 17 of 22 passes (77 percent) to seven receivers for 258 yards and four TDs. England converted five of nine times on third down and overcame three turnovers against Hamburg.
CENTERPOINT (13) at Magnet Cove: Both teams disappointed with Week 1 losses. Class 3A Centerpoint fell to Class 2A Mount Ida 22-19, giving up a 69-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter after a critical fumble on the last play of the third quarter. After losing 39-18 to Parkers Chapel, Magnet Cove tries to revamp an offense that had two interceptions in the second half with PC returning one of them 100 yards for a TD. The Panthers also endured four sacks last week. The Magnet Cove defense could switch personnel at four positions, but senior end Gavin Porter and safety Zac Rednour played well.
Bismarck at POYEN (6): Poyen injury report grows with sophomore QB Jacob Farmer out with a broken arm, but senior ATH Chase Rhodes (broken leg) could return by midseason. Poyen won this matchup by 17 points a year ago.
Mountain Pine at CUTTER M STAR (2): CMS ended its 15-game losing skid on the field last week with a 42-0 win over the Fountain Lake JV. Mountain Pine cancelled its Week 1 game with Class 3A Jessieviile due to low numbers.
Mountain View at CONWAY CHRISTIAN (19): Conway Christian showed no drop-off in the opener after losing a 4,000-yard passer to graduation in May. Sophomore QB Jacob Wood torched Class 3A Episcopal for 254 passing yards and three TDs, all three scores to senior WR Seth Smith who had 124 receiving yards. CC also ran for 285 yards,
Bigelow at ATKINS (12): Bigelow won its back-and-forth series with neighbor and rival Perryville 14-7 last week, scoring all the points it needed in the first half and shutting out Perryville in the second half.
Midland at QUITMAN (42): Quitman destroyed Class 3A Rose Bud last week and should get little resistance from Midland, a 40-point loser to Western Yell County last Friday.
Bearden at HECTOR (2): As expected, No. 3 Hector hammered Class 3A No. 43 Marshall by 31 points last week, while No. 11 Bearden lost to Class 3A No. 4 Junction 27-6. Hector's new 4-3 defense adjusted after a couple of Marshall drives produced rushing yards early. Bearden big-play threat, junior receiver Camron Byes, had 120 receiving yards and a TD against Junction City. Bearden failed to score on three trips inside the JC 25-yard line.

6-2A
McCrory at DES ARC (2): League play opens, and this game could decide the 6-2A title. Des Arc seeks redemption after a two-point loss a year ago at eventual 2A state champion McCrory. Des Arc out-gained Class 3A Bald Knob 418 yards to 261 yards but lost on the scoreboard 41-30. Junior Dillon Conway and senior brother Ontario Conway rushed for 177 and 141 yards, respectively. Ontario Conway added 13 tackles, while senior LB Isaiah Williams collected a team-high 16 stops. Des Arc's two QB's combined to throw three interceptions, more than all of last year combined. McCrory struggled in all phases during a 35-0 loss to Class 6A Sheridan, allowing 407 yards while generating only 80 yards. Senior right tackle and defensive end Jamone McCoy (6-3, 265) is probable to start after being cleared to practice two weeks ago from a stress fracture in his lower leg.
CLARENDON (1) at Hazen: Hazen has blown out Clarendon by an average of 46 points each of the past five years, but Clarendon could put an end to that abuse this week with elusive senior QB Jama Cross and junior RB Cedric Parker. Cross big-played Marked Tree last week in a 38-37 defeat, while Hazen managed six points in a 14-point loss to Class 3A No. 29 Piggott.
AUGUSTA (24) at Marvell: Augusta is improved over a year ago when it dropped Marvell 34-12.
Brinkley at PALESTINE-WHEATLEY (6): Athletes with speed all over the field. No. 26 P-W can take a first step toward its first playoff appearance since 2009 with a win over rival and neighbor Brinkley. P-W has not beaten Brinkley since 2010.
DeWitt at CARLISLE (2): Class 4A DeWitt has beaten Carlisle the past two seasons, including a two-point thriller in 2014. But improved Carlisle led Class 4A Lonoke 12-7 late in the first half last week before Lonoke completed a TD pass on the final play of the first half en route to a 41-28 victory.

