Hootens.com Class 2A Rankings

Week 12, 2024

1. Carlisle (11-0)

2. Conway Christian (11-0)

3. Bigelow (8-3)

4. Murfreesboro (8-3)

5. Junction City (8-3)

6. East Poinsett County (8-3)

7. Des Arc (9-2)

8. Mount Ida (8-3)

9. Cross County (7-4)

10. Marked Tree (6-5)

11. Bearden (6-5)

12. Poyen (7-4)

13. Mineral Springs (6-5)

14. Hazen (5-6)

15. Hector (6-5)

16. Gurdon (5-6)

17. Earle (4-6) 

18. McCrory (6-4)

19. Dierks (6-4)

20. England (4-6)

Not ranked:

1-2A: Mountain Pine (3-7), JC Westside (1-8), Magazine (2-7), Mountainburg (4-6)

2-2A: Izard County Consolidated (1-9), Marianna (0-9)

3-2A: Spring Hill (2-7), Foreman (0-10), Lafayette County (4-6)

4-2A: Clarendon (0-9), Baptist Prep (5-5), Hampton (4-6)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

3-2A (2) No. 5 Junction City (8-3) at 4-2A (1) NO. 1 CARLISLE (11-0): This will be a rematch from the season's second game when the Bison won 41-20 after trailing 7-6 at halftime. 

Carlisle has rolled since that Week 2 game, other than having to rally in the fourth quarter to beat a depleted Hazen team 28-20 in Week 10. Carlisle, which has never won a state title as recognized by the Arkansas Activities Association, has been ranked No. 1 since beating Junction City. 

The Bison bounced back from their close call vs. Hazen to throttle Hector 45-6 in the first round last week. Carlisle freshman QB Ty Tanksley passed for 2 TDs and ran for another. Jaden Elliott ran for 2 scores. Isaiah Powell and Kaiden Clingmon each caught TD passes while Tyler Thrift returned an interception for TD. Kicker Jimmy Cham was 6 for 6 on extra points and kicked a 36-yard FG. 

“It’s going to be a dogfight,” Carlisle Coach Gary Wilson says. “We expect it to be one. There aren’t really any easy games at this point. If you made it this far in the season, you’re a good football team. There aren’t any bad ones left. We’ll have to play really well again, but it’s going to be that way the rest of the way through.”

Junction City beat Cross County 36-22 last week as the Dragons rushed for 350 yards. Dominique Grimes (16-143 rushing, 3 TDs; 2-83 KO returns, TD; 1-35 receiving) and Nolan Dismuke (6-100 rushing) led the Bison. DK Hampton (10-45 rushing, TD; 7 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries and an INT.) contributed on both sides of the ball. Dejuan Wesley had 8 tackles.

Junction City Coach Devin Ball says the Dragons have reason for optimism.

"Our growth from the first contest with Carlisle is 2-fold,” he says. “We have unfinished business in Bison country.”

This game should be closer than the first matchup. Playing at home could be the deciding factor for Carlisle, but expect this game to be at least a one-score game. 

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com correctly predicted 6 of 8 games involving Class 2A teams and has correctly predicted 160 of 191 games (84 percent) for the season.

WEEK 12 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)

TOP HALF OF THE BRACKET

1-2A (3) Mount Ida (8-3) at 3-2A (1) MURFREESBORO (8-3): This could be one of the most physical games in the state regardless of classification. The Lions, coming off a 45-20 win over Bearden, were the only lower-seeded team to win in the first round last week. Ben Woodfield (13-163 rushing, 4 TDs; 10 tackles, including 4 TFL) led the way as Mount Ida rushed for 371 yards in the first half, with help from Dean Johnson (77 rushing, TD) and freshman Jackson White (90 rushing). “They are, and always have been, a very disciplined football team,” Murfreesboro Coach Brad Chessir says. “They play extremely hard and prove to be physical.” Murfreesboro beat Marked Tree 52-16 in the first round behind QB Layton Wilcher (182 rushing, 3 TDs; 83 passing, TD), Cameron Stevens (124 rushing, TD) and Brody Maroon (99 rushing, 2 TDs). “They are a good football team in all facets of the game,” Mount Ida Coach Mike White says of the Rattlers.

1-2A (2) Bigelow (8-3) at 2-2A (1) EAST POINSETT COUNTY (8-3): This is a rematch of last season's state championship game, which Bigelow won 28-14 to finish 14-0. The Panthers beat Poyen 21-0 last week with Martell Macon (120 rushing, TD), Braeden Winningham (75 rushing, TD), and Arthur Newberry (TD) leading on offense. Johnathan Nunez (11 tackles) and Silas Schichtl (10 tackles) anchored the defense. “Bigelow is a well-coached team that prides itself on playing good defense,” EPC Coach Brandon Powell says. “They play physical and smart with good-looking athletes at every level.” EPC edged Gurdon 26-20 with Dee Buchanan (10-159 rushing, 3 TDs) and Jacob Gaines (15-103 rushing, TD) leading the way. “EPC has a very talented team again this year,” Bigelow Coach Luke Starks says. “They’re explosive offensively and do a good job getting the ball to their playmakers.”

BOTTOM HALF OF THE BRACKET

2-2 A (2) Des Arc (9-2) at 1-2A (1) CONWAY CHRISTIAN (11-0): Des Arc pulled away from Mineral Springs for a 38-24 win in the first round with Hudson Goodman (79 rushing, TD; 2 passing TDs) and Daviyon Bell (124 rushing, 2 TDs) leading the offense. Walker Harris and Jamie Collins caught TD passes. “Des Arc will be a great challenge for us,” Conway Christian Justin Kramer says. “At this point, everyone is 1-0. They run their offense as well as any team I have seen in a long time, along with a very physical and disciplined defense. We will need to be flawless in execution and relentless with our effort if we will have a chance. We’re looking forward to the opportunity to compete at Mission Field one more time.” Conway Christian routed Hazen 48-16 with senior RB Brady Domokos (18-185 rushing, 6 TDs), QB Jeryn Thomas (10-19 passing, 146 yards, TD) and Deagan Meeks (4-86 receiving, TD) leading the way. “Conway Christian is just such a tough game for us because they are going to try to control the pace, and they have some really dynamic players. Their QB [Jeryn Thomas] is among the best we’ve seen. ... We will have to play a complete game to give ourselves a chance, but this group is a group of fighters that come to work every day and push to be there best.” 

3-2A (2) Junction City (8-3) at 4-2A (1) CARLISLE (11-0): See Hootens.com Game of the Week, above