Hootens.com Rankings
Class 5A, Wk 14, 2021
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

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

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
No. 1 Pulaski Academy vs. No. 2 White Hall
Teams from the 5A Central meet in the state title game for the fifth straight season. Pulaski Academy plays in its seventh straight state title game, but first under first-year coach Anthony Lucas. Lucas coached in seven state title games (six wins) since joining Pulaski Academy as an assistant in 2012. The Bruins only loss this fall was Week 2 at Lipscomb (Tenn.) 64-28. Lipscomb plays for the Tennessee private school state title later this week.
Pulaski Academy rolled through the 5A Central this fall, highlighted by a 63-28 win over White Hall in Week 6. It was PA's 11th conference title in 12 years. But the mid-season victory over White Hall wasn't easy. The game was tied 21-21 in the third quarter before the Bruins recovered on onside kick to start the third quarter. PA finished with almost 600 yards and scored nine touchdowns.
The Bruins led Greenbrier 29-7 in the second quarter last week before pulling out a 38-28 decision. Senior Joe Himon accounted for 56 percent of PA's offense (ran for 255 yards and three touchdowns, caught 14 passes for 112 yards and one TD). Himon has rushed for 1,511 yards and 27 TDs this season, and caught 76 balls for 844 yards and 11 TDs. Senior quarterback Charlie Fiser completed 30 of 53 passes for 324 yards and a pair of TDs at Greenbrier, including an 18-yard TD strike to sophomore Jon Mark Charett. Senior Vaughn Seelicke kicked a 38-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter to set the final margin. Fiser completes 61 percent of his passes this fall for 4,596 yards and 53 TDs with 13 interceptions. Senior inside linebacker Joseph Osment paces PA's defense with 99 tackles, including 16 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Senior linebacker Ben Smiley (85 tackles, six sacks) and sophomore safety Patton Whicker (85 tackles, three interceptions) are leaders of an aggressive unit that gives up 248 yards weekly and has created 29 turnovers.
White Hall finished second in the 5A Central, losing only to Pulaski Academy and a non conference game to Class 6A semifinalist Little Rock Parkview. The Bulldogs haven't played for a state title since 1987, but coach Bobby Bolding is no stranger to the biggest stage. He's coached in nine state title games the past 21 years (Stuttgart in 2001 and 2002) and Pine Bluff (2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017), and is the second coach in state history (Gus Malzahn the other) to take three teams to title games.
The Bulldogs trailed Little Rock Christian 14-0 in the first quarter last week before controlling the clock and rallying to a 24-14 decision. The Bulldogs have won the time of possession in nine of 13 games this fall, and in the past five games have held onto the ball almost 30 minutes. Senior QB Matthew Martinez completed six of 12 passes for 62 yards and a TD and ran for 93 yards against LR Christian. Senior Steven Weston caught an 18-yard TD late in the first half on defense deflected two passes that teammates intercepted. Watch extended highlights of Pulaski Academy’s 63-14 win over Liberty Christian (Texas) earlier this year. Watch extended highlights of Pulaski Academy vs Bryant (scrimmage). Watch extended highlights of Pulaski Academy’s 63-28 win over White Hall earlier this year. Watch highlights of Pulaski Academy’s 63-39 win over Madison Ridgeland, Tennessee earlier this year. Watch extended highlights of Pulaski Academy’s 42-14 win over Maumelle earlier this year. Watch extended highlights of Pulaski Academy’s 52-14 win over Beebe earlier this year. Watch extended highlights of Pulaski Academy’s 63-14 win over LR Christian earlier this year. Watch extended highlights of Pulaski Academy’s 36-21 win over Harrison earlier this year. Watch extended highlights of White Hall’s 14-10 win vs LR Christian earlier this year. Watch extended highlights of White Hall’s 35-0 win over Warren earlier this year. Watch extended highlights of White Hall’s 31-17 win over Farmington earlier this year.

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly predicted one of two semifinal games. For the season, Hootens.com has predicted 178 of 201 games (89 percent).
 
WEEK 13 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
PULASKI ACADEMY (7) vs. White Hall