Hootens.com Rankings
Class 4A, Week 9, 2012
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. Stuttgart (8-0)
2. Malvern (8-0)
3. Pottsville (8-0)
4. Dollarway (7-1)
5. Prairie Grove (7-0)
6. Warren (5-3)
7. Arkadelphia (7-1)
8. Nashville (6-2)
9. Highland (8-0)
10. CAC (4-3)
11. Pea Ridge (7-1)
12. Ozark (6-2)
13. Star City (6-2)
14. Newport (5-3)
15. Hamburg (5-3)
16. Farmington (6-2)
17. Mena (4-4)
18. Booneville (5-3)
19. Valley View (5-3)
20. Maumelle (4-3)
21. Monticello (4-4)
22. Heber Springs (4-3)
23. Dardanelle (6-2)
24. Ashdown (3-5)
25. Lonoke (4-4)
26. Gosnell (4-4)
27. Gravette (3-5)
28. Crossett (3-5)
29. Lincoln (5-3)
30. Pocahontas (6-2)
31. Bauxite (2-6)
32. Southside Batesville (4-3-1)
33. Dumas (2-6)
34. Clinton (2-6)
35. Arkansas Baptist (1-6-1)
36. Jonesboro Westside (4-4)
37. Pulaski Robinson (2-6)
38. Subiaco Academy (3-5)
39. Gentry (2-6)
40. DeWitt (1-7)
41. Cave City (0-7-1)
42. Lake Village (1-7)
43. Brookland (3-4)
44. Dover (0-8)
45. Berryville (1-6)
46. Trumann (0-8)
47.Waldron (0-8)
48. Marianna (0-7)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 2 Malvern at No. 8 Nashville
Undefeated Malvern faces Nashville and Arkadelphia the next two weeks as it tries to win a league championship for the first time since sharing the former AAA-Southwest in 1997. The Leopards have won seven straight conference games and 11 of their past 12. But the Leopards struggled the past two weeks, intercepting a pass in the end zone in the final seconds to preserve a 21-18 win over Central Arkansas Christian last week, and leading Arkansas Baptist 21-14 at halftime two weeks ago. "I've told our players and coaches we can't come out flat this week, or we'll be in trouble, quick," Malvern coach John Fogleman said.
Leopard senior quarterback Austin Warford (5-10, 185) has started 34 consecutive games, and compensates for his size by making plays scrambling and passing. "I would hate to defend him," Fogleman said. Warford completes 72 of 112 passes (64 percent) for 1,391 yards and 16 touchdowns, and he's thrown just three interceptions. Warford has rushed for 725 yards and nine TDs, while senior Tim Hardimon has ran 133 times for 858 yards and eight scores. Junior Kaylen Burks leads the Leopards with 25 catches for 456 yards and five TDs, while senior tight end/backup QB Dalton Homan has six TD catches. "You get caught up in Warford and sometimes forget how good the other guys are," Nashville coach Billy Dawson said.
Malvern gives up 14 points weekly, and the Leopards have allowed just one conference opponent (Pulaski Academy last year) to score more than three TDs. "You talk about Malvern, you talk about defense and it all starts on the line," Dawson said. Senior tackle Trey Broughton (6-2, 290) dominates most offensive linemen. Senior Mason Morgan (5-11, 250) holds the other tackle slot with seniors Issac Wright (5-7, 245) and Devin Kirk (6-2, 230) make plays at end. Burks has eight interceptions this season, including the game-clincher last week.
Nashville has won five conference titles over the past eight seasons, but the last one came in 2009. The Scrappers have won four straight games since losing to Watson Chapel and Arkadelphia in September. Senior QB Joel Hendry has completed 131 of 195 passes (67 percent) for 2,101 yards and 28 TDs, and just seven interceptions. Senior JaKaree Gaines has rushed for 750 yards and has 270 yards receiving, while junior Kyler Lawrence has 272 yards rushing and 422 yards receiving. Senior receiver Lavonte Thomas (6-3, 190) provides a matchup problem with his size. Thomas (31 catches, 560 yards) and Donyell King (27 catches, 460 yards) stretch the field. Senior offensive tackle Jalen Whitmore (5-11, 290) must stave off Malvern's defenders, while senior noseguard/tackle Nolan Webster and junior Tyler Parker need to pressure Warford, Dawson said. Seven Scrappers have missed time with injuries this year, but six should play this week. "Their skill guys on the perimeter are as good as they've been in a few years," Fogleman said.
Watch highlights of Nashville's win last week at Robinson on hootens.com homepage.

