Hootens.com Class 4A Rankings

Week 10, 2022

Copyright Seventy Seven's Publishing

1. Arkadelphia (7-0)

2. Harding Academy (8-0)

3. Warren (8-1)

4. Star City (9-1)

5. Malvern (7-1)

6. Stuttgart (7-2)

7. Pocahontas (8-1)

8. H.G. Haskell (9-0)

9. McGehee (5-2)

10. Elkins (8-1)

11. Nashville (6-3)

12. Rivercrest (6-3)

13. Ashdown (6-3)

14. Lonoke (6-3)

15. Ozark (6-3)

16. Pottsville (6-4)

17. Gosnell (7-2)

18. Lamar (7-2)

19. Gentry (7-2)

20. Clinton (6-3)

21. Dewitt (5-3)

22. Bauxite (6-3)

23. Trumann (4-5)

24. Mena (4-5)

25. Blytheville (5-4)

26. Monticello (4-5)

27. Gravette (5-4)

28. Crossett (3-6)

29. Lincoln (5-4)

30. Hamburg (3-6)

31. Mayflower (3-6)

32. Heber Springs (2-6)

33. Bald Knob (3-6)

34. Riverview (2-7)

35. Jonesboro Westside (2-7)

36. Highland (3-6)

37. CAC (2-6)

38. LR Hall (1-7)

39. Waldron (2-6)

40. Huntsville (2-7)

41. Helena (1-7)

42. Cave City (1-7)

43. Dumas (1-8)

44. Dover (2-7)

45. Berryville (1-8)

46. Harrisburg (2-7)

47. Green Forest (1-8)

HOOTENS.COM CLASS 4A GAME OF THE WEEK

ARKADELPHIA (7-0, 4-0) at Malvern (7-1, 4-0): The winner of the ASU Three Rivers Ouachita River Rumble wins a championship title belt. A $250 scholarship is awarded to the MVP from each team.

Arkadelphia hasn't lost a conference game since falling to Joe T. Robinson by 18 points in Week 5, 2021. The Badgers are outscoring their league opponents this season by an average of 50-9. Senior QB Donovan Whitten completed 20 of 33 passes for 200 yards and 5 TDs, and he ran for a TD in a 41-12 win over Ashdown two weeks ago. Senior Tripp Campbell caught 2 TD passes, while senior playmaker Lantonnieo Hughes and Carter Babb each caught a TD pass. “We have to keep their receivers in front of us,” Malvern Coach J.D. Plumlee says.

Malvern's only loss was at Hernando, Miss., in September. Leopards senior QB Cedric Simmons completed 6 of 9 passes for 148 yards and ran 12 times for 39 yards and 1 TD in last week's 48-34 win at Nashville. Junior Jalen Dupree had a mind-numbing 31 carries for 375 yards and 5 TDs. Junior LB Romere Bennett had 13 tackles, while Angel Perez had 12 stops. “We've got to stop the run and force a few turnovers,” Arkadelphia Coach Trey Schucker says.

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com correctly predicted 20 of 21 games (95 percent) involving 4A teams and has correctly predicted 217 of 248 games (88 percent) this season.

WEEK 10 PREDICTIONS (favored team highlighted in yellow and ALL CAPS)

1-4A (ALL GAMES IN THIS CONFERENCE MOVED TO THURSDAY)

GREEN FOREST (1-8, 0-6) at Berryville (1-8, 0-6): Berryville has won 14 of the past 21 Carroll County Feuds. Berryville has turned it over 4 times in each of its past 2 games. The Bobcats will be without several injured starters. Green Forest LB Ryan Bruegel leads his team in tackles.

Lincoln (5-4, 3-3) at ELKINS (8-1, 6-0): Elkins finishes as conference champ for the first time since 2016 after last week's 56-14 win over Gentry. Junior RB Da'Shawn Chairs ran for 175 yards and 4 TDs vs. Gentry. Lincoln will be the No. 5 seed after moving up from Class 3A. Lincoln junior QB Drew Moore passed for 193 yards and 4 TDs in last week's 49-13 win over Berryville.

GENTRY (7-2, 4-2) at Gravette (5-4, 4-2): The winner gets the No. 3 seed, and the loser finishes as the No. 4 seed. Gentry was outscored 35-0 in the second half of last week's 56-14 loss to Elkins. The Pioneers had 2 turnovers on downs in the third quarter that changed the game’s complexion. Gravette lost at Ozark 42-7 last week. Senior QB/DB Rhett Hilger was carted off the field in the second quarter and didn't return. Sophomore Gabe Holmes and freshman Cameron Bedwell split time at QB after Hilger's injury. RB Kyler Austin (135 yards at Ozark) could play a key factor this week.

