Hootens Arkansas Football Rankings

Class 4A, Week 7, 2023

Copyright Seventy Seven's Football Publishing, LLC.

1. Malvern (4-2)

2. Warren (6-0)

3. Harding Academy (6-0)

4. Elkins (6-0)

5. Rivercrest (4-2)

6. Arkadelphia (2-3)

7. Ozark (5-1)

8. DeWitt (7-0)

9. Nashville (4-2)

10. CAC (6-1)

11. Stuttgart (4-2)

12. Monticello (5-2)

13. Crossett (3-3)

14. Pottsville (5-2)

15. McGehee (3-2)

16. Bauxite (4-3)

17. Blytheville (4-2)

18. Lamar (4-2)

19. Gentry (5-1)

20. Mayflower (4-2)

21. Trumann (4-2)

22. Clinton (4-2)

23. H.G. Haskell (3-4)

24. Highland (4-2)

25. Heber Springs (3-2)

26. Ashdown (3-3)

27. Gravette (3-3)

28. Gosnell (4-2)

29. Lonoke (3-3)

30. Lincoln (4-2)

31. Mena (3-3)

32. Hamburg (1-6)

33. Dumas (3-3)

34. Pocahontas (1-5)

35. Star City (1-6)

36. Hall Steam (2-4)

37. Bald Knob (2-4)

38. Huntsville (0-6)

39. Green Forest (2-4)

40. Berryville (2-4)

41. Dover (2-4)

42. Riverview (1-6)

43. Jonesboro Westside (0-6)

44. Helena (0-6)

45. Cave City (0-7)

46. Waldron (0-6)

47. Harrisburg (0-6)

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com correctly predicted 19 of 22 games (86 percent) involving 4A teams. For the season, 158 of 188 games (84 percent) have been correctly picked.

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 2 WARREN at No. 8 DeWitt

Warren has never lost a conference game to DeWitt. The Lumberjacks beat Crossett by 7 points 2 weeks ago, and last week were up on Dumas 8-0 in third quarter before pulling away 49-6. The Lumberjacks put up 414 yards (249 passing, 165 rushing) to key the victory. Junior Antonio Jordan (6-106-3 receiving) and Neon'dre Thomas (5-90-1 receiving) were the top receivers. Senior Treylon Jackson (17-103 rushing; 3-41 receiving) provided a dual threat. The Lumberjacks held Dumas to minus-6 yards rushing. Senior end Neeyo Harding (3 sacks) and Jordan (1.5 sacks) pressured Dumas' backfield.

DeWitt jumped on Crossett 22-0 in the first quarter last week, easing to a 25-6 decision. Sophomore Korri Graham ran 33 times for 250 yards, while J.J. Daniels ran for 3 TDs. RB/WR/DB Justin Ross (11-59 rushing; 2-41 receiving; 6 tackles, 1 interception and 1 blocked field goal )  played well on both sides.

WEEK 7 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)

1-4A

Green Forest (2-4; 0-3) at ELKINS (6-0; 3-0): Elkins has won 8 of the past 13 over the Tigers. The Elks outgained Berryville 464-7 last week, cruising to a 62-7 victory. Senior QB Dizzy Dean (15-17-227-5 passing) and junior RB Ja'Quae Walden (6-124-2 rushing) led the offensive onslaught, while senior LB Gunner Casebolt (4 tackles, 1 sack) and Connor Hamm (2 tackles, 1 fumble recovery for TD) played well on defense. Green Forest's Ridge Gordon-Swofford logged 26 carries for 150 yards and 1 TD and added a 2-point conversion in last week's 20-point loss to Gentry.

