Hootens.com Class 4A Rankings

Week 7, 2024

1. Elkins (6-0)

2. Arkadelphia (4-2)

3. Warren (4-2)

4. Mills (6-0)

5. Prairie Grove (5-1)

6. Malvern (6-0)

7. Gravette (6-0)

8. DeWitt (4-2)

9. Highland (5-0)

10. Southside (6-0)

11. Dardanelle (5-1)

12. Mena (6-0)

13. Monticello (4-2)

14. Clinton (5-1)

15. Hamburg (4-2)

16. Helena (5-1)

17. Gentry (5-1)

18. Star City (4-2)

19. Nashville (3-3)

20. Pottsville (4-2)

Not Ranked

1-4A: Berryville (1-5), Green Forest (1-5), Huntsville (1-5), Lincoln (3-3)

2-4A: Bald Knob (0-5), CAC (2-4), Forrest City (1-5), Hall Steam (2-4), Heber Springs (3-3), Lonoke (3-3), Riverview (0-5)

3-4A: Blytheville (2-3), Cave City (2-4), Gosnell (2-4), Jonesboro Westside (1-5), Pocahontas (3-3), Trumann (2-4)

4-4A: Dover (1-5), Lamar (3-3), Ozark (3-3), Waldron (2-4)

7-4A: Ashdown (3-3), Bauxite (2-4), Fountain Lake (1-5), Genoa Central (0-6), HG Haskell (1-5)

8-4A: Crossett (0-6), Stuttgart (3-3)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 5 Prairie Grove (5-1, 3-0) at NO. 1 ELKINS (6-0, 3-0): This likely decides the 1-4A championship. Prairie Grove has won all 3 previous meetings against Elkins.

Undefeated Elkins outscores opponents by an average of 52-9, and the Elks made a statement by whipping Warren 49-14 in Week 2. They've won 3 conference games by a combined 158-26. Quarterback Ben Napier completed 9 of 12 passes, 144 yards and 2 TDs in last week's 58-0 win at Lincoln, with Landon Martin hauling in 2 TD passes. Brad Walker's only reception went 50 yards for a TD. Brooks Williams (4 tackles), Carson Rico (2 tackles, 1 interception) and Pucci Townsend (1 tackle, 1 interception) led on defense. Dawson Mallis made all 8 of his extra-point attempts.

Prairie Grove's only loss this fall was at Class 5A Farmington 28-8 in Week 2. The Tigers have won 3 conference games by a combined 163-3. Braxton Bershears returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a TD in last week's 62-3 victory over Berryville. QB Alex Abshier (4-7-109 passing), RB Jace Edwards (3-94 rushing) and Blake Coughran (4-84-1) led the offensive onslaught.

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com predicted 23 of 24 games (96 percent), and for the season has predicted 166 of 197 games (84 percent).

WEEK 7 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)

1-4A

No. 5 Prairie Grove (5-1, 3-0) at NO. 1 ELKINS (6-0, 3-0): Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week.

NO. 7 GRAVETTE (6-0, 3-0) at Berryville (1-5, 1-2): Gravette has won 22 of 23 meetings vs. Berryville. Undefeated Gravette jumped on Huntsville 55-0 in the second quarter last week before winning 55-7. QB Cam Bedwell (5-7-85-1 passing; 4-99-1 rushing) and RB Gabe Holmes (8-48 rushing, 3 TDs) sparked the offense. Berryville has scored 16 points in 3 conference games.

LINCOLN (3-3, 0-3) at Green Forest (1-5, 0-3): Lincoln committed 4 turnovers in last week's 58-0 loss to top-ranked Elkins. Junior LB Jordan Kaler led Green Forest with 22 tackles in last week's 28-0 loss to Gentry.

NO. 17 GENTRY (5-1, 2-1) at Huntsville (1-5, 0-3): The Pioneers recovered 2 first-half fumbles and backup QB Tylan Owl threw 2 TD passes in a 28-0 victory over Green Forest. Huntsville lost to Gravette 55-7 last week after falling behind 34-0 in the second quarter.

