Hootens.com Rankings
Class 4A, Wk 8, 2021
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

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

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 8 Ashdown at No. 9 Arkadelphia
These teams have split their past 18 regular season meetings. Undefeated Ashdown relies on a speedy defense. The Panthers have given up a TD or less in four games this fall, and have forced at least two turnovers every week. Junior Jayden Fricks has emerged as Ashdown's top running back. Ashdown rallied past rival Nashville last week 26-21, allowing just 335 total yards. Junior tight end Shamar Easter paced the Panthers with six catches for 150 yards and a touchdown. “We have to know where Easter is at all times,” Coach Trey Schucker says.
Arkadelphia's three loss this fall are to teams with a combined record of 21-2. The Badgers have beaten Fountain Lake and Harmony Grove Haskell the past two weeks by a combined 90-33. Junior quarterback Donovan Whitten completed seven of 10 passes for 155 yards and a pair of TDs in last week's 42-19 win over H.G. Haskell. Senior running back Jaishon Davis logged 17 carries for 183 yards and three TDs, while senior Braylon Bailey snagged three balls for 72 yards and a TD. Watch extended highlights of Arkadelphia’s 55-47 loss to Greenbrier earlier this year. Watch extended highlights of Arkadelphia’s 48-14 win over Fountain Lake earlier this year. Watch extended highlights of Arkadelphia’s 56-32 loss to Joe T. Robinson earlier this year.

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly predicted 20 of 24 games (83 percent). Hootens.com has predicted 195 of 220 games (89 percent) correctly this season.

WEEK 8 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)
1-4A
HUNTSVILLE (7) at Berryville: Berryville's offensive line continues progressing weekly, Coach Bryan Hutson says. Huntsville likely makes the playoffs with two more wins. Eagle sophomore noseguard Alex Kilpatrick made 13 tackles and recovered a fumble in last week's 26-point loss to Prairie Grove.
Elkins at SHILOH CHRISTIAN (24): Shiloh Christian hasn't lost to Elkins since 1993. Last year, Elkins jumped on Shiloh 21-0 in the first half, had a TD ruled out of bounds in the fourth quarter that would have tied the game 35-35 before losing by 21 points. This fall, Elkins sophomore Da'Shawn Chairs paces a unit that puts up 41 points weekly. Elkins junior DL Zanuel Martin recorded five tackles (two tackles for loss) in last week's 33-8 win over Green Forest, while Shiloh Christian pulled away from Gentry 48-20 a week ago. Junior QB Eli Wisdom ran eight times for 128 yards and two TDs, and completed 11 of 16 passes for 42 yards and three TDs against Gentry, while senior receiver Cooper Hutchinson hauled in two passes for 64 yards and a TD and intercepted while playing in the secondary. Watch extended highlights of Shiloh Christian’s 58-12 win over Green Forest earlier this year.
GRAVETTE (5) at Green Forest: Gravette jumped on Berryville 38-7 in the second quarter last week and cruised to a 44-21 victory, its first of the season. Junior QB Rhett Hilger passed for 301 yards and three TDs, with Mason Meeker snagging three passes for 97 yards and a TD. Green Forest senior Freddy Juarez, Jr., caught a TD pass, threw a two-point conversion and collected six tackles at linebacker in last week's 33-8 loss at Elkins. Watch extended highlights of Green Forest’s 58-12 loss to Shiloh Christian earlier this year.
Gentry at PRAIRIE GROVE (8): Gentry tallied 330 yards (5.5 yards per play), but committed three turnovers in last week's 28-point loss to Shiloh Christian. The Pioneers were within 28-13 late in the second quarter before throwing a red zone interception. Prairie Grove junior wingback Ethan Miller logged nine carries for 163 yards and two TDs in last week's 32-6 win over Huntsville. The Tigers continue alternating QBs, with junior Camden Patterson throwing two TD passes to junior Matt Velasco, and senior Paytin Higgins hitting sophomore Connor Hubbs for another TD.

