Hooten’s Arkansas Football Rankings

      Class 5A, Week 5, 2023

      Copyright Seventy Seven's Football Publishing, LLC

1. LR Parkview (4-0)
2. Pine Bluff (4-1)
3. Shiloh Christian (3-1)
4. Mills (5-0)
5. Valley View (3-1)
6. Joe T. Robinson (3-1)
7. Hot Springs (3-1)
8. Farmington (2-2)
9. HS Lakeside (3-1)
10. White Hall (3-2)
11. Texarkana (4-0)
12. Nettleton (3-1)
13. Wynne (2-2)
14. Camden Fairview (2-2)
15. Morrilton (3-2)
16. Southside (4-0)
17. Harrison (2-2)
18. Alma (4-0)
19. Pea Ridge (4-0)
20. Prairie Grove (2-2)
21. Maumelle (2-2)
22. Magnolia (2-2)
23. Brookland (2-2)
24. Batesville (0-4)
25. Hope (2-2)
26. Forrest City (1-3)
27. Beebe (2-3)
28. Dardanelle (2-2)
29. Vilonia (0-4)
30. Watson Chapel (0-5)
31. Paragould (1-2)
32. Clarksville (0-4)
33. De Queen (0-4)

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly predicted 14 of 16 games (88 percent) involving 5A teams, and for the season has correctly predicted 87 of 104 games (84 percent).

WEEK 5 PREDICTIONS (favored team highlighted and ALL CAPS)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 13 Wynne (2-2) at No. 16 SOUTHSIDE (4-0)
This could decide a playoff spot. Wynne has beaten Magnolia and Brookland the past 2 weeks after starting the season 0-2. The Yellowjackets rallied past Brookland 21-17 after trailing 17-14 in the third quarter. Cameron Smith ran 27 times for 115 yards vs. Brookland, while Donte Smith had 16 carries for 104 yards. Braylon McDowell led Wynne's defense with 6 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss and 1 pass breakup.
Unbeaten Southside relies on a relentless rushing attack. The Southerners ran 52 times for 405 yards and 7 touchdowns in last week's 59-26 victory over Forrest City. Senior Gabe Witt (16-133 rushing, 3 TDs) and junior Louis Calhoun (78 rushing, 1 TD) led the way. Senior Tanner Ellenbaugh (4 tackles, 63-yard fumble return TD), freshman DB Trey Allen (3 tackles, 1 INT.), senior DL Isaac Wallis (8 tackles) and junior LB Jackson Wammack (12 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks) led the defense.

5A CENTRAL
MILLS (5-0; 3-0) at Maumelle (2-2; 0-2) (Thurs.): Maumelle has won 4 of the past 7 in the series. Maumelle turned it over 7 times in last week's 16-point loss at Pine Bluff. Sophomore QB Andrew Bjork passed for 102 yards and ran for 1 TD. Senior Andrew Timmon intercepted 2 passes for the Hornets. Mills rallied from a 14-0 deficit last week to win 31-27. Mills senior QB Achillies Ringo threw the winning TD pass to Akyell Madison in the final seconds to complete the comeback. Ringo passed for 411 yards and ran for 129 yards and 1 TD, while Madison caught 12 passes for 205 yards.

PINE BLUFF (4-1; 3-0) at Beebe (2-3; 0-3): Pine Bluff intercepted 5 passes (3 by Kayvon Stringer) and recovered 2 fumbles in last week's 41-25 win over Maumelle. QB Landon Holcomb (15-27 passing, 297 yards, 4 TDs) played well but threw 2 interceptions. Senior Marquez Brentley, a move-in from Watson Chapel, ran 13 times for 94 yards, caught a 26-yard TD pass and threw a 25-yard TD pass on a reverse. Beebe has dropped 3 consecutive games, including last week 35-9 at Morrilton.

