Hooten's Arkansas Football Rankings

Class 4A, Week 3, 2023

Copyright Seventy Seven's Publishing

1. Malvern (2-1)
2. Warren (2-0)
3. Harding Academy (2-0)
4. Elkins (3-0)
5. Rivercrest (1-2)
6. Nashville (2-1)
7. McGehee (2-0)
8. Arkadelphia (0-3)
9. Gosnell (3-0)
10. CAC (3-0)
11. Ozark (2-1)
12. Stuttgart (2-1)
13. Lamar (3-0)
14. DeWitt (3-0)
15. Ashdown (2-1)
16. Crossett (2-1)
17. Pottsville (2-1)
18. Monticello (1-2)
19. H.G. Haskell (1-2)
20. Bauxite (1-2)
21. Clinton (3-0)
22. Blytheville (1-2)
23. Star City (0-3)
24. Gentry (2-1)
25. Lonoke (1-2)
26. Lincoln (3-0)
27. Mena (2-1)
28. Hamburg (1-2)
29. Trumann (1-1)
30. Gravette (1-2)
31. Dumas (2-0)
32. Pocahontas (0-3)
33. Heber Springs (0-2)
34. Bald Knob (1-2)
35. Highland (2-1)
36. Mayflower (2-0)
37. Huntsville (0-3)
38. LR Hall (0-2)
39. Riverview (0-3)
40.Jonesboro Westside (0-2)
41. Green Forest (1-1)
42. Berryville (1-1)
43. Cave City (0-3)
44. Dover (2-1)
45. Harrisburg (0-2)
46. Helena (0-3)
47. Waldron (0-3)

WEEK 3 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly predicted 26 of 32 games (81 percent) of games involving 4A teams, and for the season has correctly predicted 84 of 102 games (82 percent).

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
Class 3A No. 1 Booneville (1-1) at No. 3 HARDING ACADEMY (2-0):

Harding Academy has won all 4 meetings over Booneville (3 in the playoffs and last season in Week 3 by 30 points). The Wildcats have beaten Class 5A No. 5 Valley View and Class 3A No. 4 Camden Harmony Grove by a combined 93-47. Junior QB Owen Miller (20-28 passing, 327 yards, 3 TDs) led the way in a 55-40 win over Valley View, with senior Kyler Hoover (10-168 receiving, 2 TDs), junior Isaac Baker (17-130 rushing, 2 TDs) and senior Wyatt Simmons (2 TDs) acting as primary contributors. The Wildcats led Camden Harmony Grove 38-0 early in the third quarter of a 38-7 win. Miller passed for 136 yards and ran for 82 yards and 2 TDs, while Baker had 11 carries for 133 yards and 2 TDs.

Booneville beat rival Ozark 48-35 in the opener before losing last week to Class 5A Camden Fairview 30-22. The Bearcats tied the game at 8-8 in the second quarter when senior Dax Goff (27-143 rushing) threw a 13-yard TD pass on a trick play, then ran in the 2-point conversion. Booneville got contributions from Conner Lentz (9-70 rushing; 13-yard TD reception) and 15 carries for 63 yards and 1 TD from senior Rylen Ray who missed last season with an ACL injury.

1-4A
Class 3A Cedarville (0-2) at GREEN FOREST (1-1): Green Forest has won 4 of the past 7 over Cedarville, including last season by 10 points. The Tigers didn't play last week, and 2 weeks ago beat Greenland 56-52. Junior QB Mason Meador completed 11 of 15 passes for 194 yards and 2 TDs against Greenland, and ran for a TD. Junior Ridge Gordon-Swofford led Green Forest with 36 carries for 171 yards and 5 TDs. Gordon-Swofford has rushed for 385 yards and 7 TDs this year, while Colton Fancher is the second-leading tackler. Cedarville lost to 2A Mountainburg 17-8 last week.

