Hootens.com Rankings
Class 2A, Week 2, 2017
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.
1. Mount Ida (1-0)
2. Rison (1-0)
3. McCrory (1-0)
4. Conway Christian (1-0)
5. C. Harmony Grove (0-1)
6. Hampton (0-1)
7. Bearden (0-1)
8. Des Arc (0-1)
9. Hector (1-0)
10. Danville (1-1)
11. Hackett (1-0)
12. England (0-1)
13. Foreman (1-0)
14. Earle (0-1)
15. E. Poinsett County (1-0)
16. Cross County (0-1)
17. Hazen (0-1)
18. Marked Tree (1-0)
19. Palestine-Wheatley (1-0)
20. Parkers Chapel (1-0)
21. Salem (1-0)
22. Mineral Springs (0-1)
23. Carlisle (0-1)
24. Murfreesboro (0-1)
25. Mountainburg (1-0)
26. Lafayette County (0-1)
27. Quitman (0-1)
28. Lavaca (0-1)
29. Magnet Cove (0-1)
30. Magazine (0-1)
31. Strong (1-0)
32. Dierks (0-1)
33. Clarendon (0-1)
34. Cutter M. Star (1-0)
35. J.C. Westside (1-0)
36. Poyen (0-1)
37. Marvell (0-1)
38. Bigelow (0-1)
39. Spring Hill (0-1)
40. Woodlawn (0-1)
41. Brinkley (0-1)
42. Decatur (0-1)
43. Mountain Pine (0-1)
44. W. Yell County (1-0)
45. Rector (0-1)
46. Midland (0-1)
47. Hermitage (0-1)

GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 8 Des Arc at No. 3 McCrory
Des Arc has not forgotten its last trip to McCrory, a 24-22 gut-wrenching loss in 2015 that proved McCrory's tightest victory during a 13-0 state championship run. Another thriller is possible Friday night with the 6-2A title on the line, but not based on Week 1 results. Des Arc lost six fumbles and botched a punt in an ugly 29-14 loss to Bald Knob. Personnel adjustments in the Des Arc backfield seem likely this week. McCrory doubled England 44-22 behind former Augusta all-state tailback/linebacker Devin Taylor, who rushed for 247 yards and four TDs. Junior RB T.J. Alford ran for 147 yards and two TDs, while senior OT/DT Jamone McCoy (three pancake blocks, seven tackles, two TFL) paced a starting defense that allowed one TD without two of its starting linebackers.

TV SHOW
Hooten's Arkansas Football airs 10:30 a.m. Saturdays on KATV (ABC Little Rock) Ch. 7, covering the Razorbacks, high school teams and players to watch. Benton senior Beau Belcher receives the prestigious Arkansas Air Guard Scholar Athlete of the Week award on this week's show.

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly picked 28 of 40 games (70 percent) involving  Class 2A teams.

WEEK 2 PREDICTIONS (favored team in CAPS followed by point spread)
3-2A
EARLE (10) at Cedar Ridge: Earle, with Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema watching senior QB Gerry Bohanon, dropped the opener to Class 4A Helena 22-14. Class 4A Brookland beat Single Wing operator Cedar Ridge last week by 29 points after topping the Timberwolves by 11 points in 2016.
Barton at CROSS COUNTY (6): Cross County lost at rival Harrisburg 12-6 last week, missing scoring opportunities by fumbling in the red zone (Harrisburg returned for a TD) and into the end zone to close the game. Cross County beat Barton 37-19 a year ago. Barton, with 33 players, may own a team speed advantage.
QUITMAN (33) at Midland: Quitman (24 players on its roster), led by all-state senior center Wyatt Varvil, proved physical up front last week against Class 3A Rose Bud but fell 42-26, ending a 10-game losing skid for the Ramblers. Quitman newcomer and senior QB Donovan Foley (6-2, 241) completed 18 of 34 passes for 251 yards and three TD, with two interceptions late in the game. Quitman senior WR Reese Gines caught seven passes for 102 yards. Midland has dropped 13 games in a row, losing last week at Western Yell County 14-12. Quitman beat Midland 59-0 a year ago.
Yellville-Summit at SALEM (25): Salem has won the past two games in the series. Salem senior DT Ethan Davis wreaks havoc up front for a faster defense that gave up more than 250 rushing yards last week but made key stops in a 40-18 victory over Class 3A Mountain View. Salem senior QB Harrison Henry (5-10, 225) punished Mountain View with determined runs. Y-S has averaged one win the past four seasons.
Marked Tree at HARRISBURG (6): Class 4A Harrisburg appears better on defense, loading the box last week against Cross County's Single Wing in a 12-6 win. Marked Tree was tied with Clarendon 7-7 at halftime before pulling away for a 33-15 win. MT senior RB Paul Coleman rushed for 183 yards and two TDs, while all-league LB Kylon Johnson paced the Indians in tackles (eight solos).
RECTOR is open.

