Hootens Arkansas Football Rankings

Class 5A, Week 9, 2023

Copyright Seventy Sevens Football Publishing, LLC

1. LR Parkview (8-0)

2. Mills (7-1)

3. Valley View (7-1)

4. Shiloh Christian (6-2)

5. Pine Bluff (7-2)

6. Hot Springs (7-1)

7. Joe T. Robinson (6-2)

8. Southside (7-1)

9. HS Lakeside (6-2)

10. Camden Fairview (6-2)

11. Maumelle (5-3)

12. Nettleton (6-2)

13. Harrison (5-3)

14. Farmington (5-3)

15. Alma (6-2)

16. Morrilton (5-4)

17. White Hall (3-5)

18. Batesville (3-5)

19. Wynne (3-5)

20. Brookland (3-5)

21. Prairie Grove (4-4)

22. Pea Ridge (5-3)

23. Vilonia (2-6)

24. Texarkana (4-4)

25. Beebe (3-5)

26. Dardanelle (3-5)

27. Magnolia (3-5)

28. Hope (2-6)

29. Paragould (2-6)

30. Forrest City (1-7)

31. Clarksville (0-8)

32. Watson Chapel (0-8)

33. De Queen (0-8)

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com correctly predicted 13 of 16 games (81 percent), and for the season has picked 140 of 168 (83 percent).

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 7 HOT SPRINGS (7-1; 4-1) at No. 10 Camden Fairview (6-2; 4-1):

The winner plays for a share of the league title next week (Hot Springs faces HS Lakeside, while Camden Fairview plays at LR Parkview).

Hot Springs rested its top receivers (T.J. Brogdon and Octavious Rhodes) because of injury in last week's 50-14 win over Texarkana, but Coach Darrell Burnett hopes both can play this week. Senior quarterback Matthew Contreras carried the Trojans vs. Texarkana, completing 13 of 28 passes for 402 yards and 6 TDs, and averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Junior receiver Justin Washington shined (4-137-4), along with Tyrell Honey (6-209-2) and David Ho (3-78). The Trojans defense forced 6 turnovers and recorded 8 sacks vs. Texarkana, with senior end Kendall Williams making 10 tackles, 4 TFL and 3 sacks.

Camden Fairview clobbered Hope 48-14 a week ago. Junior QB Darrell “Juney” Atkins provided a dual threat (9-12-141-3 passing; 6-78-2 rushing), while junior RB Justin Frazier (7-117-1) ran the ball well. Senior Khaleb Smith (5 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks) led the defense.

“The team that wins the line of scrimmage will win this game,” Cardinal Coach Nick Vaughn says.

WEEK 9 PREDICTIONS (favored team highlighted in ALL CAPS)

5A CENTRAL

JOE T. ROBINSON (6-2; 5-2) at White Hall (3-5; 2-4): Joe T. Robinson, playing without 6 injured starters, lost to Mills 30-21 a week ago. Coach Todd Eskola hopes 1 starter can return this week. Joe T. Robinson's Jaylen Knowlton ran for 2 TDs and junior Nick Abrams ran 16 yards for another TD. White Hall has lost 4 in a row, including last week at Vilonia 42-35. Senior RB Jayden Smith (21-169-1 rushing; 1-27-1 receiving) played well for the Bulldogs.

Morrilton (5-4; 4-3) at MILLS (7-1; 5-1): Morrilton forced 4 turnovers but had trouble getting its offense untracked in last week's 26-7 loss to Pine Bluff. Sophomore QB Maddox Berry threw a 19-yard TD pass to Champ McNabb in the first half for Morrilton's score. Mills, playing without 12 suspended players, rallied past Joe T. Robinson 30-21 a week ago. Senior Akyell Madison responded well after shifting from WR to QB. Chauncey Haynes made a 56-yard catch-and-run TD worthy of highlight reels to preserve the victory.

