CLASS 3A, WEEK 10, 2023
HOOTENS.COM RANKINGS
COPYRIGHT SEVENTY SEVEN'S FOOTBALL PUBLISHING, LLC

1. Booneville (7-2) 
2. Prescott (8-1) 
3. Harmony Grove Ouachita County (7-2) 
4. Charleston (5-4) 
5. Salem (9-0) 
6. Hoxie (9-0) 
7. Mansfield (7-2)   
8. Walnut Ridge (7-2) 
9. Glen Rose (7-2)      
10. Newport (5-4)     
11. Junction City (6-3)    
12. Bismarck (7-2)      
13. Lavaca (6-3)                       
14. Fordyce (4-5)                    
15. Hackett (6-3)         
16. Centerpoint (5-4)  
17. Perryville (6-3)                              
18. Fouke (5-4)                                   
19. Smackover (5-4)               
20. Osceola (2-7)        
21. Gurdon (3-5)         
22. Atkins (2-7)                                               
23. Quitman (4-5)                                                                   
24. Jessieville (5-4)                                                    
25. Magnet Cove (6-3)                                                                       
26.  Melbourne (2-7)                                                   
27.Yellville-Summit (3-6)                                                                               
28. Rison (2-7)                                    
29. Barton (5-4)                      
30. Drew Central (2-6)                        
31. Paris (3-6)             
32. West Fork (2-7)    
33. Manila (3-6)          
34. Cedarville (1-8)                 
35. Lake Village (1-6)            
36. Greenland (1-8)    
37. Horatio (1-8) 
38. Palestine-Wheatley (3-5) 
39. Danville (1-8) 
40. Piggott (0-9) 
41. Two Rivers (0-9) 

PREDICTIONS (Favored team highlighted and CAPS)

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com correctly predicted 17 of 19 games (89 percent). Hootens.com has correctly predicted 198 of 236 games (84 percent) this year.

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 8 Walnut Ridge (7-2; 4-0) at No. 6 HOXIE (9-0; 4-0)

A conference championship is on the line this week as the two 3-3A powerhouses and two top ten teams face off against each other. No. 8 Walnut Ridge heads into the matchup on a three-game win streak and took down Manila 45-6 in its last outing. Jersie Cunningham(101 passing yards, 2 TD’s; 76 yards rushing, 2 TD’s), Enrique Perez (150 yards rushing, 1 TD) and Mark Hatfield (69 yards receiving, 1 TD) led the offense for the Bobcats in that game. No. 6 Hoxie rides into this week undefeated and comes off a 35-14 win over Osceola in its most recent outing. The Mustangs offense was led by QB Kayden Glenn (9/11 passing, 104 yards passing, 2 TD’s; 144 yards rushing, 1 TD; 18 yards receiving, 1 TD), Camden Brooks (18 yards passing, 1 TD; 66 yards rushing, 1 TD; 48 yards receiving) and Ethan Dulaney (2 catches, 35 yards receiving, 2 TD’s). Both teams are undefeated in conference play. In the most recent matchup between these two teams, Hoxie won a narrow 7-6 win last season over Walnut Ridge. This week should be another close matchup for these two teams.

1-3A CONFERENCE GAMES

Cedarville (1-8; 1-5) at No. 1 BOONEVILLE (7-2; 6-0)

Cedarville lost 42-6 last week against No. 7 Mansfield. With that loss, the Pirates are officially out of playoff contention for the season heading into this week’s matchup. Booneville has locked up the conference championship and will head into the playoffs with the No. 1 seed in the conference. In Booneville’s 45-6 win over Lavaca last week, Dax Goff (230 yards rushing, 3 TD’s) led the Bearcat offense once again.

Lavaca (6-3; 3-3) at No. 4 CHARLESTON (5-4; 5-1)

Lavaca lost 45-6 to Booneville this past week but has secured a playoff spot this postseason. Against Booneville, Bryson Wibbing(13/25, 80 yards passing, 1 TD; 56 yards rushing) led the Golden Arrow offense. Charleston defeated West Fork 28-14 this past week and has secured the No. 2 seed in the conference. Against West Fork, Reese Merechka (23 carries, 120 yards rushing, 3 TD’s) led the way on offense for the Tigers.

No. 7 MANSFIELD (7-2; 4-2) at Hackett (6-3; 4-2)

Mansfield defeated Lavaca 43-19 this past week. In that game, Daniel Burton (4 carries, 108 yards rushing, 1 TD) and Tyler Turnipseed (69 yards rushing, 3 TD’s; INT on defense) led the way for the Tiger offense. On defense, Zander Walters led the team in tackles with 8. The Tigers have secured a spot in the playoffs and can finish no lower than fourth in the seeding. Hackett comes off a 44-8 win over Greenland this past week. A win over Mansfield would put the Hornets over the Tigers for the No. 3 seed in the conference.