2-4A

Riverview (0-5, 0-3) at NO. 4 MILLS (6-0, 3-0): Riverview won its only 2 meetings over Mills in 2018-2019. Mills led Forrest City 28-12 at halftime last week before pulling away 55-12. Freshman QB Elijah Moody (13-171-4 rushing; 11-15-181-1 passing) keyed the attack. Senior Chauncey Hayes had 113 receiving yards and Rodney Jackson ran for 2 TDs. Riverview has given up 148 points in 3 conference games.

Bald Knob (0-6, 0-3) at FORREST CITY(1-5, 1-2): Mills clamped down on Forrest City's rushing attack last week, allowing sophomore QB Kendrick Patterson to throw 2 TD passes to WR Roshawd Washington in a 55-12 loss at Mills. Bald Knob has lost its 3 conference games by a combined 138-6.

Hall Steam (2-4, 1-2) at HEBER SPRINGS (3-3, 2-1): These teams have never played. Hall Steam continues showing improvement, even in a 35-28 loss to CAC. The Warriors led 21-14 in the third quarter as QB Jahari Scott threw 2 TD passes and ran for another. Heber Springs' Emmett Dwyer intercepted 2 passes in last week's 48-6 win over Bald Knob, returning 1 for a TD. He also blocked an extra-point and a field goal and caught a 40-yard TD pass. WR Logan Rutledge led the Panthers with 3 catches for 102 yards and 1 TD.

Central Arkansas Christian (2-4, 2-1) at LONOKE (3-3, 3-0): CAC has won consecutive games after an 0-4 start. The Mustangs rallied from a 28-14 fourth-quarter deficit last week to down Hall Steam 35-28. CAC forced 5 turnovers, including 2 fumbles in the fourth quarter. Mustangs RB Gus Smith ran for 143 yards, while freshman QB Jackson Plumlee passed for 147 yards and 1 TD. Lonoke has won 3 consecutive conference games by a combined 124-7. D'mareon Eason ran for 3 TDs in last week's 48-7 win over Riverview. Lonoke's defense scored on Jaden Mayes' interception return) and the Jackrabbits got a special-teams score on Tanner Starks' kickoff return.

3-4A

No. 9 Highland (5-0, 3-0) at NO. 10 SOUTHSIDE (6-0, 3-0): This first meeting of these programs likely decides the conference championship. Highland has won its 5 games this fall by an average of 42-14. Sophomore QB Austin Christy passed for 128 yards and 1 TD and ran for 16 yards in last week's 44-20 win over Blytheville, while senior RB Keagan Statler (20-106-3) was the offensive workhorse. Sophomore Jimmy Jensen caught 8 passes for 61 yards. Southside Southside has won its 6 games by an average of 41-16. Southside RB Owen McLaughlin ran for 2 TDs and caught a TD pass in last week's 43-7 win over Jonesboro Westside, while Braden Simpson caught 2 TD passes from sophomore QB Trey Allen. Four Southerners recorded 10 or more tackles a week ago.

GOSNELL (2-4, 1-2) at Blytheville (2-3, 2-1): Gosnell QB Isaiah Donnerson has emerged as a play-maker. He went 9 of 12 for 191 yards and 3 TDs in last week's 39-14 win over Trumann, while Jai Jacobs caught 5 passes for 101 yards and 2 TDs. Senior LB Vanterrues Lucas registered 14 stops, including 3 TFL. Blytheville turned the ball over 5 times in last week's 44-20 loss to Highland.

JONESBORO WESTSIDE (1-5, 0-3) at Cave City (2-4, 0-3): Both teams are on losing streaks, but Jonesboro Westside has won 8 of its 10 meetings in the series. Jonesboro Westside has dropped its 3 conference games by a combined 113-14. Cave City has lost 4 consecutive by a combined 179-19, but Coach Danny Brustrum says the Cavemen have had 100 percent practice attendance during that time. Cave City DE Chris Robinson has emerged as the team's pla-ymaker, while Kenny Stephens had 6 solo tackles in last week's 23-point loss to Pocahontas. Senior tackle Adrian Finney returned last week for the first time since injuring his knee in spring soccer.