Vilonia (2-6; 2-4) at MAUMELLE (5-3; 3-3): Vilonia has won consecutive games after starting the season 0-6. RB/WR Cadien Gipson's versatility (14-95 rushing; 6-93-1 receiving) and QB QB Carter Massey (23-31-250-1) sparked Vilonia's 42-35 win over White Hall last week. DB Landen Jackson, making his first start, intercepted 2 passes, including a 91-yard return for a TD. Maumelle can clinch a playoff spot this week with a victory. The Hornets hammered Watson Chapel 56-14 last week. The Hornets scored after recovering 2 onside kicks in the first half, and sophomore QB Andrew Bjork (6-12-155-2 passing; 4-50 rushing) continues improving. Karsten Hilliard tallied 50 yards receiving and returned an interception 105 yards for a TD. WR/DB Joe Mason (4-46-2; 7 tackles) and RB Elijah Newell (8-105-1) played well. DE Michael Candeler added 2 sacks.

Watson Chapel (0-8; 0-6) at BEEBE (3-5, 1-5): Watson Chapel has lost 17 in a row. The Wildcats surrendered almost 300 yards and failed to recover 3 onside kicks in the first half of last week's 56-14 loss to Maumelle. Malachi Rayford ran 13 yards for a Watson Chapel TD in the first half. Beebe returns to action after losing 2 weeks ago to Joe T. Robinson 43-27. Beebe's Ty McCormick threw three 3 TD passes, including a 75-yarder to Oquoieah Earl.

OPEN Pine Bluff (7-2; 6-1)

5A EAST

SOUTHSIDE (7-1; 4-1) at Batesville (3-5; 3-2): These neighbors meet for the second time (Southside won 35-21 last season). Southside must put aside last week's 31-21 loss to Valley View. QB Savion Hall had 1 TD pass (to Seth Case) and ran for 1 TD, while senior Gave Witt ran for 96 yards and 1 TD. Junior LB Andrew Plummer, sophomore Braden Simpson and Cam Foree each made 10 tackles. Batesville lost at Brookland 28-13 a week ago. Sophomore Owen McLaughlin (18-64) and senior Jaiden Henderson (3-100-1) led the rushing attack, while senior Beau Baxter made 17 tackles.

VALLEY VIEW (7-1; 5-0) at Nettleton (6-2; 4-1): Valley View needs 1 more win to clinch at least a share of its 4th conference title in the past 7 years. The Blazers won 31-21 win at Southside last week behind senior QB Carson Turley (10-16-123-2 passing; 13-142-1 rushing). Senior WR T.J. Starks (4-86-2) starred on offense, while seniors Dax Webb (14 tackles) and Brian Huff (13 tackles) led the defense. Nettleton can at least share the league title if it wins out after dismantling Forrest City 62-30 a week ago. Sophomore Xavier Harrell (19-209-4) and senior T.J. Brown (6-190-4 rushing; 1-61-1 receiving) form a rugged running back tandem. Junior QB Maddox Hampton (8-10-132-1) played well against Forrest City.

BROOKLAND (3-5; 1-4) at Paragould (2-6; 1-4): Brookland notched its first win over Batesville last week 28-13. Senior RB/LB Caden Webbe (13-37 rushing; 6 tackles, 1 interception, 1 fumble return for a TD) and sophomore WR Gabe Carter (4-93-2) sparked the Bearcats. Paragould RB Mikey Pekul (14-124-1) played well in last week's 34-7 loss to Wynne.

Forrest City (1-7; 0-5) at WYNNE (3-5; 2-3): Wynne has won 15 of the past 19 in this once-heated rivalry. The Yellowjackets returned a fumble for a TD and recorded a safety in last week's 34-7 win over Paragould. Senior QB John Watson (2-3-99-1 passing; 8-79-1 rushing) played well. Forrest City lost to Nettleton 62-30 a week ago, despite a big night from junior QB Dakwon Scott (15-26-277-2 passing; 4-20 rushing). Junior WR Roshawd Washington caught 2 TD passes.

5A SOUTH

LR PARKVIEW (8-0; 5-0) at HS Lakeside (6-2; 4-1): A crucial game for playoff seeding. LR Parkview earns at least a share of the league title with 1 more win. The Patriots shut out Magnolia 42-0 a week ago. Senior QB Eric McGehee (8-10-69) controlled the game with timely passes, while senior RB Jaden Ashford (5-59-2), junior Cameron Settles (2-58-2) and sophomore Jaiden Mayweather (8-70) dominated running the ball. HS Lakeside can share the league title with 2 more victories, including Friday night. Rams senior QB Jacob Hermosillo threw 2 TD passes, while RBs Grady Ohman, Nick Woodlief, Landen Matthews and Briton Diaz ran for TDs in last week's 48-14 win at De Queen.

