Hootens.com 

Class 4A Rankings

Week 4, 2024

1. Elkins (3-0)

2. Arkadelphia (1-2)

3. Warren (1-2)

4. Mills (3-0)

5. Prairie Grove (2-1)

6. Ozark (2-1)

7. Malvern (3-0)

8. DeWitt (2-1)

9. Highland (2-0)

10. Southside (3-0)

11. Gravette (3-0)

12. Dardanelle (2-1)

13. Stuttgart (2-1)

14. Monticello (2-1)

15. Clinton (3-0)

16. Pottsville (3-0)

17. Nashville (1-2)

18. Star City (3-0)

19. Hamburg (3-0)

20. Bauxite (1-2)

Not Ranked

1-4A: Berryville (0-3), Gentry (3-0), Green Forest (1-2), Huntsville (1-2), Lincoln (3-0)

2-4A: Bald Knob (0-3), CAC (0-3), Forrest City (0-3), Hall Steam (1-2), Heber Springs (1-2), Lonoke (0-3), Riverview (0-2)

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

4-4A: Mena (3-0), Dover (1-2), Lamar (2-1), Waldron (1-2)

7-4A: Ashdown (1-2), Fountain Lake (1-2), Genoa Central (0-3), HG Haskell (0-3)

8-4A: Crossett (0-3), Hamburg (3-0), Helena (3-0)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

NO. 3 WARREN (1-2) at No. 8 DeWitt (2-1): Warren has never lost a conference game to DeWitt. This matchup decided the 8-4A title last year (Warren won 39-23). But the Lumberjacks have struggled this season, sandwiching a win over White Hall around losses to Class 5A Greenbrier and Elkins, ranked No. 1 in 4A. Elkins scored 2 early defensive TDs 2 weeks ago, to cruise to a 49-14 decision. Senior receiver Antonio Jordan caught 8 passes for 141 yards, while senior QB Cam Burks passed for 314 yards.

DeWitt led McGehee 21-14 in the fourth quarter last week before giving up a long TD run and 2-point conversion. Senior QB Justin Ross ran for 77 yards and 2 TDs, while junior Korri Graham ran for 69 yards. “DeWitt is hard-nosed, they play so hard,” Warren Coach Bo Hembree says.

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com predicted 12 of 16 games (75 percent) last week involving 5A teams, and for the season has predicted 100 of 125 games (80 percent).

WEEK 4 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)

1-4A

NO. 1 ELKINS (3-0) at Gentry (3-0): A battle of unbeatens. Elkins mercy-ruled then-No. 1 ranked Warren 2 weeks ago at Arkansas Tech. QB Ben Napier passed for 142 yards and 3 TDs while WR Landon Martin caught 5 passes for 100 yards and 3 TDs. Junior RB/S Ja'Quae Walden ran for 175 yards, registered 4 tackles and recorded a TD on a scoop and score. Gentry senior RB Ben Roberts (40-298-8 rushing) and senior WR Caydon Koons (17-273-4) have been playmakers for the Pioneers. Junior QB Talan Williams has passed for 639 yards and 7 TDs without an interception.

Lincoln (3-0) at GRAVETTE (3-0): Another battle of unbeatens. Lincoln led West Fork 24-18 at halftime 2 weeks ago before pulling away 46-18. Senior Colt Cushing caught 4 passes for 109 yards and 2 TDs, while JR Hall caught 2 TD passes. Lincoln forced 4 turnovers. Gravette's defense has allowed 32 points this fall. Senior LB Jacob Gaylord (29 tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 sack and 2 forced fumbles) leads the defense. Gravette RB Gabe Holmes has rushed for 434 yards and 11 TDs.

HUNTSVILLE (1-2) at Berryville (0-3): Huntsville has won 17 of the past 21 in the series. The Eagles picked up their first win last week (8-6 over West Fork) since late October 2022. Huntsville's defense forced 5 turnovers, including an interception from Brett Henderson to seal it late in the fourth quarter. QB Kolby Phillips threw a 23-yard TD pass to Zack Cousins, then ran in the 2-point conversion late in the first half. Berryville lost at Yellville-Summit 34-27 a week ago. Senior center/DE Antonio Smith and senior LT/DT Daniel Roque played well, Coach Macklin Chermak says.

