Hootens.com Class 4A Rankings
Week 10, 2023

1. Malvern (6-2)
2. Warren (9-0)
3. Harding Academy (9-0)
4. Elkins (9-0)
5. Rivercrest (7-2)
6. Arkadelphia (5-3)
7. Ozark (7-2)
8. DeWitt (8-1)
9. Nashville (6-3)
10. Heber Springs (5-4)
11. Crossett (6-3)
12. Monticello (6-3)
13. CAC (7-2)
14. Lamar (7-2)
15. Bauxite (6-3)
16. Stuttgart (6-3)
17. McGehee (4-4)
18. Mayflower (6-3)
19. Clinton (6-3)
20. Blytheville (5-4)
21. Lincoln (7-2)
22. Pottsville (6-4)
23. Highland (6-3)
24. Pocahontas (4-5)
25. Gravette (5-4)
26. H.G. Haskell (4-5)
27. Ashdown (5-4)
28. Dumas (4-5)
29. Gentry (5-4)
30. Trumann (4-5)
31. Gosnell (5-4)
32. Hamburg (3-6)
33. Bald Knob (4-4)
34. Mena (4-5)
35. Lonoke (3-5)
36. Star City (1-9)
37. Berryville (3-6)
38. Hall Steam (2-7)
39. Green Forest (3-6)
40. Jonesboro Westside (1-8)
41. Dover (2-7)
42. Riverview (1-8)
43. Helena (0-9)
44. Huntsville (0-9)
45. Cave City (0-8)
46. Waldron (0-8)
47. Harrisburg (0-9)

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly predicted 20 of 22 games (91 percent), and for the season has picked 218 of 257 games (85 percent).

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 1 MALVERN (6-2; 4-0) at No. 6 Arkadelphia (5-3; 4-0)

The winner claims the 7-4A championship and the No. 1 playoff seed. Arkadelphia has won the league title 3 of the past 5 years and hasn't lost a conference game since falling to Joe T. Robinson by 18 points in Week 5, 2021. Arkadelphia notched a 47-21 victory over Class 3A Fordyce last week in a non conference game. The Badgers gained 462 yards (272 rushing, 190 passing), but turned the ball over 3 times.

Defending state champion Malvern hasn't won a conference title since 1997. The Leopards haven't lost to an in-state opponent (2 losses this season to Walnut Grove Texas in Week 0 and Desoto, Miss. in Week 3) since falling to Arkadelphia 49-13 a year ago. The Leopards squeezed past Nashville last week 35-21. Senior Jalen Dupree, Malvern's all-time leading rusher, had 33 carries for 333 yards and 2 TDs, while senior Dyelon Caradine caught 3 passes for 38 yards and 1 TD. Senior linebackers Romere Bennett (11 tackles) and Angel Perez (9 tackles) were the top tacklers, along with senior Tristan Miles (9 stops). Sophomore CB Jabori Jacobs finished with 4 tackles and 1 interception.

WEEK 10 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)

1-4A
ELKINS (9-0; 6-0) at Lincoln (7-2; 4-2): Elkins has already clinched the No. 1 seed and at least a share of its second straight league title. Senior QB Dizzy Dean (11 of 12 for 184 yards, 4 TDs in the first half) and RB Da'Shawn Chairs (9-49-2 rushing; 1-54-1 receiving) led the onslaught in last week's 54-0 victory over Gentry. John Townsend caught 5 passes for 81 yards and 1 TD, while Pucci Townsend intercepted 3 passes, returning 1 for a TD. Lincoln finishes as either the No. 3 or No. 4 playoff seed. Kale Jones returned an onside kick for a TD on the first play of last week's 54-14 win over Berryville. Jones ran for 2 more TDs and threw a TD pass.

