Hootens.com Class 4A Rankings

Week 15, 2023

Copyright Seventy Seven’s Publishing

 1. Harding Academy (14-0)

2. Rivercrest (12-2)

3. Elkins (13-1)

4. Warren (13-1)

5. Arkadelphia (7-4)

6. Ozark (10-3)

7. CAC (9-3)

8. Malvern (7-4)

9. Ashdown (7-5)

10. DeWitt (10-2)

11. Nashville (8-4)

12. Monticello (8-4)

13. Bauxite (8-4)

14.Mayflower (8-4)

15. Gravette (7-5)

16. Lincoln (8-4)

17. Crossett (6-5)

18. Lamar (7-4)

19. McGehee (5-5)

20. Clinton (7-4)

21. Blytheville (5-6)

22. Highland (7-4)

23. Pocahontas (7-4)

24. Pottsville (6-4)

25. Heber Springs (6-5)

26. Stuttgart (7-4)

27. Trumann (5-6)

28. Mena (5-6)

29. Bald Knob (4-6)

30. Gentry (5-6)

31. Gosnell (6-4)

32. H.G. Haskell (4-6)

33. Lonoke (3-7)

34. Dumas (4-6)

35. Hamburg (3-7)

36. Star City (1-9)

37. Green Forest (4-6)

38. Hall Steam (2-8)

39. Berryville (3-7)

40. Jonesboro Westside (1-9)

41. Dover (2-7)

42. Riverview (1-9)

43. Helena (0-10)

44. Huntsville (0-10)

45. Cave City (0-9)

46. Waldron (0-9)

47. Harrisburg (0-10)

LAST WEEK

Hootens.com correctly predicted 1 of 2 semifinal games, and for the season has picked 259 of 307 games (84 percent).

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

No. 2 Rivercrest vs. No. 1 HARDING ACADEMY

Harding Academy returns to its fifth straight state championship game, while Rivercrest is in the title game for the first time since 2020. These teams played in 2 previous state title games (Harding Academy won 33-18 in 2015; Rivercrest won 14-10 in 2010). Harding Academy has won 9 state titles, all since 1976; Rivercrest has 3 titles (1985, 2010 and 2017).

Harding Academy played its closest game of the season last week, beating Elkins 41-27. The Wildcats also have victories over Class 5A East champion Valley View (55-40), 6-3A champion Harmony Grove Ouachita County (38-7), 1-3A champion and Class 3A championship game finalist Booneville (51-27) and Ouachita (La.) Christian 31-14.

 Harding Academy junior quarterback Owen Miller threw 4 touchdown passes and keyed the defense with 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble. Senior Kyler Hoover caught 2 TDs, while Jack Citty's 20-yard TD catch at the start of the fourth quarter helped secure the victory. Miller has completed 205 of 265 passes (77.3 percent) for 3,481 yards and 45 TDs, with zero interceptions. He has 90 carries for 782 yards and 11 TDs.

Rivercrest ran wild (414 yards rushing) over Warren last week, pulling away 24-14. Senior Koby Turner (29-261-2 TDs), senior Marcus Slayton (10-55-1) and junior QB Cavonta Washington (17-60) led the ground attack. Washington also passed for 66 yards. Slayton, at linebacker, led the defense with 6 tackles, while Turner and senior end Wyatt Lancaster each made 5 stops. Turner has rushed 164 times for 1,633 yards and 24 TDs this season and has 69 tackles. Slayton has 86 tackles and 2 forced fumbles; Lancaster has 141 tackles, 10.5 sacks and 3 fumble recoveries.