Hooten’s Arkansas Football Rankings

Class 6A, Week 2, 2024

Copyright Seventy Seven's Football Publishing, LLC.

1. Greenwood (2-0)
2. Benton (0-1)
3. Shiloh Christian (2-0)
4. Fort Smith Southside (1-0)
5. Marion (2-0)
6. Mountain Home (2-0)
7. El Dorado (1-1)
8. LR Catholic (1-0)
9. Jonesboro (0-2)
10. Lake Hamilton (1-1)

NOT RANKED
6A East: West Memphis (0-1), Sheridan (1-1), Sylvan Hills (0-2).
6A West: Russellville (1-1), Siloam Springs (1-1), Van Buren (1-1).

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

Sylvan Hills (0-2) at RUSSELLVILLE (1-1) These schools last met in the opening round of the 2018 Class 6A playoffs, when No. 6 seed Sylvan Hills topped No. 3 seed Russellville 31-29 in overtime en route to a state semifinal appearance. Sylvan Hills enters with a 12-game losing streak after suffering a 31-12 loss last week to Class 5A Vilonia. Sylvan Hills QB Tyler Hampton threw for 224 yards and a score against the Eagles. Sylvan Hills led Vilonia 12-10 in the third period before allowing the Eagles to score the game's final 21 points. The Bears boast 2 of the state's top recruits in Malachi Summons and Josiah Rainey, but have struggled so far this fall to replace their 6 top offensive linemen, who graduated in May.

Russellville scored the game's final 10 points last week in a 10-7 victory over Greenbrier. The Cyclones racked up 281 yards (164 passing, 117 rushing) against the Panthers, and won the turnover battle 2-1. Russellville converted 7 of 15 third-down situations while holding Greenbrier to 2 of 9.  Cyclones QB Luke Jones passed for 164 yards and a TD, while Jerahn Brown caught 2 passes for 18 yards. All-conference DL Magnus Golden (3 tackles, including 2 for loss), OLB Jackson Bucher (4 tackles), and MLB Maddix Statham (3 stops) led the defense. The Cyclones boast an advantage up front with Golden leading the defensive line against the rebuilt Sylvan Hills offensive front.

WEEK 2 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS and highlighted)

LAST WEEK Hootens.com correctly picked 8 of 12 games (67 percent) correctly a week ago. Hootens.com has correctly picked 23 of 28 games (82 percent) in 2024.

6A EAST

No. 5 Marion (2-0) at CLASS 7A CONWAY (2-0): This is the first meeting of these schools. Marion is 2-0 for the second consecutive season after scoring the final 25 points in last week's 37-7 victory over Class 5A Harding Academy. Marion outgained Harding Academy 570-202, with 375 rushing yards, including 184 yards and 3 scores from senior TB Jalen Smith. Junior Rico Ward added 80 rushing yards, while Mitrell Lewis caught 7 passes for 82 yards and a score and Jeremy Dent snagged a 52-yard TD pass. LB Jaron Davis recorded 2 sacks, while Zimran Phelix and Chris Byrd added 1, and safety Kajeris Hill had an interception to help Marion's defense hold the Wildcats to their fewest points since 2008. Marion showed improvement from Week 0 to Week 1, but the Wampus Cats seem to be better in most areas this week.

Class 7A North LR (0-1) at NO. 2 BENTON (0-1): The teams are meeting for the first time since North Little Rock won 13-10 in the 1997 Class 4A playoffs. Benton was idle last week after pushing its rival Bryant in the Salt Bowl before losing 52-42. The Panthers took their first lead in more than a decade against the Hornets despite committing 5 turnovers. Benton surrendered 250 rushing yards to Bryant, which outgained Benton 537-474. Benton QB Drew Davis completed 25 of 35 passes for 335 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Maddox Davis caught 11 passes for 113 yards and 3 TDs. Benton proved it can play with the No. 2 team in 7A, and NLR is not as formidable.

JONESBORO (0-2) at DeSoto Central (Miss.): DeSoto Central topped Jonesboro 29-13 last fall. Jonesboro fell behind Joe T. Robinson 15-0 last week in the first quarter before losing 25-17. Jonesboro outgained Robinson 243-222, but lost the turnover battle 2-1. Jonesboro QB Asa Meyers completed 16 of 23 passes for 103 yards and a TD, while tailback T.J. Brown rushed for a game-high 122 yards. Sam King led Jonesboro with 10 tackles. Jonesboro, with revenge on its mind, makes a late play to secure its first win of the season.

NO. 7 EL DORADO (1-1) at Class 5A Texarkana (0-2): These schools last met in the regular-season finale in 2017, with El Dorado winning 28-0. El Dorado lost its opener 21-14 to Little Rock Christian but bounced back with a 35-34 win over Camden Fairview. El Dorado led Fairview 35-21 late in the fourth quarter but had to block the potential game-tying extra point with 1:40 left in regulation. Jeremy Samuel rushed for 103 yards and 3 scores, while QB Cannon Jacobs completed 10 of 17 passes for 190 yards. We think the Wildcats' balanced offense creates enough big plays to win this south Arkansas showdown. 

Class 5A VALLEY VIEW (2-0) at W. Memphis (0-1): This is the first meeting of these schools. West Memphis allowed the game's last 27 points 2 weeks ago in a 34-7 defeat at Class 5A Hot Springs. The Blue Devils rolled up 238 yards (135 passing and 103 rushing) at Hot Springs. Cameron Quarrels has solidified a starting role for the Blue Devils after transferring from Maumelle over the summer. West Memphis made strides on offense during a bye week, but the Blazers will be able to control the ball and finish long drives.

