Hootens.com Rankings
Class 4A, Week 1, 2014
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. Warren
2. Malvern
3. Dollarway
4. Lonoke
5. Nashville
6. Star City
7. Newport
8. Gosnell
9. Hamburg
10. West Helena
11. Highland
12. Shiloh Christian
13. Dardanelle
14. Prairie Grove
15. Arkadelphia
16. Pulaski Robinson
17. Ashdown
18. Clinton
19. CAC
20. Pottsville
21. Mena
22. Gravette
23. Pocahontas
24. Monticello
25. Heber Springs
26. Stuttgart
27. Ozark
28. Fountain Lake
29. Dumas
30. Pea Ridge
31. Huntsville
32. Jonesboro Westside
33. DeWitt
34. Dover
35. Berryville
36. Cave City
37. Lincoln
38. Crossett
39. Harrisburg
40. Subiaco Academy
41. Bauxite
42. Southside Batesville
43. Arkansas Baptist
44. Trumann
45. Gentry
46. Brookland
47. Waldron
48. Riverview


HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 1 Warren vs. Class 7A No. 9 FS Southside

These teams battle on the second night of Hootens.com at UAPB's Golden Lion Stadium in Pine Bluff. Warren goes for its first victory over a Class 7A school. The talented Lumberjacks have lost to Bryant, Springdale and Fayetteville during Hootens.com Kickoff Week over the past 13 years. The Lumberjacks hung with Fayetteville last season before losing by 14 points. Special teams breakdowns (fumbled the opening kickoff and allowed a punt return for a touchdown) were the difference. Five Lumberjacks were injured in last year's opener.

Only 34 Lumberjacks went through August camp, compared to 95 at Fort Smith Southside. Warren will line senior Darveon Brown at quarterback and receiver. Brown (51 catches, 837 yards and 11 TDs in 2013) and senior receiver Jaylon Marshall (33 catches, 731 yards and seven TDs) committed to Arkansas State in May. Senior tackle Aaron Church (32 tackles) leads Warren's defense.

Fort Smith Southside relies on senior tailback D'erek Fernandez (more than 1,100 yards in 2013) and receiver Andrew Barley (more than 600 yards). “It's hard to tell what their offensive identity will be because they lost a great quarterback (Isaac Jackson) last year,” Hembree says. “They are a Class 7A school and are supposed to win.” Watch highlights of FS Southside's victory over Warren in the Hootens.com Kickoff Week Classic at UAPB here.

TV SHOW
Hooten's Arkansas Football TV show airs 10::30 a.m. Saturdays this fall on KATV 7 (ABC-Little Rock) and KXNW (Ch. 34 Fort Smith/Fayetteville) starting Sept. 7. The show features the state's top recruiting prospects.

LAST YEAR
Hootens.com correctly predicted 277 of 323 games (86 percent) last season.

WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)
1-4A
CHARLESTON (8) vs. Shiloh Christian (Thurs.): Hootens.com Class 3A Game of the Week. Charleston claimed its fourth state title last fall in nine years. All-state senior quarterback and Arkansas Razorback commit Ty Storey completed 268 of 408 passes (66 percent) for 4,241 yards and 52 touchdowns. Seventeen other seniors return, including tailback Colton Posky (6-0, 190; 4.6 speed), receiver Taylor King (992 yards, 11 TDs) and linebacker Tanner Lynch (team-high 137 tackles). Shiloh Christian captured seven state titles from 1998-2010. The Saints have won just 15 games over the past three seasons, including a 10-10-1 mark in Class 5A. First-year coach Jeff Conaway inherits returning starters at 12 positions, including senior RB Chandler Smith. Smith (4.6 speed). Watch highlights of Charleston's victory over Shiloh Christian in the Hootens.com Kickoff Week Classic at Mayon-Thompson Stadium here.
HS LAKESIDE (1) vs. Lincoln (Mon.): The teams battle in the first game of the season at Razorback Stadium during Hootens.com Kickoff Week. Hot Springs Lakeside won just three games last season after combining for 22 victories the previous three seasons. Senior Clint Smedley takes over at QB after transforming into an all-state receiver (31 catches, 600 yards) in 2013. Former Arkansas Razorback Scott Davenport takes over at Lincoln. Davenport previously assisted at Class 7A Rogers Heritage. Watch highlights of HS Lakeside's victory over Lincoln in the Hootens.com Kickoff Week Classic at Razorback Stadium here.
Farmington at PRAIRIE GROVE (7): These teams have split the past eight meetings, but they are no longer part of the same conference after Farmington bumps to Class 5A. Farmington junior Justice Hobbs ran for 905 yards last year. Prairie Grove senior running back Bobby Catt generated almost 1,000 yards last season, and junior tight end Dylan Soehner (6-6, 265) could develop into a Division I prospect.helped the Saints rush for a school-record 283 yards weekly in 2013, finishing with 624 yards and eight TDs.
POTTSVILLE (7) at Gravette: This is the second meeting between these team's. Pottsville won 56-13 in the first round of the 2012 playoffs. The Apaches have won 38 games over the four years. Gravette junior Cedric Duarte ran for 1,276 yards and 11 TDs last fall.
Elkins at PEA RIDGE (3): Pea Ridge forfeited last year's 27-24 win over Elkins (ineligible player). Blackhawk senior Shane Ivy ran for more than 1,000 yards last season. Elkins won four games last season, including three by a total of 13 points.
Green Forest at HUNTSVILLE (7): Green Forest advanced to the quarterfinals last season and returns junior running back Carl Roberts (664 yards and 12 TDs in 2013). Huntsville returns eight starters on offense. But the Eagles have won just eight games over the past four seasons.
BERRYVILLE (18) at Decatur: Libreville’s expected QB quit the team in the spring and one of its top running backs missed most of August camp. The Bobcats three wins last year equaled the total from the previous three seasons.
GENTRY (7) at West Fork: Gentry has beaten West Fork by a combined 36 points the past two seasons. West Fork relies on a talented group of juniors, including QB Colton Wise and running back Brayden Burnett. Gentry senior Jon Brown ran for 52 yards and three TDs and caught 16 passes for 190 yards and a score a year ago.

2-4A
Nettleton at NEWPORT (2): Newport beat the Raiders by 21 points in last year's opener. Newport junior Carl Turner rushed for 2,747 yards the past two seasons.
DOLLARWAY (3) at West Helena: Dollarway won this opener by 15 points last season. West Helena expects to compete for state titles after dropping to Class 4A. The Cougars played for the 2008 Class 5A state championship. They won six games last season, losing to Camden Fairview by two TDs in the first round of the playoffs. Dollarway has won 23 games over the past two seasons. Senior Keyshawn Williams ran for 1,304 yards and 20 TDs last season.
STAR CITY (7) at Lonoke: Star City has won three straight over the Jackrabbits, including a two-point thriller last season. Star City   Lonoke returns seven starters on defense, including senior end Dylan Goforth (5-10, 240) and tackle Jacob Vandiver (6-2, 335). Star City junior QB Tye Brown passed for 2,305 yards and 20 TDs a year ago. Bulldog juniors Austin Capps (6-4, 307) and Sam Jackson (6-2, 285) are Division I prospects. Watch highlights of Lonoke's loss to Star City in Week 1 here.
Stuttgart vs. ARKADELPHIA (10): Arkadelphia won 21 games the past two seasons and the Badgers could shock again this fall. Two opposing coaches say the Badger defense “was so physical,” during summer team camps. Badger senior defensive tackle Emmanuel Cooper (6-2, 250) racked up 133 tackles and 11 sacks last fall. Stuttgart has lost five of its past six games. First-year coach Vince Perrin inherits just three returnees on offense.
Arkansas Baptist vs. CAC (8) (Tue.): CAC has beaten Arkansas Baptist by a total of 24 points the past two seasons. CAC averaged 45 passes per game last season, but the Mustangs hope to run the ball more this fall with junior Braylon Harris (more than 600 yards in 2013). Arkansas Baptist senior QB Riley Perkins has thrown for 7,032 yards and 76 TDs the past three seasons.
CLINTON (4) at Heber Springs: These former conference foes play Week 1 this year after Clinton moves into the 4-4A. Clinton edged Heber Springs by three points Week 9 last year. Heber Springs first-year coach David Farr succeeds Steve Janski (63- 41 record in nine years). Clinton senior QB Fielder Dufrene passed for 1,640 yards and 14 TDs and ran for 432 yards and seven scores a year ago.
Southside Batesville at CAVE CITY (7): These teams tied two years ago and Southside Batesville won by 20 points last season. Southside Batesville switches to a 4-3 scheme this year after surrendering 34 points per game last fall. Cave City won three of its final four games last year.
POCAHONTAS (10) at Riverview: Riverview moves up to Class 4A after winning six games and advancing to the Class 3A playoffs last fall. Raider junior QB David Lee passed for 1,051 yards and 12 TDs last fall. Former Fort Smith Northside assistant Charles Baty takes over at Pocahontas. Redskin senior end Josh Kester made 108 tackles last fall.