JOE T. ROBINSON (3-1; 2-0) at Vilonia (0-4; 0-2): Joe T. Robinson led Watson Chapel 35-0 in the first half last week, cruising to a 35-7 decision. Senators junior RB Jordan Thomas (5-96 rushing, 1 TD) and QB Quentin Murphy (TD pass, 2-point conversion run) led the way. Vilonia, which had a bye last week, has lost its 4 games by an average of 35-12. Junior Lance McNew caught 8 passes for 146 yards and 1 TD 2 weeks ago in a 6-point loss to Morrilton.

MORRILTON (3-2; 2-1) at Watson Chapel (0-5; 0-3): Watson Chapel trailed Joe T. Robinson 7-0 in the second quarter last week before losing 35-7. Jalen Hobbs ran 3 yards for Watson Chapel's lone score.

OPEN White Hall

5A EAST
Wynne (2-2; 1-0) at SOUTHSIDE (4-0; 1-0): See Hootens.com Class 5A Game of the Week.

Paragould (1-3; 0-1) at BATESVILLE (0-4; 0-1): Batesville hasn't lost to the Rams since 1994, when Paragould was known as Ridgecrest. Batesville lost at Nettleton 34-20 last week when leading rusher Damieon Nelson was injured in the first quarter and didn't return. Owen McLaughlin filled in for Nelson, running 18 times for 181 yards and 2 TDs, while Jackson Elam kicked a 43-yard field goal. Paragould committed 2 turnovers and allowed 336 yards in last week's 42-7 loss to Valley View. Eskinder Michael caught a 66-yard TD pass.

NETTLETON (3-1; 1-0) at Brookland (2-2; 0-1): Nettleton has won all 3 of its meetings with Brookland, including by 29 points a year ago. Improved Brookland pushed Wynne last week (led 17-14 in the fourth quarter) before losing 21-17. Brookland QB Hayden Elder piled up 201 yards (162 passing, 39 rushing), while receiver Gabe Carter (5-123-1) caught the ball well. LBs Keegan Overshine and Caden Webbe each made 10 tackles. Nettleton pulled away from a 17-17 halftime tie to beat Batesville 34-20. Sophomore RB T.J. Brown (22-122-1) and receiver Curtez Smith (3-84-1) were playmakers against Batesville. Sophomore DE Damin Coleman had 9 tackles and 1 sack.

Forrest City (1-3; 0-1) at VALLEY VIEW (3-1; 1-0): Valley View has won 6 of its 9 meetings vs. Forrest City, but the Blazers are beat up this season. 2022 all-state RB Slade Caldwell, an Ole Miss baseball commit, is out for the year. Valley View senior QB Cason Turley (12-12 passing, 185 yards, 5 TDs in first half) led Valley View's 42-7 win at Paragould, with assistance from WR Drew Gartman (4-74-3) played well. Improved Forrest City trailed Southside 7-6 in the second quarter a week ago before losing 59-26. Sophomore Kevin Young (7-109-2) led the Mustang rushing attack.

5A SOUTH
Texarkana (4-0; 1-0) at CAMDEN FAIRVIEW (2-2; 0-1): Texarkana has won 7 of 12 meetings over Camden Fairview, and the unbeaten Razorbacks are off to their best start since 2007 (started 7-0-1 before winning 6A state title). Senior QB Nate Wall (259 passing, 2 TDs; 79 rushing, 1 TD) and senior Telly Wells (6-127 receiving, 2 TDs) led the offense in last week's 28-7 win over Magnolia. Camden Fairview must rebound after falling behind 21-0 at halftime during a 34-20 setback at HS Lakeside. The Cardinals trailed 21-0 at halftime. Junior QB Darrell Atkins (25-38-322-2 TD) and junior WR Trent Haygood (12-192-1 TD) formed a good combination.

LR PARKVIEW (4-0; 1-0) at De Queen (0-4; 0-1): No team in the state, any classification, is playing as well as LR Parkview (3 wins over Class 7A opponents). The Patriots led 47-7 in the second quarter en route to throttling previously unbeaten Hot Springs 54-7 a week ago. Playmakers Monterrio Elston (2-79-1 rushing; 4-64 receiving) and senior RB Jaden Ashford (9-92-2) make it hard to defend the Patriots. Winless De Queen gave up 374 yards and 49 points in last week's 42-point loss to Hope.

