Hootens.com Class 3A Rankings

Week 2, 2024

1. Prescott (2-0)

2. Booneville (2-0)

3. Rivercrest (1-0)

4. Walnut Ridge (2-0)

5. Newport (2-0)

6. Salem (1-1)

7. Forydce (2-0)

8. Bismarck (2-0)

9. Charleston (0-1)

10. McGehee (0-1)

11. Mansfield (1-1)

12. Osceola (0-1)

13. Rison (1-0)

14. Glen Rose (0-2)

15. Harmony Grove Ouachita County (1-1)

16. Melbourne (2-0)

17. Centerpoint (1-0)

18. Mayflower (2-0)

19. Atkins (2-0)

20. Perryville (1-1)

Not Ranked:

1-3A: Cedarville (1-1), Greenland (0-1), Hackett (1-0), Lavaca (0-2), West Fork (0-1)

2-3A: Episcopal (0-2), Mountain View (1-1), Quitman (0-1), Yellville-Summit (1-0)

3-3A: Harrisburg (0-2), Manila (0-2), Piggott (0-1)

4-3A: Cutter Morning Star (0-1), Danville (1-1), Jessieville (0-1), Magnet Cove (1-1), Paris (1-1), Two Rivers (0-1)

7-3A: Fouke (2-0), Horatio (0-1), Parkers Chapel (1-1), Smackover (2-0)

8-3A: Barton (1-0), Drew Central (0-2), Lake Village (1-0), Palestine-Wheatley (1-0), Dumas (0-1)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 6 Salem (2-0) at No. 5 NEWPORT (2-0)

Salem led No. 1 Prescott late into the fourth quarter last fall before falling 31-22. QB Jackson Taylor (7-18 passing, 92 yards, 1 TD; 1 rushing TD) and Colton Smith (80 rushing yards) led the offense. Ryan Dailey (rushing TD) and Caleb Leisenring (receiving TD) also contributed. Skyler Payne (15 tackles), Keagan Sanderson (9 tackles, 3 TFLs) and Smith (11 tackles, 2 TFLs) led the defense. “We are going to have to find a way to slow Newport down defensively and find a way to run it at them and play keep-away,” Salem Coach Josh Watson says. Newport moves to No. 5 after  dispatching Batesville 66-24 last week. The Greyhounds have scored 114 combined points in their first 2 games. QB Luke Reynolds completed 10 of 15 passes for 137 yards and 2 TDs. Reynolds also rushed 5 times for 104 yards and 2 TDs. RB Kiandrea Barker (18-212 rushing, 3 TDs) and WR Tonio Phillips (3-58 receiving, TD; rushing TD) contributed on offense. “I think Salem may be the best-coached team in 3A and plays as hard as any team I've faced in the last decade!” Newport Coach Brian Reardon says. Newport has won 3 of the last 4 against Salem, but the Greyhounds won 52-34 last fall.

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com correctly predicted 27 of 35 games from Week 1 (77 percent).

WEEK PREDICTIONS (Favored team highlighted and CAPS)

1-3A

NO. 2 BOONEVILLE (2-0) at Paris (2-0) Booneville extended its winning streak to 14 with a 31-14 over Class 4A Ozark last week. Connor Lentz rushed 11 times for 129 yards. Jace Washburn left the game with an ankle injury and did not return for the second half. Per Booneville's Legendary Historian Glenn Parrish, Doc Crowley is the fastest Bearcats coach to 50 wins. Paris, sparked by a 3-TD third quarter, beat Lavaca 42-21 last week. Jestin Churchman (3 rushing TDs) and Dax Baumgartner (2 receiving TDs) led the offense.

NO. 9 CHARLESTON (0-1) at Class 4A Ozark (1-1) Charleston lost to Pottsville 38-35 last week. Tigers QB Carter Little completed 26 of 39 passes for 444 yards and 5 TDs. WRs Emiliano Gaona (8-208 receiving, 3 TDs) and Ayden Kilpatrick (4-86 receiving, 2 TDs) were Little's primary targets. Ryan Turner had 9 tackles and Gaona had 6 tackles. Ozark QB Coby Wilbanks went down with an injury in the third quarter of last week's game against Booneville.

No. 11 Mansfield (1-1) at CLASS 4A LAMAR (1-1) Mansfield beat Class 4A Waldron 41-8 behind Andrew Burton (16-157 rushing, 3 TDs). “We have to play better in the secondary and not commit turnovers like we didn't do against Bismarck to have a chance to win this game,” Mansfield Coach Whit Overton says.