Hope (2-6; 1-4) at TEXARKANA (4-4; 1-4): Texarkana has lost 4 consecutive conference games by an average of 44-15. The Razorbacks turned the ball over 7 times in last week's 50-14 loss to Hot Springs. Sophomore RB Zephaniah Black (13-87-1) and sophomore WR Deandre Burnell (2-70) showed glimpses of the future. Hope has lost 4 conference conference games by an average of 49-14. Senior QB Tyler Patterson (17-23-161-2) played well in last week's 48-14 loss to Camden Fairview.

De Queen (0-8; 0-5) at MAGNOLIA (3-5; 1-4): Neither team can make the playoffs this year. Magnolia had made the playoffs 5 consecutive seasons, while De Queen hasn't made it since 2011. Magnolia gained 143 yards in last week's 42-0 setback at LR Parkview. De Queen has scored 28 points in 5 conference games.

5A WEST

Prairie Grove (4-4; 2-3) at SHILOH CHRISTIAN (6-2; 4-1): These teams are former 1-4A rivals, and Shiloh Christian owns a 10-7 advantage in the series. Shiloh Christian has won 5 straight conference titles and likely must win out to share the 5A West title this season. Prairie Grove, which won league titles from 2015-2017, probably needs to win out and get some help to make the playoffs. Shiloh Christian scored on its first 3 possessions but failed to score in the second half of last week's 31-28 loss at Farmington. Senior Bo Williams ran for 2 TDs (school record 63 career rushing TDs), and QB Evan Baker scored on 55- and 23-yard TD runs. Prairie Grove had 3 turnovers (resulting in 21 points) in last week's 49-12 setback to Alma. Senior Conner Hubbs ran for both Prairie Grove TDs.

Pea Ridge (5-3; 2-3) at FARMINGTON (5-3; 4-1): These former 1-4A rivals have played consistently since 2004, with Farmington winning 10 of the past 15 games, including 49-16 last season. Farmington adjusted its defense at halftime last week (trailed Shiloh Christian 28-10) and pulled out a 31-28 victory. Junior Luke Elsik ran 3 yards for the winning TD with 40 seconds left. Elsik ran for 2 TDs, while sophomore QB Ayden Lester threw a 54-yard TD pass to Akin Johnson. Russell Hodge also ran for a TD, while Charlie Mobley's interception at the 7 on the final play sealed the win. Pea Ridge trailed Clarksville 3-0 in the second quarter last week before igniting for a 34-10 win. Junior DL Jace Dye led the Blackhawks with 10 tackles, while sophomore Tristen German made 9 tackles, 2 TFL and 1 interception.

Clarksville (0-8; 0-5) at HARRISON (5-3; 3-2): Clarksville hung with Pea Ridge (trailed 20-10 in 4th quarter) before giving up an onside kick for a TD and losing 34-10. QB Luke Seibenmorgan passed for 173 yards, while Talan Case caught 4 passes for 73 yards. Rhett Fultz finished with 15 tackles, including 4 TFL. Harrison trailed Dardanelle 28-14 late in the second quarter last week before rallying for a 42-28 victory. Senior Braden Long (35-278-6 rushing) provided the bulk of Harrison's offense. “He's a beast,” Harrison Coach Chris Keylon says.

ALMA (6-2; 4-1) at Dardanelle (3-5; 1-4): Alma is in the playoffs for the first time since 2020 (won 2 games but went due to Covid) after last week's 49-12 win over Prairie Grove. Senior QB Jackson Daily (10-13-155 passing) threw 3 TDs, all to different receivers. Senior WR Drake Stogsdill (5-67-1) and RB Carlos Gonzalez (15-109-2) sparked the offense, while Camden Curd made 8 tackles and returned an interception for a TD. Dardanelle led Harrison 28-14 late in the second quarter last week but lost by 14 points. Sophomore QB Creed Vega (7-10-153-2 passing; 9-60-1 rushing; 1-23 receiving), junior RB Latrevious Robinson (20-70-1) and senior WR J.J. Earnest (7-130-2) were cogs on offense. Earnest (9 tackles), sophomore Rod Chaten (7 tackles), Vega (6 tackles, 1 forced fumble) and Robinson (6 tackles, 1 sack) led the defense.