Hooten’s Arkansas Football Rankings

       Class 4A, Week 6, 2023

       Copyright Seventy Seven’s Publishing

1. Malvern (3-2)

2. Warren (5-0)

3. Harding Academy (5-0)

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

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com correctly predicted 18 of 21 games (86 percent) involving 4A teams, and 139 of 166 games (84 percent) for the season.

No. 8 DEWITT (6-0; 4-0) at No. 13 Crossett (3-2; 2-1): Crossett has won 8 of the past 9 meetings over the Dragons. The Eagles must rebound emotionally after losing to No. 2 -ranked Warren 49-42 a week ago. The Eagles had the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead in the final minutes before turning the ball over on downs. Senior Taylin Paskel (5-146-1) caught the ball well from senior QB Max Brooks (14-34-245-2 passing; 19-31-3 rushing), while senior Isaiah Bunton (18-83-1) ran the ball with authority.
Undefeated DeWitt edged by Hamburg last week 45-28 behind senior QB Carson Mitchell (16-26-208-2). Running back Korri Graham (11-64-1) and Owen St. John ran the ball well, while versatile senior Justin Ross (6-67 rushing; 6-141-2 receiving; 2 interceptions, 1 returned for TD) made plays. “The effort and team speed on defense is impressive,” Crossett coach Vincent Newton says.

WEEK 6 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)

1-4A
ELKINS (5-0; 2-0) at Berryville (2-3; 0-2): Unbeaten Elkins hammered Huntsville 63-0 last week. Senior QB Dizzy Dean (18-20-301-3) threw the ball well, while senior Da'Shawn Chairs (8-116-3) bolstered the rushing attack. Pucci Townsend caught 6 passes for 89 yards, while Mason Allan led the defense with 6 tackles and 1 forced fumble. Berryville was outgained 567-162 in last week's 54-7 loss to Berryville.

GENTRY (4-1; 2-0) at Green Forest (2-3; 0-2): Gentry ran for 354 yards and 5 TDs in last week's 47-point win over Berryville. Pioneers RBs Cayden Koons (12-158-2) and Addi Taylor (5-92 rushing; 3-88-2 receiving) and sophomore QB Talan Williams (12-15-213-3) made plays on offense, while Kydon Lynch (5 tackles, 4 sacks) sparked the defense. Green Forest trailed Ozark 41-0 in the second quarter last week before losing by 35 points. Senior Ridge Gordon-Swofford ran 20 times for 74 yards, while Brityn Gilliam led the defense with 6.5 tackles and 1 interception.

GRAVETTE (2-3; 1-1) at Huntsville (0-5; 0-3): Gravette rallied from a 28-7 third quarter deficit last week to down Lincoln 36-34. Freshman DB Joseph Beem returned an interception 24 yards for a TD, and Gabe Holmes (3 rushing TDs) ran in the 2-point conversion with 2:22 left to give Gravette an 8-point lead. Winless Huntsville averages 6 points per game.

OZARK (4-1; 2-0) at Lincoln (4-1; 1-1): Lincoln must bounce back emotionally after losing last week at Gravette 36-34. The Wolves led 28-7 in the third quarter, but had 4 turnovers and surrendered 29 unanswered points. Kale Jones ran for 2 TDs, but was injured in the third quarter and didn't return. Ozark beat Green Forest 41-6 last week after leading 41-0 at halftime. Junior QB Koby Wilbanks (8-122-3 rushing; 6-10-48 passing) and senior cornerback MJ Parker (3 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries) played well.

2-4A
HARDING ACADEMY (5-0; 2-0) at Bald Knob (2-2; 0-1): Bald Knob surrendered 27 points in the first quarter of last week's 48-0 loss to Heber Springs. Harding Academy DL Kaynan Harris continues playing well, Coach Neil Evans says. Junior QB Owen Miller (8-13-224-4) threw the ball well in last week's 45-14 victory over Lonoke. Isaac Baker caught a 47-yard TD pass, while Luv Patel caught 2 TD passes (67 and 47 yards).

Cave City (0-6; 0-2) at LONOKE (2-3; 1-1): Cave City trailed Riverview 35-0 in the first half last week. Junior ILB Adrian Finney and sophomore ILB John Lewallen each made 8 tackles. Lonoke senior QB Bradon Allen threw a 73-yard TD pass to Denham Gooden and Marquez Jackson, Jr., ran 68 yards for a  TD. The Jackrabbits lost 2 more players to injury last week and hope to dress out 26 players this week, Coach Chris Norton says.

