Class 4A Hootens.com Rankings

Weel 11, 2024

1. Elkins (10-0)

2. Arkadelphia (8-2)

3. Warren (8-2)

4. Mills (10-0)

5. Malvern (9-1)

6. Gravette (9-1)

7. Southside (10-0)

8. Dardanelle (9-1)

9. Highland (8-1)

10. Monticello (7-3)

11. DeWitt (7-3)

12. Mena (9-1)

13. Clinton (8-2)

14. Hamburg (7-3)

15. Gentry (8-2)

16. Prairie Grove (6-4)

17. Nashville (6-4)

18. Heber Springs (7-3)

19. Ashdown (5-5)

20. Pocahontas (6-4)

Not Ranked

1-4A: Berryville (1-9), Green Forest (4-6), Huntsville (1-9), Lincoln (5-5)

2-4A: Bald Knob (0-10), CAC (3-7), Forrest City (4-6), Hall Steam (3-7), Lonoke (5-5), Riverview (1-8)

3-4A: Blytheville (3-6), Cave City (3-7), Gosnell (6-4), Jonesboro Westside (1-9), Trumann (3-7)

4-4A: Dover (2-8), Lamar (4-6), Ozark (4-6), Pottsville (7-3), Waldron (2-8)

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

8-4A: Crossett (0-10), Helena (6-4), Star City (4-6), Stuttgart (5-5)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

8-4A (4) Hamburg (7-3) at 1-4A (2) GRAVETTE (9-1): Hamburg, which beat Gravette 42-10 in the second round of the 2016 playoffs, makes the 351-mile trip (more than 6 hours) to Gravette on Friday. The Lions wrapped up a No. 4 seed seed with last week's 49-35 win at Stuttgart. The Lions ran for 420 yards, including a 38-carry, 285-yard, 2-TD effort by junior Nikel Lewis. Senior linebacker Peyton Sellers finished with 21 tackles.

Gravette RB Jacob Gaylord, filling in for injured QB/RB Gabe Holmes, ran for 139 yards, including 3 second-half TDs, to power the Lions past Gentry 31-14 a week ago. Brody Bohannon kicked a 33-yard field, and Austin Wolf caught a TD pass.

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com predicted 23 of 24 games (96 percent), and for the season has predicted 253 of 293 games (86 percent).

WEEK 11 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)

TOP OF THE BRACKET

4-4A (1) Dardanelle has a bye

1-4A (4) PRAIRIE GROVE (6-4) at 2-4A (3) Lonoke (5-5): These teams have split their only 2 playoff meetings, with Prairie Grove winning 41-24 in 2014, and Lonoke prevailing 35-26 in 2018. Prairie Grove set a school record last week scoring 74 points in its 44-point victory over Lincoln. The Tigers ran 60 times for 561 yards and 10 TDs. Jace Edwards (168 yards, 1 TD), Blake Coughran (118 yards, 3 TDs) and Cale Bray (116, 2 TDs) led the rushing barrage. Lonoke pushed Mills in last week's 2-4A title game before losing 37-29. WR/LB Jonathan Hixson (3-59-1 receiving; 15 tackles) led the Jackrabbits on both sides of the ball, while RB Marquez Jackson, Jr. ran for 72 yards and 1 TD and returned a kickoff 97 yards for a TD. Jayden Mays returned a fumble 12 yards for a TD.

4-4A (5) Ozark (4-6) at 7-4A (1) ARKADELPHIA (8-2): Arkadelphia won its fifth conference title in the past 7 years by beating Malvern 34-23 a week ago. Senior WR Jay Purifoy (9-150 receiving, 5-61 rushing) and Quentavious Morris each scored 2 TDs, while QB Bryston McCoy passed for 308 yards and 2 TDs. Arkadelphia LB Xzavion Williams has 59 tackles, including 4.5 sacks this year, while OLB Skyler McClure has 52 tackles with 9 sacks. DL Nykkisson Wimberly has 46 stops, including 16 TFL and 3.5 sacks. Ozark's Eli Gilstrap ran for 61 yards and 1 TD, recovered 2 fumbles and made 5 tackles in last week's 41-20 loss at Clinton. Cade Capp filled in for Koby Wilbanks at QB, passing for 103 yards and 1 TD.

