Hootens.com Class 4A Rankings

Week 10, 2024

1. Elkins (9-0)

2. Arkadelphia (7-2)

3. Warren (7-2)

4. Mills (9-0)

5. Malvern (9-0)

6. Gravette (8-1)

7. DeWitt (7-2)

8. Southside (9-0)

9. Dardanelle (8-1)

10. Mena (9-0)

11. Highland (7-1)

12. Monticello (6-3)

13. Gentry (8-1)

14. Clinton (7-2)

15. Hamburg (6-3)

16. Prairie Grove (5-4)

17. Nashville (5-4)

18. Heber Springs (6-3)

19. Ashdown (4-5)

20. Pocahontas (6-3)

Not Ranked

1-4A: Berryville (1-8), Green Forest (3-6), Huntsville (1-6), Lincoln (5-4)

2-4A: Bald Knob (0-8), CAC (3-6), Forrest City (3-6), Hall Steam (2-7), Lonoke (5-4), Riverview (1-7)

3-4A: Blytheville (3-5), Cave City (3-6), Gosnell (5-4), Jonesboro Westside (1-8), Trumann (2-7)

4-4A: Dover (2-7), Lamar (3-6), Ozark (4-5), Pottsville (6-3), Waldron (2-7)

7-4A: Bauxite (3-6), Fountain Lake (2-7), HG Haskell (1-8)

8-4A: Crossett (0-9), Helena (5-4), Stuttgart (5-4), Star City (4-5)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

NO. 2 ARKADELPHIA (7-2, 6-0) at No. 5 Malvern (9-0, 6-0): The winner claims the 7-4A championship and a No. 1 playoff seed. Arkadelphia has won the conference title 4 of the past 6 years and hasn't lost a conference game since falling to Joe T. Robinson by 18 points in Week 5, 2021. The Badgers have won 14 of the past 23 meetings over Malvern. The Badgers have won their 6 league games by an average of 54-7. Arkadelphia quarterback Bryston McCoy completed 10 of 13 passes for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns in last week's 56-6 win over Genoa Central. Kyle Reed scored TDs on 2 of his 3 rushing attempts, while Caiden Whitaker (10-76 rushing, TD) and Jay Purifoy (4-80 receiving, TD). Xzavion Williams (8 tackles, including 2 sacks), Malachi Hamilton (6 tackles, 1 sack), Skyler McClure (4 tackles, 2 sacks) and Quentavion Morris (4 tackles, 1 sack) led the Badgers defense. Malvern won the 2022 state championship, but the Leopards haven't won a conference title since 1997. Their only losses to in-state opponents over the past 2 years have been to Arkadephia (twice) and in the playoffs to Harding Academy. Leopards junior QB Bishop Allen hit 20 of 28 passes for 231 yards in last week's 26-18 overtime win at Nashville. Luey Jamie caught 6 passes for 109 yards. Malvern's defense gave up 205 yards (107 passing and 98 yards).

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com predicted 20 of 24 games (83 percent), and for the season has predicted 230 of 269 games (86 percent).

WEEK 10 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)

1-4A

NO. 1 ELKINS (9-0, 6-0) at Huntsville (1-8, 0-6): Elkins locked up the conference championship and No. 1 playoff seed with last week's 35-21 victory over Gravette. Senior RB Ja'Quae Walden (30-184-3 rushing), WR Pucci Townsend (6-59-1 receiving) and WR Isaiah Haywood (2-72 receiving) carried the offense, while Connor Hamm (10 tackles, 1 blocked punt), Brooks Williams (7 tackles), Davian Hall (7 tackles), Walden (5 tackles, 2 TFL) and Townsend (5 tackles, 1 interception) led the defense. Dawson Mallis booted in all 5 extra points.

No. 13 Gentry (8-1, 5-1) at NO. 6 GRAVETTE (8-1, 5-1): The winner gets the No. 2 playoff seed, loser gets the No. 3 seed. Gravette senior Gabe Holmes ran for 3 TDs, and the Lions forced 2 turnovers in last week's 35-21 setback at Elkins. Gentry, which has won 8 games in a season for the first time since 1998, rallied from a 23-17 deficit in the second half last week to nip Prairie Grove 34-31. Senior Bennett Roberts filled in at QB, completing 8 of 15 passes for 110 yards, and ran 15 times for 91 yards, 2 TDs. RB Tristan Jackson (17-145-1), WR Caydon Koons (3-45) and kicker Jackson Holt (2 of 3 field goals) played well vs. Prairie Grove, while Roberts (9 tackles) and Ezekiel Strong (9 tackles) led on defense.