Green Forest (1-2) at PRAIRIE GROVE (2-1): Green Forest trailed Greenland 21-18 late in the first half last week, before surrendering 2 TDs before halftime and losing 42-18. QB Mason Meador threw a 35-yard TD pass to Brityn Gilliam and Ywa Hay Moo returned a kickoff 78 yards for a TD. Prairie Grove ran for 358 yards in last week's 34-32 win over Coweta, Okla. Cale Bray (94 yards, 1 TD), Elijah Sugg (85, 1 TD), Braxton Beshears (68, 1 TD) and QB Alex Abshier (42, 2 TDs) led the balanced rushing attack.

2-4A

MILLS (3-0) at Bald Knob (0-3): Mills returns to action after not playing the past 2 weeks (received a forfeit and bye week). The Comets outscored Blytheville and Ashdown by a combined 92-6. Freshman QB Elijah Moody (25-33-381-6 passing; 21-343-3 rushing) has dominated on offense. Senior WR Chauncey Haynes has 2 TD catches. Bald Knob has been outscored by an average of 32-6 per game.

HEBER SPRINGS (1-2) at Central Arkansas Christian (0-3): Heber Springs notched its first win of the season last week, beating previously undefeated Lamar 40-28. Senior QB Liam Buffalo ran for 213 yards and 4 TDs, while Weston Warden ran for 192 yards and 2 TDs. Right tackle Axley Davis graded out at 83 percent and recorded 12 knockdown blocks. CAC has struggled this fall, scoring 35 points in 3 games. Senior 2-way lineman Zane Tafoya has played almost every snap and is the leader up front, Coach J.D. Plumlee says. Senior outside linebacker Gus McConnell (48 tackles), senior MLB Cooper Bahnks (40 tackles) and sophomore LB Gus Smith (35 tackles) are playmakers on defense.

FORREST CITY (0-3) at Lonoke (0-3): Forrest City won the only other matchup with Lonoke, 30-18 in Week 1 last year. Both teams are winless this fall. Forrest City lost to Rivercrest 48-34 last week. RB Kerry Young, Jr. (9-124-2 rushing; 2-65-1 receiving) was Forrest City's workhorse. Lonoke's 3 losses were by a total of 20 points. Sophomore WR/S Trey Jackson, senior OT Matthew Boyles, senior OT Brady Evans and senior DL Jacob Hixson have played well.

HALL STEAM (1-2) at Riverview (0-2): Riverview lost to Jonesboro Westside 28-19 a week ago, allowing 277 yards rushing. QB Ricky Lee injured his leg in the game and didn't return. Hall Steam beat Lake Village 2 weeks ago. QB Jahari Scott, TB/LB Rico Baker and DE Kordai Akins have played well for the Warriors.

3-4A

Gosnell (1-2) at NO. 9 HIGHLAND (2-0): Highland hasn't played since beating Mountain Grove, Mo., 14-6 in Week 1. Senior RB Keagan Statler (23-246-4) and WR Jimmy Jensen (5-113-3) have been offensive playmakers, while senior DL Kalei Tokanang (2 TFL, 1 sack) and DB Ronnie Brewer (7 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble) played well on defense. Gosnell returns 5 starters who missed the bulk of a 31-12 loss to Osceola in Week 2. Senior LB Vanterrues Lucas (12 tackles) is the defensive leader.

NO. 10 SOUTHSIDE (3-0) at Pocahontas (1-2): Undefeated Southside used the open date to recover emotionally from beating rival Batesville 31-7 in Week 2. Senior RB Owen McLaughlin has rushed for 556 yards, while Lewis Calhoun has tallied 372 yards rushing and receiving. Pocahontas' 2 losses this year were by a total of 9 points. The Redskins turned the ball over 3 times in a 21-14 loss to Class 5A Brookland. Sophomore Xayver Ballard is Pocahontas' top rusher.

