Hootens.com Class 4A Rankings

Week 2, 2024

1. Warren (1-1)

2. Arkadelphia (1-1)

3. Elkins (2-0)

4. Mills (2-0)

5. Prairie Grove (1-0)

6. DeWitt (1-0)

7. Ozark (1-1)

8. Stuttgart (2-0)

9. Highland (2-0)

10. Southside (2-0)

11. Gravette (2-0)

12. Malvern (2-0)

13. Dardanelle (1-1)

14. Monticello (1-1)

15. Bauxite (1-1)

16. Nashville (1-1)

17. Clinton (2-0)

18. Pottsville (2-0)

19. Ashdown (0-1)

20. Gosnell (1-1)

Not Ranked

1-4A: Gentry (2-0), Lincoln (2-0), Green Forest (1-1), Huntsville (0-1), Berryville (0-1)

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

3-4A: Cave City (2-0), Trumann (0-2), Blytheville (0-1), Jonesboro Westside (0-2), Pocahontas (1-1)

4-4A: Dover (1-1), Lamar (1-0), Mena (2-0), Waldron (1-1)

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

8-4A: Helena (2-0), Crossett (0-2), Hamburg (1-0), Star City (1-0)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 3 Elkins (2-0) vs. NO. 1 WARREN (1-1) (at Arkansas Tech): Warren handled White Hall 46-14 last week. Warren made plays on defense (3 interceptions) and special teams. Senior QB Cam Burks threw for 191 yards and 3 TDs, each to a different receiver. Tramond Miller led the Lumberjacks with 4 catches for 110 yards, all in the first half.

Elkins is unbeaten and untested, beating Miami, Okla. and Dardanelle by a combined 103-0.

The Elks jumped to a 41-0 advantage in the second quarter of last week's 51-0 win over Dardanelle. RB Ja'Quae Walden ran for 222 yards and 4 TDs in the first half, while Davian Hall racked up 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble. “Their running back is good and they have a lot of experience on defense,” Warren Coach Bo Hembree says.

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com predicted 30 of 37 games last week (81 percent), and for the season has predicted 56 of 68 games (82 percent).

WEEK 2 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)

1-4A

No. 3 Elkins (2-0) vs. NO. 1 WARREN (1-1) (at Arkansas Tech): Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week.

PRAIRIE GROVE (1-0) at Class 5A Farmington (0-2): Farmington lost a shootout at Class 7A Har-Ber last week 65-50. QB Ayden Lester passed for 227 yards and 3 TDs and ran for 115 yards and 3 TDs. Prairie Grove beat TaHlequah (Okla.) Sequoyah 59-13 a week ago. The Tigers tallied 511 yards and the defense forced 5 turnovers. Senior QB Alex Abshier (4-7-141-1 passing) and RB Elijah Sugg (13-102-2) paced the attack, while Jace Edwards ran 3 times for 103 yards and 1 TD.

Durant, Okla. at GRAVETTE (2-0): Gravette's defense has given up 12 points this fall. Gravette senior James Marta recorded 3 tackles, returned a fumble 24 yards for a TD and stripped the ball from the QB and returned it 84 yards in last week's 45-6 win over Jay, Okla. Gravette senior Gabe Holmes ran for 4 TDs.

LINCOLN (2-0) at Class 3A West Fork (0-1): Lincoln's 57-8 win last week over Westville, Okla., was its 7th win in the past 8 meetings. West Fork lost to Green Forest last week 12-0 after failing to score on 2 possessions inside the 5.

Class 3A Hackett (1-0) at GENTRY (2-0): The first meeting between these schools. Gentry senior RB/LB Bennett Roberts ran for 3 TDs and made 8 tackles in last week's 31-20 win over Pea Ridge. Aidan Eller (7 tackles), Houston Nance (6 tackles) and Tristan Jackson (6 tackles) played well on defense.

Class 3A GREENLAND (0-1) at Berryville (0-1): Greenland has won 5 of the past 6 over Berryville. Berryville lost to Mountain View 24-7 last week after falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter. John Butler's 39-yard run provided Berryville's only score.