OZARK (5-1; 3-0) at Gentry (5-1; 3-0): A big battle for playoff seedings. Ozark disposed of Lincoln 44-7 a week ago behind junior QB Kolby Wilbanks (10-209-4 rushing; 4-8-42 passing). The Hillbillies blocked a punt, recorded a safety and LB Eli Gilstrap scooped a fumble and returned it for a TD. Gentry's Cayden Koons ran for 203 yards and 2 TDs, while sophomore QB Talan Williams passed for 101 yards and 2 TDs in last week's 48-28 win at Green Forest. Bennett Roberts ran for a TD and led the Pioneers defense with 21 tackles.

Berryville (2-4; 0-3) at GRAVETTE (3-3; 2-1): Gravette has won 19 of the past 21 vs. Berryville. Gravette QB Gabe Holmes threw 2 TD passes in last week's 55-14 win over Huntsville, while Kyler Austin ran for 2 TDs. Berryville managed 7 points and totaled 7 yards in last week's 55-point loss to Elkins.

LINCOLN (4-2; 1-2) at Huntsville (0-6; 0-3): Winless Huntsville trailed Gravette 49-8 at halftime last week before losing 55-14. Isaiah Hale ran for a first-half TD and Dax Wiggins plowed in a 2-point conversion. Lincoln surrendered 323 rushing yards in last week's 44-7 loss to Ozark.

2-4A

RIVERVEW (1-6; 1-2) at Bald Knob (2-3; 0-2): Riverview hung with Stuttgart in the first half (led 10-7 early second quarter) last week before losing 35-17. Trevion Greer bolted 24 yards for an early Riverview TD. Bald Knob has lost its 2 conference games (to Heber Springs and Harding Academy) by a combined 90-14. Tyrese Dinwiddie ran for 2 TDs last week vs. Harding Academy.

STUTTGART (4-2; 2-0) at Cave City (0-7; 0-3): Stuttgart freshman QB Cain Price threw 5 TD passes (to 4 different receivers) in last week's 35-17 win at Riverview. Tank Hood (11 tackles, 5 TFL) and Carson Konecny (9 tackles, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception) led Stuttgart's defense. Winless Cave City has been outscored in its 3 league games by a combined 112-7.

Lonoke (3-3; 2-1) at HEBER SPRINGS (3-2; 2-0): Heber Springs has won 9 of the past 17 matchups with the Jackrabbits. The Panthers have won 3 in a row after starting the season 0-2. Senior playmaker Parker Brown averages a mind-numbing 18.5 yards per carry this season (17-315-5) and 45 yards per catch (3-137-2). Junior QB Liam Buffalo (184 yards rushing, 5 TDs; 194 yards passing, 5 TDs) also has played well, along with LB Brodie Basford (35 tackles, 2 forced fumbles) have played well.

OPEN Harding Academy

3-4A

BLYTHEVILLE (4-2; 3-0) at Gosnell (4-2; 1-2): This is the fourth meeting between these schools, located 4 miles apart (Blytheville won by 2 points in 2021 and Gosnell won last year by 6 points). Blytheville beat Highland 32-20 a week ago, after shutting out Harrisburg and Jonesboro Westside the previous 2 weeks. The Chickasaws ran for almost 300 yards vs. Highland, and the defense forced 4 turnovers. Gosnell lost at Trumann 29-23 a week ago. Versatile senior Cam Williams (3-6-34 passing; 9-83-2 rushing; 2-8 receiving) and sophomore Jai Jacobs-Ford (5-53 receiving) helped the Pirates stay close. Junior LB Vonterrues Lucas made 14 tackles and 2 sacks.

Harrisburg (0-6; 0-3) at JONESBORO WESTSIDE (0-6; 0-3): This is a battle of winless teams. Jonesboro Westside has won 7 of the past 10 meetings with Harrisburg. Harrisburg has been outscored 276-85 this year, while Jonesboro Westside has been outscored 241-29.

