Hootens.com Rankings
Class 4A, Week 15, 2017
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.
1. Warren (13-1)
2. Arkadelphia (13-1)
3. Joe T. Robinson (12-1)
4. Pea Ridge (12-2)
5. Booneville (10-2)
6. Prairie Grove (11-2)
7. Gosnell (9-4)
8. Ashdown (9-4)
9. Nashville (8-4)
10. Southside Batesville (10-2)
11. Ozark (9-3)
12. Stuttgart (8-4)
13. Dardanelle (8-4)
14. Heber Springs (8-4)
15. Hamburg (6-6)
16. Pocahontas (6-6)
17. Trumann (9-2)
18. Gravette (6-5)
19. Shiloh Christian (7-4)
20. Pottsville (6-5)
21. Riverview (7-4)
22. Jonesboro Westside (7-4)
23. Dumas (7-4)
24. Helena (6-5)
25. Bauxite (5-6)
26. Monticello (5-6)
27. Malvern (3-8)
28. Waldron (5-6)
29. Highland (3-8)
30. Gentry (5-6)
31. Crossett (3-8)
32. Star City (4-6)
33. Fountain Lake (4-6)
34. Dover (5-5)
35. Brookland (5-5)
36. Mena (3-7)
37. Lonoke (3-7)
38. Lincoln (3-7)
39. Harrisburg (3-7)
40. DeWitt (2-8)
41. CAC (1-9)
42. Huntsville (1-9)
43. Dollarway (0-9)
44. Berryville (1-9)
45. Subiaco Academy (2-8)
46. West Fork (0-10)
47. Cave City (0-10)
48. Baptist Prep (0-10)

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
No. 1 Warren vs. No. Arkadelphia
Arkadelphia returns to the state championship game for the first time in 30 years. The 1987 Badgers beat White Hall to cap a perfect season and became the first team from Arkansas ever ranked by USA Today. The Badgers advanced to the semifinals 2015 and the quarterfinals in 2013-2014. Warren beat Arkadelphia 31-24 in the 2013 quarterfinals.

Arkadelphia's only loss this season was Week 5 at Joe T. Robinson, when leading rushing Zion Hatley (6-0, 185) didn't play due to concussion. Hatley, a junior, has 206 carries this season for 1,679 yards and 34 touchdowns. Hatley has 59 carries for 395 yards and 10 TDs in three playoff games. He ran 20 times for 169 yards and five TDs in last week's 25-point semifinal triumph at Pea Ridge. Sophomore quarterback Cannon Turner (6-0, 185) provides a dual threat. Turner has completed 74 of 133 passes (56 percent) for 1,071 yards and 11 touchdowns with four interceptions and has 146 carries for 1,004 yards and 11 TDs. When Ashdown committed to stuffing Hatley in the quarterfinals, Turner took off for 14 times for 133 yards and three TDs. Senior Logan Lucas (5-9, 175) paces the Badgers with 29 catches for 433 yards and three TDs, while junior Alec Ruble (5-9, 185) has five TD grabs. Arkadelphia starts five senior offensive linemen. “We've been able to dominate the line of scrimmage and give our 'backs places to run,” Arkadelphia coach J.R. Eldridge says.

The Badger's shutout four opponents and held five others to one TD. Junior middle linebacker Josh Wallace (5-11, 185) has 77 tackles this season, while sophomore Kyren Harrison (5-9, 175) has 73 stops. Senior Josh Burnham (5-11, 200) has 65 stops, including 14 tackles for loss. Senior cornerback Dillon Scott (5-10, 165) and junior safety Victor Tademy (6-0, 165) make plays in the secondary. Scott has 20 tackles and three interceptions, while Tademy has 41 stops and six interceptions. Scott broke open last week's semifinal at Pea Ridge with a 50-yard first half punt return.

Warren returns to its second straight state title game, third in four years and sixth since 2002. The Lumberjacks survived Joe T. Robinson 35-28 in overtime a week ago. Warren led 28-7 early in the fourth quarter. Warren relies on junior playmaker Treylon Burks (6-3, 215). He lines up at receiver, running back and QB. He ran on three direct snaps in overtime a week ago, plunging 1 yard for the winning TD, then on defense shot a gap to stone Joe T. Robinson's running back on fourth down near the goal line to preserve the victory. “He's the best player in the state,” Warren coach Bo Hembree says. “He's unselfish and does what it takes for the team to win.” Junior QB Jmalachi Kinnard (5-8, 150) continues improving as a passer. Junior receiver Keemontrae McKnight (5-9, 175) shifted to the backfield a week ago, rushing 22 times for 117 yards and a TD. Three senior linemen are injured, including Davis Pennington, who is out with a torn ACL.

Junior defensive end Marcus Miller (6-4, 290) and tackle Wallace Smith (6-3, 290) solidify a stout unit that held 10 opponents to two TDs or less. Senior Psavian Person has started 28 straight games at linebacker. Person, a finalist for the Farm Bureau Awards Class 4A Defensive Player of the Year, has more than 100 stops this season. He racked up 15 tackles in the quarterfinal win over Prairie Grove.

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly predicted both semifinal games. Hootens.com has correctly predicted 284 of 319 games (89 percent) this season.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREDICTION
WARREN (3) vs. Arkadelphia