Hope (2-2; 1-0) at HOT SPRINGS (3-1; 0-1): Hope has won 12 of the past 22 meetings, and the improved Bobcats beat De Queen 49-7 a week ago. Senior QB Tyler Patterson (18-23 passing, 219, 4) and RB Tamorien Lindsey (6-73 rushing, 1 TD) played well against De Queen. “They like to get the ball to Lindsey in a lot of different ways,” Hot Springs Coach Darrell Burnett says. Hot Springs senior WR T.J. Brogden (6-97-1) was the bright spot on offense in last week's 54-7 loss at LR Parkview. Senior DE Kendall Williams made 10 tackles.

HS LAKESIDE (3-1; 1-0) at Magnolia (2-2; 0-1): Magnolia has won 11 of the past 21 in the series, but it has lost consecutive games to Wynne and Texarkana by a combined 63-7 after a 2-0 start. DE George Jackson (5 tackles, 3 sacks) played well in last week's 28-7 setback at Texarkana. The Panthers had their 3 RBs dinged up over the past 2 weeks. HS Lakeside beat Camden Fairview by 14 points a week ago. Senior QB Jacob Hermosillo (13-19-261-2) has developed into one of the top passes in Class 5A. Senior WR Kyler Wolf (6-170-1) and senior TE Skylar Purifoy (3-43-1) form a solid receiver tandem.


5A WEST
FARMINGTON (2-2; 1-0) at Alma (3-1; 1-0): Alma has won 4 of the past 7 over Farmington. The Airedales scored on the first play last week at Clarksville and cruised to a 45-14 decision. Senior QB Jackson Daily hit sophomore Samuel Schlegel on a 68-yard TD early last week. Daily also ran for 2 TDs, while Landon Morris returned an interception 25 yards for a TD. Senior Kaydin Minshull hit a 29-yard field goal vs. Clarksville, and he's hit all 21 PAT's this fall. Farmington impressed with last week's 43-40 come-from-behind win over Harrison. Morgan Schrader intercepted a pass and returned it 30 yards to set up sophomore QB Ayden Lester's winning TD pass to Akin Johnson in the final seconds.

Prairie Grove (2-2; 0-1) at HARRISON (2-2; 0-1): Prairie Grove beat Harrison last season by 6 points, the first time the teams had played since 2003. But Prairie Grove has dropped 2 straight games, including 41-14 to Pea Ridge. Leading rusher Conner Hubbs has missed the past 2 games but could return this week, Coach Danny Abshier says. The Tigers had 4 turnovers against Pea Ridge, but trailed only 14-0 at halftime and 21-8 early in the third quarter on a 43-yard TD run by Cole Bray. TE David Stephens played well for Prairie Grove. Harrison threw a late interception last week and lost by 3 points at Farmington. Senior Braden Long ran for 275 yards and 4 TDs, while Tag Glidwell had more than 100 yards and 1 TD.

Dardanelle (2-2; 0-1) at PEA RIDGE (4-0; 1-0): Unbeaten Pea Ridge downed Prairie Grove last week by 27 points. Senior RB Seth Foster (17-209 rushing, 4) and senior QB Gavin Dixon (6-13 passing, 84, 2) powered the Blackhawks. Dardanelle lost to Shiloh Christian 49-7 last week. Hunter Anderson (15 tackles) and J.J, Earnest (10 tackles) led the defense. Rod Chaten (4-65 receiving, TD; 4 tackles) and sophomore QB Creed Vega (69 rushing, 68 passing; 6 tackles) contributed on both sides of the ball.

Clarksville (0-4; 0-1) at SHILOH CHRISTIAN (3-1; 1-0): Shiloh Christian jumped to a 35-7 first-half lead last week and eased to a 49-7 win at Dardanelle. QB Evan Baker (17-20-244-4) continues adjusting to his role as the starter. Senior Bo Williams (9-48 rushing, TD) didn't play in the second half while nursing an ankle injury. Clarksville trailed Alma 24-8 in the second quarter last week after Tal Case returned a fumble 31 yards. Case later caught Clarksville's only TD pass in a 45-14 defeat.