4-2A
HACKETT (8) at Mountainburg: This is the conference opener for both teams. They play again Week 8 in a non-conference game. Hackett has beaten Mountainburg four times in a row. Mountainburg senior QB Robert Roxin triggers a Dragon offense that ran effectively last week in a 26-12 win over rival Cedarville. Hackett QB Brady Hester completed 10 of 12 passes for 248 yards and three TDs, and the junior ran for two more scores. Junior Cooper Shipman (1,014 yards in 2016) ran for 103 yards and a TD. Junior LB Matthew Carter recorded five tackles, a sack, an interception and a fumble recovery. Junior WB/S Pacey McBride ran for two TDs and intercepted two passes.
J.C. WESTSIDE (2) at Western Yell County: J.C. Westside whipped 8-2A member Woodlawn 30-6 a week ago. JCW beat WYC 16-14 last year.
Lavaca at DANVILLE (14): Danville rebounded from its 35-12 loss to Conway Christian on Monday to rout Class 3A Two Rivers 45-0 Friday night. In the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic vs. Conway Christian, Danville junior Quentin Tolbert ran for 115 yards and a TD, while classmate Trent Cathey ran for 36 yards and caught three passes for 58 yards. Class 4A Gentry lapped Lavaca 50-0 last week.
Decatur at GENTRY (49): Class 4A Gentry goes 2-0 vs. the 4-2A after torching Lavaca 50-0 last week, while Class 4A Berryville dumped Decatur 61-0.
MAGAZINE (2) at Waldron JV: Magazine sophomore defensive end Tommy Perez and linebacker Andy Yang (70-yard strip and score) played well last week in a 41-6 loss to top-ranked Mount Ida. 

5-2A
Hector at BEARDEN (2): Class 3A Junction City gassed Bearden in the second half last week with an up-tempo offense and big plays after the rivals were tied 20-20 at halftime. JC won 50-26. Bearden senior QB Tyler Berry completed 14 of 19 for 176 yards and two TDs with an interception in the loss. Senior Davarious Hughes caught four passes for 90 yards and two TDs. Senior LB Ricky Scott and sophomore LB Robert Miller made 16 and 12 tackles, respectively. Hector counters with All-5-2A RB Brenden Landrum, who rushed for 102 yards last week in a 45-14 blowout of Marshall. Senior first-year QB Jadon Graham completed seven of 10 passes for 73 yards and a TD and rushed six times for 141 yards and a TD. Senior DE Andrew Sears recorded 10 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble. Hector has won the last two games in this series.
CONWAY CHRISTIAN (18) at Mountain View: Conway Christian won this matchup last year 41-20, and Mountain eventually won a share of its first league title since 1987. This year, Mountain View starts 11 new starters on defense and five new starters on the offensive line. Conway Christian opened the season with a 35-12 domination of Danville in the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic.
ATKINS (14) at Bigelow: Atkins has bounced Bigelow four straight times by a combined 89 points. Atkins' big-play ability in contrast to Bigelow's deliberate Wing T attack.
QUITMAN (33) at Midland: Quitman (24 players), led by all-state senior center Wyatt Varvil, proved physical up front last week against Class 3A Rose Bud but fell 42-26, ending a 10-game losing skid for the Ramblers. Quitman newcomer and senior QB Donovan Foley (6-2, 241) completed 18 of 34 passes for 251 yards and three TD with two interceptions late in the game. Quitman senior WR Reese Gines caught seven passes for 102 yards. Midland has dropped 13 games in a row, losing last week at Western Yell County 14-12. Quitman beat Midland 59-0 a year ago.
Bismarck at POYEN (2): Poyen all-league DT Blake Shepherd (knee) had to exit in the fourth quarter last week when Walnut Ridge rallied past the Indians 26-22. Class 3A Bismarck snapped a 17-game losing streak in the opener, slipping past Spring Hill 14-13. Class 2A Poyen has won the past three meetings in the series by an average of 15 points.
JUNCTION CITY (25) at England: England is huge up front, and skilled QB Darrius Clarkson, WR Tyler Woods, RB K'von McPherson and WR/CB Justus Filoteo are playmakers, but the Lions managed one TD last week against McCrory's first-team defense. Junction City dominated in the second half of a 50-26 win over Bearden with 617 hurry-up yards, including senior RB Hishmma Taylor's 263 yards and three TDs.
Magnet Cove at CENTERPOINT (10): Class 3A Centerpoint put up 454 balanced yards last week on Murfreesboro, while holding the Rattlers 205 yards.
MOUNTAIN PINE (1) at Cutter M Star: Mountain Pine much improved with sophomore QB Collin Smith showing ability to pass the football last week. Transfer running back Dafavoin Heywood (346 yards, 9 TDs at Class 6A Lake Hamilton last year) makes his debut with the Red Devils this Friday, Coach Sam Counce says. Cutter M. Star dispatched of the Fountain Lake JV.