NO. 16 PRAIRIE GROVE (5-4, 3-3) at Lincoln (5-4, 2-4): Prairie Grove has lost 3 consecutive games after a 5-1 start, and the Tigers surrendered 310 yards rushing and lost 2 fumbles in last week's 34-31 loss to Gentry. Lincoln rolled up 516 yards in last week's 56-13 win over Berryville. Kayden Job passed for 247 yards and 5 TDs, while Kale Jones ran for 209 yards, 2 TDs and caught a 25-yard TD pass. Tye Moss had 2 sacks, and Colt Cushing broke up 5 passes.

GREEN FOREST (3-7, 2-4) at Berryville (1-8, 1-5): Berryville has won 15 of the past 23 Carroll County Feuds, but Green Forest won 16-6 a year ago. Green Forest qualifies for the playoffs with a win and a Prairie Grove victory over Lincoln after the Tigers handled Huntsville 21-13 a week ago. Senior RB Ridge Gordon-Swofford (37-200 rushing) and QB Mason Meador (150 yards, 3 TDs) sparked the offense, while Jaden Kaler had 10 tackles. Wesley Lopez and Colton Fancher combined for 5 sacks. Berryville's Jason Alvarado ran for 124 yards and C.T. Hicks had 6 carries, 64 yards and 1 TD in last week's 56-13 loss to Lincoln.

2-4A

Lonoke (5-4, 5-1) at NO. 4 MILLS (9-0, 6-0): The winner gets the No. 1 playoff seed. Mills trailed CAC 7-0 in the first quarter last week, the first time the Comets have trailed this season, but Mills went on to win 49-7. Jackson Edwards returned an ensuing kickoff 76 yards for a TD, then DB Zayvonne Stribling intercepted a pass on the next drive, as Mills built a 14-7 advantage in the second quarter. Lonoke has won 5 of its past 6 games, including 45-26 over Hall Steam a week ago. RB Marquez Jackson, Jr. (16-135-2) and D'mareon Eason (6-132-2) led the Jackrabbits ground game, while Jonathan Hixson caught 3 passes for 105 yards, and Tanner Sparks tallied 99 yards, 1 TD. Sophomore LB Ryder Ingle made 13 tackles and Hixson had 9 stops, including 2 sacks.

Riverview (1-7, 1-5) at NO. 18 HEBER SPRINGS (6-3, 5-1): Heber Springs finishes as either the No. 2 or 3 seed. Heber Springs QB Liam Buffalo threw the winning 44-yard TD pass in last week's 49-46 victory at Forrest City. Buffalo ran 19 times for 123 yards and 2 TDs, while Weston Warden ran for 209 yards and 3 TDs. Eli Buffalo had 8 tackles, including 3 sacks. He has 17 TFL and 9 sacks for the season, and could set the school record in both categories. Riverview snapped an 11-game losing streak with last week's 27-19 victory at Bald Knob. Trevion Greer ran for 2 TDs and caught a TD pass, while DB Jonathan Pacheco made 15 tackles.

Central Arkansas Christian (3-6, 3-3) at FORREST CITY (3-6, 3-3): The winner gets the No. 4 seed, loser is the No. 5 seed. CAC led Mills 7-0 a week ago before losing 49-7. Sophomore tight end Luke Tindall caught 5 passes for 60 yards, while freshman WR Hoover Brogdon had 5 for 58 yards. Senior LB Jace Wooten made 5 tackles. Forrest City lost a heartbreaker to Heber Springs 49-46 last week. QB Daylan Washington (12-15-252-4 passing; 1 rushing TD) and junior RB Kevin Young (18-129-1 rushing, 3-48-1 receiving, 2-3-45-1 passing) were the Mustangs' top playmakers.

Bald Knob (0-9, 0-6) at HALL STEAM (2-7, 1-5): Bald Knob looks to avoid its first winless season since 1981. The Bulldogs lost to Riverview 27-19 last week. Hall Steam's Haden Singleton made his first start at QB and played well in last week's 19-point loss at Lonoke. Justin Dickerson ran for 120 yards.

