Hootens.com

Class 2A Rankings

Week 4, 2024

1. Carlisle (3-0)

2. Conway Christian (3-0)

3. Junction City (1-2)

4. Marked Tree (2-1)

5. Des Arc (2-1)

6. McCrory (3-0)

7. Bigelow (1-2)

8. Mineral Springs (1-2)

9. Poyen (2-1)

10. Cross County (2-1)

11. Hector (2-1)

12. East Poinsett County (1-2)

13. Murfreesboro (1-2)

14. Mount Ida (2-1)

15. England (1-2)

16. Earle (1-2)

17. Gurdon (1-2)

18. Lafayette County (2-1)

19. Baptist Prep (3-0)

20. Mountainburg (1-2)

Not ranked:

1-2A: Mountain Pine (1-2), JC Westside (1-1), Magazine (1-1)

2-2A: Izard County Consolidated (0-3), Marianna (0-2)

3-2A: Spring Hill (1-1), Dierks (2-1), Foreman (0-3)

4-2A: Bearden (1-2), Hampton (2-1), Hazen (0-3), Clarendon (0-2)

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com correctly predicted 12 of 14 games involving Class 2A teams and for the season has correctly predicted 66 of 77 games (86 percent).

WEEK 4 PREDICTIONS (favored teams in ALL CAPS)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 19 Baptist Prep (3-0) at NO. 1 CARLISLE (3-0):

Baptist Prep is off to its best start since going 3-0 in 2021. That season ended 5-5, but the Eagles still missed the playoffs. Baptist Prep beat Class 3A LR Episcopal 26-19 last week. QB Nick Cummings threw for 2 TDs and ran for another. Aaron Fielder had 9 receptions for 105 yards and 2 TDS. Coach Riley Perkins gave props to the offensive line of Nathan Self, Chase Rhodes, Carson Wake, Logan Place and Carter O’Dell as the Eagles ran for 215 yards, led by Jacob Dunn (25-118 rushing). “They are an incredibly talented team and very disciplined,” Perkins said of top-ranked Carlisle. “I think Coach [Gary] Wilson has proven why he’s one of the best coaches in the state and always has his guys ready and prepared to play. They are the top team in the class for a reason. It will be an incredibly tough game for us, but we are excited for the opportunity on Friday.”

The Bison are coming off a 30-8 win over Des Arc. Carlisle’s defense shut down Des Arc’s strong running game. And when it did pass, Isaiah Powell returned an INT for a touchdown for the second time this season. Bison QB Ty Tanksley passed for 155 yards on 10 of 15 attempts. Carlisle kicker Jimmy Cham missed a PAT but kicked a 31-yard FG in the second half. WR Kaidon Clingmon caught 7 passes for 138 yards. 

Carlisle's Wilson said the Bisons are not taking Baptist Prep lightly.  “They are definitely improved,” Wilson said. “We played against the Flexbone last Friday and we’ll turn around and play against the Air Raid. They’ve got a receiver who has done a really good job. ... We’ll have to cover really well. Offensively, we’ll have to continue to execute and not turn the ball over, I think we’ll be OK.”  Playing at home gives tradition-rich Carlisle the advantage. Baptist Prep is an upstart, and the Eagles could make it interesting if they run the ball against the Bison like they did against Episcopal. But Carlisle has too many weapons.

1-2A

NO. 2 CONWAY CHRISTIAN (3-0) at Mountainburg (1-2): The Eagles were idle last week after posting a 27-24 win in Week 2 over Class 3A Atkins. QB Jeryn Thomas passed for 129 yards and ran for 85 yards and 2 TDs. Aaron Lovelace and Brady Dominos also scored for Conway Christian. Mountainburg fell to Class 3A Hackett 47-0, and Coach Zach Dean said his team lost several players to injury against Hackett. "It’ll be a tough test,” Deans said.

NO. 7 BIGELOW (1-2) at Magazine (1-1): Defending state champion Bigelow was idle last week after a 30-12 loss to Perryville. Bigelow QB Martell Macon rushed for 117 yards and a TD, and Jayden Dunlap led the Panthers with 11 tackles. “Magazine is a physical team,” Coach Luke Starks said. Magazine evened its record 2 weeks ago with a 6-0 win over Two Rivers. Kolton McCubbin rushed for 137 yards and scored the game’s only TD. The Rattlers held Two Rivers to negative yards rushing. 

