Hootens Arkansas Football Rankings

Class 6A, Week 9, 2023

Copyright Seventy Seven's Football Publishing, LLC.

1. Greenwood (8-0)

2. LR Christian (7-1)

3. Benton (7-1)

4. Pulaski Academy (7-1)

5. Marion (7-1)

6. LR Catholic (6-2)

7. West Memphis (6-2)

8. Greenbrier (4-4)

9. Searcy (5-3)

10. Mountain Home (4-4)

11. Van Buren (3-5)

12. Russellville (3-6)

13. El Dorado (4-4)

14. Sheridan (2-6)

15. Lake Hamilton (3-5)

16. Jacksonville (2-6)

17. Greene County Tech (1-7)

18. Sylvan Hills (0-8)

19. Siloam Springs (0-9)

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com correctly picked 9 of 9 games (100 percent) involving Class 6A teams last week and 76 of 90 games (84 percent) on the season.

WEEK 9 PREDICTIONS (favored team in All Caps and highlighted)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 1 GREENWOOD (8-0, 6-0) at No. 4 Pulaski Academy (7-1, 5-1)

Two of the better programs in recent Arkansas high school football history meet here. These schools have split the 6 previous meetings, including each winning a game last year. Greenwood topped PA 33-23 last October for the 6A West title, but the Bruins bounced back and bested the Bulldogs 42-35 in December for the Class 6A state title. Greenwood rallied furiously to beat PA 56-55 in the 2006 Class 5A title game, and the Bulldogs repeated as state champs in 2007 after a 57-50 quarterfinal victory over the Bruins. It was PA's turn in 2008 as the Bruins beat Greenwood 54-24 in the semifinals at Greenwood, and PA eliminated Greenwood 21-14 at Greenwood the next fall in the quarterfinals.

Pulaski Academy, which has won state championships 8 of the past 9 seasons, arrives to this matchup 7-1 overall and 5-1 in league action despite losing its leading passer, rusher, and receiver from last year's title team. The Bruins were led last week by quarterback Brandon Cobb (32-49 passing, 366 yards, 4 TDs; 48 rushing). Charlie Cotros added 33 rushing yards and a TD. Nine Bruins caught passes against the Panthers, led by Andrew Fiser (6-106 receiving, 1 TD) , Walden Culpepper (11-97 receiving, 2 TDs), and Williams Svoboda (7-90 receiving, 2 TDs). Miles Ward (11 tackles, 2 sacks)  and John Goodwin (5 tackles) led the Bruins defense.

Greenwood roars into Friday night unbeaten and largely untested. Its closest contest came in a 35-7 victory over Greenbrier on Sept. 29. The Bulldogs ripped Russellville 56-20 last week behind sophomore QB Kane Archer's 363 total yards and 7 TDs. Archer, who has received numerous Power-5 offers, passed for 197 yards and 3 scores, and he rushed for 166 yards and 4 TDs. Tailback Braydean Davis rushed for 118 yards. Up front, Greenwood recorded 24 pancake blocks, led by Ryan Shortes (8 pancakes), Ashton Stein (5 pancakes) and Cody Taylor, who had 4 pancakes. Junior Zachary Edwards topped the Greenwood tackle chart with 11 stops, while Brady Mackey and Kaleb Garner racked up 9 tackles apiece. These decorated programs have produced too many classics to name. But Greenwood is rolling right now, and likely feels it has something to prove after losing last year's title game to these Bruins.

6A EAST

MARION (7-1, 6-1) at Sylvan Hills (0-8. 0-7): Marion has won 5 of the 8 meetings in this series, including 27-23 a season ago. Sylvan Hills won the only playoff meeting between these schools, 17-14 in 2018. Marion handed the 2020 Bears their only conference loss in a 10-7 decision in Marion. Sylvan Hills has 2 opportunities to avoid a winless season. The Bears have not gone winless in the modern playoff era (since 1970) and the last time Sylvan Hills finished with 1 victory was in 1991. Sylvan Hills never led in last week's 42-13 loss at El Dorado, but Josiah Rainey and Malachi Summons continue to play well for the Bears defense. Marion is 7-1 for the first time since 2011, and the Patriots have never started a year 8-1. The Patriots would record their best regular season should they beat Sylvan Hills this week and Little Rock Catholic next week at home. Marion got to 7-1 in last week's 55-21 home victory over Sheridan behind senior QB Ashton Gray's 484 total yards and 5 TDs. Gray passed for 211 yards, including a 74-yard TD toss to junior receiver Mitrell Lewis. Marion senior safety Kendal Brister intercepted 2 passes against Sheridan, giving him 3 over the past 2 weeks. Marion linebackers Javen Griffin, Dewayne Williams, and Victor Turner set the tone for the defense. There's potential for a trap game here, with Catholic coming up next week in a game that could decide the second seed, but Marion should find a way to outlast the Bears on Friday night.

