Hootens.com 2A RANKINGS

Week 14, 2022

Copyright Seventy Seven's Publishing

1. Hazen (12-0)

2. Carlisle (11-1)

3. Mount Ida (9-3)

4. EPC (10-3)

5. Earle (8-4)

6. Des Arc (7-4)

7. Dierks (9-2)

8. Marked Tree (9-3)

9. Bigelow (9-2)

10. Mineral Springs (7-4)

11. Episcopal (7-4)

12. Hector (6-4-1)

13. England (6-6)

14. Conway Christian (7-4)

15. Clarendon (6-4)

16. Poyen (5-6)

17. Murfreesboro (4-6)

18. Hampton (3-7)

19. McCrory (2-8)

20. Magazine (3-7)

21. Mountainburg (3-6)

22. Cross County (2-7)

23. J.C. Westside (2-8)

24. Bearden (1-8)

25. Lafayette County (1-9)

26. Baptist Prep (0-10)

27. Foreman (0-10)

28. Marianna (0-9)

29. Decatur (0-10)


LAST WEEK

Hootens.com correctly predicted both semifinals (100 percent) involving Class 2A teams and is 146 of 183 (80 percent) for the season.

WEEK 14 PREDICTIONS (favored team highlighted in yellow and ALL CAPS)


CLASS 2A FINAL (Friday, 12 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium)

No. 1 HAZEN (12-0) vs. No. 2 Carlisle (11-1): Neither team has won a state championship.

Hazen’s last appearance in the state finals was against Junction City in 2018. Carlisle hasn’t played for a title since 2011, when the Bison lost to Strong, which is now an 8-man team.

Undefeated Hazen has been the No. 1-ranked 2A team all season and has mercy-ruled every team it has faced in the playoffs. The Hornets' closest game was a 38-30 victory over this Carlisle team in Week 10.

Hazen beat EPC 56-16 in last week's semifinal, with senior QB Luke King (157 passing yards, 3 TDs; 11 tackles) and junior RB Braylan Anderson (219 rushing yards, 4 total TDs; 10 tackles) paving the way. Senior DL Collin Kee recorded 15 tackles and 5 TFL, while junior Kolton Tosh (12 tackles), Cameron Johnson (11 tackles), sophomore Landon Adkins (10 tackles), sophomore Hunter Smith (10 tackles) and sophomore Brance Williams (9 tackles) contributed. Hazen has played in 4 state finals, losing in 1973, 1982, 2014, and 2018. 

Carlisle, rebounding from a 1-10 season last year, made a goal-line stand as time expired to edge Mount Ida 25-20 last week. Senior RB Jason Sullivan (233 carries, 2,727 yards, 44 TDs for the season) punished the Lions defense, rushing for 189 yards and 3 TDs. Junior QB Holden Jones (1,036 total yards, 17 TDs; 23 tackles, 2 TFL) accounted for 102 yards and a score and made 2 tackles. Junior Kayleb Elliott (312 rushing yards, 4 TDs; 33 tackles, 1 sack, 5 TFL, 1 interception for the season) added 52 rushing yards and collected 4 stops and 1 TFL. Sophomore Gabe Boyle (57 tackles, 4 sacks, 12 TFL) logged 6 tackles, while junior Luke Petrus (47 tackles, 7 sacks, 12 TFL, 1 INT.) picked up 5. Junior DB Gavin Richter has intercepted 6 passes, while senior LB Ethan Foster leads the Bison with 60 tackles. Carlisle has played in 5 state championship games, losing in 1989, 1991, 1993, 1999 and 2011.

Hootens.com 8-Man Rankings

Week 14, 2022

Copyright Seventy Seven's Publishing

1. Izard County Consolidated (8-2)

2. Rector (8-2)

3. Mountain Pine (11-1)

4. Woodlawn (9-2)

5. Spring Hill (7-4) 

6. Brinkley (5-4)

7 Strong (4-4-1)

8. Marvell (3-4)

9. Midland (2-6)

10. KIPP Helena  (1-4)

11. Hermitage (1-6)

12. Dermott (0-6)

8-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (Thursday, 7 p.m., War Memorial Stadium)

IZARD COUNTY CONSOLIDATED (8-2) vs. Rector (8-2) Izard County and Rector meet for the third time this season, with the 8-Man title at stake on Thursday. 

Sam Shipley has been key to Rector’s defensive resurgence. Rector stormed back from a 10-8 halftime deficit to capture a 30-28 victory.

Coach Jared Johnson’s Izard County Cougars scored on a Hail Mary with no time left to win 62-56. ICC forced 4 turnovers in the contest.