OPEN Berryville, Gentry, Gravette, Elkins, Huntsville, Lincoln and Ozark.

2-4A
Class 3A Booneville (1-1) at HARDING ACADEMY (2-0): Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week.

5A Forrest City (1-1) at STUTTGART (2-1): Forrest City beat Lonoke by 14 points last week. Junior QB Dakwon Scott (87 yards passing, 1 TD; 35 rushing); sophomore Kevin Young (9-80 rushing, 2 TDs) and junior Montrel Matthews (58 rushing, 1 TD) led the Mustangs. Stuttgart slipped past Newport 33-14 a week ago. Versatile junior DeOntae Clark (6-111 rushing, 2 TDs; 5-144 receiving, 1 TD; 1 INT.) starred for the Ricebirds. There were strong contributions fro QB Cain Price (16-19 passing, 298 yards, 2 TDs), Ross Atkinson (TD reception), Julius Gaither (7 tackles, 1 forced fumble), Tank Hood (3 TFL) and Demari McKinney (3 TFL).

HEBER SPRINGS (0-2) at Jonesboro Westside (0-2): Heber Springs trailed Class 5A Southside 28-3 in the second quarter last week before losing 49-10. Junior Carter Julian led the Wildcats defense with 10 tackles. Jonesboro Westside didn't play last week, and has lost to Class 5A Brookland and Class 3A Hoxie by a combined 81-6. The Warriors gave up 329 yards 2 weeks ago against Hoxie.

Riverview (0-3) at MENA (2-1): These teams have never played. Mena's 2 wins this fall are over winless De Queen and 3A Centerpoint. Mena lost at Lincoln 45-42 a week ago. Junior Michael Sullivan (2 rushing TDs, TD pass) teamed with his twin, Sean Sullivan (10-106 receiving, 1 TD) to spark the offense. Jaxon Baber (3 INTs, 1 TD) led the defense. Riverview has lost to H.G. Haskell, Highland and Salem this fall by a combined 123-43.

3A BARTON (2-1) at Bald Knob (1-1): Barton has won 5 of the past 7 in the series, including 32-24 last season. Barton blasted Marianna 53-14 a week ago. Ne'Taveus Johnson had 3 carries (all went for TDs), while La'Davion Willis caught a TD pass and returned an interception 39 yards for a TD. Braylon Harvey ran 7 times for 50 yards and contributed 7 tackles and 1 forced fumble. Bald Knob lost to Class 2A No. 2 Des Arc a week ago 26-12.

3A C. HARMONY GROVE (1-2) at Cave City (0-3): Camden Harmony Grove clobbered Cave City a year ago by 40 points. But the Hornets must rebound after consecutive tough losses to powerhouses Harding Academy (38-7) and Haynesville, La., (21-20). Winless Cave City has lost to Clinton, Walnut Ridge and Melbourne by a combined 112-24. Shawn Walling (18-132 rushing, 1 TD) leads the offense; Millie Beller has made all 3 extra points and a 33-yard field goal. Christopher Robinson averages 12 tackles per week, and Tristan Wiles logged 12 tackles in last week's 24-17 setback to Melbourne.

OPEN Lonoke

3-4A
HEBER SPRINGS (0-2) at Jonesboro Westside (0-2): See comment in 2-4A.

3A Newport (1-2) at TRUMANN (1-1): These teams have split the past 4 meetings with Trumann winning last season by 12 points; 21 years ago, Newport notched a 25-22 double-OT thriller in the 2002 playoffs. Newport ran 47 times for 278 yards but fumbled 2 times in last week's 33-14 loss to Stuttgart. Trumann beat Manila last week 27-0. The offense was sparked by Jake Osment (18-144 rushing, 3 TDs) and Cade Hatton (16-121 rushing 1 TD). Hatton had 1 interception to lead the defense, along with Jonathan Vazquez (12 tackles); while Carson Smith and Gavin Cubit each made 10 stops.