Lavaca (0-2) at ROLAND, OKLA. (0-1) The Golden Arrows start 0-2 for the first time since 2020 after a 48-21 loss to Paris. Roland lost its season-opener  53-20 against Muldrow, Okla. last week. This will be the first meeting between these programs.

CLASS 4A LINCOLN (2-0) at West Fork (1-0) West Fork dropped its season opener 12-0 against class 4A Green Forest. This was the first loss against Green Forest since 2021 for West Fork. Lincoln beat Westville, Okla. Last week 57-8 to move to 2-0 on the year. The Wolves have scored 104 combined points in its first 2 games.

Hackett (1-0) at CLASS 4A GENTRY (2-0) Hackett was off last week after beating Danville 20-0 in Week 0. QB Brycen Hamilton (18-23 passing, 135 yards; 11-125 rushing, 2 TDs) and RB Garrett Perkins (11 rushes, 66 yards, 1 TD) led the offense. James Randolph (11 tackles, 1 TFL; 3 pancakes on offense) and Nick Bass (10 tackles, 2 TFLs) also contributed. Gentry starts 2-0 after dispatching Pea Ridge 31-20 last week. Bennett Roberts ran for 3 TDs and led the defense with 8 tackles.

GREENLAND (0-1) at Class 4A Berryville (0-1) Greenland lost its season opener 47-20 to 4A Lincoln. QB Slade Norwood (168 yards passing, 2 TDs), Myles Cavanaugh (13-105 rushing) and Brandon Vaughan (82 receiving, 2 TDs) led Greenland. The Pirates have won 5 in a row over Berryville, which lost to Mountain View 24-7.

Class 2A J.C. Westside (0-1) at CEDARVILLE (1-1): Johnson County Westside dropped its season opener 48-28 against Danville. Cedarville won the last meeting 50-14 in 2019. Cedarville lost to 2A Mountainburg 50-22 last week. Daniel Ramirez scored all 3 TDs for Cedarville.

2-3A

No. 6 Salem (2-0) at NO. 5 NEWPORT (2-0). See Hootens.com Game of the Week, above.

Class 2A England (1-1) at MAYFLOWER (2-0) England beat Drew Central 28-22 last week to even its record. Mayflower beat defending 2A state champ Bigelow 35-0 to reach 2-0 for a second consecutive season. QBs Tre Cockerham (48 yards passing, 1 TD) and Carter Smith (67 yards passing, 2 TDs) led Mayflower. Devon Davis (13 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD) and Marcus Phillips (2 catches, 75 yards, 2 TDs) also contrubted. Mayflower has won the past 3 matchups against England dating back to 2008.

MELBOURNE (2-0) at Class 4A Cave City (2-0) Melbourne beat Bald Knob 28-0 to move to 2-0 behind QB Wyatt Buchanan (12-22 passing, 154 yards, 1 TD); RB Carson Medina (13-122 rushing, 1 TD), and WR Malcolm Hammack (7 catches, 82 yards). Cave City beat Class 2A Izard County 42-7 to start 2-0 for the first time since 2009. Shawn Walling (10 carries, 93 yards, 2 TDs) led the Cavemen.

Atkins (2-0) at CLASS 2A CONWAY CHRISTIAN (2-0) Atkins starts 2-0 for the first since 2021 after beating Class 4A Dover 41-26 in the Rivals Cup game. QB Cole Crawford (98 yards passing, 2 TDs) and Mason Martin (158 yards rushing, 2 TDs) led the offense. Conway Christian beat Quitman 36-13 to reach 2-0. Conway Christian has outscored Atkins 75-20 while winning the past 2 meetings.

Class 2A Izard County (0-2) at QUITMAN (0-1) Izard County, outscored 91-14 in its first 2 games, endured a 42-7 loss against Cave City last week. Quitman committed 4 turnovers in a 36-13 loss against Class 2A Conway Christian a week ago. QB Jordon Moore-Payne (13-21 passing, 209 yards, 2 TDs) led the offense.

Yellville-Summit (1-0) at CLASS 2A HECTOR (0-1) Yellville-Summit beat Class 2A Izard County 49-7 in the opener 2 weeks ago under first-year coach Chaseton McCarthy. Hector fell to Perryville 50-12 a week ago, but Hector has beaten Yellville-Summitt by a combined 56-6 across the past 2 meetings.

3-3A

NO. 4 WALNUT RIDGE (2-0) at Class 2A Earle (0-1): Walnut Ridge beat Class 4A Trumann 29-28 behind QB Jersie Cunningham (28 carries, 207 yards, 1 TD) and Jayden Saulsbury (12 carries, 104 yards, 3 TDs). A 21-point second quarter keyed Walnut Ridge's win. Class 2A Earle lost its season opener 34-20 against Helena-West Helena.