2-4A
Bald Knob at CLINTON (24): Clinton surrendered 478 yards (357 rushing) in last week' 29-point loss at Stuttgart. Sophomore Zane Widener paced the Yellow Jacket ground attack with six carries for 41 yards. Winless Bald Knob fell to Heber Springs 14-7 a week ago. Senior QB Leason Pierce ran 26 times for 107 yards and a TD, while senior Dane Lindsey logged 14 totes for 52 yards. Watch extended highlights of Clinton’s 43-14 loss to Stuttgart earlier this year.
CAC at LONOKE (30): CAC has won 10 of the past 13 in the series, including 28-21 in overtime in 2019 and 49-34 a year ago. The Mustangs led Southside 7-6 early last week before losing by 40 points. Lonoke sophomore QB Bradon Allen ran 18 times for 168 yards and three TDs in last week's 35-6 win at Mills, while versatile senior Spencer Pepper ran 10 times for 57 yards. The Jackrabbit D held Mills to 240 yards. 
SOUTHSIDE (21) at Heber Springs: Heber Springs has won 13 of its 15 meetings over Southside. Heber Springs' D held Bald Knob to 174 yards in last week's seven-point victory. Junior LB Kenan Sneed racked up 17 tackles, including two tackles for loss and one sack. He also returned an interception 35 yards for a TD. Heber Springs sophomore QB Xander Lindley will miss the rest of the season with an injury. Southside senior Jacob Dunne ran 14 times for 163 yards and three TDs and bulled in for three two-point conversions in last week's 59-19 win over CAC. Sophomore Seth Case had 10 carries for 117 yards and a TD and returned a kickoff 70 yards for a TD. Junior linemen Jacob Bunn (nine tackles, two sacks) and Lincoln Fair (nine tackles, four sacks) paced the defense. Watch extended highlights of Heber Springs’ 42-0 loss to Stuttgart earlier this year.
STUTTGART (20) at Mills: Mills has dropped consecutive games after starting the season 5-0. Junior playmaker Jabari Shaw is hobbled with an ankle injury, and several other starters have been dinged throughout the year. The Comet's were outgained 353-240 yards in last week's 35-6 loss to Lonoke. Stuttgart held Clinton to 164 yards in last week's 43-14 victory. Ricebird senior Tymir Coppins broke the game open with an 80-yard TD jaunt in the third quarter. Coppins completed eight of 11 passes for 127 yards and a TD and ran seven times for 125 yards and a TD. Junior Cedric Hawkins logged 11 carries for 175 yards and two TDs. Senior Bryer West led the D with 13 tackles, while junior Kameron Harper made 10 stops. Watch extended highlights of Stuttgart’s 47-27 loss to Warren earlier this year. Watch extended highlights of Stuttgart’s 42-0 win over Heber Springs earlier this year. Watch extended highlights of Stuttgart’s 35-14 win over Star City earlier this year. Watch extended highlights of Stuttgart’s 43-14 win over Clinton earlier this year.

3-4A
TRUMANN (11) at Blytheville: Blytheville, after starting the season 0-5 and being outscored by a combined 159-27, has won consecutive conference games. Trumann's 38-0 loss to Pocahontas a week ago was its first in conference play. Junior QB Murphy Williams completed seven of eight passes for 85 yards and ran 11 times for 68 yards before leaving the game with an injury in the third quarter. Coach Randy Phillips believes Williams could play this week. Junior linebacker Eli Evett the Wildcats with 10 tackles, while senior LB Rian King had eight stops.
Highland at CAVE CITY (6): Highland hasn't won a conference game since beating Cave City last fall 22-8. Senior Warren Burton ran for 79 yards and a TD and returned a kickoff 81 yards for a TD in last week's 14-point setback to Rivercrest. Cave City has lost three straight games after starting the season 3-1. Senior wingback Eli Taylor ran nine times for 145 yards a TD in last week's 21-6 loss at Jonesboro Westside. Senior safety Maddox Moreland made 11 solo tackles, while junior LB Hunter Greathouse had nine solos. Watch extended highlights of Cave City’s 46-28 loss to Hoxie earlier this year.
Gosnell at RIVERCREST (17): Gosnell has a 10-9-1 record over Rivercrest over the past two decades. But the Pirates are stinging after last week's last-second 16-14 setback to Blytheville. Rivercrest led Highland 35-12 in the third quarter last week before winning 42-28. Colt senior QB Mike Sharp completed 24 of 25 passes for 228 yards and three TDs at Highland, while Tray Jones ran for 115 yards and two TDs.
Jonesboro Westside at POCAHONTAS (10): Pocahontas has won 17 of the past 20 over the Warriors. Pocahontas junior Connor Baker ran for 219 yards and five TDs in last week's 38-0 win over Trumann. Jonesboro Westside ran for 259 yards and forced two turnovers in last week's 21-6 win over Cave City.

4-4A
Mena at DARDANELLE (1): Dardanelle senior Jordan Branson ran 16 times for 102 yards and caught a 16-yard TD pass in last week's 45-35 win over Class 2A Fordyce. Junior QB Drew Vega had 19 totes for 185 yards and three TDs, completed eight of 12 passes for 95 yards and two TDs, and on defense registered nine tackles. Junior LB Drake Boatright led the Sand Lizards with 15 tackles. Mena senior DE played well in last week's mercy-rule loss to Ozark. Senior lineman Jake Brotherton is expected to return this week after missing the past two games with an injury.
WALDRON (21) at Dover: Winless Dover gives up six TDs weekly. Waldron senior DL Patrick Poor had 15 tackles in last week's 16-point loss to Lamar, while Logan Young made 14 tackles and ran for  TD.
OZARK (18) at Pottsville: Ozark gets its third conference title in four years with wins over Pottsville and Lamar the next weeks. Junior QB Landon Wright ran in three TDs and threw another in last week's 47-8 win over Mena, while senior Britton Gage paced the Hillbillies in tackles.
LAMAR (17) at Riverview: This non conference game comes at a good time for Lamar. The Warriors dressed 31 players in last week's 42-6 win over Dover. Sophomore Jarrett Dalton led the Warriors with seven tackles vs. Dover, and he ran five times for 50 yards. Senior Skylar Smith offers a threat at receiver. He pulled in four passes for 23 yards and a TD at Dover.

