Hootens.com Rankings
Class 5A, Week 13, 2017
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. Pulaski Academy (12-0)
2. Wynne (11-1)
3. LR McClellan (9-3)
4. Nettleton (11-1)
5. Alma (7-5)
6. Greenbrier (8-4)
7. Harrison (8-4)
8. Morrilton (8-4)
9. LR Christian (9-2)
10. Batesville (7-4)
11. Watson Chapel (8-3)
12. Sylvan Hills (6-5)
13. Valley View (6-5)
14. HS Lakeside (6-5)
15. White Hall (6-5)
16. Camden Fairview (4-7)
17. LR Parkview (4-6)
18. De Queen (5-5)
19. Farmington (4-6)
20. Maumelle (5-5)
21. Beebe (4-6)
22. Blytheville (3-7)
23. Magnolia (3-7)
24. Forrest City (3-7)
25. Vilonia (1-9)
26. Greene Co. Tech (3-7)
27. Mills (2-8)
28. Hot Springs (1-9)
29. Paragould (1-9)
30. Clarksville (1-9)
31. Hope (0-10)
32. LR Fair (0-10)

GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 3 LR McClellan at No. 2 Wynne
This is a rematch of last year's quarterfinal which Wynne won 36-8. The Yellowjackets led 14-8 late in the third quarter, before turning Little Rock McClellan away in the red zone and eventually pulling away. Wynne has five straight victories since losing at Batesville Week 7, while LR McClellan has three straight wins since losing consecutive games to Little Rock Christian and Pulaski Academy.
Wynne returns to the semifinals for the second straight season and third time in four years. The Yellowjackets forced three turnovers and scored the winning touchdown with 2:35 left in last week's three-point triumph over Morrilton. Senior Ta'Von Hicks blasted 2 yards for the winning TD against Morrilton, running 35 times for 116 yards. Hicks has 251 carries for 1,770 yards this season. Senior Luke Chapman drives an offense that averages 35 points weekly. Chapman keeps around the end when defenses swarm Hicks. Chapman has 87 carries for 544 yards and seven TDs this season, and he's passed for 332 yards. Senior Marterious Daniel paces the defense with 89 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss. Hicks averages five tackles per game, starting the past three at linebacker. Senior end Logan Jessup has 55 tackles and six sacks. Senior cornerback Aaron Guinn has six interceptions.
Little Rock McClellan inserted senior Tyrse Lair at quarterback in last week's 60-52 decision at Alma. Lair (4.4 speed) had 358 all-purpose yards, returning a kickoff 75 yards for a TD and running for three more TDs. The Lions ran for 468 yards against Alma. Lair, a three-year starter at cornerback/safety, intercepted a pass to seal the victory. Senior cornerback Andre Campbell and senior linebacker Lee Rudley make plays for a unit that gives up 24 points per game.
Comparing Scores: Wynne lost at Batesville 39-21 Week 7 and beat LR Christian 56-42 in the first round of the playoffs. LR McClellan lost to LR Christian 22-19 Week 8 and beat Batesville 16-12 Week 11.

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly predicted three of four games. Hootens.com has correctly predicted 177 of 214 games (83 percent) for the season.

WEEK 13 PREDICTIONS
LR McClellan at WYNNE (2): See Class 5A Game of the Week
PULASKI ACADEMY (28) at Nettleton: Pulaski Academy returns to the semifinals for the fourth straight season and the ninth time in 10 years. But this is Pulaski Academy's first playoff game outside of Pulaski County since losing at Monticello in the 2009 semifinals. The undefeated Bruins average 58 points and 582 yards weekly. Senior QB Layne Hatcher, the state's all-time leading passer, completed 22 of 30 passes for 417 yards and four TDs in last week's 37-point win over Harrison. He's completed 331 of 451 passes (73 percent) this year for 4,953 yards and 58 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Hatcher has rushed for eight TDs. A dozen Bruins have caught TD passes this season, including seniors Tra Johnson and Brett Lynch. Johnson has 85 receptions for 1,301 yards and 16 TDs, while Lynch has 66 catches for 1,126 yards and 19 TDs. The Bruin defense gets solid play from the three W's: linebacker Brooks Walton (97 tackles), lineman Isiah Wood (66 tackles) and end/linebacker Wesley Wise (93 tackles). Hatcher excels at onside kicks.
Nettleton captured its first conference title this fall since 1997. The Raiders are in the semifinals for the second time in school history (lost at Greenwood in 2006) and host a semifinal game for the first time. They rallied from a 14-6 fourth-quarter deficit for a seven-point win last week against Greenbrier. Senior Detavion Turner ran for a pair of TDs, and senior linebacker Marcus Isom sealed the game with a clinching interception. Turner has 232 carries this year for 1,774 yards and 25 TDs, while senior QB Deondre Henry has completed 114 of 214 passes (53 percent) for 1,935 yards and 26 TDs. Senior Terrian Neal has 92 tackles this season, including 15 stops Week 5 against Blytheville. Nettleton spent part of practice this week covering and defending onside kicks. “Their biggest concern is getting on the onside kicks,” an opposing coach says. “If they don't cover one, their eyes could get big and things could turn bad in a hurry.”