BENTON (7-1, 7-0) at West Memphis (6-2, 6-1): These teams have split the past 6 meetings, with Benton winning 55-38 a season ago. These schools met in the 2017 playoff quarterfinals (West Memphis won 39-21) and the semifinals in 2018 (Benton won 30-17) and 2019 (Benton won 63-35). West Memphis dazzled in last week's 49-13 victory at Greene County Tech. Junior backup QB Andrew Jenkins, playing in relief of senior all-state QB Keland Mills, orchestrated the offense and led the Blue Devils to 5 first-quarter TDs. West Memphis led 41-0 at halftime. Defensive linemen Scotty Dobbins and Marquaze Parker anchor a Blue Devils defense that surrenders 16 points per game in 2023. Benton continues to leave a trail of destruction in its wake on its way to the 6A East conference title. The Panthers led Searcy 50-0 last week at halftime and won 50-20. It took Benton 8 plays to roll up 217 yards and 3 TDs to spur the rout over Searcy. Benton’s defense limited Searcy to 48 yards and 3 first downs in the first half, and Nick Wright returned a fumble 14 yards for a TD. Benton sophomore QB Drew Davis completed 12 of 14 passes for 265 yards and 3 TDs against Searcy, while Elias Payne (4-181 receiving, 2 TDs) and Maddox Davis (7-78 receiving, 3 TDs). West Memphis could make things interesting in the 6A East with a victory, but Benton has too much this week. 

SEARCY (5-3, 4-3) at Jacksonville (2-6, 2-5): Searcy has won 9 of the past 15 meetings in this series, including 55-12 last October. Jacksonville needs to win out and get some help to make the playoffs. The Titans finish with El Dorado Week 10. Two of the better teams in the 6A East have shut Jacksonville out the past 2 weeks, including LR Catholic (44-0) last week. The status of Jacksonville senior QB Kentrell Thompson is unknown after he missed the Benton and Catholic games. Searcy trailed Benton 50-0 last week, but the Lions got touchdowns from Ty Strickland, Rickey Love, and Curtis Goodrich for a 50-20 defeat. Searcy looks good for the playoffs as long as it wins at least 1 of its final 2 games, and the Lions do that this week on the road.

Greene County Tech (1-7, 0-7) at SHERIDAN (2-6, 2-5): Greene County Tech embarks on a nearly 400-mile round trip to play this ballgame. Sheridan won the first meeting of these schools 28-7 last year. Tech has lost 7 consecutive after a 49-13 home loss last week to West Memphis. The Blue Devils led 41-0 at halftime, but the Eagles outscored the Blue Devils after the break. Tech offensive lineman Parker Brown, a 3-year starter, is 1 of the state’s top linemen. Sheridan likely needs to win out and get some help to make the playoffs, but the Yellowjackets continue to play hard for first-year coach Tyler Turner. Sheridan got 2 long TD connections from QB Brady Dillon to Jackson Bourne in last week's 55-21 loss at Marion, a game the Patriots led 40-14 at halftime. Sheridan gained 201 yards and committed 3 turnovers. Sheridan can still make the playoffs, so we expect the Yellowjackets to handle their business accordingly this week.

El Dorado (4-4, 3-4) at LR CATHOLIC (6-2, 5-2): LR Catholic won the first meeting between these schools 42-16 last year. El Dorado holds the sixth and final playoff spot from the 6A East, but the Wildcats must hold off Sheridan and Jacksonville. El Dorado holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Sheridan; El Dorado plays Jacksonville in Week 10. The Wildcats enter play this week off back-to-back victories over Sheridan and Sylvan Hills, their best stretch of the season. The Wildcats never trailed in last week's 42-13 victory over Sylvan Hills as QB Mitchell Polk directed 4 touchdown drives. Catholic remains alive for a first-round bye and a home quarterfinal game after last week's 44-0 victory over Jacksonville. It was the Rockets' third shutout of 2023, and Catholic has not allowed a point since the fourth quarter of its 28-14 victory over Sheridan on Oct. 6. LR Catholic QB Jackson England (12-15 passing, 149 yards, 3 TDs; 41 rushing, 1 TD) led the Rockets against Jacksonville. Paul Plafcan (3-75 receiving, TD), Noel Lewis (36 rushing, TD) and Jackson Barron (44 rushing) contributed for Catholic. El Dorado controls its playoff chances, but Catholic is rounding into shape at the right time and tames the Wildcats this week.

