Hootens.com Class 5A Rankings

Week 5, 2024

1. LR Parkview (3-1)

2. Harding Academy (2-2)

3. Joe T. Robinson (3-1)

4. Valley View (4-0)

5. HS Lakeside (3-1)

6. Morrilton (4-0)

7. Searcy (3-1)

8. Greenbrier (2-2)

9. Camden Fairview (2-2)

10. Wynne (3-1)

11. Beebe (3-1)

12. Pine Bluff (1-3)

13. Alma (3-1)

14. Farmington (3-1)

15. Vilonia (3-1)

16. Magnolia (3-1)

17. Maumelle (2-2)

18. Nettleton (3-1)

19. Hot Springs (1-3)

20. Brookland (3-1)

Not Ranked

5A Central: Jacksonville (1-3), Watson Chapel (1-3), White Hall (0-4)

5A East: Batesville (0-4), Greene Co. Tech (1-3), Paragould (3-1)

5A South: Arkansas High (0-4), De Queen (3-1), Hope (0-4)

5A West: Clarksville (1-3), Harrison (0-3), Pea Ridge (0-4)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

NO. 4 VALLEY VIEW (4-0, 1-0) at No. 2 Harding Academy (2-2, 1-1): These teams have played nonconference games the past 3 years, with Harding Academy winning 55-40 in last year's opener. 

Harding Academy has struggled this season, by its lofty standards, losing to Class 6A Marion and Benton, while beating CAC and Greene County Tech. Senior quarterback Owen Miller, a UCA commit and senior running backs Isaac Baker and Trenton Hall have been offensive leaders for the Wildcats.

Valley View is unbeaten and untested, winning 4 games by an average of 33 points. Nine different Blazers ran the ball and 4 different players caught passes in last week's 49-0 win over previously undefeated Paragould. Senior QB Drew Gartman has passed for 465 yards and 6 TDs this fall, while senior WR has Andrew Jones has 16 catches, 282 yards and 4 TDs.

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com predicted 13 of 16 games (81 percent) involving 5A teams, and for the season has predicted 78 of 96 games (81 percent).

WEEK 5 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)

5A CENTRAL
NO. 3 JOE T. ROBINSON (3-1, 1-0) at Jacksonville (1-3, 0-1): Jacksonville held Pine Bluff to 132 yards of offense and 2 trips inside the red zone in last week's 15-0 loss. Joe T. Robinson QB Tyson Bradden (14-18-140-3) and senior RB Nick Abrams (13-112-1) were the offensive leaders, and 7 players caught passes.

No. 17 Maumelle (2-2, 0-1) at NO. 12 PINE BLUFF (1-3, 1-1): This game is at UAPB. Maumelle didn't allow a point in the first half but lost at Beebe last week 22-0. Junior RB Bubba Johnson ran for almost 100 yards in his first game back from a knee injury. Senior 2-way lineman Landon Canady played well, Coach Brian Maupin says. Pine Bluff picked up its first win, beating Jacksonville 15-0. The score was tied 0-0 in the fourth quarter, but Pine Bluff QB Davonte Wallace threw a 19-yard TD pass to Quintin Roy, then Kayvon Stringer returned an interception 75 yards for a TD to seal it. Pine Bluff must clean up its mistakes (2 fumbles and 9 penalties), Coach Michael Williams says. The Zebras' defense held Jacksonville to 44 yards.

NO. 7 SEARCY (3-1, 1-0) at Watson Chapel (1-3, 0-1): Searcy forced 3 first-half turnovers in last week's 42-13 victory over White Hall. QB Johnny Bell threw 3 TD passes, 2 to Jesse Sumpter, while Rickey Love (70 yards) and Curtis Goodrich (59 yards) led the ground game. Watson Chapel committed 2 turnovers and yielded 435 yards in last week's 49-0 loss at Joe T. Robinson.

NO. 11 BEEBE (3-1, 1-0) at White Hall (0-4, 0-1): White Hall turned the ball over 3 times in the first half of last week's 42-13 setback to Searcy. RB Kylon Davis sprinted 50 yards for a TD, and QB Wyatt Golden passed for 126 yards. Beebe held Maumelle scoreless last week. Senior WR/S Jackson Edwards (3-47 receiving; 1 interception, 1 forced fumble) sparked the Badgers on both sides of the ball. Junior Madden Harbin (9-66-1 rushing) and his brother, senior QB Mason Harbin (1 TD rushing, 1 TD passing) contributed. “Our defense and special teams were outstanding and have to be against White Hall,” Coach Justin Bigham says.

5A EAST

NO. 4 VALLEY VIEW (4-0, 1-0) at No. 2 Harding Academy (2-2, 1-1): Hootens.com Class 5A Game of the Week, above.

Greene Co. Tech (0-4, 0-1) at NO. 10 WYNNE (3-1, 1-0): GCT gets outscored 44-10 weekly. Wynne handed Brookland its first loss, 38-6 last week. Senior safety Braylan McDowell (4 tackles, 2 TFL and 2 pass break-ups), senior ILB Sy Marrs (10 tackles) and OLB Anthony Smith (6 stops) led the defense, while senior guard Abdul Fall and senior tackle Mac Ball both earned championship blocking grades on the offensive line. Junior slotback Christian Wren (7-101-3 rushing) and QB Siler Holbrook (100 combined yards rushing/passing) led the offense.

