Hooten’s Arkansas Football Rankings

Class 4A, Week 5, 2023

Copyright Seventy Seven's Football Publishing, LLC

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

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly predicted 19 of 21 games (90 percent) involving 4A teams, and for the season has picked 121 of 145 games (83 percent).

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 14 Pottsville (4-1) at No. 17 BAUXITE (3-2)
Bauxite beat Pottsville 34-14 last season and in 2003, Pottsville's first year of varsity football. Bauxite's 31-0 win over Dover was halted early in the second half last week because of a power outage. Senior Garrett Oliver's 95-yard interception return for a touchdown fueled the Miners. Freshman QB Eli Perry continues to improve, throwing 2 TD passes at Dover (70 yards to Ryan Hoskins and a 50-yarder to Cole Witherington).
Pottsville has won 4 in a row, including last week's 42-21 win at previously unbeaten Mayflower. The Apaches ran for 397 yards, with QB Miller Mahan gaining 130 yards on 12 carries and throwing 2 TDs. Tate Cobb added 14 carries for 82 yards. The Apaches' defense forced 2 turnovers (interceptions by Eli Adkins and Colby Stephenson).

WEEK 5 PREDICTIONS (favored team highlighted in ALL CAPS)
1-4A
Huntsville (0-4; 0-1) at ELKINS (4-0; 1-0): Elkins has won 10 of the past 17 over Huntsville. The unbeaten Elks beat Gravette a week ago by 21 points. Senior QB Dizzy Dean completed 21 of 31 passes for 198 yards and 3 TDs, while senior Da'Shawn Chairs ran 23 times for 158 yards and 2 TDs. Senior LB Gunner Casebolt (4 tackles, 1 interception) and Owen Baublits (6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble) led the defense. Winless Huntsville led Gentry 8-6 in the second quarter last week but lost 47-8. The Eagles surrendered 476 yards.
Berryville (2-2; 0-1) at GENTRY (1-0; 3-1): Gentry has beaten Berryville 16 of the past 22 seasons, and Berryville has not beaten Gentry since 2016. Gentry ripped Huntsville 47-8 last week, with sophomore QB Talan Williams completing 25 of 30 passes (83 percent) for 406 yards and 4 TDs, with senior receivers Addie Taylor (12-199-2) and Dillon Owens (8-128-2 reaping the rewards. Berryville gave up 6 rushing TDs in last week's 50-14 setback to Ozark.
GRAVETTE (1-3; 0-1) at Lincoln (4-0, 1-0): Gravette has won 11 of the past 14 over Lincoln, but Lincoln comes in with the cleaner record. Lincoln QB Caden Brewer threw 4 TD passes in the first quarter of last week's 48-22 win at Green Forest, with Kayden Job hauling in 3 TD catches in the first quarter. Gravette hung with No. 4 Elkins (trailed 28-14 in third quarter) last week before falling 41-20. Senior Ashton Spears racked up 14 tackles, while sophomore Conner Acosta had 4 stops and 1 interception.
Green Forest (2-2) at OZARK (3-1): Ozark beat Green Forest by 28 points last season, and 12-8 in the previous meeting (1998 playoff quarterfinals). Junior QB Koby Wilbanks (5-7-89-1 passing; 2-94-1 rushing) enjoyed a solid first half, while senior Gavin Gilbreth (6-47-3) and sophomore Casey Moreland (6-49-1) ran the ball well. Green Forest senior Gordon Ridge-Swofford ran for 2 TDs last week vs. Lincoln.

2-4A
HEBER SPRINGS (2-2; 1-0) at Bald Knob (2-2; 0-0): Heber Springs has won 8 of the past 14 in the series, but Bald Knob won 26-21 last season to eventually advance to the playoffs. Heber Springs junior QB Liam Buffalo threw 2 TDs in last week's 42-0 win over Cave City, while Parker Brown caught and ran for a TD. Sophomore FB Bryce Siegrest ran for 131 yards and 1 TD in his first start. Junior LB Brodie Baskford, who moved in from Florida, assisted on almost 30 tackles. Bald Knob didn't play last week, and 2 weeks ago the Bulldogs knocked off Class 3A Barton 41-24. The Bulldogs totaled 397 yards (324 of it rushing) and its defense forced 3 turnovers.
Riverview (0-5; 0-1) at CAVE CITY (0-5; 0-1): Cave City beat Riverview last season 21-7 in the first meeting between the programs. Both teams are winless this season. Cave City's Matt King ran 14 times for 76 yards in last week's loss to Heber Springs, while Mason Holt and John Lewallen both are expected to be moved to spots on the first-team defense after their efforts. Riverview played well last week against Lonoke (trailed 8-6 in third quarter) before losing 36-14. Trigg Rodgers returned a kickoff 90 yards for a TD 2 weeks ago at Mena.
Lonoke (2-2; 1-0) at HARDING ACADEMY (4-0; 1-0): Harding Academy continues to impress, beating Stuttgart last week 42-6. Junior QB Owen Miller (15-19-215-4 passing) and junior RB Isaac Baker (16-138-1 rushing; 4-72-2 receiving) provide a 1-2 punch. Lonoke senior QB Bradon Allen (10-13-178-1 passing; 18-86-2 rushing) and junior Marquez Jackson, Jr. (7-66 rushing; 3-59 receiving) helped the Jackrabbits pull away from Riverview 36-14 a week ago.
OPEN Stuttgart