OZARK (6-3, 5-1) at Huntsville (2-7, 2-4): Ozark beat Huntsville 48-18 in the first round of the playoffs last season as members of the 4-4A conference. Ozark junior DB M.J. Parker returned an interception for a TD in last week's 42-7 win over Gravette, and the Hillbillies recovered 2 fumbled kickoffs. Ozark senior QB Landon Wright finished with 200 yards (126 rushing, 74 passing). Huntsville beat Green Forest last week 46-41.

2-4A

HARDING ACADEMY (8-0, 5-0) at Cave City (1-8, 1-4): Undefeated Harding Academy handled Heber Springs last week 39-13 (led 39-0 at halftime). The Wildcats held Heber Springs to less than 100 yards. Senior DL Levi Mercer and senior WR Landon Koch played well last week, according to Wildcats Coach Neil Evans. Sophomore QB Owen Miller threw 4 TDs in the first half. Cave City needs an upset victory and help from others to make the playoffs.

NASHVILLE (6-3, 3-2) at Lonoke (6-3, 4-2): This nonconference game is the first between these teams since the 1996 semifinals, which Nashville won 49-7. Nashville's 3-game win streak was snapped last week in a competitive 48-34 loss to Malvern. Senior QB Sloan Perrin (offers from Henderson State and OBU) generated 258 yards and 4 TDs vs. Malvern, while junior Tre Hopkins ran for 74 yards and caught 5 passes for 51 yards. Lonoke senior Landon Jones caught 5 passes for 118 yards and 1 TD in last week's 35-32 loss to Stuttgart. Seniors Drelyn Clay and Cody Amato combined for 22 tackles.

HEBER SPRINGS (2-6, 1-4) at Riverview (2-7, 1-4): The winner goes to the playoffs. Heber Springs has never lost to Riverview (6-0 all-time record). But the Panthers hope that leading rusher Parker Brown and top tackler Kenan Sneed can play this week (both listed day-to-day after not playing last week vs. Harding Academy). Riverview didn't play last week and lost at cross-town rival Harding Academy 44-6 two weeks ago.

Bald Knob (3-6, 2-3) at STUTTGART (7-2, 4-1): It's senior night at Stuttgart (Ricebirds have won won 6 of the past 9 over Bald Knob), and the seniors have never lost a home game. The Ricebirds are locked in as the No. 2 seed and host either Monticello or Crossett in the first round of the playoffs. Stuttgart senior Cedric Hawkins ran for 222 yards and 4 TDs in last week's 35-32 win at Lonoke, while senior Kameron Harper had 14 tackles, 3 sacks and he blocked a punt and returned it for a TD. Bald Knob beat Cave City 20-13 in overtime last week to clinch a playoff berth. Landon Gilmore ran 6 yards in OT for the TD, while Reese Mooney ran 5 yards for a TD and also scored on a 2-point conversion.

3-4A

RIVERCREST (6-3, 5-1) at Blytheville (5-4, 3-3): Rivercrest has beaten Blytheville the past two seasons by a combined 85-29. The Colts will finish as the No. 2 seed, no matter what happens this week. Senior fullback Coby Turner ran 19 times for 86 yards and 1 TD in last week's 10-point win over Trumann, while versatile junior QB/WR Michael Rainer had 15 carries for 163 yards and 2 TDs and caught 4 passes for 33 yards. Blytheville has lost 3 consecutive games after starting the season with a 5-1 record. Junior Timothy Brown has rushed for more than 1,300 yards this season.

Jonesboro Westside (2-7, 1-5) at GOSNELL (7-2, 4-2): Gosnell finishes as the No. 3 seed, regardless of what happens this week. The Pirates beat Harrisburg 35-8 a week ago. Junior Cam Williams caught 10 passes for 149 yards against Harrisburg, and he intercepted 3 passes (returned 1 for a TD). Jonesboro Westside misses the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

POCAHONTAS (8-1, 6-0) at Highland (3-6, 2-4): Pocahontas has secured its second consecutive conference title and No. 1 playoff seed. Senior Connor Baker needs 4 rushing TDs to break the state record for career TDs (currently held by former Clarendon RB Cedric Houston with 97). Baker ran for 375 yards and 4 TDs in last week's 33-22 win at Blytheville.

Harrisburg (2-7, 0-6) at TRUMANN (4-5, 3-3): Trumann likely finishes as the No. 4 seed and travels to Star City next week. The Wildcats surrendered almost 300 yards rushing in last week's 42-32 loss to Rivercrest, but senior QB Murphy Williams shined on offense by rushing 19 times for 212 yards, while Cade Hatton had 7 carries for 72 yards. Harrisburg gave up 317 yards passing in last week's 35-8 loss to Gosnell.

4-4A

H.G. HASKELL (9-0, 7-0) at Bauxite (6-3, 5-2): These teams have split their 6 meetings, with H.G. Haskell winning last season 27-22. Haskell clinched its first conference title with last week's 47-7 win at Mayflower. Haskell's Peyton Potter scored 4 TDs at Mayflower. Bauxite can finish as the No. 2 seed with a win and some help. Bauxite didn't play last week, it and beat Mayflower 22-3 two weeks ago.