3A Manila (0-3) at HARRISBURG (0-2): Manila gets outscored by an average of 43-12 this fall. Harrisburg has lost to 2A Cross County (42-12) and 3A Palestine-Wheatley (22-16) this fall. Junior Max Tracy passed for 122 yards and 1 TD vs. Palestine-Wheatley, while senior Trey Blackwood ran 9 times for 71 yards.

OPEN Blytheville, Gosnell, Highland, Pocahontas and Rivercrest.
4-4A
NO. 10 CAC (3-0) at H.G. Haskell (1-2): Defending conference champion H.G. Haskell must rebound from last week's 28-21 loss at Pottsville. Jacobe Nobles led Haskell's defense with 6 tackles and 1 sack. CAC junior QB Grayson Wilson threw 6 TD passes and ran for a TD in last week's 50-45 win over Bauxite. Wilson hit sophomore Tyler Blakely on the winning TD pass in the final minutes, and threw a 2-point conversion pass to Hudson Ritchie, who caught 2 TD passes. Blakely also caught a 35-yard TD on a deflected pass.

LAMAR (3-0) at Bauxite (1-2): Lamar led 34-6 at halftime, cruising to a 41-12 win over Dover. QB Caleb Green (3-5 passing, 58 yards, TD; 2 rushing TDs) led the offense, along with Jarrett Dalton (79 rushing, 1 TD). Junior DL Drayke Boen registered 6 tackles and 1 sack. Bauxite had 5 unsuccessful conversion attempts after TDs in last week's 50-45 loss at CAC. Bauxite junior Marcus Wimberly ran for a TD, caught a TD pass and threw a TD. QB Eli Perry threw 4 TD passes.

CLINTON (3-0) at Mayflower (2-0): Clinton beat Mayflower last season, the first meeting between those programs in 2 decades. Zane Widner (17-240 rushing, 4 TDs, 2-91 punt returns; 5 tackles) led the way in Clinton's 48-23 win over Hall Steam. The Yellow Jackets rushed 58 times for 531 yards. Mayflower has won its 2 games this fall over Class 3A teams Smackover and Drew Central by a combined 81-16.

POTTSVILLE (2-1) at Hall Steam (0-2): Pottsville impressed last week with come-from-behind 7-point victory over H.G. Haskell. The Apaches trailed 14-0 in the second quarter. Hall Steam's Jakorei Foreman-Carter (passing TD, rushing TD; 8 tackles, 1 forced fumble) shined in last week's 25-point loss at Clinton. Justin Dickerson caught a 60-yard TD pass, and tailback/linebacker Rico Baker played well. Hall has 5 seniors on its roster.

OPEN Dover

7-4A
Riverview (0-3) at MENA (2-1): See comment in 3-4A.

DESOTO (MISS.) CENTRAL (2-0) at No. 1 Malvern (1-1):
Malvern picked up a 1-point win at Class 5A Hot Springs Lakeside last week when Lakeside's 2-point play fell short in the final minute. Senior Jalen Dupree (25-262 rushing, 3 TDs) and senior Dyelon Caradine (7-167 receiving, 2 TDs). Desoto won at Class 7A Jonesboro last week 29-13.

3A Charleston (0-2) at NO. 6 NASHVILLE (2-1): Defending 3A champion Charleston looks for its first victory. The Tigers trailed 14-7 in the third quarter after sophomore QB Carter Little threw a TD pass to Eli Huck in a 28-7 loss to Ozark. Nashville beat De Queen 49-0 last week. Senior Tre Hopkins (13-86 rushing, 3 TDs); Tucker Dixon (7-93 rushing, 2 TDs) and sophomore QB Karson Chambers (14-22 passing, 120 yards, 1 TD; 6-65 rushing, 1 TD) led the offense. Zaccheus Harris led the defense with 5 tackles and 2 TFL.