1-4A (3) Gentry (8-2) at 8-4A (3) DEWITT (7-3): It's 306 miles and a more than 5-hour trip between Gentry and DeWitt. Gentry QB Talan Williams returned from injury (124 passing yards, 1 TD) for the first time in almost 2 months in last week's 31-14 setback at Gravette. RBs Tristan Jackson (65 yards) and Bennett Roberts (60 yards) powered Gentry's running attack. Ezekiel Strong (12 tackles), Roberts (11 tackles) and Jackson (9 tackles) led the Pioneers defense. DeWitt's 5-game winning streak ended with last week's 35-28 setback at Monticello, as the Billies scored the final 15 points. QB Justin Ross passed for 120 yards and 2 TDs, while WR Travis London, Jr. caught 4 passes for 66 yards and 1 TD.

7-4A (5) H.G. Haskell (2-8) at 3-4A (1) SOUTHSIDE (10-0): Haskell advances to the playoffs for the second time in the past 3 years after beating Bauxite 13-12 a week ago. Jay Noble (18-109 rushing, 2 TDs) and Carson Brink (9-54 rushing) led the offense. Brink (12 tackles), CB Lane Beaty (5 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass break-up) paced the defense. Southside ended the regular season 10-0 for the first time after beating Blytheville 36-32 a week ago. RB Owen McLaughlin ran for 165 yards and 1 TD, while Braden Simpson caught 2 TDs and recorded 10 tackles on defense. QB Trey Allen completed all 7 of his passes, 3 for TDs.

3-4A (5) Blytheville (3-6) at 2-4A (2) HEBER SPRINGS (7-3): Blytheville pushed 3-4A champion Southside last week before losing by 4 points. QB Jontavious Johnson, WRs Derick King, Jarvis King-Hudson and Eugene Williams, TE Chris Hatcher moved the ball steadily behind the Chickasaws offensive line. Heber Springs secured the 2-4A's No. 2 seed with a 63-13 victory over Riverview. QB Liam Buffalo (5-121-1 rushing) and RB Weston Warden (11-229-5) led an offense that set a school-record by scoring 50 points in the second quarter.

2-4A (4) Forrest City (4-6) at 8-4A (2) MONTICELLO (7-3): Forrest City first-year Coach Reggie Swinton's Mustangs advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2019 after beating CAC 36-14 last week. Junior RB Kevin Young, Jr. ran 23 times for 211 yards and 4 TDs, while Roshawd Washington caught 6 passes for 86 yards and 1 TD. Defensive end Isiah Dale made 5 unassisted tackles, including 1 sack. Monticello finishes as the 8-4A runner-up after beating DeWitt 35-28 a week ago. QB Tye Guthrie (13-23 passing,164 yards, 2 TDs), RB Joseph Accelus (27-133 rushing; 65-yard TD catch) and WR Jaxson Rawls (6-44; caught 2 two-point conversions) played well against DeWitt, while Jagger Hines recorded 11 tackles on defense.

8-4A (4) Hamburg (7-3) at 1-4A (2) GRAVETTE (9-1): Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week, above.

BOTTOM OF THE BRACKET

2-4A (1) MILLS (10-0) has a bye

3-4A (4) Gosnell (6-4) at 4-4A (3) CLINTON (8-2): Gosnell won 4 of its final 5 regular-season games, including 45-3 over Jonesboro Westside a week ago. QB Isaiah Donnerson (11-12 passing, 242 yards, 4 TDs; 8-53 rushing) and WR Jai Jacobs (5-165 receiving, 3 TDs) led the way vs. Jonesboro Westside, while Vanterrues Lucas had 9 first-half tackles. Clinton finished as the 4-4A No. 3 seed. QB Brodie Dufrene (3 of 3 passing, 38-yard TD pass) called the signals in last week's 41-20 victory over Ozark. FB Zach Hunt-Gonzalez (5-54 rushing, TD) and Kaleb McCarver ran 44 yards for a TD.