RIVERCREST (4-2; 3-0) at Highland (4-2; 2-1): Highland's 32-20 loss at Blytheville last week was its first conferece loss of the season. The Rebels turned the ball over 4 times. Junior RB Keagan Statler (16-135-2 rushing) kept Highland in the game with tough runs, and senior Gabe Hightower led the defense with 14 tackles. Rivercrest has won 3 in a row, including last week's 45-6 victory over Jonesboro Westside. Senior RB Koby Turner (6-148-2 rushing) and WR Michael Rainer (2-65-2 receiving) helped the Colts build a 25-6 advantage in the second quarter. Senior LB Marcus Slayton made 12 tackles.

TRUMANN (4-2; 2-1) at Pocahontas (1-5; 1-2): Pocahontas has won 14 of the past 18 meetings over Trumann. The Redskins beat Harrisburg 40-8 last week for their first win. QB D.J. Coffey, in his first game back from injury, hit 13 of 18 passes for 157 yards and 2 TDs in the first half, with tight end Ty Menard caught 3 passes for 59 yards and 1 TD. Menard, LB Rickey Regina and DB Dylan Lindsey played well, coach Casey Chester says. Trumann squeaked past Gosnell 29-23 a week ago. Senior QB Jake Osment (36-217-3 rushing) comprised the bulk of the Wildcats offense, while sophomore OLB Brodie Popejoy recorded 3 tackles and he stripped the ball from a Gosnell player and returned it 27 yards for a TD.

4-4A

Clinton (4-2; 2-2)  at CAC (6-1; 4-1): Clinton has lost 2 of its past 3 league games – to Mayflower (42-35 in Week 4) and Bauxite (55-32 last week). Senior Zane Widener (15-102-2 rushing; 3-55 receiving) provided much of the spark on offense. Dawson Burgess added 7 catches for 90 and Zach Hunt ran 30 times for 180 yards and 1 TD. All 5 of CAC's conference games have been decided by 16 points or less, including last week's 44-43 victory over Pottsville. The Mustangs put up 430 yards and the defense delivered 2 stops in the final 5 minutes to preserve the victory. Junior QB Grayson Wilson (16-26-245-4 passing; 6-52-2 rushing) has developed into a dual threat, while junior RB Renalson Sullivan (23-135 rushing) keeps opponents off the field with tough runs.

Lamar (4-2; 2-2) at POTTSVILLE (5-2; 4-1): Lamar must rebound from last week's 7-point loss at Mayflower, when the Warriors fumbled at midfield with less than 3 minutes left. Caiden Woods (10-74 rushing) and Zaedyn Rodgers (57 yards rushing, 1 TD) led the offense. Will Sanders led Lamar with 11 tackles, while Gavyn Edwards had 2 tackles and 1 interception. Lamar expects a few key contributors to return from injury this week. Pottsville tallied 647 yards in last week's 1-point loss to CAC. QB Miller Mahan ran for more than 200 yards. “It will be a challenge for our defense,” Pottsville coach Bryan Rust says. “We've been playing spread teams and now have to get back to a smash-mouth offense.”

Dover (2-4; 0-4) at MAYFLOWER (4-2; 2-2): Dover won all 4 meetings with Mayflower from 2002-2006, but Mayflower beat the Pirates last fall by 34 points. Mayflower rallied past Lamar last week 20-13 with 2 fourth-quarter TDs , and the Eagles defense forced and recovered a fumble with 2:54 remaining to seal the victory. Dover lost to H.G. Haskell 40-0 a week ago, and the Pirates have failed to score in 2 of their past 3 games.

Hall Steam (2-4; 1-3) at H.G. HASKELL (3-4; 2-3): H.G. Haskell senior Peyton Potter (14-201-5 rushing; 5-95 receiving) sparked last week's 40-0 win at Dover. Hall senior QB Jakorei Carter-Foreman ran for 3 TDs and threw 2 TD passes in last week's 46-16 nonconference victory at Waldron. Heden Singleton caught a TD pass and returned an interception 38 yards for a TD. Terrance Bobo led the Warrior defense with 8 tackles.