HECTOR (2-1) at Mountain Pine (1-2): Hector dismantled Class 3A Danville 42-16 with QB Drew Davenport passing for 188 yards and 3 TDs and Lucas Baker (95 rushing, TD; 4-131 receiving, 2 TDs) contributing. Zeke Julian led the defense with 7 tackles. “Mountain Pine is an athletic team,” Coach Trevor Cooper said. “It’s our first time playing them. We’re going to have to tackle well and sustain drives on offense to keep our defense off the field.” Mountain Pine beat Cutter Morning Star 60-32 two weeks ago, with Zach Middleton (206 rushing, 3 TDs) and QB Cale Slaten (119 passing, 2 TDs; 136 rushing, 2 TDs) leading the way. “They are well-coached and play mistake-free football,” Hector Coach Darrel Scott said. “We look forward to the challenge.”

JC Westside (1-1) at MOUNT IDA (2-1): JC Westside was idle last week but beat Class 3A Cedarville 36-14 two weeks ago. QB Cooper Hilton passed for 3 TDs and ran for another. Coach Jeff Stewart said his team is not healthy. “And it may be a while before we are,” Mount Ida rushed for 518 yards during a 37-7 rout of a young Bearden team. Coach Mike White gave credit to his offensive line: Eli McCullough, Ty Spier, Andy Black, Duncan Standridge and Brady Rowland. Ben Woodfield had 179 yards rushing while Dakota Beech had 140. 

2-2A

Marianna (0-2) at NO. 4 MARKED TREE (2-1): Administrators at Marianna made the decision to forfeit last week's matchup with Palestine-Wheatley. Marked Tree was idle last week after beating Gurdon 42-14 two weeks ago. TJ Hodges (10-278 rushing, 4 TDs) led the way against Gurdon. 

NO. 5 DES ARC (2-1) at Earle (1-2): Des Arc couldn’t get anything going in a 30-8 loss to No. 1 Carlisle last week. Their only points came in the fourth quarter after the game was decided. Daviyon Bell scored a TD and 2-point conversion. “Earle will be one of the most athletic teams we face all year, so we have to play fundamentally sound and make plays in space,” Coach Brandon Barbaree said. Earle defeated Class 3A Barton 66-22. QB Taron Hurst passed for 214 yards and 3 TDs and ran for another 3. Brian Powell rushed for 127 yards. “Des Arc is a very well-coached team,” Earle Coach AC Coleman said. “Coach Barbaree does a great job of getting his kids to execute his system. We will have to play mistake-free football and produce offensively.”

EPC (1-2) at Izard County (0-3): EPC beat 3A Manila 32-13 last week. Jacob Gaines rushed for 72 yards and a TD. Eli Blag rushed for 2 TDs and passed for another. Quincy Perry and Ashton Reel each had an INT. Izard County continues to struggle in its first foray into 11-man football. They fell to 42-0 two weeks ago. 

No. 10 Cross County (2-1) at NO. 6 MCCRORY (3-0): Cross County beat Piggot 50-12 two weeks ago. Caden Crawford had 110 yards rushing and a TD and Dayvion Simmons had 103 yards and a TD. Rico Coffey added 2 TDs. Angel Cash and Will Bezzard had 6 tackles each. McCrory beat Hazen 22-14. Leevi Tucker had 120 yards rushing and 2 TDs; Jakavin Stegall had 60 yards and 1 TD. 

3-2A

Foreman (0-3) at NO. 3 JUNCTION CITY (1-2): Foreman played its best game yet 2 weeks ago in a 26-22 loss to Horatio. Rylan Johnson caught a 54-yard TD pass from Kaylon Easter. Brody Bearden returned a fumble 25 yards for a TD. “It will be a challenge,” Foreman Coach Adrian Ivory said. “They are athletic, big, physical and well-coached.” Junction City bounced back from its loss to Carlisle to beat Smackover 17-15 two weeks ago. Brady Penister rushed for 104 yards and 2 TDs against Smackover. Cole Hanry kicked a 21-yard FG in the third quarter, which turned out to be the deciding points.  