CLINTON (2-0) at Huntsville (0-1): Huntsville didn't play last week after surrendering 379 yards 2 weeks ago in a 49-12 loss to Lamar. Clinton beat rival Heber Springs 31-14 last week behind Rylan Jones' 339-yard effort. Jones returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a TD and logged 18 carries for 243 yards and 1 TD. Zach Hunt Gonzales chipped in with 116 yards and 1 TD, while safety Kaleb McCarver tied the Yellow Jackets with 8 tackles.

OPEN Green Forest

2-4A

Class 5A Watson Chapel (1-1) at MILLS (2-0): Watson Chapel forfeited this game in the summer.

CLASS 5A HARDING ACADEMY (0-1) at CAC (0-2): Harding Academy trailed Class 6A Marion 12-7 in the third quarter last week before wilting late 37-7. Senior QB Owen Miller threw a 32-yard TD pass to RB Isaac Baker for Harding Academy's score. CAC sophomore Brady Vantilborg caught a TD pass in last week's 41-7 loss at Stuttgart.

Lonoke (1-1) at CLASS 5A WYNNE (1-1): Lonoke lost to Class 5A Jacksonville 8-7 last week, giving up a safety and the winning TD with 2 minutes left. Sophomore QB Dylan Dean hit sophomore Jonathan Hixson for a 42-yard catch and run for a TD at Jacksonville. Wynne beat Forrest City 56-36 last week. RB Christian Wren (14-141-3) and QB Siler Holbrook (13-102-1 rushing) led the offense, while Corbin O'Hara (2 interceptions) and Braylan McDowell (8 tackles, 1 forced fumble) led the defense.

Bald Knob (0-1) at Class 2A DES ARC (2-0): Bald Knob has won 3 of the past 5 over Des Arc, but Des Arc won 26-12 last year. Bald Knob lost to Melbourne 28-0 last week in its opener, giving up 216 yards rushing. But iy forced 3 turnovers. Des Arc opened its season last week with a 46-8 victory over rival Hazen. Des Arc's Jaxson Bethel ran for 2 TDs in the first half.

Class 3A Lake Village (1-0) at HALL STEAM (0-2): Lake Village beat West Bolivar, Miss., 2 weeks ago, while Hall Steam lost to Mena 31-0.

Riverview (0-1) at HIGHLAND (2-0): Riverview lost to Class 2A McCrory 38-19 last week, getting outgained 399-72. Highland beat Mountain Grove, Mo., 14-6 last week behind 2 TDs from Jimmy Jensen.

OPEN Forrest City, Heber Springs

3-4A

Riverview (0-1) at HIGHLAND (2-0): See comment in 2-4A.

Class 5A Batesville (0-1) at SOUTHSIDE (2-0): Southside has won both its previous meetings over neighboring Batesville, including last year 42-10. Southside coach Kenny Simpson says the Southerners played much better in last week's 49-13 win than it did in a 33-32 win over Forrest City in the opener. Senior Owen McLaughlin, who moved from Batesville in the summer, ran for 140 yards in the first half. Senior RB/OLB Louis Calhoun has played this fall, Simpson says. Batesville has lost its 2 games this year by a combined 108-42. Junior QB Cole Bentz passed for 128 yards and 1 TD and ran for another TD in last week's 66-24 loss at Newport.

Class 5A Brookland (1-0) at POCAHONTAS (1-1): Pocahontas beat Greene County Tech by 24 points a week ago, with sophomore Xayver Ballard running for 148 yards and 1 TD, and returning a kickoff 85 yards for a TD. Senior RB D.J. Coffey (25-215-1) played well on offense, while junior Brendyn Arnold returned an interception 50 yards for a TD, and made a 22-yard field goal and all five extra points. Brookland beat Jonesboro Westside 42-0 after jumping a 35-0 advantage in the second quarter 2 weeks ago.

Class 3A Osceola (0-1) at GOSNELL (1-1): These teams have split the past 20 meetings, with Gosnell winning by 22 points a year ago. Gosnell committed 5 turnovers in last week's 28-14 loss at Rivercrest. Junior Aydeyn Cleveland tallied 11 tackles and 1 sack.