OPEN Bauxite

7-4A

Mena (3-3; 0-2) at MALVERN (4-2; 2-0): Mena has lost 2 conference games this fall (vs. Arkadelphia and Nashville) by a combined 97-21. Junior WR/ILB Sean Sullivan (4-75-1 receiving; 11 tackles) played well in last week's 46-14 loss to Nashville, along with junior LB Brody Peters (18 tackles). The Bearcats have gotten opponents in 3rd- and 4th-down situations, but usually allow them to convert, Coach Craig Bentley says. Malvern beat Ashdown 38-8 a week ago behind senior RB and Colorado State commit Jalen Dupree (27-206-3). Senior LB Romere Bennett made 8 tackles and returned a fumble 73 yards for a TD.

Ashdown (3-3; 1-1) at NASHVILLE (4-2; 1-1): Nashville leads the all-time series 55-19 and the Scrappers snapped a 2-game losing streak to the Panthers last fall with a 28-20 decision. Ashdown had 2 TDs negated via penalty in last week's 30-point loss to Malvern. Ashdown has 3 special teams TDs this fall. Nashville led Mena 26-7 last week before pulling away to a 46-14 win. Senior RB Tre Hopkins (23-121-4) and sophomore Tucker Dixon (10-84-1) helped the Scrappers control the clock with a stout ground game behind linemen Kason Willard, Remington Miller and Tyler Brown. DL Omari Benson (8 tackles, 1 fumble recovery) and LB Carmelo Jones (7 tackles, 1 fumble recovery) played well on defense, Coach Mike Volarvich says.

ARKADELPHIA (2-3; 2-0) at Waldron (0-6; 0-2): Arkadelphia has won 5 straight over Waldron, including last season by 50 points. Arkadelphia has won its 2 league games (over Nashville and Mena) by a combined 95-13. Senior LB Chase Vantilborg (43 tackles, 3 forced fumbles), senior DB Nick Williams (51 tackles, 1 interception return for a TD) and sophomore DE Skylar McClure (33 tackles, 2 sacks) spearhead the Badgers defense. Winless Waldron has been outscored 313-56 this fall.

8-4A

WARREN (6-0; 4-0) at DeWitt (7-0; 5-0): Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week, above

Star City (1-6; 1-3) at DUMAS (3-3; 0-3): The winner stays alive for a playoff spot. Star City ran for 201 yards and forced 4 turnovers in last week's 44-12 win over Helena. Dumas trailed Warren 8-0 in the third quarter last week before losing 49-6. Junior WR Raylen Spratt caught 6 passes for 62 yards and returned a kickoff 95 yards for a TD.

Helena (0-6; 0-3) at HAMBURG (1-6; 1-4): Hamburg has won all 6 of its meetings with Helena since the Cougars joined the league. The Lions lost to Monticello 34-30 a week ago. Freshman QB Kaeden Thomas (21-170-2 rushing; 5-9-60 passing) and junior LB Payton Sellers (17 tackles) played well. Helena had 4 turnovers and committed 13 penalties in last week's 32-point loss to Star City.

CROSSETT (3-3; 2-2) at McGehee (3-2; 2-2): Crossett has beaten McGehee in 10 of the past 17 meetings. This year's game has playoff implications. “It's a must win for both of us,” Crossett Coach Vincent Newton says. Crossett has dropped consecutive games to Warren (49-42) and DeWitt (25-6). DeWitt jumped on the Eagles 22-0 in the first quarter a week ago. Senior Max Taunton made 8 solo tackles vs. DeWitt, while Armod Williams had 7 solos. Eagles senior RB Taylin Paskel has 741 yards and 7 TDs this fall, and senior QB Max Brooks has 20 TDs (13 passing, 7 rushing). McGehee didn't play last week, and defeated Star City 34-14 2 weeks ago. Senior QB/LB Ky Bell, sophomore FB/LB Roshawn Brown, sophomore OL/DL Jaxon Williams and sophomore WB/DB Amari Norman have played well this year, Coach Marcus Haddock says.

OPEN Monticello