Hootens.com Rankings

Week 5

1. Elkins (4-0)

2. Arkadelphia (2-2)

3. Warren (2-2)

4. Mills (4-0)

5. Prairie Grove (3-1)

6. Malvern (4-0)

7. Gravette (4-0)

8. DeWitt (2-2)

9. Highland (3-0)

10. Southside (4-0)

11. Dardanelle (3-1)

12. Monticello (3-1)

13. Clinton (4-0)

14. Star City (4-0)

15. Mena (4-0)

16. Helena (4-0)

17. Pottsville (3-1)

18. Stuttgart (2-2)

19. Hamburg (3-1)

20. Bauxite (2-2)

Not Ranked

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

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

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

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

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

8-4A: Crossett (0-4)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 12 Monticello (3-1, 1-0) at NO. 3 WARREN (2-2, 1-0): The winner gets the 146-pound Saline River Shootout Trophy. Warren is 21-2-1 against Monticello under coach Bo Hembree. 

Warren used a 233-yard effort from its running game last week to slog past DeWitt 36-22 in the rain. Junior Aaron Davis (22-119), senior Antonio Jordan (8-74-3) and Cam Burks (5-30) powered the rushing attack. Burks returned a fumble 41 yards for a TD, and Tramond Miller returned a kickoff 54 yards for a TD.

Monticello has won 3 in a row on the season, including 35-32 last week over previously unbeaten Hamburg. Senior QB Tye Guthrie (10-14-163-1 passing; 6-26-1 rushing), junior RB Zae Jones (25-98) and sophomore RB Joseph Accelus (14-102-2) led the offense, while Laytn Nichols made 9 tackles and AJ Robinson had 6 stops.

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com predicted 20 of 24 games (83 percent), and for the season has predicted 120 of 149 games (81 percent).

WEEK 5 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)

1-4A
Berryville (1-3, 1-0) at NO. 1 ELKINS (4-0, 1-0): Berryville snapped a 5-game losing skid with last week's 21-6 win over Huntsville. Senior Decimus Ruiz ran for 2 TDs. Undefeated and top-ranked Elkins beat Gentry 45-20 last week. The Elks led 31-13 at halftime as QB Ben Napier passed for 269 yards and 1 TD, and Ja'Quae Walden ran for 133 yards and 3 TDs. Elkins has won 3 of its past 4 meetings with Berryville.

NO. 7 GRAVETTE (4-0, 1-0) at Green Forest (1-3, 0-1): Gravette impressed IN last week's 62-24 win over Lincoln. Senior Gabe Holmes (17-139 rushing, 3 TDs) and junior Kayden Brown (3-104 receiving, 2 TDs) scored 5 touchdowns. Brown's TD catches were thrown by junior QB Cameron Bedwell, 1 of 3 Lions to take snaps at QB. Gravette limited Lincoln to 28 yards rushing. Green Forest didn't score in last week's 56-point loss at Prairie Grove. Senior Ridge Gordon-Swofford (27-100) was the leader on offense.

NO. 5 PRAIRIE GROVE (3-1, 1-0) at Huntsville (1-3, 0-1): Prairie Grove has won 13 in a row over Huntsville, which last defeated Prairie Grove in 2000. Prairie Grove junior Blake Coughran (102 rushing) and Emmanuel Rodriguez (5-104 rushing) led the Tigers' rushing attack in a 56-0 win over Green Forest. Senior QB Alex Abshier passed for 159 yards and 2 TDs. Huntsville QB Kollin Tucker threw a 23-yard TD pass to Zackery Cousins in last week's 15-point loss at Berryville.

GENTRY (3-1, 0-1) at Lincoln (3-1, 0-1): Both teams are in need of a victory after losses last week. Lincoln trailed Gravette 48-0 in second quarter before losing 62-24, while Gentry was tied with Elkins 7-7 in the second quarter before losing 45-20. Lincoln QB Korbin Price passed for 181 yards, and Caden Brewer (6-80 receiving, TD; interception return for TD) shined on both sides of the ball. Cade Erikson caught 4 passes for 97 yards and 1 TD. Gentry QB Talan Williams passed for 183 yards and 1 TD, while WRs Cayden Koons (3-61-1) and Ezekiel Strong (5-71) sparked the offense.

2-4A

NO. 4 MILLS (4-0, 1-0) at Heber Springs (2-2, 1-0): Heber Springs' Brayden Biggs hit the winning 28-yard field goal with 2 seconds left last week to lift the Panthers to a 31-29 win over CAC. QB Liam Buffalo passed for 108 yards and TD and ran for another TD, while Weston Warden ran 29 times for 180 yards and 2 TDs. Carter Julian returned an interception 70 yards to set up the first Panthers TD, then caught a fourth-down TD pass from Buffalo in the fourth quarter. Undefeated Mills blanked Bald Knob 49-0 last week. Senior LT Nick Carter dominated at times, Coach Cortez Lee says.