Trumann (2-4, 1-2) at POCAHONTAS (3-3, 2-1): Both coaches agree this game is decided in the trenches, with Trumann's aggressive defense front the key. Pocahontas led Cave City 36-0 in the first half last week before pulling its starters and winning 36-13. Ryder Baltz led the Redskins with 10 tackles and 1 interception, while Ty Menard made 7 tackles. Wyatt Converse had 3 tackles and 1 fumble recovery for a TD. Trumann lost to Gosnell by 25 points a week ago. Tony Postell ran 25 times for 152 yards and 2 TDs, while Isaiah Carrillo had 10 tackles.

4-4A

Lamar (3-3, 1-2) at NO. 11 DARDANELLE (5-1, 3-0): Lamar backup QB Kade Boen completed 8 of 10 passes for 131 yards and 1 TD, and ran for 1 TD in in the first half of last week's win over Dover (Lamar led 35-0 in the first half). Dardanelle can't afford a letdown after last week's  48-12 win at Clinton. Junior QB Creed Vega (225 passing yards, 2 TDs; 182 rushing yards, 1 TD) helped the Sand Lizards pile up more than 500 yards. RB Ian Branson ran for 94 yards and 4 TDs, while Hunter Anderson had 19 tackles.

NO. 14 CLINTON (5-1, 2-1) at Dover (1-5, 0-3): Clinton tries to bounce back after last week's 36-point loss to Dardanelle, which gained more than 500 yards on the Yellow Jackets. Clinton gained 223 yards, with Rylan Jones running for 60 yards and Zach Hunt-Gonzalez running for 59 yards and 2 TDs. Briar Gadberry led Clinton with 13 tackles, while El Henson had 12 tackles, including 3 TFL. Dover has lost its 3 conference games by a combined 146-43. The Pirates trailed Lamar 35-0 at halftime last week before losing 35-8. ,

Waldron (2-4, 1-2) at NO. 12 MENA (6-0, 3-0): Mena, which has won 28 in a row over Waldron, got a 51-yard field goal from Jair Hernandez in the third quarter last week, snapping an 18-18 tie with Ozark, and spurring the Bearcats to a 35-18 victory. Senior QB Michael Sullivan passed for 117 yards and 1 TD, and senior Brody Peters ran for 130 yards and 2 TDs. DB Tripp Hensley is playing well in the secondary. Waldron beat Ozark by 7 points in Week 4 but has lost its past 2 conference games by a combined 121-26.

Ozark (3-3, 1-2) at NO. 20 POTTSVILLE (4-2, 1-2):  Ozark, which has won 7 of its 10 meetings over Pottsville, was tied 18-18 with Mena in the third quarter last week, but failed to score again. QB Koby Wilbanks ran for 154 yards and 1 TD, passed for 64 yards, and returned a kickoff 91 yards for a TD against Mena. He also registered 10 tackles and broke up 1 pass. Easton Fox grabbed 4 passes for 55 yards and had 5 tackles. The Hillbillies have been hampered by injuries, with 8 starters missing last week's game (2 linemen are out of the season with knee injuries). Pottsville snapped a 2-game conference losing skid (against teams with a combined record of 11-1) with last week's 61-20 win over Waldron.

7-4A

HG Haskell (1-5, 1-2) at NO. 2 ARKADELPHIA (4-2, 3-0): Arkadelphia, which has won all 4 of its meetings over Haskell, annihilated Fountain Lake 77-0 last week and the Badgers have won 3 conference games by a combined 168-19. Senior DL Nykkisson Wimberly (9 tackles, 5 TFL), DE Xzavion Williams (7 tackles, 1 forced fumble) and junior MLB Malachi Hamilton (7 tackles) paced the defense. HG Haskell hammered Genoa Central 55-18 for its first win. RB Jay Noble (23-151-2) and RB James Foster (9-102-2) led the rushing attack. Noble also scored a defensive TD.