6A WEST

Greenbrier (4-4, 3-3) at LR CHRISTIAN (7-1, 6-0): LR Christian has won 7 of the 9 meetings in this series, including 44-7 last season. Greenbrier is the 6A West's No. 4 playoff seed after a myriad of injuries helped keep the Panthers out of the playoffs last season. Greenbrier finishes its season with Mountain Home. Greenbrier pushed Pulaski Academy last week in a 42-31 road defeat. PA led 35-13 last week at halftime, but the Panthers got within 35-31 early in the fourth quarter. Greenbrier QBs Kane Richardson and Kane Griffin combined to complete 21 of 36 passes last week for 267 yards and 5 TDs, while sophomore Enoch Assan rushed for 75 yards. Five Panthers caught passes against PA, led by senior Miles Miller, who caught 12 passes for 167 yards and 3 TDs. Lawson Worthey and Eric Huett also caught TDs. Huett and Elijah Weaver each logged 6 tackles. LR Christian gave up its first points since its 55-13 victory over Pulaski Academy on Sept.  22 in last week's 58-3 victory at Van Buren. The Warriors took their bye week on Sept. 29 and then spun consecutive shutouts over Mountain Home (51-0) and Siloam Springs (56-0). LRCA led Van Buren 37-0 when the Pointers kicked the field goal. The Warriors rolled up 530 yards in their win over the Pointers. LRCA’s Jake Field has returned 4 interceptions for touchdowns in the past 4 games. Greenbrier is one of the more improved teams in the state this season, but LRCA is all business as it pursues a conference title with a Week 10 showdown looming with Greenwood.

Van Buren (2-4, 3-5) at MOUNTAIN HOME (2-4, 4-4): Mountain Home leads this series 5-1-1 since 2004, including a 43-42 road victory that featured the school’s biggest football comeback. These schools are in a 3-way tie with Lake Hamilton for fifth place right now in the 6A West, and one team will miss the playoffs entirely. Van Buren plays at winless Siloam Springs in Week 10, while Mountain Home plays at Greenbrier next week. Van Buren managed 168 yards in last week's 58-3 loss to LR Christian, including 63 yards passing from junior QB Elijah Johnson. Junior Cameron Keller rushed for 93 yards. Seven Pointers caught passes against LRCA, led by Braden Daws' 4 receptions for 18 yards. Sophomore Tristan Ray recorded 9 tackles. Mountain Home slammed Siloam Springs 51-14 last Friday night. Bombers senior QB Cade Yates completed 12 of 13 passes for 208 yards and 3 TDs. Jett Hannaford (5-70 receiving, TD) and Anthony Milbourne (3-83 receiving, TD) and Chris Hubbard (154 rushing) led the offense. These teams appear evenly matched, but we think Mountain Home finds a way to win back home in Baxter County.

Lake Hamilton (3-5, 2-4) at RUSSELLVILLE (3-6, 2-5): Russellville leads the all-time series between these schools 7-6, but the Wolves topped the Cyclones 37-27 last fall. This is the regular-season finale for Russellville, which gets its bye week next Friday night. Lake Hamilton wraps up its regular season next week with a visit from Pulaski Academy. These teams each have won 2 conference games, so the head-to-head tiebreaker could play a major role for playoff positioning. Lake Hamilton was idle last week, and the Wolves have not scored since a 49-28 defeat to Van Buren on Sept. 29. Greenbrier (21-0) and Greenwood (42-0) blanked the Wolves in the 2 weeks before the bye. The week off might have allowed Lake Hamilton injuries to heal, including senior QB Easton Hurley, who has not played since Hamilton's 54-7 victory over Siloam Springs on Sept. 22. Greenwood outgained Lake Hamilton 342-177 two weeks ago, but the Wolves rushed for 135 yards and averaged 4.1 yards per carry. Lake Hamilton junior QB Landon West completed 5 of 11 passes against Greenwood for 42 yards, while junior halfback Hayden Barton rushed for 76 yards. Junior Hagen Tyler (7) and senior Gavin Thomason (5) led in tackles. Russellville trailed Greenwood 42-14 last week at halftime en route to a 56-20 defeat. Greenwood outgained Russellville 572-308, but Cyclones QB Luke Jones completed 12 of 20 passing for 136 yards and 2 TDs, while Tracy Daniels ran 16 times for 127 yards and a score. In a game with major playoff implications, Russellville has had better injury luck so far this year, and that makes the difference in this one.