7-4A
Ashdown at ARKADELPHIA (4): Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week.
Bauxite at JOE T. ROBINSON (25): Bauxite has a history of playing tough against Joe T. Robinson (winning 41-35 three years ago and the game was tied 14-14 in the fourth quarter two years ago). But the Miners are struggling this fall, losing four conference games by an average of 15 points. Junior QB Hunter Ferrell completed 16 of 29 passes for 85 yards and a TD in last week's 20-point loss at Fountain Lake. Joe T. Robinson beat Malvern 35-12 a week ago after trailing 6-0 in third quarter. “We were flat for a half,” Senator Coach Todd Eskola says. Watch extended highlights of Joe T. Robinson's 56-32 win over Arkadelphia earlier this year.
MALVERN (7) at Fountain Lake: Malvern HC J.D. Plumlee coached Fountain Lake from 2017-2018. The Leopards, down to their third and fourth QB's of the season, mustered just 233 yards in last week's 23-point loss to Joe T. Robinson. Sophomore Jalen Dupree ran 18 times for 103 yards and a TD. Fountain Lake moved closer to a playoff berth last week with a 27-7 victory over Bauxite. Senior Steven DeArmon ran for 179 yards and a TD, while junior Preston Taylor had 17 tackles. Senior Demarius Grant collected nine tackles and two sacks. Watch extended highlights of Fountain Lake’s 48-14 loss to Arkadelphia earlier this year. Watch extended highlights of Malvern’s 35-12 loss to Lake Hamilton earlier this year.
H. Grove Haskell at NASHVILLE (1): H. Grove Haskell upset Nashville 26-21 three years ago. The Cardinals lost to Arkadelphia by 29 points a week ago. Junior strong safety Hunter Williams led Haskell with six tackles. Nashville still looking for its first conference win after losing last week 26-21 to undefeated Ashdown. The Scrapper piled up 335 yards.

8-4A
Hamburg at CROSSETT (18): The Ashley County Bowl was canceled last year due to Covid. Hamburg has won 12 of the past 19 in the series. The Lions picked up their first win of 2021 last week, outlasting winless Helena 45-30. Crossett gained 524 yards in last week's 51-14 win over Monticello. Junior Tayshawn Paskel bolted 14 times for 108 yards and a pair of TDs, while senior QB Tyrique Jones passed for 181 yards and three TDs. Watch extended highlights of Hamburg's 42-3 loss to Rison earlier this year. Watch extended highlights of Crossett’s 15-13 loss to McGehee earlier this year. Watch extended highlights of Crossett’s 40-34 loss to Warren earlier this year. DUMAS (4) at DeWitt: Dumas has won 13 of the past 15 in the series. Dumas has surrendered 159 points the past three weeks in blowout losses to Warren, Crossett and Star City. The Bobcats managed just 2120 yards in last week's 42-21 loss to Star City. Senior Orlandrick Tatum ran for 47 yards and a TD, while sophomore QB Joseph Jones threw and ran for TDs. DeWitt has been outscored the past two weeks against Crossett and Warren by a combined 107-21. Watch extended highlights of Dewitt’s 47-22 loss to McGehee earlier this year. STAR CITY (22) at Helena: Star City plays at Crossett Week 10 for a likely No. 2 playoff seed. The Bulldogs led Dumas 42-7 at halftime last week, easing to a 42-21 triumph. Junior QB Mason Taylor ran 13 times for 135 yards while senior Cole Branson had 16 carries for 116 yards. Winless Helena gets outscored 40-18 weekly. Watch extended highlights of Star City’s 35-14 loss to Stuttgart earlier this year. Monticello at WARREN (14): The winner of this rivalry gets a 146-pound Saline River Shootout Trophy. Warren is 18-2-1 against Monticello under coach Bo Hembree, but Monticello won 18-12 in overtime in a pouring rainstorm a year ago. Filling in for injured QB Riley Cornish, junior Maddox Lassiter completed nine of 10 passes for 222 yards and three TDs in last week's 63-7 victory over DeWitt, while senior Jared Payne caught four balls for 144 yards and a pair of TDs. Senior Cedric Calbert, playing with a torn, but braced ACL, ran for 72 yards and two TDs. Monticello senior Doerian Allen hauled in five passes for 94 yards and two TDs in last week's 37-point loss to Crossett. Senior defensive end Keith Wells, Jr., contributed seven tackles, including two tackles for loss, while linebacker Jordan Light made eight stops. Watch extended highlights of Warren’s 47-27 win over Stuttgart earlier this year. Watch extended highlights of Warren’s 35-0 loss to White Hall earlier this year.