6-2A
Des Arc at MCCRORY (6): See 2A Game of the Week.
HAZEN (12) at Clarendon: Hazen has dropped five straight non-conference games dating to Week 1 2015. The Hornets fell last week at Class 3A Piggott 24-14, giving up 183 rushing yards (4.5 yards per rush). Clarendon was tied 7-7 at halftime with Marked Tree but could not run the football.
PALESTINE-WHEATLEY (2) at Brinkley: Rivalry game. P-W with far more bodies and a win over improved Rector, 27-20 last week, while Brinkley lost at Subiaco Academy 15-8.
CARLISLE (1) at DeWitt: Two of the past three meetings decided by four points or less. Carlisle trailed Class 4A Lonoke 35-0 at halftime last week, while DeWitt gave up 230 rushing yard to Class 4A Riverview in a 35-6 loss.
MARVELL is open.

7-2A
MOUNT IDA (2) at Jessieville: Top-ranked Mount Ida overpowered Magazine 41-6 last week for Coach Michael White's 100th victory at the school. The Lions allowed just 31 yards. Six players scored TDs, and four QBs took snaps. Junior starting QB Cade Jackson passed for two TDs, ran for a score and caught a pass. Mount Ida face a much stiffer challenge this week in Class 3A Jessieville. Jessieville seniors Colton Ault (4.6 speed) and Oliver Nasilai (BYU commit) combined for 31 carries, 193 yards and all five TDs in a 35-0 rout of Mountain Pine. Mount Ida beat Jessieville 24-7 a year ago en route to its second Class 2A state title.
Dierks at GURDON (2): Gurdon, with two quarterbacks moving in the off-season, started senior Gavin Deaton at QB last week in a 21-20 win over Lafayette County. Deaton completed four passes for 117 yards, including two passes to B.J. Brewer for 87 yards and a TD. Gurdon has defeated Dierks the past three years by a combined 70 points.
Lafayette County at GENOA CENTRAL (8): Class 3A Genoa Central totaled 210 yards at Foreman in a 42-14 loss. Lafayette County just lost to Gurdon (21-20) for the eighth consecutive time.
HORATIO at Murfreesboro: Class 3A Horatio has won three of the past five in this series, including two in a row. Murfreesboro off to another slow start, committing four turnovers, managing just 205 yards and giving up 454 balanced yards last week to Class 3A Centerpoint in a 50-14 loss.
MINERAL SPRINGS (11) at Strong: Mineral won this matchup by 22 points a year ago, but it is under new management in HC David Bennett and DC Brian Strickland. Fouke rushed for 285 yards (8.1 yards per carry) last week at Mineral Springs, handing the Hornets a 40-34 loss. Strong senior RB Desmond Newton ran for more than 100 yards and two TDs in a 30-0 win over the Hamburg JV.
MOUNTAIN PINE (1) at Cutter M Star: Mountain Pine much improved with sophomore QB Collin Smith showing ability to pass the football last week, and senior TB Dafavioun Haywood getting to corner in a 35-0 loss to Class 3A Jessieville. Cutter M. Star dispatched of the Fountain Lake JV.
Spring Hill at PARKERS CHAPEL (19): PC sophomore QB Caleb Jacobs completed 12 of 18 passes for 318 yards and five TDs in his varsity debut, rallying the Trojans from a 12-point deficit with six minutes left to overtake Magnet Cove 43-41. Senior Canon Morgan caught four of those passes for 192 yards and four TDs. Morgan added 15 tackles and an interception. Senior Brendan Winchester recorded 17 tackles, and junior Jacoby Edwards collected 11 stops and a strip sack to seal the win. Class 3A Bismarck snapped a 17-game losing streak in the opener, slipping past Spring Hill 14-13.
FOREMAN is open.