Class 2A EPC (0-1) at NO. 3 RIVERCREST (1-0): EPC has had a week to regroup after a 37-0 loss to Walnut Ridge in Week 0. Rivercrest beat Class 4A rival Gosnell 29-14. QB Cavonta Washington (9-16 passing, 164 yards, 1 TD; 15-52 rushing, 2 TDs) and Jayden Young (2 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD) led the offense.

No. 6 Salem (2-0) at NO. 5 NEWPORT (2-0): See Hootens.com Game of the Week, above.

Hoxie (1-1) at CLASS 5A PARAGOULD (2-0): Hoxie beat rival Jonesboro Westside 14-13 to even its record. Dillon Guthrie (129 yards rushing, 1 TD), Prechton Wilkerson (86 yards rushing) and Mack Slaughter (13 tackles) led the way. Paragould is 2-0 for the first time since 1998 after picking up a 36-0 win over Kennett, Mo. on Friday night.

No. 12 Osceola (0-1) at CLASS 4A GOSNELL (1-1): Osceola lost its opener for a 10th consecutive season, falling 45-0 to Ensworth, Tenn. Coach Robert Hooks seeks first win in his return as head coach to the Seminoles. Gosnell committed 5 turnovers in a Rivercrest 29-14 last week after winning its opener.

Harrisburg (0-2) at CLASS 4A TRUMANN (0-2): Harrisburg lost 49-6 to 4A Southside last week, but Jayvin Thomas (5 catches, 68 yards), Remington Rapert (2 catches, 26 yards, 1 TD) and Hayden Anderson (14 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD) contributed on offense. Evan Henley and Anderson led defensively with 7 tackles. The Hornets have scored 6 points combined in 2 games. Trumann lost 29-28 against Walnut Ridge last week.

Piggott (0-1) at CLASS 2A CROSS COUNTY (1-1): Piggott was off last week after falling to Class 4A Highland 60-14 in Week 0. Will Lucas (112 yards rushing, 2 TDs) led the offense. Cross County lost to Palestine-Wheatley 34-22 in a father-son battle as Palestine-Wheatley coach Tyler Paschal beat his father, Cross County coach Van Paschal.

4-3A

NO. 8 BISMARCK (2-0) at Glen Rose (0-2): Bismarck beat Class 2A Mineral Springs 62-14 last week. QB Ben Keithley (13-18 passing, 209 yards, 5 TDs; 65 yards rushing, 1 TD) and younger brother Caedmon Keithley (6 carries, 127 yards, 1 TD; 87 yards receiving, 1 TD) led the offense. Malachi Stevenson and Blayden Whitley each had 5 tackles, while Preston Hughes, Ben Keithley and Caedmon Keithley recording interceptions. Glen Rose fell to Class 4A Malvern 34-28. QB Gage Hood (17-34 passing, 253 yards, 1 TD; 113 yards rushing, 2 TD) led the offense. Brody Draper (6 tackles, 1 TFL) and Ace Best (6 tackles) led the defense. Glen Rose has won the last 7 games against Bismarck.

PERRYVILLE (1-1) at Class 2A Bigelow (1-1): Perryville evened its record with a 50-12 win ovefr Class 2A Hector last week. QB Connor Frith (12-21 passing, 167 yards, 2 TD; 11 carries, 151 yards, 1 TD), Jacob Saugey (8 carries, 120 yards, 2 TD) and Tyler Hester (2 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD) led the Mustangs. Bigelow fell to Mayflower 35-0 last Friday. Bigelow owns 4 consecutive wins in the series.

JESSIEVILLE (0-1) at Class 2A Mount Ida (1-0): Jessieville was idle last week after falling to Mayflower 34-20 in Week 0. The Lions have won 3 of the last 5 meetings against Mount Ida. Mount Ida opened its season with a 14-0 win over Spring Hill last week.

MAGNET COVE (1-1) at Class 2A Poyen (2-0): Magnet Cove fell to Fordyce 62-6 on Friday for its first loss. The Panthers have won 4 of the last 5 against the Indians. Poyen RB Alejandro Guzman had 3 first-half touchdowns against Cutter Morning Star in a 36-12 win last week.

CUTTER MORNING STAR (0-1) at Class 2A Mountain Pine (0-2): Cutter Morning Star lost its season-opener 36-12 to Class 2A Poyen last week. The Eagles look to get back on track against Class 2A Mountain Pine in a battle of former 8-man teams. Mountain Pine has won the past 5 matchups against Cutter Morning Star.

CLASS 2A MAGAZINE (1-1) at Two Rivers (0-2): Magazine beat Lamar's junior varsity last week while Two Rivers lost its 17th consecutive game, falling at Class 2A Baptist Prep 42-28. The Gators' last win was 39-14 over J.C. Westside in Week 2 of the 2022 season.