Riverview (0-3, 0-1) at CAC (0-4, 0-1): Riverview senior Trevion Greer shifted from RB to QB last week because of injuries, and responded with 27 carries for 150 yards in a 31-point loss to Hall Steam. CAC freshman QB Jackson Plumlee (11-16-226-2 passing, 6-71 rushing) gave the offense a lift in last week's 2-point loss to Heber Springs. Sophomore RB Gus Smith ran for 110 yards and 2 TDs, and recorded 14 tackles at LB, while sophomore WR Brody Vantilborg caught 3 passes for 89 yards and 1 TD and added a 2-point conversion.

Hall Steam (2-2, 1-0) at FORREST CITY (0-4, 0-1): Hall Steam's 2 wins this fall equal the win total from last season. QB Jahari Scott ran for 2 TDs and threw a TD pass to Heden Singleton in last week's 38-7 win over Riverview. Singleton had an interception on defense, while DE Waldez Ware made plays. Forrest City did not play its best in a 35-0 loss Lonoke.

Bald Knob (0-4, 0-1) at LONOKE (1-3, 1-0): Bald Knob surrendered 383 yards rushing in last week's 49-0 loss to Mills. Lonoke beat Forrest City 35-0 last week, the first career win for Lonoke coach Clay Bemberg. Markquez Jackson, Jr. (143 rushing, 2 TDs) and Dmareon Eason (72 rushing, TD; 39-yard TD reception) lifted the offense.  Jonathan Hixson had 5 tackles and 1 blocked punt, while Ryder Ingle made 7 stops and blocked a punt.

3-4A

NO. 9 HIGHLAND (3-0, 1-0) at Trumann (2-2, 1-0): Highland yielded 106 yards in last week's 43-14 win over Gosnell, but the offensive line was the Rebels' MVP, Coach Sterling Stowers says, paving the way for senior RB Keagan Statler (30-161-1 rushing; 56-yard TD pass) and sophomore Jimmy Jensen (5-84-2; 56-yard TD catch). Jensen returned 2 punts for TDs and made 5 tackles. Trumann's Tony Postell, Jr. (22-166-2 rushing), Bradon Whitsett (19-115-1) led the way in last week's 30-0 win over Jonesboro Westside. Gavin Cubit made 12 pancake blocks at fullback and had 7 tackles.

Cave City (2-2, 0-1) at NO. 10 SOUTHSIDE (4-0, 1-0): Cave City must improve up front and control the clock with its running attack, Coach Danny Brustrom says. Senior QB Levi Jones ran for 84 yards and passed for 109 yards in last week's 32-6 loss to Blytheville. The Cavemen had the ball inside the 10-yard line twice in the first quarter, but failed to score. Southside beat Pocahontas 10-7 last week, controlling the clock with tough runs from senior Owen McLaughlin (24 carries, 181 yards). Louis Calhoun, Andrew Plummer, Brady Wood and Jackson Wammack each recorded at least 10 tackles. Braden Simpson averaged 40 yards per punt and Joel Busby hit a field goal in the pouring rain.

Jonesboro Westside (1-3, 0-1) at BLYTHEVILLE (1-2, 1-0): Jonesboro Westside Coach Bobby Engle says the Warriors must control the clock and have zero turnovers this week. Center Jacob Moore, sophomore skill player Kaden Puris and senior safety Tyson Young played well in last week's 30-0 loss to Trumann. Blytheville junior Courtney Rogers ran the ball well and controlled the clock, Coach Jett Howard says.

POCAHONTAS (1-3, 0-1) at Gosnell (1-3, 0-1): Gosnell has won 10 of the past 18 in the series, but it has struggled this fall. The Pirates trailed Highland 21-0 in the second quarter of last week's 43-14 setback. The Pirates surrendered 285 yards rushing and allowed 2 punt returns for TDs. Pocahontas gave up 262 yards and 10 points in last week's 3-point loss to Southside.

4-4A

Waldron (2-2, 1-0) at NO. 11 DARDANELLE (3-1, 1-0): Waldron shocked the state with last week's 22-15 win over Ozark. Cole Bailey ran for 157 yards and 2 TDs, while QB Eli Kluthe passed for 105 yards. Bailey made 7 tackles and 1 interception on defense, while Jaxon Brown (11 tackles) and Garrett Morris (4 TFL, 1 sack) also made big plays. Dardanelle downed Dover 65-14 a week ago behind junior QB Creed Vega (10-12-232-5 passing) and WR Rod Chaten (5-132-3). Ian Branson ran 3 times for 43 yards and 1 TD, and returned a punt 60 yards for a TD. Trey Robinson (7 tackles, including 1 sack), Justin Anderson (7 tackles) and Jace Finkenbinder (7 tackles) led the defense.

Pottsville (3-1, 0-1) at NO. 13 CLINTON (4-0, 1-0): Pottsville must bounce back from its first loss of the season (33-14 to Mena). RB Tripp Price ran the ball well. Clinton clobbered Lamar 56-24 a week ago. RBs Rylan Jones (16-196-2) and Zack Hunt-Gonzalez (15-167-2) led the ground attack, while junior QB Brodie Dufrene completed all 4 of his passes, 2 of them for TDs.