3-4A
RIVERCREST (2-2; 1-0) at Harrisburg (0-4; 0-1): Rivercrest outscored Pocahontas 24-12 in the second half last week to win 44-32 after a 20-20 halftime tie. Senior Michael Rainer (19-182-3 rushing; 7-54 receiving) and junior QB Cavonta Washington (14-20-168-2 passing; 3-22-1 rushing) bailed out the Colts. Winless Harrisburg gained 57 yards in last week's 54-0 loss at Blytheville. Junior WR Andrew England (2-43) played well.
GOSNELL (3-1; 0-1) at Pocahontas (0-4; 0-1): Gosnell has won 9 of the past 17 meetings, but the Pirates must rebound after losing to Highland 28-25. Gosnell led 25-14 in the fourth quarter. Jai Jacobs caught 2 passes for 113 yards and 2 TDs, while Carson Tally contributed 21 tackles, including 6 TFL to the defense. Winless Pocahontas was tied with Rivercrest 20-20 at halftime a week ago before losing by 12 points. Pocahontas junior QB D.J. Coffey ran for 3 TDs, while senior QB Colton Brown came in late and threw 2 TDs.
TRUMANN (3-1; 1-0) at Highland (3-1; 1-0): Trumann has won 11 of the past 17 vs. Highland, the Wildcats have won 3 in a row this season, including last week's 43-9 win over vs. Jonesboro Westside. QB Jake Osment passed for 57 yards and 1 TD. Osment (14-200-2) and Cade Hatton (8-122-2) led the rushing attack, while H-back Gavin Cubit recorded 5 pancake blocks. Senior WR Gavin Greenwell caught 2 passes for 57 yards and 1 TD. Thomas Chavarria led the defense with 13 tackles, while Greenwell had 11. Highland trailed Gosnell 25-14 in the middle of the fourth quarter last week but rallied for a 26-25 win. The Rebels neutralized Gosnell's speedy defense by running right at the Pirates. Junior RB Keagan Statler ran for 2 TDs in the final 6 minutes. Highland QB Zac Huckabee (10-18-154-2 passing; 21-80 rushing) spearheaded the offense, while Kalei Tokanang (10 tackles) and Gabe Hightower (8 tackles) helped the defense buckle down in the fourth quarter.
BLYTHEVILLE (2-2; 1-0) at Jonesboro Westside (0-4; 0-1): Blytheville limited Harrisburg to 56 yards (0 rushing) in last week's 54-0 win. Sophomore Courtney Rogers ran for 3 TDs. Winless Jonesboro Westside has been outscored 166-23. The Warriors gave up 377 yards rushing in last week's 43-9 setback at Trumann.

4-4A
Pottsville (4-1; 3-0) at BAUXITE (3-2; 2-1): See Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week, above.
H.G. Haskell (2-3; 1-2) at LAMAR (3-1; 1-1): H.G. Haskell must rebound from last week's 34-7 loss at Clinton. Senior Peyton Potter ran 2 yards for Haskell's only TD. The Cardinals gained only 191 yards, didn't complete a pass (0 for 8) and turned the ball over twice. Lamar didn't play last week, and 2 weeks ago lost to Bauxite 34-33, despite outgaining Bauxite 477-255 yards. Junior QB Caleb Green (4-6-61-1 passing; 14-124-1 rushing) played well against Bauxite, along with junior RB Jarrett Dalton (19-132-1) and Kaz Crotts (21-113-2). “This is almost a must-win for both teams,” Lamar Coach Josh Jones says.
Dover (2-2; 0-2) at HALL STEAM (0-4; 0-3): An improved Hall Steam team hung with Pottsville and CAC the past 2 weeks. QB Jakorei Carter threw 1 TD pass and ran for another in last week's 13-point loss at CAC. Dover failed to score in last week's shortened 31-0 loss to Bauxite.
CAC (4-1; 2-1) at Mayflower (3-1; 1-1): CAC's 3 conference games have been decided by a total of 19 points, with the largest margin coming in a 40-27 win over Hall Steam a week ago. Junior Renalson Sullivan ran in 4 TDs, while QB Grayson Wilson passed for 179 yards and ran 48 yards for a TD. Two turnovers proved costly for Mayflower in last week's 21-point loss at Pottsville.
OPEN Clinton