7-2A
Genoa Central at LAFAYETTE COUNTY (6): Lafayette County won this matchup by 22 points a year ago. LC allowed 7 yards per carry last week to Gurdon in a 26-13 loss.
Jessieville at MOUNT IDA (8): Despite committing more fumbles last week than all of 2015, Mount Ida drove 69 yards in the fourth quarter to beat Class 3A Centerpoint 22-19.
GURDON (15) at Dierks: Gurdon averaged 7 yards per rushing attempt last week in a 26-13 win over former 7-2A foe Lafayette County. Dierks ran some of its old Pro I and new Spread in a 27-20 win over its former head coach David Bennett and the Horatio Lions.
MURFREESBORO (5) at Horatio: These teams have split the past two meetings, which have been decided by a total of 11 points. Air Murfreesboro grounded out 365 yards last week with senior Cameron Snowden running 23 times for 208 yards and two TDs against Magazine. Class 3A Horatio coach David Bennett is known for an aggressive defense that plays straight man coverage. Horatio lost to 7-2A member Dierks 27-20 last week.
SIMMS BOWIE TEXAS (1) at Foreman: Simms Bowie lost its opener and has 23 players on its roster. Foreman lost last week to Genoa Central for the first time since 2011.
Strong at MINERAL SPRINGS (3): Strong returns to the 7-2A for a non-conference game a year after losing at 7-2A member Murfreesboro by 27 points. Strong and new coach Greg Anthony opened last week with a 37-0 loss at Monroe (La.) St. Frederick.
PARKERS CHAPEL (12) at Spring Hill: Parkers Chapel jumped Magnet Cove 39-18 last week behind the rushing of all-state senior RB Dezmon Jackson and dual-threat QB Canon Morgan.
Mountain Pine at CUTTER M STAR (2): CMS ended its 15-game losing skid on the field last week with a 42-0 win over the Fountain Lake JV. Mountain Pine cancelled its Week 1 game with Class 3A Jessieviile dues to low numbers.

8-2A
RISON (28) at Baptist Prep: No. 2 Rison rebounds from a 36-14 loss to Class 3A No. 8 Fordyce. Fordyce has averaged 30 ppg against Rison over the past 10 meetings. Last week, Fordyce ran for 296 yards (6.4 ypc) and returned one of two interceptions for a TD.
Drew Central at WOODLAWN (12): Woodlawn opened with a nice 14-0 win over 4-2A member J.C. Westside, while Drew Central lost its  seventh game in a row, 46-6 to Hampton.
PRESCOTT (13) at C. Harmony Grove: Prescott popped Star City 38-7 last week after a 52-7 preseason scrimmage win at Ashdown. Junior receiver Ka'darius Pearson (shoulder) and senior LB Nikell Davis (knee) did not play at Star City but should return this week. Harmony Grove is coming off an impressive 34-6 win at Smackover. Senior QB Nathan Whitley ran 14 times for 105 yards and threw two TD passes. Junior slot receiver Jace Garcia ran for two TDs, including a 3-yarder on a direct snap. The Hornets beat Prescott 26-13 last year.
Hampton at FORDYCE (8): High-flying Hampton dumped Class 3A Drew Central 46-6 last week behind 140 rushing yards and three TDs from senior RB Monta' Thomas. Hampton, which did not field a varsity team last year, piled up 468 total yards and overcame more than 100 yards in penalties. Hampton's first-team defense held Drew Central to less than 100 yards and no points. Class 3A No. 8 Fordyce ripped 8-2A favorite Rison 36-14 a week ago. Fordyce amassed 339 yards, while Rison did not complete a pass and its leading rusher netted 51 yards on 15 attempts.
PARKERS CHAPEL (12) at Spring Hill: Parkers Chapel jumped Magnet Cove 39-18 last week behind the rushing of all-state senior RB Dezmon Jackson and dual-threat QB Canon Morgan.
Strong at MINERAL SPRINGS (3): Strong returns to the 7-2A for a non-conference game a year after losing at 7-2A member Murfreesboro by 27 points. Strong and new coach Greg Anthony opened last week with a 37-0 loss at Monroe (La.) St. Frederick.
Bearden at HECTOR (2): As expected, No. 3 Hector hammered Class 3A No. 43 Marshall by 31 points last week, while No. 11 Bearden lost to Class 3A No. 4 Junction 27-6. Hector's new 4-3 defense adjusted after a couple of Marshall drives produced rushing yards early. Bearden big-play threat, junior receiver Camron Byes, had 120 receiving yards and a TD against Junction City. Bearden failed to score on three trips inside the JC 25-yard line.