Lamar (2-2, 0-1) at NO. 15 MENA (4-0, 1-0): Mena can't afford a letdown after last week's 19-point win at previously unbeaten Pottsville. The Bearcats had a big lift from Jair Hernandez, who made 46- and 47-yard field goals, caught a TD pass and intercepted a pass. Senior Brody Peters rushed for 173 yards and 3 TDs. Lamar lost to Clinton by 32 points last week, despite the efforts of QB Caleb Green (324 yards passing; 13 carries, 46 yards).

Dover (1-3, 0-1) at OZARK (2-2, 0-1): Dover trailed Dardanelle 58-7 in the first half of last week's 65-14 setback. Ozark must regroup after last week's 7-point setback at Waldron. DL Blaine Childers played well, Coach Jeremie Burns says.

7-4A

No. 20 Bauxite (2-2, 0-1) at NO. 2 ARKADELPHIA (2-2, 1-0): Bauxite totaled 654 yards, including 557 rushing, in last week's 78-72 win over Fountain Lake. Senior Marcus Wimberly ran for 234 yards and had 51 receiving. QB Eli Perry ran for 174 and passed for 97 yards in his first start of the season. Ryan Hoskins (10.5 tackles, 1 INT.) led the defense while playing with a broken hand. Arkadelphia beat Nashville 42-12 last week, behind QB Bryston McCoy (23-36-357-4 passing), WR Orion Roberts (7-158-2) and Brayden Wagner (3-56-2). Malachi Hamilton led the Badgers defense with 11 tackles, while Xzavion Williams made 8 tackles, including 1 sack. Quentavion Morris had 8 stops, 1 sack, and forced/recovered a fumble.

NO. 6 MALVERN (4-0, 1-0) at H.G. Haskell (0-4, 0-1): Malvern mercy-ruled Genoa Central 37-0 a week ago. Junior RB Elijah Henton, filling in for injured Tavien Clegg, played well, along with junior Luey Jaime and Jeremiah Jimmerson. Haskell was outscored 18-6 in the second half of last week's 36-20 loss at Ashdown. The Cardinals had 419 yards rushing, but committed 2 turnovers. Jackson Estes led the Cardinals with 9 tackles, including 3 TFL and 1 sack. Jay Noble ran 33 times for 230 yards and 1 TD.

Nashville (1-3, 0-1) at FOUNTAIN LAKE (1-3, 0-1): Nashville trailed Arkadelphia 28-6 in the third quarter of last week's 42-12 loss. Jamarion Conway played well at receiver and safety. The Scrappers committed 4 turnovers and made too many defensive penalties, Coach Shawn Jackson says. Fountain Lake lost to Bauxite 78-72 last week. Sophomore QB Cooper Buss (44-68-487-7 passing; 20-73-2 rushing) played well, along with WR Peyton Harwood (22-241-4) and Kase Haire (11-177-2). “We've got to tackle better and make better presnap reads on defense,” Fountain Lake Coach Matt Richardson says.

ASHDOWN (2-2, 1-0) at Genoa Central (0-4, 0-1): Ashdown pulled away in the second half last week to down Haskell 36-20. The Panthers ran for more than 250 yards. Genoa Central trailed Malvern 20-0 in the first quarter last week before losing 37-0. The Dragons gave up 322 yards.

8-4A

No. 12 Monticello (3-1, 1-0) at NO. 3 WARREN (2-2, 1-0): Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week, above.

NO. 8 DEWITT (2-2, 0-1) at No. 14 Star City (4-0, 1-0): DeWitt trailed Warren 14-0 in the third quarter last week before losing 36-22. DeWitt's defense held Warren to 252 yards; QB Justin Ross ran 50 yards for a TD. Undefeated Star City handled Crossett 46-0 a week ago, jumping to a 40-0 advantage in the second quarter. Senior Peyton Taylor ran 9 times for 91 yards and 3 TDs and scored 2 two-point conversions. Senior Zairen Beebe caught 1 TD from junior QB Jacob Boothe (9-13-143-1 passing; 4-53-1 rushing). Dejuan Haney led the defense with 5 tackles (2 TFL) and returned an interception for a TD.

Crossett (0-4, 0-1) at NO. 18 STUTTGART (2-2, 0-1): It's Homecoming in Stuttgart, and the Ricebirds must bounce back from last week's 18-17 loss at Helena. Sophomore DL Ladadrian Smith played well enough last week to earn a starting spot. “It was miserable conditions and they made one more play than us,” Coach Josh Price says. Winless Crossett has been outscored 175-35 this season.

No. 16 Helena (4-0, 1-0) at NO. 19 HAMBURG (3-1, 0-1): Undefeated Helena committed 3 turnovers but beat Stuttgart 18-17 a week ago, its first conference win since Week 2, 2022. Senior Treyzaugh Johnson played well. Hamburg suffered its first loss, falling to Monticello 35-32. Senior QB Saxton Brooks passed for 212 yards and 2 TDs and made 6 tackles and 1 interception on defense. Senior LB Peyton Sellers recorded 18 tackles.