NO. 18 NETTLETON (3-1, 1-0) at No. 20 Brookland (3-1, 0-1): Nettleton has won all 4 of its previous meetings with Brookland. The Raiders beat Batesville 27-12 a week ago behind junior RB Zavier Harrell (28-209-4) and senior RB Cam Austin (12-62). Senior DE Keon Stallings led the defense with 6 tackles, including 1 sack, while senior LB Kohen Ligons had 8 stops. Brookland trailed Wynne 24-0 in the second quarter last week before losing 38-6. QB Hayden Elder passed 7 yards to Gabe Carter for Brookland's TD. Senior RB/LB Calvin Spearman ran for 105 yards, while senior DL Jacob Reece made 12 tackles.

BATESVILLE (0-4, 0-1) at Paragould (3-1, 0-1): Batesville hasn't lost to the Rams since 1994, when Paragould was known as Ridgecrest. The winless Pioneers played their best game of the season last week, falling to Nettleton 27-12. Junior QB Cole Bentz passed for 104 yards and 1 TD, with senior Grant McDonald catching 7 passes for 83 yards and the TD. But the defense gave up 302 yards rushing to Nettleton. Paragould lost its first game last week (49-0 to unbeaten Valley View). Cole Chipman led the Rams with 83 yards rushing.

5A SOUTH

De Queen (3-1, 1-0) at NO. 1 LR PARKVIEW (3-1, 1-0): De Queen has won 3 consecutive games and has its most wins since going 5-5 in 2017. QB Cole Binkley threw 2 TD passes in last week's 29-12 win over Hope. Top-ranked LR Parkview expanded a 10-7 second-quarter advantage over Hot Springs into a 24-7 lead behind senior Omarion Robinson's 17-yard TD run and 30-yard TD grab. Robinson finished with 3 TDs. Sophomore Jermaine Petty's electric 73-yard screen pass TD (reversed field and zig-zagged for TD) invoked the mercy-rule in a 52-14 decision.

NO. 9 CAMDEN FAIRVIEW (2-2, 0-1) at Arkansas High (0-4, 0-1): Camden Fairview must recover emotionally from last week's 43-36 loss to HS Lakeside. The Cardinals were outgained 488-411 yards, but they led late in the fourth quarter. Senior QB Darrell Atkins (179 yards, 1 TD passing; 66 yards, 2 TDs rushing) and senior RB Trent Haygood (16-163-2) were the workhorses on offense. Arkansas High of Texarkana may have played its best game of the season last week in a 27-20 loss to Magnolia. Senior QB William Dunbar passed for 235 yards, 2 TDs and 6 Razorbacks caught passes, including junior Deandre Burnell (2 for 60 yards, 1 TD).

NO. 19 HOT SPRINGS (1-3, 0-1) at Hope (0-4, 0-1): Hot Springs trailed top-ranked LR Parkview 10-7 in the second quarter last week before losing 52-14. Defensive linemen Shawn Amos (6-4, 315) and LeBron Modacure (6-6, 320) played well vs. LR Parkview's interior line, while LB Chris Seguin led the defense with 11 tackles. Receivers Jamarcis Morning (7-79 yards) and T.J. Ellis (6-70 yards) sparked the offense. Hope averages 8 points per game.

No. 16 Magnolia (3-1, 1-0) at NO. 5 HS LAKESIDE (3-1, 1-0): Magnolia has won 12 of the past 22 in the series. The Panthers beat Arkansas High 27-20 last week, behind senior RBs Jamarion Young (30-155-1) and Ryderius Moore (15-91). Sophomore QB Titus Nelson passed for 153 yards and 2 TDs. Senior DB Kaleb Roach made 2 tackles and intercepted 2 passes. HS Lakeside won a see-saw battle with Camden Fairview 43-36 last week. Senior RB Grady Ohman (39-213-1) and senior QB Wally Walcott (17-21-253-4) directed an offense that put up 488 yards. Senior Ryan Ballard caught 6 passes for 150 yards and 1 TD.

5A WEST

Clarksville (1-3, 0-1) at NO. 8 GREENBRIER (2-2, 0-1): Greenbrier's late rally fell short in last week's 45-42 loss at Morrilton. RB Enoch Assan ran 36 times for 242 yards, and WR Salter Mahan caught 2 TD passes. OT Garrenn Barnett graded out as the highest lineman. Mathis Polk (9 tackles) and Kolden Sanders (2 tackles, 1 INT.) led the defense. Clarksville lost to Vilonia 51-13 last week, gaining 195 yards and committing 1 turnover.

NO. 6 MORRILTON (4-0, 1-0) at No. 13 Alma (3-1, 1-0): Alma has won 13 of the past 18 in the series. The Airedales beat Harrison 26-15 a week ago. Landon Morris ran for 2 TDs and Cash Farris caught 4 passes for 61 yards and 1 TD at receiver. Alma's defense forced 5 turnovers, including a Farris interception. Morrilton beat Greenbrier 45-42 a week ago. Senior QB Maddox Berry (23-42-283, 3 TDs), sophomore WR Champ McNabb (8-62-1) and senior WR Andrew Rhoden (6-96-1) played well for the Devil Dogs.

Harrison (0-3, 0-1) at NO. 14 FARMINGTON (3-1, 1-0): Harrison's defense played well in last week's 11-point loss to Alma. LB Caydem Long, Sky Lee, Noah Morris, Jon Bartlett and Ben Estes all recorded at least 10 tackles. Jaxon Ramsey ran 51 yards for a TD. Farmington's first-team defense didn't allow Pea Ridge to score last week and allowed 1 TD in Week 2 vs. Prairie Grove. Luke Elsik led the Cardinals rushing attack.

Pea Ridge (0-4, 0-1) at NO. 15 VILONIA (1-0): Pea Ridge struggled to move the ball last week against Farmington. Vilonia QB Skyler Cole threw 4 TD passes in the first half of last week's 51-13 win over Clarksville. The Eagles blocked 2 punts.