Hootens.com Rankings
Class 7A, Week 14, 2017
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. North Little Rock (12-0)
2. Bentonville (10-2)
3. Bryant (10-2)
4. Conway (9-4)
5. Bentonville West (9-2)
6. Fayetteville (7-5)
7. Cabot (6-6)
8. Springdale Har-Ber (7-4)
9. Springdale (6-5)
10. Little Rock Catholic (4-6)
11. Fort Smith Northside (4-7)
12. Rogers (5-6)
13. Fort Smith Southside (3-8)
14. Little Rock Central (2-8)
15. Rogers Heritage (1-9)
16. Van Buren (0-10)

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
No. 1 North LR vs No. 2 Bentonville.
North LR looks to end the West conference’s stranglehold on state titles. No team from Central Arkansas has won it all since LR Central in 2004.
North LR played in its first title game in the modern era last December and returns with a 12-0 record this fall. Bentonville is back for the first time since winning it all in 2013 and 2014 so no current Tigers have played in a championship game. This will be Bentonville’s fourth straight appearance in the big-school final when its been played on a Saturday afternoon. Kick off is set for noon at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
Bentonville has won 10 games every season since Coach Jody Grant promoted from assistant in 2015 to succeed Hall of Fame coach Barry Lunney. Grant’s Tigers built a 30-0 lead on Bryant in the first 20 minutes last Friday. Smooth senior QB Nathan Lyons generated 340 yards, including 262 passing. Tiger senior receiver Kam’Ron Mays-Hunt (1,085 yards) gains 16.4 yards on 5.5 catches weekly, including seven receptions for 155 yards last Friday. Bentonville’s defense allows 20 points per game.
North LR makes its second state title game appearance in just three seasons under veteran Coach Jamie Mitchell, who previously guided Mississippi high school teams to state titles. North LR led Conway 35-7 by halftime last Friday and allows just 16.2 points weekly. It’s speedy defense, anchored by standout tackle Zavion Moore (6-2, 250), hasn’t allowed a point in eight of the past 14 quarters. Senior QB David Chapple, dangerously effective after solid starts to games, guides the Charging Wildcats to 40.1 points weekly. 
North LR played inspired, dominating Bentonville in a preseason scrimmage. Comparing regular-season scores: North LR beat Conway twice this season, 24-14 Week 5 and 49-14 last week. Bentonville lost at home to Conway 35-16 Week 3. Bentonville blew out Bryant 44-14 last week. North LR won at Bryant 25-14 Week 9.

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly predicted one of two winners in games involving Class 7A teams. For the season, hootens.com is 83-23 (78 percent) in Class 7A.

WEEK 14 PREDICTIONS (favored team in CAPS followed by point spread)
Bentonville vs NORTH LR (6)