Hootens.com Rankings
Class 4A, Week 14, 2010
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. Pulaski Academy (12-0)
2. Malvern (11-2)
3. Dollarway (6-6)
4. Farmington (11-2)
5. Pottsville (11-1-1)
6. McGehee (10-2)
7. Gravette (10-3)
8. Nashville (6-7)
9. Heber Springs (11-1)
10. Stuttgart (9-3)
11. Ozark (9-2)
12. Warren (8-3-1)
13. Clinton (8-4)
14. Prairie Grove (8-4)
15. De Queen (6-6)
16. Clarksville (5-7)
17. Osceola (5-6)
18. Booneville (8-3)
19. Star City (7-4)
20. Highland (8-2)
21. Shiloh Christian (5-6)
22. Pocahontas (7-3)
23. Gosnell (8-3)
24. Dumas (4-7)
25. Ashdown (6-4)
26. Valley View (5-4-1)
27. Dardanelle (5-6)
28. Lonoke (3-8)
29. Maumelle (6-5)
30. Newport (4-7)
31. Hamburg (3-7)
32. Pulaski Robinson (4-6)
33. Mena (5-5)
34. Dover (4-5-1)
35. Pea Ridge (4-6)
36. Southside Batesville (4-6)
37. Trumann (2-7)
38. Bauxite (1-9)
39. DeWitt (2-8)
40. Gentry (1-9)
41. Cave City (1-9)
42. Waldron (2-8)
43. Marianna (1-8-1)
44. Lake Village (1-9)
45. Subiaco Academy (0-10)
46. Berryville (0-10)
47. Jonesboro Westside (1-9)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 3 Dollarway at No. 1 Pulaski Academy

Dollarway owns a 4-1 record against the Bruins, notching three playoff victories (1995, 2001, and 2004) and one in the 2007 regular-season. The Cardinals have won six straight games since forfeiting four wins in mid-October. Junior running back Jeremiah Young has rushed for almost 1,500 yards this fall despite playing on a sprained ankle the past six weeks. Junior quarterback Xavier Long ran for 88 yards and a pair of scores in last week's 20-13 win at Gravette. The Cardinals surrender 19 points per game and forced a pair of critical turnovers at Gravette. Sophomore linebackers Torie Robie (nine tackles and an interception) and Deandre Payton (11 tackles) have emerged as team leaders. "We've been able to execute our defensive game plans," said Dollarway coach Cortez Lee. "Our No. 1 goal against Gravette was stopping their running back (Darrick Strzelecki), and we did."

Dollarway's mission complicates this week. Undefeated Pulaski Academy outscores opponents an average of 51-20. The Bruins amassed 416 yards in the first half of last week's 65-13 win over previously unbeaten Pottsville, limiting the Apaches to 83 yards rushing in the half. Senior quarterback Fredi Knighten has passed for 3,890 yards and 59 TDs this fall, and thrown only five interceptions. Knighten threw five TD passes and ran for another score in the first half against Pottsville. "He takes care of the ball, doesn't fumble or throw interceptions," said Pulaski Academy coach Kevin Kelley. "He stays in the pocket when we need him to, and throws the ball downfield."

Pulaski Academy's veteran offensive line provides Knighten and some skilled receivers ample time to make plays. Tackle Jason King (6-4, 305) and guard Matt Kolb (6-3, 295) anchor the right side of the line as three-year starters. Junior Alex Flemister (6-3, 220) has started 27 games at center the past two years. Junior Zach Norwood (6-2, 330) plays left guard while seniors Will James (6-2, 280) and Dixon Land (6-0, 205) rotate at left tackle. "The line has been the key to our success," said Pulaski Academy coach Kevin Kelley. "We've been able to do the things we want to do early in games, and our linemen have been able to take over games."

OTHER SEMIFINAL GAME
No. 4 Farmington at No. 2 Malvern

Malvern returns to the semifinals for the first time since 1997 riding a five-game win streak, including victories over Nashville 20-7 in Week 9 and 28-16 in the quarterfinals. The Leopards outscore opponents an average of 40-12 in the playoffs. The steady offense revolves around junior quarterback Austin Warford, but it's exploded in the past month with the emergence of junior running backs Jahkery Dupree and Tim Hardiman. Dupree (935 yards rushing in 2011) ran for two touchdowns in last week's 28-16 triumph over Nashville, while Hardiman (472 yards) plowed 1-yard for a score. Warford has passed for 1,768 yards and 17 TDs this year, throwing just three interceptions and he's ran for 681 yards and 10 scores. "In the past, we've had one back do all the work," Malvern coach John Fogleman said. "Now we spread it around, and it makes us tougher to defend." Senior linebackers Justin James, Trent Block and Quante Walker top Malvern's tackle chart and serve as team leaders.

Farmington makes its eighth semifinal appearance, but the first since 1989. The Cardinals have won seven of their past eight games, including back-to-back wins over 2-4A champion Heber Springs 28-12 and 8-4A champ McGehee 26-23 the past two weeks. Senior Jared Martin was injured two weeks ago, but returned in the second quarter last week and ran for the winning TD. The Cardinals moved senior Deon Clay (6-1, 230) to QB in Week 9. "He's tough to stop when he gets his shoulders square and starts running," said Farmington coach Mike Adams. Junior Spencer Boudrey lines up at multiple positions on offense and swiped a crucial interception, returning it 38 yards for a TD last week. "Our guys, especially our seniors, haven't panicked this year," Adams said.

Comparing scores: Prairie Grove beat Farmington 28-21 in Week 5 and Malvern beat Prairie Grove 42-14 in the second round.

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly predicted three of four quarterfinal games. For the season, Hootens.com has correctly predicted 268 of 319 games (84 percent).

WEEK 14 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)
Dollarway at PULASKI ACADEMY (25): See Hootens.com Game of the Week.
Farmington at MALVERN (10): See Other Semifinal Game.