3-4A

No. 20 Pocahontas (6-3, 5-1) at NO. 11 HIGHLAND (7-1, 5-1) (Thurs.): The winner gets the No. 2 seed, loser is the No. 3 seed. Pocahontas QB DJ Coffey passed for 55 yards, 2 TDs and ran 40 times for 171 yards and 1 TD, lifting the Redskins to a 26-14 win over Blytheville. Sophomore RB Xavyer Ballard (12-82-1 rushing; 1-15-1 receiving) and receiver Ty Menard (4-29-1) also made big plays for Pocahontas. Highland's offense line played well in last week's 46-6 win over Jonesboro Westside, coach Sterling Stowers says. RB Keagan Statler (8-138-1 rushing; 1-37-1 receiving), and sophomore QB Austin Christy (9-10-132, 2 TDs passing) sparked the offense against Jonesboro Westside, while DB Ronnie Brewer made 9 tackles and returned an interception for a TD. DL Kalei Tokanang had 8 tackles, including 3 TFL.

Jonesboro Westside (1-8, 0-6) at GOSNELL (5-4, 3-3) (Thurs.): Gosnell has won 20 of 22 meetings over Jonesboro Westside, which tries to avoid its second consecutive 1-9 season. Gosnell finishes as the No. 4 seed with a win. The Pirates have improved with QB Isaiah Donnerson, who passed for 206 yards and 3 TDs, and ran 14 times for 158 yards and 1 TD in a 30-19 win over Cave City last week. WR Jai Jacobs (7-58-1) played well on offense, while Freshman Jeremiah Young registered 10 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble.

NO. 8 SOUTHSIDE (9-0, 6-0) at Blytheville (3-5, 3-3): Southside is the conference champion and No. 1 seed; Blytheville finishes as the No. 4 or 5 seed. Southside Senior Owen McLaughlin ran for 3 TDs (on 6 carries) in last week's 49-12 victory over Trumann. QB Trey Allen ran for 1 TD and passed for 2 more, while Cam Forree returned a punt for a TD. Blytheville WRs Derick King, Jr., and Eugene Williams caught the ball well in last week's 26-14 setback to Pocahontas.

Cave City (3-6, 1-5) at TRUMANN (2-7, 1-5): Neither team can make the playoffs. DE Chris Robinson leads Cave City in tackles. RBs Matt King and Tristan Wiles were Cave City's leading rushers in last week's 30-19 loss to Gosnell. Trumann QB Drake Harlow passed for 80 yards, 1 TD in last week's 37-point loss to Southside, while Tony Postell, Jr., ran for 80 yards and made 8 tackles.

4-4A

No. 10 Mena (9-0, 6-0) at NO. 9 DARDANELLE (8-1, 6-0): The winner gets the No. 1 seed, loser finishes as the 2 seed. Dardanelle's last conference title came in 2016. Mena hasn't won a conference title since 2020, and the last time the Bearcats went 10-0 was 1996. Dardanelle junior QB Creed Vega passed for 219 yards and 2 TDs, ran 18 times for 136 yards and 2 TDs and made 4 tackles in last week's 41-14 win over Pottsville. Bo Miller and Jordan Earnest each caught TD passes, while Trey Robinson had 9 tackles and 1 fumble recovery. Two-way lineman Paden Davis earned an 87 percent blocking grade on offense and made 8 tackles, with 2 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery on the DL. Mena's Jair Hernandez kicked a 34-yard field goal and made an astounding 26 tackles in last week's 24-7 win at Clinton. Brody Peters added 130 yards rushing.

OZARK (5-4, 2-4) at No. 14 Clinton (7-2, 4-2): Clinton can finish as high as the No. 3 seed regardless of the outcome. Clinton's defense allowed 310 yards (157 passing, 153 rushing) in last week's 24-7 loss to Mena. Zach Hunt led the Yellow Jackets with 9 tackles, and he ran for 103 yards and 1 TD. Ozark kept its playoff hopes alive with last week's 48-42 win over Lamar. Senior QB Koby Wilbanks (6-15-92, 1 TD passing; 21-181-4 rushing) and RB Eli Gilstrap (13-127-2) led the Hillbillies vs. Lamar.

Dover (2-7, 1-5) at POTTSVILLE (6-3, 3-3): Pottsville gets in the playoffs after receiving a forfeit victory from Lamar on Monday. Pottsville QB Miller Mahan makes plays for the Apaches. Dover's 26-22 win over Waldron last week was its first conference victory since Week 10, 2019. The Pirates relied on senior Timothy Callans (16-78-2 rushing; 9 tackles).