CLINTON (6-3, 4-3) at Dover (2-7, 0-7) : These teams have split the past 8 meetings. Clinton will make the playoffs as either the No. 4 or No. 5 seed after surrendering a 20-0 first-quarter lead in 36-20 loss to Lamar. Senior Brody Emberton caught 3 passes for 75 yards and 1 TD, and he ran for 38 yards and 1 TD. Dover hasn't won a conference game since Week 10, 2018.

Central Arkansas Christian (2-7, 2-5) at LAMAR (7-2, 5-2): These teams haven't played since they were members of the former 5-AAA in 2000-2001. Lamar finishes as either the No. 2 or No. 3 seed. The Warriors trailed Clinton 20-0 in the first quarter last week before rallying by creating 5 turnovers. Senior Damian Hendrix ran 26 times for 214 yards, while junior Jarrett Dalton ran for 115 yards and on defense made 1 interception. CAC won't make the playoffs, but the Mustangs started 8-10 sophomores this season.

LR Hall (1-7, 1-6) at MAYFLOWER (3-6, 2-5): These teams have never played and neither can make the playoffs this year. Mayflower has scored a combined 10 points the past two weeks, while LR Hall has given up 106 points in its past.

POTTSVILLE (6-4, 6-2) is open.

7-4A

NASHVILLE (6-3, 3-2) at Lonoke (6-3, 4-2): This nonconference game is the first between these teams since the 1996 semifinals, which Nashville won 49-7. Nashville's 3-game win streak was snapped last week in a competitive 48-34 loss to Malvern. Senior QB Sloan Perrin (offers from Henderson State and OBU) generated 258 yards and 4 TDs vs. Malvern, while junior Tre Hopkins ran for 74 yards and caught 5 passes for 51 yards. Lonoke senior Landon Jones caught 5 passes for 118 yards and 1 TD in last week's 35-32 loss to Stuttgart. Seniors Drelyn Clay and Cody Amato combined for 22 tackles. Lonoke junior WR Denham Gooden was injured last week “and we are waiting to see the extent,” Lonoke coach Chris Norton said on Monday. “”He's been outstanding.”

MENA (4-5, 0-4) at Waldron (2-6, 0-4): A playoff berth is on the line for the first time in this long-standing series. The winner goes to the playoffs, the loser is finished for the season. Mena has won 42 of the past 50 in the series, including last season 47-14. Two years ago, Mena won 28-21 by throwing the winning Hail Mary TD on the final play. Mena has been outscored in conference games this year by an average of  31-10, while Waldron has been outscored by an average of 51-3.

ASHDOWN (6-3, 2-3) is open.

8-4A

Hamburg (2-6, 2-5) at WARREN (8-1, 7-0) on Thursday: Warren has lost to Hamburg only once since Bo Hembree took over as coach in 2000. Sophomore Neon'dre Thomas caught a 49-yard TD pass in the second quarter, then intercepted a pass in the end zone moments later. Thomas has 3 interceptions the past 2 games. Senior QB Maddox Lassiter threw 5 first-half TDs, including 4 to sophomore Antonio Jordan. Hamburg junior CB Brent Holland has allowed 4 catches this season. Junior guard/DT Jackson Grubb anchors Hamburg's line.

Monticello (4-5, 3-4) at CROSSETT (3-5, 3-4) on Thursday The winner gets in as the No. 5 seed and travels to Stuttgart in the first round. Monticello hung with Star City (trailed 28-21 in fourth quarter), before losing 56-28. Crossett put itself into contention with consecutive wins over Helena and Dumas by a combined 56-13. Senior Tayshawn Paskell ran 14 times for 114 yards and 2 TDs in last week's 35-7 win over Dumas, while junior QB Max Brooks ran for 2 TDs and passed for another.

Dumas (1-8, 0-7) at DEWITT (5-4, 4-3) on Thursday: Dumas has owned DeWitt (14-3 record in past 17 meetings), but DeWitt is headed to the playoffs this fall as the No. 4 seed. Dragons QB Eli Ashcraft and outside LBs Trent Place and Jayden Vanhouten have played well, Coach Tommy Cody says. Dumas looks for its first conference win since Week 4, 2021. The Bobcats mustered 148 yards in last week's 28-point loss to Crossett.

Helena (1-8, 1-6) at MCGEHEE (5-2, 5-2): McGehee finishes as the No. 3 seed in this rugged conference after moving up from Class 3A. The Owls beat DeWitt 32-25 a week ago by throwing 2 fourth-quarter TD passes. Helena hasn’t made the playoffs since 2018, and the Cougars have scored a TD or less in 5 consecutive games.

STAR CITY (9-1, 7-1) is open.