7-4A
Waldron (0-5; 0-1) at MALVERN (2-2; 0-0): Winless Waldron averages 8 points per game. Opposing coaches say the Bulldogs play hard but run out of gas in the second half (trailed Ashdown 24-0 in the third quarter last week) before losing 52-14. Malvern's 2 losses this fall were to Class 6A Walnut Grove (Prosper, Texas) and Class 7A Desoto Central (Miss.), by a combined 16 points. Leopards senior OL Brian Lawrence will miss the remainder of the season after breaking his leg vs. Desoto. Malvern's Jalen Dupree averages 206 yards rushing per game, while senior Dyelon Caradine averages 165 yards receiving per game.
Mena (3-1; 0-0) at ARKADELPHIA (1-3; 1-0): Arkadelphia has beaten Mena 6 of the past 10 meetings. Arkadelphia won its first game of the season last week, jumping on Nashville 30-6 in the first half and cruising to a 44-6 victory. QB Cade McBride (17-26-184-3 passing; 12-148-1 rushing) produced, along with safety Nick Williams (60-yard interception return for TD). Mena's only loss this season was 3 weeks ago at unbeaten Lincoln by 3 points. The Bearcats didn't play last week; 2 weeks ago they cruised to a 45-21 win over Riverview after jumping to an early 38-7 advantage. Mena sophomore QB Dax McMellon has passed for more than 700 yards and 9 TDs this fall, while WR Sean Sullivan has 300 receiving yards and 30 tackles on defense. CB Jaxon Baber has 25 tackles and 3 interceptions.
OPEN Ashdown and Nashville.

8-4A
WARREN (4-0; 2-0) at Crossett (3-1; 2-0): Warren has won 11 of the past 12 over Crossett. The undefeated Lumberjacks beat McGehee 55-14 a week ago. Freshman QB Jackson Denton (15-27 passing, 288 yards, 5 TDs) continues evolving into a solid QB, while WR Neon'dre Thomas (6-79-1), Antonio Jordan (5-77-2) and Kam Davis (5-66-2) are weapons. Crossett relies on playmaker Taylin Paskel (22-595-6 receiving for the season), and he has 3 interceptions at DB. QB Max Brooks has passed for 926 yards and 11 TDs this fall, and he's rushed for 220 yards and 6 TDS. MLB Max Taunton has made 26 tackles.
Star City (0-5; 0-2) at MCGEHEE (2-2; 1-2): Star City has beaten McGehee 8 of the past 12 meetings, but the Bulldogs are winless this fall after last week's 49-20 loss to DeWitt. QB Peyton Taylor ran for 113 yards and 2 TDs, while Kevin Johnson and Morgan Leopard each made 11 tackles. McGehee yielded 494 yards (305 passing, 189 rushing) in last week's mercy-rule loss at Warren. The Owls showcased an improved passing attack (176 yards, 2 TDs).
Hamburg (1-4; 1-2) at DEWITT (5-0; 3-0): Hamburg has won 11 of the past 14 meetings vs. DeWitt, but this one will be tougher for the Lions. DeWitt stomped Star City 49-20 a week ago to remain undefeated. Korri Graham ran for 2 TDs in the second quarter, while Griffin Whitmore returned a kickoff for a TD. Hamburg broke into the win column last week, knocking off previously unbeaten Dumas 14-7. Saxton Brooks ran for 80 yards and threw a TD pass in his first start at QB. Peyton Sellers ran for 130 yards and 1 TD and recorded 11 tackles on defense.
MONTICELLO (3-2; 2-1) at Dumas (3-1; 0-1): Monticello, which has beaten Dumas 7 of the past 13 seasons, has won consecutive games this fall over McGehee and Helena. Zae Jones ran 12 times for 74 yards and 2 TDs in last week's 35-6 win over Helena. Senior QB Brooks Bowman (6-7-119-2) effectively passed the ball, while Hunter Howard led the defense with 6 tackles. Dumas absorbed its first loss of the season at Hamburg, falling 14-7. Senior QB Joseph Jones (17-29-162-1) played well, along with junior WR Raylen Spratt (10-123-1). Spratt also had 5 tackles and 1 interception, while senior LB Jerry McGehee logged 16 tackles.
OPEN Helena