Class 7A, Week 14, 2019
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.
1. Bryant (12-0)
2. North LR (9-3)
3. Bentonville (11-1)
4. Bentonville West (7-5)
5. Conway (8-4)
6. Har-Ber (8-4)
7. LR Catholic (7-5)
8. Fayetteville (6-6)
9. Cabot (6-5)
10. LR Central (6-5)
11. Van Buren (6-5)
12. FS Northside (3-7)
13. Rogers (2-9)
14. Springdale (3-7)
15. FS Southside (2-8)
16. Heritage (0-10)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 1 Bryant vs. No. 2 North LR
This is the eighth meeting between the schools in four years. North LR won the first five, but Bryant has won back-to-back, beating North LR 27-7 in last year's finals and 35-21 Week 9 this season. It's the fourth straight state finals appearance for North LR under Coach Jamie Mitchell, who owns a 53-10 record (84.1 percent) at the school. North LR won it all beating Bentonville two years ago after losing in the finals to Fayetteville in 2016. North LR has won 46 of its past 51 games. Bryant won in its first state title game appearance last year. Coach Buck James, who won a state title at Camden Fairivew in 2012, owns a 42-8 record (84 percent) at Bryant.

North LR leans on its running game powered by all-state running back Brandon Thomas (5-10, 210). The University of Memphis commit has rushed for close to 1,200 yards in 20 quarters, including 153 last week at Bentonville despite injuring his ankle in the first quarter. Bryant is more balanced with senior RB Ahmad Adams (6-0, 235), an Arkansas State commit, and junior QB Austin Ledbetter. Adams rushed for 106 yards while Ledbetter passed for 114 in last week's 35-0 win over Bentonville West. But it's Bryant defense that will win this game, again. The Hornets are too deep and talented on D, starring outside linebackers Daylon Land and Arkansas Razorback commit Catrell Wallace, D-1 lineman Austin Bailey and shutdown cornerback Derrick Rose.

LAST WEEK
hootens.com correctly predicted one of two semifinal winners in Class 7A games. For the season, hootens.com has correctly predicted 81 of 101 winners (81 percent) in Class 7A.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION (favored team in CAPS followed by point spread)
BRYANT (14) vs. North LR