Greenland (1-8; 0-6) at WEST FORK (2-7; 1-5)

Greenland lost 44-8 its most recent game against Hackett this past week. The Pirates only win came in a 14-7 victory over class 4A Berryville. West Fork dropped its last outing 28-14 to No. 4 Charleston. West Forks only conference win of the season was a 44-0 over Cedarville. Both teams are out of playoff contention for the season.

2-3A CONFERENCE GAMES

Quitman (4-5; 2-3) at No. 5 SALEM (9-0; 5-0) 

Quitman comes off a 55-20 win against Melbourne this past week. In that game, Greyson Ealy (9 catches, 277 yards receiving, 5 TD’s), Eli Hartman (33 carries, 227 yards rushing, 2 TD’s) and Jordon Payne-Moore (11/17 passing, 292 yards passing, 5 TD’s) led the Bulldog offense with that win, Quitman officially clinched a spot in the playoffs. Salem secured the conference championship and No. 1 seed in the playoffs with a 16-6 win at Perryville on Friday. Two touchdowns in the second half last week secured the win over the Mustangs and gave the Greyhounds the No. 1 seed. 

No. 10 NEWPORT (5-4; 4-1) at Perryville (6-3; 4-1)

Newport picked up a 49-20 win over Yellville-Summit this past week. In that outing, sophomore QB Luke Reynolds (7/10 passing, 162 yards passing, 3 TD’s; 1 rushing TD) and Aamoni Wren (64 yards receiving, 2 TD’s; 62-yard punt return TD) led the Greyhounds on offense. On defense, Bryson Elston (9.5 tackles) led the team. Head coach of the Greyhounds, Brian Reardon, says this week will be a tough battle but is looking forward to it. Perryville lost a tough 16-6 battle against No. 5 Salem this past week. The Mustangs did a great job holding an explosive Salem offense to a season low 16 points in that outing and held them scoreless in the first half. This game between Newport and Perryville will determine the No. 2 seed in the conference for playoffs. 

ATKINS (2-7; 2-3) at Melbourne (2-7; 1-4)

Atkins comes into this week off a bye but has won two straight games. In its most recent outing, The Red Devils took down Yellville-Summit in a 48-40 win two weeks ago. Jaden Martin (3-of-5 passing, 51 yards passing, 2 TD’s; 18 carries, 270 yards rushing, 2 TD’s) led the Red Devils offense in that game. Melbourne fell to Quitman 55-20 this past week. In that outing, Tanner Williams (7 tackles and 2 interceptions) helped the Bearkatz on the defensive side of the ball. This is a big game this week for both teams as Atkins can finish as high the No. 4 seed or as low as out of playoff contention. This is a must win game for Melbourne if the team wants to get into the playoffs, but Atkins rides into this week with the hot hand.

3-3A CONFERENCE GAMES

Manila (3-6; 2-2) at OSCEOLA (2-7; 2-2)

Manila heads into this week following a 45-6 loss to No. 8 Walnut Ridge. The Lions have only scored a combined 13 points in its last two games. Osceola fell to No. 6 Hoxie 35-14 on Friday. Over its last two games, the Seminoles have scored a combined 36 points against the two best teams in the 3-3A conference. The game between Manila and Osceola will determine the No. 3 seed for the playoffs. The Seminoles beat the Lions 52-0 last year in this matchup. 

4-3A CONFERENCE GAMES

Magnet Cove (6-3; 3-3) at No. 9 GLEN ROSE (7-2; 6-0)

Magnet Cove secures a spot in the playoffs after a 45-43 win over Paris this past week. The Panthers will likely finish with the No. 5 seed heading into the playoffs. Glen Rose secured the 4-3A conference championship on Friday with a 56-12 win at Centerpoint. In that outing, Senior RB Heath Ballance (14 carries, 302 yards rushing, 5 td’s), senior QB Rein Bland (4/6 passing, 70 yards passing), senior WR Draven McSpadden (3 carries, 14 yards rushing, 2 TD’s; 2 catches, 25 yards) and senior WR Lane Franks (2 carries, 14 yards rushing, 1 TD; 2 catches 45 yards) led the offense for the Beavers.

Centerpoint (5-4; 5-1) at BISMARCK (7-2; 5-1)

Centerpoint fell to Glen Rose 56-12 last week in a conference championship game. They were held to the lowest total points in a conference game this year against the Beavers. This week they face a Bismarck team who is seeking a challenge and may find it in the Knights. Bismarck won against Two Rivers 53-8 this past week. The Lions pulled its starters with 6:27 left in the first quarter after being up 37-0. Head coach of the Lions, Daniely Keithley, says his team’s biggest concern is that they have not really been challenged since week 6 against Glen Rose. This game will determine the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. 

Two Rivers (0-9; 0-6) at JESSIEVILLE (5-4; 3-3) 

Two Rivers dropped its most recent game 53-8 last week against Bismarck. Two Rivers remains winless on the season and is out of playoff contention for the year. Jessieville has won two straight games and beat Danville 44-8 this past week. Jessieville has secured a playoff spot and will likely finish with the No. 4 seed heading into postseason action. 