3-4A
Highland vs. MIDLAND (TEXAS) CHRISTIAN (10): Midland, Texas has won six state titles since beginning 11-man football in 2000. The Mustangs impressed in a preseason scrimmage against Wall, Texas. Highland has won conference championships two of the past three seasons. Rebel senior receiver/defensive back Deon Stewart (1,205 yards and 12 TDs in 2013) committed to Arkansas in the spring, and and receiver/linebacker Avery Johnson (1,113 yards and 16 TDs last year) committed to Arkansas State in August. Watch highlights of Highland's loss to Midland Christian in the Hootens.com Kickoff Week Classic at Razorback Stadium here.
GOSNELL (1) at Harding Academy: Gosnell enjoyed a productive summer after winning the 3-4A a year ago. Senior QB Dwight Griffin returns for his third season. Junior running back Carlos Blackman could emerge as a college prospect with 4.6 speed. Senior linebackers Michael Miller and Justin Mann lead on defense. Harding Academy has won 25 of its past 26 games. The Wildcats forced 24 turnovers last season and held 11 opponents to 206 yards per game.
POCAHONTAS (10) at Riverview: Riverview moves up to Class 4A after winning six games and advancing to the Class 3A playoffs last fall. Raider junior QB David Lee passed for 1,051 yards and 12 TDs last fall. Former Fort Smith Northside assistant Charles Baty takes over at Pocahontas. Redskin senior end Josh Kester made 108 tackles last fall.
Southside Batesville at CAVE CITY (7): These teams tied two years ago and Southside Batesville won by 20 points last season. Southside Batesville switches to a 4-3 scheme this year after surrendering 34 points per game last fall. Cave City won three of its final four games last year.
JONESBORO WESTSIDE (25) at Manila: Westside has won 10 games over the past two seasons, its best two-year span in almost 30 years. Manila enters the fall with a 16-game losing streak. Senior QB Kyle Joyner operates the Wishbone, featuring seniors Tyler Barley and Nick Stiles in the backfield.
Trumann at HOXIE (18): Trumann has won three games over the past three seasons. Hoxie (12-1 in 2013) coming off its best season in school history.
BROOKLAND (7) at Clarendon: Brookland extends its unblemished non-conference record (6-0 the past two years). Bearcat senior QB Drake Rainwater passed for 1,005 yards and 12 TDs a year ago.
Harrisburg at CROSS COUNTY (2): Class 4A Harrisburg has not forgotten the 81-57 loss to Cross County last year, even though the margin was just 24 points. Harrisburg  lineman-turned-running back Joey McGill (6-5, 255) may prove difficult to tackle. Cross County junior Holden Byassee (6-3, 225) paces the Thunderbird defense with a talented secondary behind him. Cross County should dress 32 for the opener with TB Anfernee Davis (4.5 speed), second-year QB Torrence Townsend, junior FB Jerry Andrews and senior HB Devin Sides running behind an offensive line of one-way players.