Spring Hill (1-1) at NO. 8 MINERAL SPRINGS (1-2): Spring Hill fell to Centerpoint 26-7 last week. Jaxon Smith scored the Bears’ lone TD on a 2-yard run. Mineral Springs rushed for close to 500 yards in a 54-49 win over Quitman. QB Evan Erwin rushed for 102 yards and passed for 109 yards and 2 TDs. Javeon Fricks rushed for 118 yards and 2 TDs and caught 2 TD passes. 

MURFREESBORO (1-2) at Gurdon (1-2): Murfreesboro beat Genoa Central 40-6 for its first win. Brody Maroon rushed for 119 yards and a TD; Bubba Stinson scored 2 TDs and Kale Burns caught 2 TD passes. “They are very physical and are going to line up and run it right at you,” Murfreesboro Coach Brad Chessir said. Gurdon fell to Marked Tree 42-14 two weeks ago. “We played soft with not much pride and full of mistakes,” Gurdon Coach Kyle Jackson said, whose team was without 6 starters against the Indians. “Hopefully, we will have every kid back other than one. We are going to have to get our defensive issues fixed and offensively do not turn the ball over or it will be the same result this week.” 

LAFAYETTE COUNTY (2-1) at Dierks (2-1): Lafayette County beat Horato 28-0 last week. Jordan Walters (111 rushing, TD) and Rod Bailey (200 total yards, 70-yard TD reception) led the offense. Ricardo Wimbley had 13 tackles, including 5 for loss. Elijah Martin returned a fumble for a TD. “Dierks has a real good team and a great coaching staff,” Cougars Coach Adrian Ivory said. “We are going to have to continue playing well defensively. It’s going to be a good game between 2 tough, hard-nosed teams.” Dierks beat Parker’s Chapel 58-8 two weeks ago. Jordan Hill rushed for 226 yards and 3 TD. Drake Thatcher had 101 yards and a TD. Juan Salazar rushed and caught TDs. “We have our hands full,” Dierks Coach Paul Ernest said. 

4-2A

Baptist Prep (3-0) at CARLISLE (3-0): See Hooten.com Game of the Week, above.

NO. 9 POYEN (2-1) at England (1-2): Poyen fell to Magnet Cove 34-26 two weeks ago. Colt Barrett passed for 145 yards and 2 TDs. He also rushed for a score. Alejandro Guzman rushed for 81 yards and a TD. “We were in conference together a few cycles ago,” Poyen Coach Vick Barrett said. “It’s always a tough place to play. The bye week hit a great time for us. The kids are ready to start a new season and work towards the playoffs.” England lost to Class 3A Mayflower 42-0 two weeks ago. DJ Turner had a 63-yard kick return. Trent Arnold led the Lions with 5 tackles.

BEARDEN (1-2) at Hazen (0-3): Bearden fell to Mount Ida 37-6 on Friday night. Matthew Chambers had 88 yards rushing and the lone TD. Jai’Shawn Turner had 5 tackles. “I believe we will bounce back this week,” Bearden Coach Brandon Austin said. “We’ve battled injuries to key players over the past 2 weeks. Everyone will be back and available this week. Hazen was able to keep up with McCrory before falling 22-14 last week. JJ Pinkney continues to star for the Hornets as he scored both TDs. Phoenix Ervin led the way with 24 tackles. A year ago, Bearden gave Hazen fits in a 30-12 loss. 

 Clarendon (0-2) at HAMPTON (2-1): Clarendon comes off a 38-6 loss to McCrory 2 weeks ago. Rod Stewart scored the Lions’ lone TD. Clarendon Coach Mark Courtney said Hampton does things well. “We have to take care of us right now,” he said. “We have to get a lot more consistent on some things. We are young and figuring it out. We just need to hurry up on a few things.” Hampton is 2-1 for the first time since 2018 after beating Two Rivers 32-0 last week. Tre Lambert rushed for 124 yards and 3 TDs. Gus Sweeney had 5 tackles, 2 pass breakups and an INT. Deondre Smith rushed for 50 yards and returned an interception for a TD.