STUTTGART (3-2; 1-0) at Riverview (1-5; 1-1): Riverview's 35-0 win last week at Cave City was its first of the year. Senior QB Ryder Conway threw 3 TDs in the first half — to Dakalan Williams, Trevion Greer and Chandler Stinson. Stuttgart didn't play last week, and 2 weeks ago the Ricebirds lost to 42-6 to Harding Academy. Junior Deontae Clark has 28 catches this fall for 538 yards and 5 TDs, while freshman Cain Price (75-122-1,080-7 TDs) has evolved at QB. Nykeal Bradley, Dylan Duncan and Tank Hood have played well on Stuttgart's defense.

OPEN Heber Springs

3-4A
Highland (4-1; 2-0) at BLYTHEVILLE (3-2; 2-0): Blytheville has beaten Harrisburg and Jonesboro Westside the past 2 weeks by a combined 74-0. Highland QB Zac Huckabee (19-117 rushing) and RB Keagan Statler (21-80-2) paced the rushing attack in last week's 13-0 win at Trumann. Gabe Hightower (14 tackles), Kalei Tokanang (10 tackles) and Statler (7 tackles) played well on defense.

Harrisburg (0-5; 0-2) at POCAHONTAS (0-5; 0-2): Harrisburg has been outscored 153-14 the past 2 weeks. The Hornets totaled 62 yards (minus-7 rushing) and 2 first downs in last week's 69-14 loss to Rivercrest. Pocahontas gave up 373 yards and 26 points last week to Gosnell. Defensive linemen Caleb Bettis, Reagan Womack, and safety Cooper Sorg played well.

Jonesboro Westside (0-5; 0-2) at RIVERCREST (3-2; 2-0): Eleven Rivercrest players ran the ball in last week's 69-14 victory over Harrisburg. Junior QB Cavonta Washington passed for 160 yards and 3 TDs and ran for 26 yards and 2 TDs. DE Wyatt Lancaster (5 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 fumble recovery) menaced Harrisburg's offense. Winless Jonesboro Westside averages 6 points per game.

GOSNELL (4-1; 1-1) at Trumann (3-2; 1-1): Gosnell, which suffered a last-second loss to Highland 2 weeks ago, bounced back last week with a 20-point victory over Pocahontas. Senior Cam Williams ran for 189 yards and 1 TD, threw for 112 yards and 1 TD, and returned an interception 95 yards for a TD. Carson Tally racked up 18 tackles and 5 TFL. The Pirates expect RB Jai Jacobs to return from injury. Trumann H-back/LB Gavin Cubit recorded a pancake block and registered 10 tackles in last week's 13-0 loss to Highland. Thomas Chavarria also made 10 tackles.

4-4A
CLINTON (4-1; 2-1) at Bauxite (3-3; 2-2): Clinton didn't play last week, and 2 weeks ago the Yellow Jackets recorded a 34-7 win over H.G. Haskell. They held Haskell to 191 yards (50 yards given up by subs in the fourth quarter) and forced 2 turnovers. Clinton ran 51 times for 266 yards and 5 TDs, led by Zane Widener (15-130-4) and Zach Hunt (16-68-1). Bauxite, which played without Arkansas commit Marcus Wimberly, trailed Pottsville 19-7 in the second quarter last week before losing 40-14. Garrett Oliver returned a kickoff 72 yards for a TD, while Chelton Murdock ran in a TD.

H.G. HASKELL (2-4; 1-3) at Dover (2-3; 0-3): Defending league champion H.G. Haskell has lost 3 of its past 4 games, including 17-14 a week ago at Lamar when it yielded 320 yards rushing. The Cardinals tied the game at 14-14 on Lane Richardson's 64-yard pass to Peyton Potter in the third quarter, but Lamar kicked the winning field goal in the final minutes. Dover has lost its 3 conference games by a combined 111-26.

Mayflower (3-2; 1-2) at LAMAR (4-1; 2-1): Junior Luis Balmer kicked a 35-yard field goal with 1:39 left to lift Lamar to a 17-14 win over H.G. Haskell last week. Lane Miller's interception with 36 seconds left secured the victory. Junior QB Caleb Green (11-58-1), senior Jarrett Dalton (9-64-1) and sophomore Kaz Crotts (13-95) led Lamar's rushing attack. The defense, led by Dalton's 7 tackles, gave up 229 yards. Mayflower, Lamar's homecoming opponent, outgained CAC 512-462 last week but lost 50-34. Mayflower led 28-22 in the third quarter. QB Frankie Fennell ran for 220 yards and 3 TDs, while Arturo Acosta sprinted 67 yards for a TD.