BLYTHEVILLE (0-2) at Cave City (2-1): Cave City beat Blytheville 48-21 in 2021, the only other time these teams played. Blytheville gave up 210 yards rushing 2 weeks ago in a 6-point loss to Nettleton. Senior WR Derick King, Jr., has been the top playmaker. Cave City began the season with wins over Mountain View and Izard County before losing to Melbourne 2 weeks ago. Cave City RB Shawn Walling, QB Levi Jones and senior DE Chris Robinson have played well this fall.

TRUMANN (1-2) at Jonesboro Westside (1-2): Jonesboro Westside's 28-19 win at Riverview last week was its first since Week 7 of last season and second win since 2022. Senior QB Gavin Dodson ran and passed for a TD, while sophomore Kaden Purvis scored 3 times (2 rushing TDs, 1 receiving). Senior center Jacob Moore committed zero errant snaps, while senior safety Tyson Young and senior LB Clay McMellon played well defensively. Trumann senior RB Tony Postell, Jr. (48-421-6) and junior QB Kayden Dunavin (48-332 rushing; 110 yards passing) have been the offensive leaders, while Postell (38 tackles, 6 TFL) and junior LB Isaiah Carrillo (26 tackles) are the top defenders.

4-4A

NO. 7 OZARK (2-1) at Waldron (1-2): Ozark's offense made a 2-point conversion late in the fourth quarter 2 weeks ago to lift the Hillbillies to a 35-34 victory over rival Charleston in the Franklin County Feud. Senior Eli Gilstrap ran for the winning points. Gilstrap and Blaine Childers have been the leaders on Ozark's defense this fall, while linemen Logan Hitcher and Spencer Gresham have played well up front. The QB was injured 3 weeks ago and could play this week, Coach Jeremie Burns says. Improved Waldron held Muldrow, Okla., to 375 yards (200 rushing, 175 passing) in a 28-14 loss 2 weeks ago.

Mena (3-0) at POTTSVILLE (3-0): Pottsville has won 6 of the 8 meetings between these teams. Two weeks ago Pottsville beat Clarksville 31-6, with QB Miller Mahan throwing 2 TDs and running for another. Undefeated Mena has gotten solid play from senior QB Michael Sullivan (461 yards passing, 243 yards rushing, 10 total TDs), along with senior RB Brody Peters (57-417-5). “Pottsville's quarterback (Mahan) makes them go,” Mena Coach Craig Bentley says.

CLINTON (3-0) at Lamar (2-1): Clinton has run to 3 consecutive victories behind senior RBs Rylan Jones (36-391-2) and Zach Hunt (47-295-5). Lamar lost its first game last week, falling to Heber Springs 40-28. The Warriors surrendered 475 yards, including 448 rushing yards. Senior QB Caleb Green passed for 191 yards and 4 TDs, and ran for 31 yards. Kendrick Carr caught 6 passes for 124 yards and 2 TDs, while Eli Jones caught 1 TD pass.

DARDANELLE (2-1) at Dover (1-2): Dardanelle has won 16 of the past 20 meetings in the series. The Sand Lizards beat Nashville 44-37 two weeks behind junior QB/S Creed Vega (17-27-241-2 passing; 29-245-3 rushing; 4 tackles and 1 forced fumble). Rod Chaten caught 7 passes for 90 yards, while Eddie Moore had 4 for 73 yards. Latrevious Robinson (10 tackles, 2 sacks) and Luke Roberds (10 tackles) led the defense. Dover led Class 5A Clarksville 14-0 last week before losing 19-14. Wyatt Renfroe ran 8 times for 67 yards, kicked 2 extra points and recorded 7 tackles, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception.