Idabel, Okla. (2-0) at ASHDOWN (2-1): Ashdown must refocus after last week's 14-12 loss to 5A Hope (first loss in series in 8 years). The Panthers failed to convert a 2-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game in the fourth quarter. The defense held Hope to 278 yards. Ashdown beat Idabel by 9 points last season. Idabel's scheduled game last week with Broken Bow, Okla., was canceled because of weather.

3A MANSFIELD (2-0) at Waldron (0-3): Mansfield has won 14 of the past 21 over its former conference opponent. Waldron committed 4 turnovers (2 were turned into scores) in last week's 47-0 loss to Fouke. Undefeated Mansfield didn't play last week, and beat Magazine and Paris by a combined 103-9 in its opening 2 games.

OPEN Arkadelphia

8-4A
Star City (0-3) at NO. 2 WARREN (2-0): Star City hasn't beaten Warren since 2010, with Warren pulling out a 28-27 win in overtime a year ago. Star City led Crossett 14-0 early last week before losing 35-28. The Bulldogs ran for 415 yards, with Peyton Taylor picking up 166 yards. Latrell Burris led Star City in tackles. Warren didn't play last week after beating Class 5A White Hal 34-27. Junior Cody Weatherspoon intercepted a pass in the final minute to preserve the win over White Hall, while freshman QB Jackson Denton completed 19 of 29 passes for 285 yards and 3 TDs.

Monticello (1-2) at NO. 7 MCGEHEE (2-0): Monticello QB Brooks Bowman (20-34 passing, 297 yards, 5 TDs) teamed with receivers Evan Bealer (11-110 receiving 2 TDs) and Tejon Tensley (5-113, 2 TDs) in a 49-39 loss to DeWitt. Laytn Nichols made 11 tackles, including 2 TFL. McGehee edged past Hamburg 29-28 a week ago, holding Hamburg to 333 yards (235 rushing, 98 passing). Quarterback senior Ky Bell (18-36 rushing, 2 TDs) scored the winning TD and 2-point conversion late in the fourth quarter.

CROSSETT (2-1) at Hamburg (0-3): Hamburg has won 12 of the past 21 in the Battle of Ashley County, but Crossett has won the past 2 years by a combined 60 points. Crossett trailed Star City early last week before rebounding for a 35-28 win. Crossett was led by QB Max Brooks (221 passing yards, 2 TDs; 136 rushing, 3 TDs), Taylin Paskel (7-132 receiving, 1 TD; blocked FG) and Max Taunton (9 tackles and 1 fumble recovery). Hamburg senior RB/LB Willis Robinson (10-148 rushing, 2 TDs; 5 tackles) and sophomore receiver KB Brown (2-68 receiving; 68-yard KO return TD) were prominent in Hamburg's 1-point loss to McGehee.

Helena (0-3) at DEWITT (3-0): DeWitt has won 3 of the past 5 in the series. Travis London and Justin Ross each ran for 2 TDs in DeWitt's 10-point win at Monticello a week ago. Helena committed 3 turnovers in last week's 35-8 loss to Dumas.

3A Lake Village (1-1) at DUMAS (2-0): Dumas has won this nonconference matchup 13 of the past 17 seasons. Dumas senior QB Joseph Jones ran for 3 TDs and junior Tylan Bell ran for 2 TDs in last week's 35-8 win at Helena. Junior free safety Chancey Dale had 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery. Senior linebacker Jerry McGehee (8 tackles) and senior end Malcolm Crompton (2 tackles, 1 sack) fortified the defense.

CLASS 2A-4A NONCONFERENCE

4A BERRYVILLE (1-1) at Magazine (1-2): This will be the first meeting between these teams. The Magazine Rattlers got their first win last week, beating Danville 32-20. Kolton McCubbin ran for 150 yards and 2 TDs. Ethan Vasquez rushed for a TD and caught another. “The offense line controlled the game all night,” Magazine Coach Ryan Chambers said.