2-4A (5) Central Arkansas Christian (3-7) at 8-4A (1) WARREN (8-2): This is the fourth playoff meeting between these teams, with Warren winning 2 of the previous 3. CAC beat Warren 52-33 in the 2004 quarterfinals, on its way to the state championship. The Mustangs finished fifth in the 2-4A this fall after losing at Forrest City 36-14 a week ago. RBs Gus Smith (11-117) and Gus McConnell (9-82) led the running game, and McConnell added 8 tackles, including 1 sack. Warren secured the 8-4A title 2 weeks ago and finished unbeaten in league play with last week's 42-14 win over Crossett. QB Cam Burks (12-17 passing, 161 yards, 3 TDs) led the offense, while Tramond Miller, Antonio Jordan and Neon'dre Thomas each caught TD passes.

3-4A (3) Pocahontas (6-4) at 7-4A (3) NASHVILLE (6-4): Pocahontas makes the 5-hour drive to Nashville, which beat Pocahontas 37-7 in the second round in 2022. The Scrappers have won 5 of their past 6 games, losing to Malvern 26-18 in Week 9 in overtime. Ja'Marion Conway ran for 2 TDs and caught a TD pass in last week's 35-0 win over Genoa Central, while Brady Dixon led the Scrappers in tackles. Pocahontas finishes as the No. 3 seed after losing to Highland 14-6 a week ago. WRs Brendyn Arnold (9-104) and Mason Priest (6-70) led the offense, while Ty Menard (20 tackles), Ryder Baltz (15 tackles) and Austin George (12 tackles, 1 interception) were key contributors on defense.

8-4A (5) Helena (6-4) at 1-4A (1) ELKINS (10-0): Helena used a 1-point win over Stuttgart in Week 4 and a 44-34 win over Star City last week to earn the right to make a 5-hour drive to face undefeated Elkins. The Elks capped a 10-0 regular season by hammering Huntsville 42-0 a week ago. Junior QB Ben Napier (11-13 passing, 93 yards, 2 TDs; 2-23 rushing, 1 TD), WR Landon Martin (5-52) and LB Brooks Williams (5 tackles, 1 sack) played well. Dawson Mallis was 6 of 6 on extra points.

1-4A (5) Green Forest (4-6) at 4-4A (2) MENA (9-1): Green Forest, advancing to the playoffs for the first time since 2020 when everybody was eligible to participate in the playoffs, makes the 400-mile round trip to Mena. Green Forest beat Berryville 37-13 a week ago to qualify. QB Mason Meador (7-7 passing, 47 yards, 2 TDs, with Brityn Gilliam catching both TDs. Ridge Gordon-Swofford ran for 172 yards and 1 TD. Jaden Kaler made 8 tackles, while Diego Martinez intercepted 1 pass. Mena finishes as the No. 2 seed after losing at Dardanelle 46-13 a week ago. Brody Peters and Michael Sullivan each ran for TDs, while OG Max Rocha earned the top offensive lineman grade. LB Guice Anderson made 8 tackles.

4-4A (4) Pottsville (7-3) at 7-4A (2) MALVERN (9-1): Malvern beat Pottsville 34-14 in the first round of the 2022 playoff. The Leopards are the No. 2 seed this fall after losing to Arkadelphia by 11 points a week ago. QB Bishop Allen passed for 164 yards and 1 TD, RB Tavien Clegg ran for 113 yards and WR Kahlen Cooper caught 9 passes for 90 yards. Pottsville secured the No. 4 seed with last week's 49-0 win over Dover. QB Miller Mahan had 3 TDs, while Kaegan Jones ran the ball well.

7-4A (4) Ashdown (5-5) at 3-4A (2) HIGHLAND (8-1): Ashdown travels almost 300 miles (one-way) and more than 51/2 hours to Highland. Ashdown beat Fountain Lake 39-30 a week ago, behind QB Riley Williamson (6-11 passing, 104 yards, 3 TDs; 15-160 rushing, 2 TDs). RB Cheldan Thompson ran for 127 yards and 1 TD, while Bryson French caught 3 passes for 69 yards and 2 TDs. Highland played athlete Jimmy Jensen at QB last week, and Jensen passed for 115 yards and 2 TDs, while Zac Huckabee caught 8 passes for 58 yards and 2 TDs. DL Kalei Tokanang (8 tackles, 1 sack), DB Ronnie Brewer (12 tackles, 2 INTs), Brody Brogden (4 TFL) and LB Wyatt Jason (13 tackles) were leaders on defense.