7-4A

NO. 2 ARKADELPHIA (1-2) at Nashville (1-2): Nashville has won 12 of the past 19 in the series. But the Scrappers are 1-2 this season, beating winless Hope. QB Karson Chambers has 9 TDs, while Kason Moran has 5 TD catches. Senior DE M.J. Johnson leads the Scrappers in tackles and TFL. Arkadelphia is also 1-2 after losing to Camden Fairview and Lake Hamilton. RB Blake Moody averages 5.1 yards per carry for the Badgers, while WRs Brayden Wagner (12-170-3) and Jay Purifoy (16-231-1) have been playmakers in the passing attack. Wagner leads the defense with 27 tackles, while Amari Ford has 22 stops and scored 1 defensive TD.

Genoa Central (0-3) at NO. 8 MALVERN (3-0): Genoa Central has been outscored 120-19 this season; Malvern won at Stuttgart 48-38 two weeks ago. Junior Tavien Clegg leads Malvern in rushing, but he was injured vs. Stuttgart. WR Kaylen Cooper and LB Ben Rock have been the most consistent Leopards this fall, Coach John Fogleman says.

Fountain Lake (1-2) at BAUXITE (1-2): Bauxite has lost consecutive games to Monticello and Magnolia. The Miners led Magnolia 14-0 after recovering 2 onside kicks, but allowed 38 unanswered points. QB Marcus Wimberly ran for 150 yards and 1 TD and threw 2 TD passes. Fountain Lake beat Cutter Morning Star 38-18 last week. Sophomore QB Cooper Buss passed for 238 yards and 2 TDs and ran for 91 yards and 2 TDs, while Peyton Harwood caught 6 passes for 73 yards and 1 TD.

H.G. Haskell (0-3) at ASHDOWN (1-2): HG Haskell led Jessieville 31-18 last week before losing 40-38. Junior Jay Noble ran for 127 yards and 2 TDs, and made 7 tackles. Ashdown has been shutout twice (lost 46-0 to Mills and 41-0 at Idabel, Okla.). The Panthers trailed talented Idabel 22-0 in the third quarter before giving up 3 consecutive TDs.

8-4A

NO. 3 WARREN (1-2) at No. 5 DeWitt (2-1): Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week, above.

STUTTGART (2-1) at Helena (3-0): Undefeated Helena beat Drew Central 26-0 two weeks ago, behind senior TreyZaughn Johnson's 2 TDs. Keven Brown ran 9 yards for another Helena TD. Stuttgart has used the past 2 weeks to regroup from a 10-point loss to Malvern. Senior Donatae Clark has 636 yards this year and 5 TDs, while QB Cain Price has 1,040 yards and 10 TDs. Jawyan Terry averages 8 yards per carry. Sophomores Ethan Boyd, Cordero Berry and Beau Barnes have emerged as Stuttgart's defensive leaders.

STAR CITY (3-0) at Crossett (0-3): Star City jumped on Lake Village 49-14 in the first half last week, cruising to a 56-22 decision. Latrell Burris blocked a punt in the first quarter, Star City's sixth blocked punt this season. Peyton Taylor paces the Bulldogs in rushing and receiving, while Colby McGough is the top tackler. Winless Crossett has been outscored 135-29. The Eagles used the Single Wing 2 weeks ago against Oak Grove, La., and the defense allowed 456 yards. “Crossett is really, really talented,” Star City Coach Chris Norton says. “Their talent level is not indicative of their record.”

Hamburg (3-0) at MONTICELLO (2-1): Monticello has won its past 2 games — over Bauxite and Dumas — by a combined 68-20. The Billies defense dominated in last week's 27-0 victory at Dumas. Laytn Nichols (7 tackles), Jackson Hines (4 tackles, 1 INT.) and Curtis Barrow (1 TFL, 1 INT.) played well. RB Zae Jones rushed 22 times for 97 yards. Undefeated Hamburg beat Magnolia 28-26 last week. DB Cam Carter held Magnolia's top receiver to 2 catches. Senior Sexton Brooks replaced the injured QB last week. “He managed the game well and got us the win,” Hamburg Coach Blake Johnson says.