OZARK (7-2; 5-1) at Huntsville (0-9; 0-6): Ozark secured the No. 2 seed with last week's 42-19 win at Gravette. The Hillbillies forced 6 turnovers (5 in the second half). Gavin Gilbreth ran 10 times for 124 yards 1 TD. MJ Parker caught 4 passes for 81 yards and 1 TD. Gunner Williams led the D with 13 tackles, while lineman Charlie VanDenBerg registered 9 tackles and 1 forced fumble on defense and 9 pancake blocks on the offensive line. Huntsville has lost 10 consecutive games dating, starting with a 52-21 loss to Ozark in last year's season-finale. The Eagles have been outscored 392-96 (average of 44-11) this season.

BERRYVILLE (3-6; 1-5) at Green Forest (3-6; 1-5): Berryville has won 15 of the past 22 Carroll County Feuds, including last season 22-0. Berryville's Zane Gentry threw a 28-yard TD pass to Cooper Simmons in the 4th quarter of last week's 40-point loss to Lincoln. Green Forest's 14-6 win over Huntsville last week was its first conference victory since beating Gravette by 4 points in Week 8, 2021. Junior Boris Tobar made 8 tackles, including 2 on 4th down. Diego Martinez returned an interception 52 yards for the game-winner.

GRAVETTE (5-4; 4-2) at Gentry (5-4; 3-3): Both teams are in the playoffs and finish anywhere between the No. 3 and No. 5 seed. Ozark stopped Gravette's 4-game win streak last week. QB Gabe Holmes ran 18 times for 137 yards in the 42-19 setback. Gentry has dropped 3 consecutive games by a combined 149-54. The Pioneers tallied just 104 yards in last weeks' 54-0 loss to Elkins.

2-4A
STUTTGART (6-3; 3-2) at Bald Knob (5-3; 3-2) (Thurs.): This game was moved to Thursday night, with the winner getting the No. 3 playoff seed and the loser slipping to the No. 4 seed. Stuttgart beat Lonoke 45-34 a week ago. Freshman QB Cain Price (17-27-418-4), WR Deontae Clark (7-194-2) and RB Jaywan Terry (21-201-2) were key contributors on offense, while seniors Tank Hood, Carson Konecny, Dylan Duncan and Nykeal Bradley played well. Terry hadn't played since injuring breaking a finger Week 0. Bald Knob has won 3 straight games, including last week 45-7 at Cave City. The Bulldogs tallied 368 yards, including 294 rushing, at Cave City.

Cave City (0-8; 0-5) at HARDING ACADEMY (9-0; 5-0): Harding Academy has clinched the No. 1 seed and at least a share of its 5th consecutive league title. The Wildcats limited Heber Springs to 7 first downs in last week's 41-14 victory, while junior QB Owen Miller (15-17-233-2 passing) offered a dual threat (89 yards rushing, 2 TDs). Heber Springs limited junior Isaac Baker's running lanes (16 rushing yards), but he torched them with 7 receptions for 156 yards. Cave City gained just 159 yards in last week's 38-point loss to Bald Knob.

Riverview (1-8; 1-4) at HEBER SPRINGS (5-3; 4-1): Heber Springs finishes the No. 2 seed after missing the playoffs last season. Senior Parker Brown ran 5 times for 81 yards last week at Harding Academy. Riverview didn't play last week and the Raiders have lost 3 consecutive games by a combined 114-24.

Lonoke (3-6) at NASHVILLE (6-3): Nashville won this non conference match-up last season 36-35, the first meeting between the teams since the 1996 semifinals. Lonoke will finish as the No. 5 seed in the 2-4A, while Nashville is the 7-4A's No. 3 seed. Lonoke lost at Stuttgart 45-34 last week after surrendering almost 700 yards. Nashville hung with top-ranked Malvern last week before losing 35-21. Senior Tre Hopkins (16-106-2 rushing; 4-50 receiving) provided the bulk of Nashville's offense, while sophomore Abari Williams (11 tackles) led the defense.