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly predicted 21 of 24 games (88 percent), nailing the point spread of Bauxite by one over Arkansas Baptist. For the season, Hootens.com has correctly predicted 204 of 240 games (85 percent).

TV SHOW
Hooten's Arkansas Football airs 8:30 a.m. Saturdays on KARZ 42 (Little Rock) and Fox 24 (Fayetteville/Fort Smith) and 11 p.m. Sundays on KAIT 8 (Jonesboro), featuring the top players and teams from across the state. Newport's Will Bowen will be featured as the Air Guard Scholar Athlete of the Week.

WEEK 9 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)
1-4A
Berryville at GRAVETTE (24): Gravette has beaten Berryville eight straight times by an average of 32 points. Gravette beat Lincoln 6-0 a week ago and the Lions can make the playoffs with one more victory and two Lincoln losses.
Gentry at PRAIRIE GROVE (35): Prairie Grove senior Jon Halbert intercepted four passes in last week's 31-0 win at Pea Ridge. The Tigers need one victory to claim their first conference title since 2005. The Tigers might not get tested until the quarterfinals (against Arkadelphia, Malvern or Nashville).
Pea Ridge at FARMINGTON (7): Pea Ridge was tied with Prairie Grove 0-0 at halftime last week before committing three turnovers in the third quarter. Pea Ridge senior Dayton Winn has rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season. Farmington lost to Prairie Grove by six points in Week 5, but the Cardinals must recoup after getting mercy-ruled (35-0 loss) at Ozark last week.
OZARK (14) at Lincoln: Ozark's defense played its best game of the season in last week's 35-0 win over Farmington, limiting the Cardinals to just 175 yards. The Hillbillies probably finish as the No. 3 playoff seed, but could move to No. 2 with some help. Lincoln must win one of its final two games (hosts Farmington next week) to make the playoffs in its first year in Class 4A.

2-4A
HEBER SPRINGS (17) at Clinton: Heber Springs has beaten Clinton four straight times by an average of 35-20 since these rivals moved into the same league in 2008. Heber Springs likely makes the playoffs as the No. 4 seed, while Clinton will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
Lonoke at STUTTGART (17): Stuttgart cruises to its first conference title since 2006 with last week's 10-point win over previously unbeaten Dollarway. Stuttgart senior QB Dontrell Brown has rushed for 903 yards and passed for 865 yards this season. Lonoke gets in the playoffs with one more victory or two Southside Batesville losses. Nine Jackrabbit players scored in last week's 79-0 win at Marianna.
Marianna at NEWPORT (50): Newport likely finishes as the No. 3 seed and draws into the toughest quadrant of the playoff bracket (plays at the 4-4A champion in the second round and faces winner of the 7-4A in the quarterfinals). Marianna gives up 59 points per game. Newport's Will Bowen will be featured as the Air Guard Scholar Athlete of the Week on Hooten's Arkansas Football TV show 11 p.m. Sunday on KAIT 8 (ABC, Jonesboro).
Southside Batesville at DOLLARWAY (16): Southside Batesville must win at least one of its final two games and hope Lonoke losses twice to make the playoffs for the first time in school history. Dollarway running back/quarterback Jeremiah Young threw two TD passes in the first half at Stuttgart last week. Extensive highlights of Dollarway's game last week at Stuttgart can be seen on hootens.com homepage.