8-2A
Hector at BEARDEN (2): Class 3A Junction City gassed Bearden last week in the second half with an up-tempo offense and explosive plays after these rivals were tied 20-20 at halftime. JC won 50-26. Bearden senior QB Tyler Berry completed 14 of 19 for 176 yards and two TDs with an interception in the loss. Senior Davarious Hughes caught four passes for 90 yards and two TDs. Senior LB Ricky Scott and sophomore LB Robert Miller made 16 and 12 tackles, respectively. Hector counters with All-5-2A RB Brenden Landrum, who rushed for 102 yards last week in a 45-14 blowout of Marshall. Senior first-year QB Jadon Graham completed seven of 10 passes for 73 yards and a TD and rushed six times for 141 yards and a TD. Senior DE Andrew Sears recorded 10 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble. Hector has won the last two games in this series.
C. Harmony Grove at PRESCOTT (22): Class 3A No. 1 Prescott wins its 17th consecutive game. Prescott's stingy defense allowed its first points of the season to Hampton late in the fourth quarter of the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic. Prescott won 30-6. C. Harmony Grove moved the ball well in a 14-6 loss to Class 3A Smackover but scored once, on a fourth-down pass with to Xaylon Falls who made an athletic play with eight seconds left in the first half.
Hermitage at FOUKE (35): Fouke outscored Class 2A Mineral Springs 40-34 in the opener by averaging 8.1 yards per rushing attempt. Hermitage, which did not field a team in 2016, dressed 14 players in a 40-0 loss at Class 3A lake Village. 
Woodlawn at DREW CENTRAL (7): Drew Central hands second-year head coach Rob Cox his first varsity victory over Woodlawn, which dressed four freshmen and three first-year played last week in 30-6 loss at J.C. Westside. Drew Central's 28 points last week in a 14-point loss at Episcopal Collegiate jared the Pirates' most points scored since a Week 4 2015 win over Lake Village.
Baptist Prep at RISON (15): Second-ranked Rison was almost flawless in the 23-6 win over rival Fordyce, holding the Redbugs to 98 yards. Junior LB Landric Lee paced Rison with six solo stops, five assists and one TFL. Senior DT Jared Wilson stayed underneath Fordyce DT Billy Ferrell, stalemating the DI recruit while allowing linebackers to make plays. Wilson's 85 percent grade at tight end was likely the highest mark for an offensive lineman in 20 season-openers for head coach Clay Totty.
Fordyce at HAMPTON (3): Class 3A Fordyce owns team speed, but the one-dimensional Redbugs just lost to arch rival Rison 23-6. Fordyce completed one pass for zero yards and rushed for 98 yards. Hampton rebounds after a 30-6 loss to Class 3A No. 1 Prescott at the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic. Hampton rushed for 167 yards (3 ypc) against a speedy Prescott defense, while Hampton junior DT Desmond Brown recorded 11 stops, including four TFL. Hampton beat Fordyce 38-12 a year ago.
Spring Hill at PARKERS CHAPEL (19): PC sophomore QB Caleb Jacobs completed 12 of 18 passes for 318 yards and five TDs in his varsity debut, rallying the Trojans from a 12-point deficit with six minutes left to overtake Magnet Cove 43-41. Senior Canon Morgan caught four of those passes for 192 yards and four TDs. Morgan added 15 tackles and an interception. Senior Brendan Winchester recorded 17 tackles, and junior Jacoby Edwards collected 11 stops and a strip sack to seal the win. Class 3A Bismarck snapped a 17-game losing streak in the opener, slipping past Spring Hill 14-13.
MINERAL SPRINGS (11) at Strong: Mineral won this matchup by 22 points a year ago, but it is under new management in HC David Bennett and DC Brian Strickland. Fouke rushed for 285 yards (8.1 yards per carry) last week at Mineral Springs, handing the Hornets a 40-34 loss. Strong senior RB Desmond Newton ran for more than 100 yards and two TDs in a 30-0 win over the Hamburg JV.