Sylvan Hills (0-2) at RUSSELLVILLE (1-1): See Hootens.com Game of the Week.

CLASS 7A ROGERS at Sheridan (1-1) (Thursday): This is the first meeting between these schools. Sheridan won its opener, but fell behind 42-20 at halftime in a 56-27 loss to Hot Springs Lakeside last Friday. Three Sheridan receivers eclipsed 100 yards receiving against Lakeside: Payton Sterritt (153 yards), Zay Stephens (105 yards) and Wylie DePriest (108 yards with a TD); QB Dax McMellon complete 25 of 44 passes for 408 yards and 3 TDs. Jaxson Delk and Jacob Pilkington led Sheridan in tackles with 8. Sheridan will move the ball Thursday night, but Rogers presents size issues.

No. 8 LR Catholic (1-0) vs. NOLAN (TEXAS) CATHOLIC (2-0) (Saturday): Nolan Catholic topped LR Catholic 36-34 in overtime in 2021. LR Catholic escaped Texarkana 20-15 2 weeks ago after leading 14-0 at halftime. Rockets QB Jackson England hit Landon Roaf with 15 seconds left for the game-winning score when Catholic trailed 15-14 after committing 3 second-half turnovers. Nolan Catholic owns wins over Bishop Dunne (42-13) and Grace Prep (54-42), and it makes the last play this week to knock off the Rockets.

6A WEST

No. 1 GREENWOOD (2-0) at Class 7A Har-Ber (1-1): These teams last met in 2020, when Greenwood blanked Har-Ber 33-0 Week 2. Greenwood's winning streak hit 15 consecutive games with last week's 58-0 shutout of Class 7A Fort Smith Northside. The Bulldogs scored on their first 6 possessions and led 44-0 at halftime behind junior QB Kane Archer, who completed 20 of 25 passes for 316 yards and 3 TDs. Greenwood won its 63rd consecutive game at Smith-Robinson Stadium and the Bulldogs extend the streak to 64 this week as the defense continues to finetune technique and tackling.

No. 3 SHILOH CHRISTIAN (2-0) at Lincoln Christian (Okla.) (2-0): These teams have split their past 2 meetings, with Lincoln Christian winning a season ago. Shiloh scored a 44-40 victory at Class 7A Little Rock Christian, when Chandler Kemp caught the game-winning TD on the game's final play. Little Rock Christian led Shiloh 26-15 at halftime, and the second half featured 3 lead changes. Shiloh's emerging offensive line continues its good play and helps the Saints claim a road victory.

Sylvan Hills (0-2) at RUSSELLVILLE (1-1): See Hootens.com Game of the Week.

No. 10 Lake Hamilton (1-1) at CLASS 4A ARKADELPHIA (1-1): The teams last met in 1999, with Lake Hamilton winning. Lake Hamilton beat Little Rock Southwest 49-0 last week, its first shutout since a 41-0 win over Hot Springs in 2021. Lake Hamilton rolled up 534 yards against Southwest, including 429 on the ground, led by Hayden Barton's 222 yards and 3 TDs. QB Landon West completed 4 of 5 passes for 105 yards and a score. Caleb Rouse led the Wolves with 8 tackles (2 for losses) while Hagan Tyler and David Dalton recorded sacks. Lake Hamilton’s running ability ball keeps it in this game, but the Badgers will make more big plays to win.

Rolla (Mo.) (1-1) at NO. 6 MOUNTAIN HOME (2-0): Mountain Home seeks its first 3-0 start since 2011 this week after it beat Harrison for the second consecutive season. The Bombers led 17-0 at halftime en route to a 30-14 win at Garrison Stadium. Mountain Home got 3 TDs from QB Brantlee Phillips, including a 79-yard scoring strike to Talan Palmer, and 2 TD runs. Barrett Miller added a 6-yard TD run, and Isaac Ballard hit a 33-yard field goal for the Bombers. 

Class 7A LR Central (0-1) at NO. 4 FS SOUTHSIDE (1-0): Southside was idle last week after opening with a 34-27 victory over Fort Smith Northside in the Battle for Rogers Avenue. The Mavericks trailed 21-0 in the first half and took the lead for good with 1:24 left in the third quarter on a 21-yard run by Jayden Webb. Southside returns 3 starters from last season, but the Mavericks adapted well in the opener, and that continues this week against a Central team that has lost 32 consecutive games.

Class 5A GREENBRIER (1-1) at Van Buren (1-1): These teams split their 2 previous meetings when they were members of the 6A West. Van Buren winning 40-14 in 2022, while Greenbrier beat Van Buren 58-27 in 2023.  Class 7A Springdale topped Van Buren 49-28 last week despite senior receiver Trenton Cooley (14-251 receiving, 2 TDs) setting a program record in receiving yards. TB Cam Keller ran for 86 yards and a TD, while sophomore QB Hayden Williford passed for 355 yards and 3 scores. Van Buren can move the ball on anyone, but Greenbrier seems poised to be able to slow down the Pointers attack after holding Russellville to 10.

SILOAM SPRINGS (1-1) at Class 5A Pea Ridge (0-2): Siloam Springs allowed 28 first-half points in last week's 28-14 loss to Class 5A Alma. The game was tied 7-7 after QB Dane Marlatt hit Mikey McKinley for a TD, but Alma scored the next 3 TDs to lead 28-7 at halftime. Siloam Springs capped the scoring on Ryan Estacio's 19-yard TD run in the third quarter.