Blytheville (0-1) at CLASS 5A NETTLETON (1-1): Blytheville QB Jontavious Johnson was injured 2 weeks ago in a 32-point loss to Mills and he may not be able to play this week, Coach Jett Howard says. WR Derick King, Jr., and TE Chris Hatcher both played well vs. Mills. Nettleton led Beebe late in the second half last week before losing 21-17. Senior QB Maddox Hampton (13-22-171-2) and WR Jorden Simmons (3-108-2) played well on offense, while Keon Stallings (6 tackles) led the defense.

Class 3A Harrisburg (0-2) at TRUMANN (0-2): Harrisburg has scored 6 points this season. Trumann's 2 losses this fall are by a combined 8 points. Trumann RB/OLB Tony Postell, Jr., ran for 156 yards and 2 TDs, scored 2 two-point conversions and made 20 tackles in last week's 29-28 loss to Walnut Ridge, while Brandon Dohm caught an 80-yard TD pass. FB/DT Gavin Cubit registered 3 pancake blocks and 13 tackles.

CLASS 3A MELBOURNE (2-0) at Cave City (2-0): A battle of unbeatens. Melbourne has won 11 of its 13 games over Cave City, including 7 consecutive by a total of 154 points. Cave City is 2-0 for the first time since 2009. Cave City lineman Dakota Barnett earned an 85 percent blocking grade in last week's 42-7 win over Izard County, while Shawn Walling ran for 93 yards and 2 TDs and caught a 31-yard TD pass.

OPEN Jonesboro Westside 

4-4A

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

Class 3A CHARLESTON (0-1) at Ozark (1-1): Charleston has won 14 of the past 19 in the series, but Ozark won by 21 points a year ago. Charleston lost to Pottsville 38-35 last week. QB Carter Little passed for 444 yards and 5 TDs. Ozark QB Coby Wilbanks ran for 108 yards in last week's 31-14 loss to Booneville before injuring his knee. The Hillbillies played 4 QBs in the game. RB/LB Eli Gilstrap led Ozark in rushing (5-59) and in tackles (17 tackles, 2 TFL).

Mansfield (1-1) at LAMAR (1-0): Lamar beat Huntsville by 37 points 2 weeks ago. Kaz Crotts caught 2 TD passes and ran for a TD, while Eli Jones intercepted 2 passes (returned 1 for a TD) and recovered 2 pass break-ups. Mansfield RB Andrew Burton (16-157-3) led Mansfield in last week's 41-8 win over Waldron.

DARDANELLE (1-1) at Nashville (1-1): Dardanelle must rebound after last week's 51-0 loss at Elkins. The Sand Lizards trailed 41-0 in the second quarter. Nashville beat Hope 51-7 on Saturday (game postponed from Friday because of lightning). Junior Zac Harris recorded 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 blocked punt, while Jaydeon Williams had 2 sacks and recovered 1 fumble. Tucker Dixon ran for 121 yards and 2 TDs.

 POTTSVILLE (2-0) at Class 5A Clarksville (0-1): Pottsville squeezed past Charleston 38-35 last week. The Apaches ran for almost 300 yards and Nelson Velasquez nailed a 41-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to set the winning margin. Senior Miller Mahan had 3 TDs and senior tight end Landon McNeely caught a 3-yard TD pass in the third quarter. Clarksville lost to Ozark 31-13 when allowing 279 yards rushing 2 weeks ago.

Stigler, Okla. (0-1) at MENA (2-0): Undefeated Mena faces its toughest test of the year (Stigler lost to Sallisaw 35-21 last week). Mena's Brody Peters ran for 226 yards and 2 TDs in last week's 31-0 win over Hall Steam, while Hunter McClara recorded 15 tackles.

MULDROW, OKLA. (1-0) at Waldron (1-1): Muldrow beat Roland, Okla., a week ago by 33 points. Waldron trailed rival Mansfield 28-0 in the first half last week, losing 41-8.

 7-4A

DARDANELLE (1-1) at Nashville (1-1): See comment in 4-4A.