7-3A

HAYNESVILLE, LA. (1-0) at No. 15 Harmony Grove Ouchita County (1-1): Haynesville, which opened its season with a 35-7 win over North Webster 35-7, has beaten Harmony Grove Ouachita County in the past 2 meetings, but both games were decided by a touchdown or less. Harmony Grove Ouachita County opened with a 38-16 loss to Rison last week. Cole Nowlin (11 tackles) and Peyton Ross (11 tackles) led the defense.

CENTERPOINT (1-0) at Class 4A Fountain Lake (0-1): Centerpoint opended with a 28-14 win over Class 2A Murfreesboro in Week 0. The Knights start 10 seniors on defense, while Fountain Lake starts 5. Fountain Lake has won 8 in a row over the Knights, but Centerpoint looks capable of ending that streak.

FOUKE (2-0) at Class 4A Genoa Central (0-1): Fouke knocked off Class 2A Murfreesboro 39-22 last Friday night to move to 2-0. Dylan Sprayberry (18 carries, 208 yards, 2 third-quarter TDs) sparked the offense. Terrell Robinson threw a 25-yard TD to Jayden Greer with 50 seconds left before halftime to give the Panthers a 12-8 edge. Collen Garner intercepted 2 passes, including a 95-yard for a TD. Genoa Central lost 34-6 against Spring Hill last Friday in a matchup between former 8-man teams.

Class 2A Junction City (0-2) at SMACKOVER (2-0): Junction City lost on the road to Class 2A No. 1 Carlisle last week. Smackover beat Class 4A Fountain Lake 64-36 to secure its second win. The Buckaroos have scored 98 combined points in the first 2 weeks and are 2-0 for the third time in 7 seasons.

CLASS 2A DIERKS (1-1) at Parkers Chapel (1-1): Dierks beat Mountain Pine 46-28 last week to even its record. Parkers Chapel lost last week to Class 2A Gurdon 41-18. This will be the first meeting between the schools.

HORATIO (0-1) at Class 2A Foreman (0-2): Horatio lost its season opener to Class 5A De Queen, which ended a 27-game losing streak. Foreman, on a 22-game losing streak, fell to Hampton 42-30 last week. 

8-3A

Star City (1-1) at CLASS 3A MCGEHEE (0-1): Star City rallied in the second half to beat Dumas 34-29. Senior LB Peyton Taylor led the defense with 15 tackles. McGehee gained 304 yards in last week's 5-point loss to Hamburg.

Class 2A Mineral Springs (0-1) at FORDYCE (2-0): Mineral Springs lost its season opener for the first since 2017, dropping a 62-14 decision to Bismarck last Friday. Fordyce reached 2-0 with a 62-6 win over Magnet Cove 62-6. Brenton Sledge (9 carries, 74 yards, 3 TDs) and Micah Gamble (3 carries, 124 yards 2 carries) led the Fordyce offense. Brenden Simmons (10 tackles, 4 TFLs) led the first-team defense that has not allowed a touchdown.

HAMBURG (1-0) at Class 3A Dumas (0-1): Hamburg beat McGehee 27-22 a week ago after leading 17-6 in the third quarter. Senior LB Peyton Sellers (15 tackles) led the defense; sophomore QB Kaeden Thomas passed for 189 yards and 2 TDs and senior Nikel Lewis, Jr., ran for 164 yards and 1 TD and caught a 25-yard TD pass. Dumas lost to Star City 34-29 last week despite 2 TDs by RB Tylan Bell.

BARTON (1-0) at Marianna (0-0) Barton opened with a 34-12 win over Clarendon 34-12. The Bears have won the last 6 matchups against Marianna, which is playing its season-opener.

Class 3A RISON (1-0) at H.G. Haskell (0-1): Rison upset Harmony Grove Ouachita County 38-16 last week. Chandler Reeves ran for 161 yards and 2 TDs, while Keyshaun Haywood had 140 yards and 2 TDs. H.G. Haskell was off last week after opening with a 28-6 loss to Clinton 2 weeks ago.

HELENA (2-0) at Drew Central (0-2): Helena is 2-0 for the first time since 2019 after beating Earle last week 34-20. Drew Central's Jeremiah Bodiford caught 2 passes for 105 yards in last week's 28-22 loss to Class 2A England.

Lake Village (1-0) at CLASS 4A HALL STEAM (0-2): Lake Village beat West Bolivar, Miss., 2 weeks ago, while Hall Steam lost to Mena 31-0. Hall has been outscored 76-7 this fall.