4-4A
DARDANELLE (20) at Danville (Tue.): Two of the past four games in this series have been decided by a TD or less. Dardanelle expects to win the 4-4A title this fall with senior QB Kristian Thompson (1,302 total yards and 11 TDs in 2013).
POTTSVILLE (7) at Gravette: This is the second meeting between these team's. Pottsville won 56-13 in the first round of the 2012 playoffs. The Apaches have won 38 games over the four years. Gravette junior Cedric Duarte ran for 1,276 yards and 11 TDs last fall.
CLINTON (4) at Heber Springs: These former conference foes play Week 1 this year after Clinton moves into the 4-4A. Clinton edged Heber Springs by three points Week 9 last year. Heber Springs first-year coach David Farr succeeds Steve Janski (63- 41 record in nine years). Clinton senior QB Fielder Dufrene passed for 1,640 yards and 14 TDs and ran for 432 yards and seven scores a year ago.
Bauxite at PULASKI ROBINSON (8): These teams played as members of the 7-4A the past two years, with Bauxite winning by 16 points in 2012 and Pulaski Robinson winning by seven points last season.  But Pulaski Robinson poised for its best season since winning 11 games in 2010. Senator junior QB Brennan Johnson passed for 2,330 yards and ran for 1,050 yards last fall. Mike Guthrie was named Bauxite's interim coach in July. Guthrie previously coached at Lavaca and Lincoln. The Miners have won five games the past four years since moving up to Class 4A. Watch highlights of Robinson's win over Bauxite in Week 1 here.
BOONEVILLE (21) at Ozark: Booneville, the 2013 Class 4A champ, has won seven of the past 10 regular-season meetings over its biggest rival. Ozark won just two games last season after playing for the 2012 state title.
Arkansas Baptist vs. CAC (8) (Tue.): CAC has beaten Arkansas Baptist by a total of 24 points the past two seasons. CAC averaged 45 passes per game last season, but the Mustangs hope to run the ball more this fall with junior Braylon Harris (more than 600 yards in 2013). Arkansas Baptist senior QB Riley Perkins has thrown for 7,032 yards and 76 TDs the past three seasons.
Dover at ATKINS (4): Atkins' eight wins last year was its most since 2007. The Red Devils have beaten Dover by an average of 18 points the past three seasons. Dover won its final two games last season, beating Waldron and Subiaco Academy by a combined 39 points.
LR FAIR (1) at Subiaco Academy: These teams combined for four wins last season.

7-4A
Nashville at HOPE (1): Hootens.com Class 5A Game of the Week. Hope's defensive line holds an advantage with noseguard Kadarius Rowe (6-3, 325) and Division I end McTelvin Agim (6-3, 250).
MALVERN (11) at Glen Rose: Malvern has beaten Glen Rose by a combined 11 points the past two seasons. Glen Rose running back Carlos Burton will miss this season after tearing his ACL at a June Auburn football camp.
Stuttgart vs. ARKADELPHIA (10): Arkadelphia won 21 games the past two seasons and the Badgers could shock again this fall. Two opposing coaches say the Badger defense “was so physical,” during summer team camps. Badger senior defensive tackle Emmanuel Cooper (6-2, 250) racked up 133 tackles and 11 sacks last fall. Stuttgart has lost five of its past six games. First-year coach Vince Perrin inherits just three returnees on offense.
Ashdown at DURANT, OKLA. (3): Durant plays in Oklahoma's highest classification and is one of the bigger school's in the Southeast part of the state. Ashdown looks to bulk its defense in 2014, with linebackers Starnes York (40 tackles, five sacks) and Stefan Sanders (37 tackles, two interceptions).
LR CHRISTIAN (10) at Fountain Lake: LR Christian expectations explode this fall after hiring former Camden Fairview coach Buck James as an assistant in the spring. Former Camden Fairview running back Damarea Crockett (696 yards, 13 TDs in 2013) moved to LR Christian in the summer. Fountain Lake bumps to Class 4A after winning 62 games and a state title in Class 3A the past six seasons.
MENA (2) at DeQueen: Mena dumped De Queen by 14-11 last season. The Leopards have won just 10 games the past four seasons. Mena senior QB Sage Kesterson threw for almost 2,300 yards a year ago.
Bauxite at PULASKI ROBINSON (8): These teams played as members of the 7-4A the past two years, with Bauxite winning by 16 points in 2012 and Pulaski Robinson winning by seven points last season.  But Pulaski Robinson poised for its best season since winning 11 games in 2010. Senator junior QB Brennan Johnson passed for 2,330 yards and ran for 1,050 yards last fall. Mike Guthrie was named Bauxite's interim coach in July. Guthrie previously coached at Lavaca and Lincoln. The Miners have won five games the past four years since moving up to Class 4A. Watch highlights of Bauxite's loss to Robinson in Week 1 here.
Waldron at MANSFIELD (7): Mansfield has won eight straight over Waldron, including 48-28 last season. But Waldron first-year coach Dale Mann revamped the defense in the spring by hiring former Jonesboro Westside coach Chad Mitchell to coordinate a unit that gave up more than 40 points per game last season.