Central Arkansas Christian (5-1; 3-1) at POTTSVILLE (5-1; 4-0): CAC rallied from a 6-point third-quarter deficit last week to beat Mayflower 50-34. CAC QB Greyson Wilson proved a dual threat (123 yards rushing, 2 TDs; 269 yards passing, 2 TDs), while Renalson Sullivan ran for 2 TDs. Pottsville has won 5 in a row, including 40-14 last week at Bauxite. QB Miller Mahan completed 10 of 11 passes and ran for more than 100 yards and 4 TDs at Bauxite, while Eli Adkins and Tate Cobb each ran for more than 70 yards and 1 TD.

HALL STEAM (1-4; 1-3) at Waldron (0-6; 0-2): This is a nonconference game. Hall won its first game last week, dumping Dover 39-14. QB Jakorei Carter-Foreman tallied 4 TDs (3 rushing, 1 passing), while Haden Singleton caught a 57-yard TD pass and ran 73 yards for a TD. The Warriors intercepted 2 passes, with Jahari Farbe scoring on an 80-yard interception return. Winless Waldron has scored 26 points in the past 5 games.

7-4A
MALVERN (3-2; 1-0) at Ashdown (3-2; 1-0): Malvern made quick work of Waldron last week, holding the Bulldogs to 57 yards and cruising to a 48-0 victory. Seniors Jalen Dupree (11-226-5 rushing) and Dyelon Caradine (6-85-1 receiving) played only the first half. Jarrod Barber led Malvern's defense with 8 tackles. Ashdown beat Waldron 52-14 two weeks ago. Braedon Walton has been Ashdown's big-play receiver.

NASHVILLE (3-2; 0-1) at Mena (3-2; 0-1): Both teams are coming off losses to Arkadelphia. Nashville lost 2 weeks ago 44-6, and Mena 51-7 a week ago). Nashville senior Tre Hopkins (69-412) and sophomore Tucker Dixon (61-477) lead the rushing attack. Senior DL Omari Benson (36 tackles, 6 sacks) and sophomore DL Zaccheus Harris (30 tackles, 8 sacks) have developed into stalwarts. Mena sophomore Guice Anderson caught the Bearcats' lone TD vs. Arkadelphia and racked up 6 tackles, while OL/DL Luke Floyd played well on both sides.
OPEN Arkadelphia

8-4A
DEWITT (6-0; 4-0) at Crossett (3-2; 2-1): See Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week, above.

Dumas (3-2; 0-2) at WARREN (5-0; 3-0): Undefeated Warren escaped Crossett 49-42 last week. Freshman QB Jackson Denton threw 3 TD passes, while H-back Ervin Rivera ran for 2 TDs. Dumas has dropped 2 in a row by a combined 22 points after starting the season 3-0. Senior QB Joseph Jones (19-31-220-3) played well in last week's 35-20 loss at Monticello. Junior WR Raylen Spratt caught 8 passes for 144 yards and 3 TDs a week ago, while sophomore LB Keon Chaffin led the defense with 16 tackles and 1 interception.

MONTICELLO (4-2; 3-1) at Hamburg (1-5; 1-3): Monticello has won 3 in a row, including 35-20 over Dumas a week ago. Senior RB Jon Jackson (32-158) and versatile senior Ja'Quayvius Rhodes (7-51-3 rushing; 6-86 receiving) played well, while Laytn Nichols (8 tackles) and Curtis Barrow (4 tackles, 1 INT. for a TD) were defensive leaders. Hamburg trailed DeWitt 24-21 at halftime last week before losing 45-28. Lions freshman QB Kaeden Thomas accounted for 171 yards and 2 TDs last week but threw 4 interceptions. Senior DB Brent Thompson led the defense with 5 tackles and 1 interception.

Helena (0-5; 0-2) at STAR CITY (0-6; 0-3): A battle of winless teams. Star City trailed McGehee 21-14 in the fourth quarter last week but lost 34-14. QB Peyton Taylor ran for 70 yards, while Kevin Johnson returned a kickoff for a TD and led the Bulldogs in tackles. Helena has lost 12 consecutive games. The Cougars gave up 35 points in the first half vs. Monticello 2 weeks ago.

OPEN McGehee