PARIS (3-6; 1-5) at Danville (1-8; 1-5)

Paris dropped a close 45-43 game against Magnet Cove this past week. With that loss, the Eagles are officially out of playoff contention. Danville also dropped its game 44-8 to Jessieville this past week. The Little Johns are also out of playoff contention with its loss to Jessieville.

5-3A CONFERENCE GAMES

Horatio (1-8; 0-4) at No. 2 PRESCOTT (8-1; 4-0)

Horatio dropped its most recent game 62-21 against Junction City last Friday. With the loss, Horatio is likely out of playoff contention. Prescott comes off a bye but won its most recent game in a 27-0 shutout over Smackover that gave Prescott its fifth straight conference title. Jah’Noah Harris (6 carries, 82 yards rushing), Pierce Yates (10/15 passing, 203 yards passing, 1 TD; 9 carries, 32 yards rushing, 1 TD) and D’Wayne White (3 catches, 30 yards; 2 carries, 12 yards) led the Curley Wolves on offense against Smackover. The Curley Wolves have not lost a conference game since 2018.

JUNCTION CITY (6-3; 3-1) at Gurdon (3-5; 1-3)

Junction City came up with a dominant 62-21 win over Horatio on Friday. Leading the way for the Dragons was Dovonte Grimes (2 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR TD, 5 tackles; 1 reception, 9 yards receiving, TD), Dominique Grimes (1 reception, 30 yards receiving, TD; 55 yard punt return TD), LaMontra Hankton (3-of-5 passing, 68 yards passing, 2 TD; 4 carries, 93 yards rushing, 2 TD’s) and Hayden Hudson (1 FR, 4 tackles; 12 yards rushing, 1 TD). Head coach of the Dragons, Devin Ball, is pleased to see his team play with high level execution. Junction City played at a high level on all three phases with no turnovers, while forcing 5 against Horatio. Coach Ball is also proud of how much his lineman have grown since August. Gurdon lost 36-15 against Smackover last week. Gurdon should secure the last playoff spot in the conference once the dust settles on the regular season.

SMACKOVER (5-4; 2-2) at Fouke (5-4; 2-2)

Smackover won its last outing 36-15 over Gurdon on Friday. With that win, the Buckaroos are guaranteed a playoff spot. Fouke returns to action after a bye week. In its most recent game, the Panthers dropped a 37-13 game to class 4A Mena. Fouke has already secured a spot in the playoffs.  In the most recent matchup between these two teams, Smackover won 46-20.

6-3A CONFERENCE GAMES

No. 3 HARMONY GROVE OUACHITA COUNTY (7-2; 4-0) at Barton (5-4; 2-2)

Harmony Grove Ouachita County defeated Lake Village 55-6 this past week and has already won the conference title. In the game against Lake Village, Caleb Johnson (8/14 passing, 149 yards passing, 5 TD’s), Landon Garrett (5 catches, for 105 yards receiving, 3 TD’s) and Tristan Herndon (2 TD catches) led the Hornets offense. On defense, Christian Barnes (8 tackles and 4 sacks), Quinten Jones (10 tackles, 3 sacks) and Donnovin Walker (1 INT) led the way. Barton dropped a tough game in its most recent outing 42-33 over Rison. In that outing, DeQuincy Wilson (11 carries, 70 yards rushing, 1 TD; 1 reception, 31 yards receiving, 1 TD; 7 tackles), La’Davion Willis (5 receptions, 113 yards) and Braylon Harvey (11 tackles, 1 TFL) led the way for the team. The Bears have already claimed a spot in the playoffs and can finish with either the third or fourth seed.

FORDYCE (4-5; 3-1) at Lake Village (1-6; 0-4)

Fordyce heads into this week following a tough 47-21 nonconference loss to class 4A Arkadelphia on Friday. The Redbugs will head into the playoffs with the No. 2 seed in the 6-3A conference locked up. Lake Village dropped its most recent game 55-6 against Harmony Grove Ouachita County last week. Lake Village has been eliminated from playoff contention with the loss to Harmony Grove Ouachita County.

RISON (2-7; 2-2) at Drew Central (2-6; 1-3)

Rison picked up its second straight win 42-33 over Barton this past week. Leading the way for the Wildcats on offense in that game was Owen Morrison (20 carries, 103 yards rushing, 5 TD) and Freshman Kyson Walker (12 carries, 99 yards rushing, 1 TD; INT on defense). On defense, Thomas Wilson (9 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles) carried the load for Rison. Drew Central returns to action this week for the first time since October 13. In its last game, the Pirates suffered a 42-0 shutout at the hands of Barton. The Pirates have secured a spot in the playoffs and will likely have the fifth and final seed.

Open: Yellville-Summit, Palestine Wheatley, Piggott