Hootens.com Rankings
Class 2A, Week 14, 2017
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.
1. Mount Ida (13-0)
2. C. Harmony Grove (9-3)
3. Earle (10-1)
4. Conway Christian (11-2)
5. Foreman (11-1)
6. Danville (9-2)
7. Hazen (9-3)
8. Rison (10-2)
9. Bearden (7-5)
10. Mountainburg (9-2)
11. McCrory (7-2)
12. Mineral Springs (5-7)
13. Hampton (7-4)
14. Parkers Chapel (6-5)
15. Magnet Cove (7-5)
16. Hector (8-3)
17. Marked Tree (8-3)
18. E. Poinsett County (8-4)
19. Salem (6-6)
20. Palestine-Wheatley (8-3)
21. Mountain Pine (7-4)
22. Strong (5-5)
23. Hackett (6-4)
24. Cross County (4-7)
25. Clarendon (4-6)
26. England (5-6)
27. Poyen (3-8)
28. Des Arc (4-6)
29. Lavaca (4-7)
30. Magazine (5-6)
31. Spring Hill (4-7)
32. Lafayette County (2-8)
33. Quitman (2-8)
34. Cutter M. Star (3-7)
35. Carlisle (2-7)
36. W. Yell County (3-6)
37. J.C. Westside (3-6)
38. Dierks (1-9)
39. Murfreesboro (0-10)
40. Marvell (1-7)
41. Bigelow (1-9)
42. Rector (1-7)
43. Midland (1-8)
44. Woodlawn (1-9)
45. Brinkley (1-7)
46. Decatur (0-9)
47. Hermitage (0-9)

GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 1 Mount Ida at No. 2 Camden Harmony Grove
This is a rematch of a 2016 semifinal that host Mount Ida won 33-20. Mount Ida claimed its second state title (2007, 2016) a week later by shocking Hampton 27-26 at War Memorial Stadium. Camden Harmony Grove reached the state semis last year for the first time in school history. The Camden H. Grove defense features more team speed and better tackling than a year ago, anchored by junior QB/LB Gannon Bearden. Junior WR/FS Kentrell Hill (eight INTs) and senior Jace Garcia produce big plays in all three phases of the game but the Hornets swarm with more depth, including freshman Mecca Arnold who has blossomed at linebacker. Senior and leading rusher Jordan Hicks missed last week for violating team rules and may not play Friday night, but sophomore RB Xaylon Falls erupted last week with nine carries for 129 yards and two TDs in a 26-point win vs. Hazen. Bearden has thrown the ball well the past two weeks, completing 18 of 25 passes for 474 yards and five TDs in wins over EPC and Hazen.  Defending state champion Mount Ida was holding opponents to 150 yards and 6.8 ppg until the past two weeks when Marked Tree scored 22 points and Conway Christian 28 points. CC passed for 368 yards last week, but Mount Ida intercepted two passes that led to TDs and a 34-28 victory. MI scored on just one of its last five possession and CC forced MI to punt a season-high four times. The MI defense, its best since the 2007 title team, sacked CC QB Jacob Wood four times last week and pressured Wood into a pair of second-half interceptions. Senior cornerback Bridger Farmer leads MI with 93 tackles, followed by senior LB Cade Helms (84 stops) and junior end Champ Saylors with 75 tackles and eight sacks.

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly picked three of four games (75 percent) involving Class 2A teams. For the year, hootens.com is 237-45 (84 percent).

WEEK 14 SEMIFINAL PREDICTIONS (favored team in CAPS followed by point spread)
Salem at No. 5 FOREMAN (16): Salem re-entered the playoffs after the Arkansas Activities Association disqualified Earle from the postseason when EHS reported the use of an ineligible player. Earle defeated Salem 50-31 (on the field) in the state quarterfinals two weeks ago when Earle senior RB Anthony White rumbled for 275 yards. Salem junior RB Jordan Turner ran for 190 yards and a TD at Earle, bringing his season total to 1,883 rushing yards (7.7 ypc) and 21 TDs. Junior Ethan Davis (6-0, 240) spearheads the Salem offensive line. Salem reaches the state semifinals for the first time in school history. It won two playoff games and a league title in 2012.  This game marks Foreman's first appearance in the semifinals. The Gators have earned 13 postseason berths in the modern era (since 1969), getting past the first round just five times and reaching the quarterfinals in 1987 and 2006. Bearden eliminated Foreman from the playoffs in 2006 and 2012. Foreman knocked Bearden from the playoffs two weeks ago in a confidence-boosting 35-18 victory, holding the Bears to 12 rushing yards. A week ago, Foreman limited No. 6 Danville to 196 yards in a 51-6 blowout. The Gator defense lacks stars but not teeth with plenty of speed and playmakers, including senior LB Brandon Thomas (6-3, 220; 24 TFL) and freshman DE Chris Haywood (6-4, 225; 41 TFL). Haywood and senior LB Corey Lovell pace Foreman with 80 tackles apiece. Junior QB Kyren Batey triggers Foreman's Flexbone, rushing for 560 yards and nine TDs the past two weeks in wins over Bearden and Danville. Batey has rushed for 1,687 yards (13.7 ypc) and 29 TDs this season.
Mount Ida at CAMDEN H. GROVE (4): See Game of the Week.