3-4A
Blytheville (6-3; 5-1) at RIVERCREST (7-2; 6-0): Some luster was knocked off this matchup at Blytheville's 30-18 loss last week to Pocahontas. Still, the winner this season gets the 3-4A championship and No. 1 playoff seed. Rivercrest, winners of 3 conference titles the past 5 seasons, has won all 3 of its meetings over Blytheville by a combined 134-49. The Colts clobbered Trumann last week 49-14. Senior RB Koby Turner (9-191-4) and senior WR Michael Rainer (5-54-1) are the top playmakers on offense. Senior end Wyatt Lancaster (13 tackles,) and sophomore Tekylun Sanders (10 tackles, 2 TFL) played well on defense. Blytheville's 5-game win streak ended with last week's 12-point loss to Pocahontas. The Chickasaws allowed 357 yards rushing.

Highland (6-3; 4-2) at POCAHONTAS (4-5; 4-2): Pocahontas can earn the No. 2 playoff seed with a victory and Blytheville loss. Pocahontas QB D.J. Coffey logged an incredible 49 carries for 300 yards and 4 TDs in last week's 30-18 victory at Blytheville. Two-way lineman Caleb Bettis (2 tackles), defensive lineman Reagan Womack (3 tackles) , Cooper Sorg (6 tackles) and junior LB Ricky Regina (10 tackles, 4 TFL and 1 sack) played well. Highland will finish as either the No. 3 or 4 seed. The Rebels beat Jonesboro Westside 43-8 last week. Junior QB Zac Huckabee proved a dual threat (5-6-99-2 passing; 5-66-1 rushing), while junior Keagan Statler had 6 carries for 150 yards and 2 TDs and caught a 52-yard TD pass. Gabe Hightower led Highland with 9 tackles.

GOSNELL (5-4; 2-4) at Jonesboro Westside (1-8; 1-5): Gosnell has won 19 of the past 21 meetings. The Pirates only make the playoffs with a victory and Trumann loss. Gosnell snapped a 3-game losing skid with last week's 61-7 victory over Harrisburg. Sophomore Kylan Young ran for 133 yards and 3 TDs, while Jai Jacobs caught 4 passes for 112 yards and 1 TD. Junior LB Vanterrues Lucas finished with 16 tackles and 1 sack. Jonesboro Westside has lost 11 of its past 12 games dating back to last season.

TRUMANN (4-5; 2-4) at Harrisburg (0-9; 0-6): Trumann has won 9 of the past 12 meetings over Harrisburg. Trumann, on a 3-game losing streak, finishes as the No. 5 playoff seed with a victory. QB Jake Osment ran 23 times for 140 yards and 1 TD in last week's 4-14 loss to Rivercrest, while Cade Hatton had 12 carries for 72 yards and 1 TD. Harrisburg gets outscored 46-14 weekly.

4-4A
BAUXITE (6-3; 5-2) at H.G. Haskell (4-5; 3-4) (Thurs.): Bauxite has won 4 of the 7 match-ups with H.G. Haskell, including last season 14-7. The Miners finish either 1st or 2nd in the conference with a win. Freshman QB Eli Perry threw 3 TD passes in last week's 48-19 win over Hall Steam, with junior Marcus Wimberly tallying 78 yards and 1 TD. Junior Tony Fox caught 2 passes for 63 yards and 1 TD. Haskell misses the playoffs after winning 10 games and the league title a year ago.

LAMAR (7-2; 5-2) at Central Arkansas Christian (7-2; 5-2): The winner will at least tie for the league title. Lamar junior Caleb Green ran 1 yard for the winning TD with 40 seconds left last week, lifting Lamar past Clinton 27-21. Green ran for 3 TDs and thew a 30-yard TD pass to senior Gavyn Edwards. The Lamar D fueled the rally with 5 fumble recoveries and 2 fourth-down stops in the second half. CAC won 2 games each of the past 2 seasons. The Mustangs didn't play last week and 2 weeks ago gained 487 yards in a 62-12 victory over Dover. Jacob Henry returned a TD at Dover, while Tyler Blakely and Josiah Warrior-Benson each scored 2 TDs.