8-4A
Warren vs. FS SOUTHSIDE (6) (Tue.): Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week.
DOLLARWAY (3) at West Helena: Dollarway won this opener by 15 points last season. West Helena expects to compete for state titles after dropping to Class 4A. The Cougars played for the 2008 Class 5A state championship. They won six games last season, losing to Camden Fairview by two TDs in the first round of the playoffs. Dollarway has won 23 games over the past two seasons. Senior Keyshawn Williams ran for 1,304 yards and 20 TDs last season.
STAR CITY (7) at Lonoke: Star City has won three straight over the Jackrabbits, including a two-point thriller last season. Star City   Lonoke returns seven starters on defense, including senior end Dylan Goforth (5-10, 240) and tackle Jacob Vandiver (6-2, 335). Star City junior QB Tye Brown passed for 2,305 yards and 20 TDs a year ago. Bulldog juniors Austin Capps (6-4, 307) and Sam Jackson (6-2, 285) are Division I prospects. Watch highlights of Star City's victory over Lonoke in Week 1 here.
HAMBURG (2) at McGehee: Hamburg alum Cecil Cossey was named coach in May. Hamburg has won six of the past 10 in the series, including 15-0 last year during Hootens.com Kickoff Week.
Lake Village at MONTICELLO (21): Lake Village has won three games the past three years. Former assistant Marty Davis takes over at Monticello. The Billies won just nine games the past two seasons.
MAGNOLIA (3) at Crossett: Crossett has beaten Magnolia two straight seasons, including last fall's one-point thriller when Magnolia committed five turnovers. Panther senior Justin Dockery ran for 128 yards and a TD last year against Crossett, but he broke his leg the next week and hasn't taken a varsity snap since.
Dumas at MAYFLOWER (10): Mayflower has defeated Dumas by an average of 24 points the past two years. Eagle senior QB Adam Dycus has pass ed for 8,896 yards and 98 TDs in his career. Watch highlights of Mayflower's victory over Dumas in Week 1 here.
EPISCOPAL (7) vs. DeWitt (Tues.): Night two of Hootens.com Kickoff Week starts at 5:30 at UAPB’s Golden Lion Stadium. Episcopal returns starters at 15 positions from last year’s 10-3 squad. Junior playmaker Allie Freeman caught 101 passes for 1,639 yards and 13 TDs, while gaining 7.6 yards per carry. Senior middle linebacker Justin Gooseberry paced the Wildcats with 103 tackles. DeWitt won four games a year ago after a 38-29 loss to Barton in the opener. Seven weeks later, Episcopal beat Barton 25-19. DeWitt coach Steven Jones moved athletic junior Jake Rieves (6-3, 190) from receiver to QB this spring. Senior linebacker Drew Boyd led the Dragons last year with 100 tackles in nine games. Watch highlights of Episcopal's victory over DeWitt in the Hootens.com Kickoff Classic at UAPB here.