3-4A
Brookland at VALLEY VIEW (32): Brookland's 16-point win over Trumann last week was the program's first in a conference game. Valley View plays Gosnell next week for the No. 2 playoff seed. Blazer junior QB Noah Johns passed for 156 yards and three TDs in last week's 42-point win at Jonesboro Westside.
Jonesboro Westside at GOSNELL (24): Gosnell has won four of its past five games, and likely faces Valley View for the No. 2 playoff seed next week. Gosnell has lost one time (1999) to Jonesboro Westside in the series.
CAVE CITY (2) at Trumann: A battle of winless teams, although Cave City tied rival Southside Batesville 32-32 in the opener.
Pocahontas at HIGHLAND (17): Highland needs one victory to clinch a share of its second straight conference title and fourth in eight years. Rebel senior QB Sterling Stowers has rushed 1,033 yards and passed for 1,088 yards this fall. Pocahontas committed six turnovers in last week's 22-point loss to Gosnell, including four inside the 5-yard line.

4-4A
Dardanelle at MAUMELLE (7): Maumelle can finish second in the league if it wins out. Dardanelle can finish at least tied for second if it wins out and gets some help. The Sand Lizards led Subiaco Academy 10-7 in the fourth quarter last week before winning by 10 points.
DOVER (3) at Waldron: A battle of winless teams. Dover's closest game was a 20-14 loss at Arkansas Baptist (game called at halftime because of weather) in Week 2, and Waldron's closest was a 12-point setback to Class 3A Cedarville in Week 3.
MENA (21) at Subiaco Academy: Subiaco Academy makes the playoffs if it wins out and Mena loses to Dardanelle next week. Mena mauled Waldron by 41 points last week, holding the Bulldogs to just 105 yards. Bearcat senior John Balentine ran for a TD and returned an interception for a score a week ago.
POTTSVILLE (10) at Booneville: Booneville can still win the league if it wins out (faces Maumelle next week). Pottsville dresses just 35 players, said Apache coach Bryan Rust, a Booneville alum. Junior QB Michael Perry has rushed for almost 1,000 yards this fall. Perry and senior Tyler Weaver hawk the ball at safety, where each has returned two interceptions for TDs.

7-4A
Malvern at NASHVILLE (1): Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week.
ASHDOWN (7) at Arkansas Baptist: Ashdown missed the playoffs last year with consecutive losses in Weeks 9 and 10. The Panthers' one-point victory at Bauxite in Week 5 may get them in this fall. Ashdown QB Jake Alexander didn't play in the second half last week after getting a concussion, but he's expected to play this week, Ashdown coach Matt Richardson said. Arkansas Baptist gets better weekly. The Eagles trailed Malvern by a TD at halftime two weeks ago before losing at Bauxite 50-49 last week.
Bauxite at ARKADELPHIA (16): Bauxite continues playing well, winning two of its past three conference games. The Miners won a total of two games in 2010 and 2011. Arkadelphia running back turned QB Kris Oliver threw a pair of TDs and ran for a score in last week's 22-point win at Ashdown.
Pulaski Robinson at CAC (21): CAC needs just one victory to lock up a playoff spot. The Mustangs jumped on Malvern 10-0 last week before losing 21-18. Pulaski Robinson hasn't won since beating winless Little Rock Fair by two points Week 2. Highlights of Robinson's game last week against Nashville can be seen on hootens.com homepage.

8-4A
Dumas at MONTICELLO (14): Monticello has beaten Dumas in non conference games the past two years, including a 34-33 thriller in 2010. The Billies trailed rival Warren 14-10 at halftime last week. Dumas ran for 254 yards in last week's 29-point win over DeWitt.
Hamburg at WARREN (4): The winner gets the conference title and top playoff seed. Warren hasn't won a conference title since 2009 and Hamburg's last title came in 1997. Warren plays nine sophomores on offense, including running back Kilay Cox and receiver Darvion Brown. Cox has rushed for more than 1,000 yards this year. Brown ran for a pair of scores in last week's 18-point win at Monticello. Hamburg senior Lamarco Harris has rushed for more than 1,000 yards this year, including a 174-yard, two-TD effort in last week's 22-point win over Ashley County rival Crossett.
Lake Village at CROSSETT (21): Crossett needs one win to lock up its first playoff berth since 2005. The Eagles' three wins this year are more than the previous two seasons combined. Lake Village hasn't won since beating winless Class 3A Drew Central Week 3.
STAR CITY (25) at DeWitt: Star City freshman Tye Brown passed for 278 yards and three TDs in last week's 26-point win over Lake Village, while senior running backs Reshod Davis and Lavonte Gardner combined for 191 yards and three scores.