Dover (2-7; 0-7) at CLINTON (6-3; 4-3): Clinton has won 5 of the past 9 meetings with Dover, and the Yellow Jackets will make the playoffs anywhere between the No. 3 and No. 5 seed. Clinton led Lamar 7-0 at halftime last week (out gained the Warriors 205-63 in the first half) before losing 27-21. Senior Zane Widener ran 20 times for 176 yards and 2 TDs and returned an interception 37 yards for a TD. Dover hasn't won a conference game since Week 10, 2018.

MAYFLOWER (6-3; 4-3) at Hall Steam (2-7; 1-5): Mayflower likely finishes anywhere between the No. 3 and No. 5 playoff seed. The Eagles rallied from a 21-18 third quarter deficit last week, beating H.G. Haskell 44-28. Senior QB Frankie Fennell threw 2 TD passes and ran for another.

Pottsville (6-4; 5-3) is open.

7-4A
MALVERN (6-2; 4-0) at Arkadelphia (5-3; 4-0): Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week.

Waldron (0-9; 0-4) at MENA (4-5; 0-4): The winner gets the No. 5 playoff seed. Mena has beaten Waldron 27 straight times, including last season 28-21. Mena has lost its 4 conference games by an average of 47-14, while Waldron has lost its 4 conference games by an average of 53-8.

Lonoke at NASHVILLE (6-3; 3-2): See comment on this non conference game in 2-4A.

Ashdown (4-5; 2-3) is open.

8-4A
WARREN (9-0; 7-0) at Hamburg (3-6; 3-4) (Thurs.): Warren has locked up the No. 1 playoff seed and 8-4A championship. The Lumberjacks have lost to Hamburg only once since Bo Hembree became coach in 2000. Warren led Helena 42-0 in the first quarter and neither team scored again. Freshman QB Jackson Denton threw 2 TD passe. Junior Antonio Jordan's only catch went 45 yards for a TD, while Neon'dre Thomas' only catch went 22 yards for a TD. Hamburg RB Willis Robinson and LB Payton Sellers have played well this year, coach Blake Johnson says.

DEWITT (8-1; 6-1) at Dumas (4-5; 2-5) (Thurs.): Dumas has won 14 of the past 18 over DeWitt, but the Dragons won last season 35-13. DeWitt is headed to the playoffs as the No. 2 seed, while Dumas won't qualify for the playoffs but showed improvement this season after going 1-9 a year ago. DeWitt returned 2 interceptions for TDs, including one by Owen St. John in last week's 49-38 win over McGehee. St. John also sprinted 70 yards for a TD. Sophomore Korri Graham ran for 82 yards and 2 TDs. Dumas has 4 losses this season by 2 TDs or less, including last week's 17-14 setback at Crossett. Junior QB Darnail Walker (22-31-21-2 passing), WR Raylen Spratt (8-129-1) and WR Teshawn Henderson (5-24-1) played well on offense. Spratt (6 tackles, 1 interception), senior LB Jerry McGehee (6 tackles), senior DE Malcolm Crompton (3 tackles, 1 sack) and Henderson (2 tackles, 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery) were leaders on defense.

MCGEHEE (4-4; 3-4) at Helena (0-9; 0-7) (Thurs.): McGehee locks up the No. 5 seed with a win. Helena promotes several freshman from its undefeated junior high conference championship squad. Helena hasn't made the playoffs since 2018 and has lost 16 straight games and 43 of its past 44 games. McGehee QB Ky Bell played well in last week's shootout loss at DeWitt. 

Crossett (6-3; 5-2) at MONTICELLO (6-3; 5-2) (Thurs.): The winner gets the No. 3 seed, loser slips to the No. 4 seed. Monticello beat Star City 35-7 last week. Senior QB Brooks Bowman (13-17-167-1 passing), senior RB Jon Jackson (15-95-2 rushing) and receivers Tejon Tensley (54-84) and Evan Bealer (4-50-1) sparked the offense, while Laytn Nichols (8 tackles) and Jagger Hines (5 tackles) led the D. Crossett trailed Dumas 7-0 in the second quarter before notching a 17-14 victory. Crossett limited Dumas to 27 yards rushing and recorded 5 sacks.

Star City is open.