LAMAR (3-6, 1-5) at Waldron (2-7, 1-5): Lamar won't make the playoffs after losing to Ozark 46-42 on Friday, and also forfeiting its Week 8 win over Pottsville due to an ineligible player. Lamar QB Caleb Green passed for 246 yards and 3 TDs, while Kade Boen completed his only pass for a 56-yard TD. Kendrick Carr (4-72-1) and Eli Jones (4-92-1) topped the receivers, while Caiden Woods ran 11 times for 124 yards and 1 TD. Waldron QB Eli Kluthe passed for 203 yards and 1 TD and ran for 90 yards and 1 TD in last week's 4-point loss to Dover. Jaxson Brown (18 tackles), Sam Ehler (12 tackles, 1 sack) and Hondo Grano (12 tackles, 1 sack) led the defense.

 7-4A

NO. 2 ARKADELPHIA (7-2, 6-0) at No. 5 Malvern (9-0, 6-0): Hootens.com Class 5A Game of the Week, above.

BAUXITE (3-6, 2-4) at H.G. Haskell (2-7, 2-4): The winner gets the No. 5 seed, and the loser misses the playoffs. Bauxite, down 8 starters due to season-ending injuries, committed 6 turnovers in a 51-14 loss to Ashdown a week ago. Haskell put itself into playoff contention last week, beating Fountain Lake 27-22 last week to put itself into playoff contention. RBs James Foster (14-150-3 rushing) and Jay Noble (18-75-1) led the Cardinals offense. CB Lane Beaty, in his first game back after breaking his leg in Week 1, recorded 10 tackles; Noble intercepted a pass.

NO. 17 NASHVILLE (5-4, 4-2) at Genoa Central (0-9, 0-6): Nashville owns the No. 3 seed after last week's 26-18 overtime loss to Malvern. Senior WR Kasen Morgan (3-73-1 receiving) and junior RB Tucker Dixon (16-63-1 rushing) led on offense. Seniors Skyler Gibson and Kellen Jackson each recorded 11 tackles, while sophomore Bryce Perrin had 10 stops, including 1 sack.

Fountain Lake (1-8, 0-6) at ASHDOWN (4-5, 3-3): Fountain Lake Coach Matt Richardson (79-64 in 13 years as head coach at Ashdown) takes on his former team. Fountain Lake sophomore QB Cooper Buss passed for 313 yards and 2 TDs in last week's 27-22 loss to HG Haskell, while Peyton Harwood caught 14 passes, 161 yards and 2 TDs. Ashdown has the No. 4 seed locked up after last week's win at Bauxite. Junior QB Riley Williamson (9-11-154-4 passing; 6-72 rushing) and senior RB Cheldon Thompson (12-116-2) led the offense. Sophomore WRs Bryson French and Jaidon Brown each caught 2 TD passes.

8-4A

Crossett (0-9, 0-5) at NO. 3 WARREN (7-2, 6-0) (Thurs.): Warren, which has clinched the conference championship and a No. 1 playoff seed, has won 12 of the past 13 meetings over Crossett. Senior WR Tramond Miller (3-60 receiving; 4-119 rushing, 2 TDs) sparked last week's 57-22 win over Helena. Senior Antonio Jordan (3-103 receiving, TD) returned a kickoff 65 yards for a TD.

NO. 7 DeWITT (7-2, 5-1) at No. 12 Monticello (6-3, 4-2) (Thurs.): The winner gets the No. 2 seed. DeWitt junior RB Korri Graham and senior QB Justin Ross played well in last week's 70-39 win over Hamburg. Monticello's Joseph Accelus (11-103-1 rushing) and Caleb Ewell (11-48-1) ran with authority in last week's 48-7 victory over Crossett.

NO. 15 HAMBURG (7-2, 3-3) at Stuttgart (5-4, 3-3) (Thurs.): The winner locks up at least the No. 4 seed. Hamburg RB Nikel Lewis (261 yards, 4 TDs) and LB Peyton Sellers (20 tackles) stood out in last week's 70-39 setback to DeWitt. Stuttgart must win to assure itself a playoff spot. Sophomore QB Cain Price (26-37-281-2 passing; 14-76-3 rushing) helped the Ricebirds to a 34-29 win over Star City. Senior WR Deontae Clark (12-165 receiving, 2 TDs) caught a Hail Mary pass on the final play for the win. Keshawn McKnight and Ladadrian Smith each recorded 11 tackles.

Helena (5-4, 2-4) at STAR CITY (4-5, 2-4) (Thurs.): Star City has won 5 of its 6 meetings against Helena, but the Bulldogs won't make the playoffs this season after a heartbreaking last-second 34-29 loss to Stuttgart a week ago. Peyton Taylor (39-192 rushing, 2 TDs; 10 tackles) led the Bulldogs. Helena gets to the playoff with a win and a Stuttgart loss. The Cougars haven't made the playoffs since 2018.