NASHVILLE (3-3, 2-1) at Ashdown (3-3, 2-1): Nashville leads the all-time series 56-19 and has won 2 consecutive by a combined 34 points. The Scrappers rallied from a 13-0 deficit to beat Bauxite 26-13 last week. Zac Harris led the Scrappers with 2 sacks. Sophomore QB D.J. Jefferson ran for 107 yards and 1 TD, and Tucker Dixon ran for another TD. Alex Brizo kicked a field goal and executed a sky kick that the Scrappers recovered for the go-ahead TD.

NO. 6 MALVERN (6-0, 3-0) at Bauxite (2-4, 1-2): Malvern has won 10 of the 14 meetings. Bauxite jumped on Nashville 13-0 last week before losing 26-13. Malvern has won its 3 conference games (all by mercy rule) by a combined 141-19. Luey Jamie caught 1 TD pass and intercepted 2 passes in last week's 52-7 win over Ashdown.

FOUNTAIN LAKE (1-5, 0-3) at Genoa Central (0-6, 0-3): Winless Genoa Central has been outscored by a combined 246-37 this season, while Fountain Lake has been outscored 324-162. Fountain Lake's top receiver didn't play in last week's 77-0 loss at Arkadelphia. “It's been a tough 2 weeks, maybe we can get healthy and wake up this week,” Fountain Lake Coach Matt Richardson says.

8-4A

NO. 3 WARREN (4-2, 3-0) at Star City (4-2, 1-2): Star City hasn't beaten Warren since 2019, with the Lumberjacks winning in overtime 2 years ago and 44-7 last fall. Star City lost at Monticello 22-7 a week ago. LB Kevin Johnson led the Bulldogs with 12 tackles and 1 interception, while Morgan Leopard had 12 tackles, including 3 TFL. “Defensively, we played well enough to win,” Star City Coach Chris Norton says. Warren's Aaron Davis ran 12 times for 135 yards and 3 TDs, and WR Antonio Jordan caught 7 passes for 114 yards and 2 TDs and ran for 2 TDs, in last week's 47-21 win over Hamburg.

NO. 8 DEWITT (4-2, 2-1) at Helena (5-1, 2-1): DeWitt has won 4 of the past 6 in the series, but the Dragons must avoid a letdown after knocking off rival Stuttgart 32-7 last week. Junior RB Korri Graham and QB Justin Ross each scored 2 TDs for the Dragons. Helena, which beat Crossett 36-8 a week ago, keeps getting big plays from QB Kenny Gilcrest and WR Trey Johnson.

Crossett (0-6, 0-3) at NO. 15 HAMBURG (5-1, 1-2): Hamburg has won 12 of the past 22 in the Battle of Ashley County, with Crossett pulling out a 41-20 decision a year ago. Crossett is winless this fall and gets outscored 42-10 weekly. Hamburg senior QB Kaeden Thomas threw 2 TD passes and had 8 tackles in the secondary in last week's 47-21 loss at Warren. “This is a rivalry game, so we have to stay focused,” Hamburg Coach Blake Johnson says.

NO. 13 MONTICELLO (4-2, 2-1) at Stuttgart (3-3, 1-2): Monticello's losses this fall were to Class 3A No. 3 Fordyce and Class 4A No. 3 Warren. The Billies beat Star City 22-7 a week ago. Jayden Rhodes caught 7 passes for 96 yards, ran 2 times for 45 yards and contributed 4 tackles and an interception on defense. QB Tye Guthrie (14-21 passing,163 yards, TD) played well on offense, and Jon Luke Brotheron (6 tackles, including 2 TFL and 1 sack) and A.J. Robinson (4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 safety) led the defense.. Stuttgart trailed DeWitt 12-0 in the third quarter last week, before losing 32-7. The Ricebirds committed 3 turnovers.