Class 6A LAKE HAMILTON (1-1) at Arkadelphia (1-1): This is the first meeting of these schools since Lake Hamilton won a regular-season matchup in 1999. Lake Hamilton rolled up 534 yards (429 rushing) in last week's 49-0 win over LR Southwest. Arkadelphia's defense forced 5 Hot Springs turnovers in last week's 52-14 win. Sophomore LB Carson Brawley (9 tackles, 1 fumble recovery) and Amari Ford (9 tackles, 1 interception) led the defense.

Class 5A MAGNOLIA (1-0) at Bauxite (1-1): Magnolia ran 52 times for 179 yards 2 weeks ago to beat Nashville 26-7. Seniors Jamarion Young (24-94) and Ryderius Moore (13-44-1) and junior Walker Carter (13-53-1) gained most of the yardage. Bauxite trailed Monticello 20-13 in the third quarter last week before losing 41-20. Oklahoma commit Marcus Wimberly has taken most of the snaps at QB this fall (TD run at Monticello). Tony Fox ran for a TD, and backup QB Brody Cole hit Chad Robinson for a 19-yard TD late at Monticello.

Malvern (2-0) at STUTTGART (2-0): Malvern rallied from a second-half deficit last week to down rival Glen Rose 34-28. Tavien Clegg led the Leopards with 15 carries, 203 yards and 3 TDs, and 2 caches for 77 yards and 1 TD. Stuttgart senior Deontae Clark caught 7 passes for 121 yards and 4 TDs in last week's 41-7 win over CAC, while sophomore QB Cain Price passed for 313 yards and 4 TDs. DB Landon Bryant had 2 interceptions. “Malvern has the best skill players we've seen,” Stuttgart coach Josh Price says.

Class 3A RISON (1-0) at H.G. Haskell (0-1): Rison shocked the state last week with a dominating 38-16 win over Harmony Grove Ouachita County. Chandler Reeves ran for 161 yards and 2 TDs, while Keyshaun Haywood had 140 yards and 2 TDs. Two weeks ago H.G. Haskell lost to Clinton 28-6.

ASHDOWN (0-1) at Class 5A Hope (0-1): Former Hope defensive coordinator Eryc McCaslin returns as Ashdown's head coach. Ashdown trailed Mills 37-0 in the first half last week, losing 46-0. The Panthers surrendered 612 yards. Hope gave up 51 points against Nashville. The Bobcats managed 54 yards (8 rushing, 46 passing).

Class 3A CENTERPOINT (1-0) at Fountain Lake (0-1): Fountain Lake has beaten Fountain Lake 8 consecutive times. Centerpoint starts 10 seniors on defense, while Fountain Lake starts 10 sophomores on offense. The Cobras missed 47 tackles in last week's 64-28 loss to Smackover, while sophomore QB Cooper Buss passed for 304 yards and 5 TDs.

Class 3A FOUKE (2-0) at Genoa Central (0-1): Undefeated Fouke beat Murfreeboro 39-22 a week ago, with Dylan Sprayberry running for 208 yards and 2 TDs. Genoa Central lost to Class 2A Spring Hill 34-6 2 weeks ago.

8-4A

No. 3 Elkins (2-0) vs. NO. 1 WARREN (1-1) (at Arkansas Tech): See comment in 1-4A.

Malvern (2-0) at STUTTGART (2-0): See comment in 7-4A.

DEWITT (1-0) at Class 5A Jacksonville (1-1): DeWitt beat CAC 31-7 two weeks ago, with RB Korri Graham running for 155 yards and 2 TDs, while QB Justin Ross passed for 138 yards and 1 TD and ran 8 times for 60 yards. Jacksonville's Mason Ball plunged 3 yards for the winning TD with 2 minutes left, then DB Keivon Span intercepted a pass on the final play.

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 led the Lions with 15 tackles, while sophomore QB Kaeden Thomas passed for 189 yards and 2 TDs. 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. RB Tylan Bell ran for 2 TDs.

Crossett (0-2) at OAK GROVE, LA. (3-0): Crossett was outgained 313-241 yards in last week's 19-7 setback to Watson Chapel. QB Cash Forrest passed for 111 yards, while Braylon Howell ran for 78 yards. Oak Grove has outscored opponents 126-18.

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

HELENA (2-0) at Class 3A 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.

 OPEN Monticello