Hootens.com Rankings
Class 3A, Week 15, 2010
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. Rivercrest (14-0)
2. Harding Academy (12-1)
3. West Fork (11-3)
4. Glen Rose (11-1)
5. Fountain Lake (9-5)
6. Rison (11-2)
7. C. Harmony Grove (10-2)
8. Fordyce (7-5)
9. Mansfield (10-3)
10. Harrisburg (9-4)
11. Earle (9-3)
12. Bald Knob (9-3)
13. Greenland (9-3)
14. Charleston (9-3)
15. Prescott (7-4)
16. Arkansas Baptist (9-2)
17. Barton (8-3)
18. Jessieville (8-4)
19. Paris (8-3)
20. Hoxie (4-7)
21. Riverview (6-6)
22. Elkins (6-5)
23. Lamar (4-7)
24. Cedarville (3-8)
25. Marshall (5-6)
26. Yellville-Summit (6-5)
27. Lafayette County (4-7)
28. Mayflower (3-8)
29. Smackover (3-8)
30. Bismarck (5-6)
31. Lavaca (2-8)
32. Mountain View (5-5)
33. Green Forest (3-7)
34. Episcopal (3-7)
35. Piggott (4-6)
36. Drew Central (3-7)
37. Lincoln (2-8)
38. Manila (3-7)
39. Centerpoint (2-8)
40. Perryville (2-8)
41. Atkins (0-10)
42. Rose Bud (2-8)
43. Fouke (3-7)
44. Brinkley (0-10)
45. B. Harmony Grove (2-8)
46. Cutter M. Star (2-8)
47. Corning (0-10)
48. Genoa Central (0-10)

3A STATE TITLE GAME
No. 1 Rivercrest vs. No. 2 Harding Academy
Harding Academy defeated Rivercrest 42-7 in the first round of the 2008 playoffs. Both teams have won 24 games over the past two years, while claiming back-to-back league titles.

Rivercrest, which finished runner-up in 2002 and 2003, beat Pine Bluff Dollarway in 1985 for its only state title. Despite two turnovers and 11 penalties (three of which negated scores), the Colts survived last week's semifinal with a 17-14 win at No. 3 West Fork. Senior running back/linebacker Earl Byrd ran 55 yards for a touchdown, while racking up 11 tackles (two for loss).

Senior quarterback Demoine Brown has accounted for 4,758 yards offense and 65 TDs in his career, including 1,968 yards and 29 TDs this fall. Senior playmaker Terrence Banks (2,601 career yards, 28 TDs) gains more than 18 yards per touch. The Colts, led by seniors Trevor Gregory (288 career tackles) and Michael Wright (team-high 134 tackles in 2010), allow 16 points per game. Rivercrest will rely on its speed to make plays in open space. "They're fast," said Harding Academy coach Roddy Mote. "A whole lot faster than we are. They've got five kids who can fly."

Harding Academy has won four state titles in school history, including a 29-26 triumph over Danville in 2002. The Wildcats beat defending state champ Fountain Lake for the second time this fall in last week's semifinal. Senior QB Seth Keese completed 15 of 23 passes for 170 yards and three TDs and ran 18 times for 71 yards and one score.

Keese has accounted for 9,320 yards offense and 112 TDs in his career, including 2,194 yards passing and 20 TDs and 1,159 yards rushing and 21 scores this year. Junior receiver Jay Bona leads Harding Academy with 67 catches for 708 yards and eight TDs. Junior Ben Lecrone has 130 carries for 690 yards and 11 TDs and 36 catches for 406 yards and two scores. The Wildcats give up 13 points per game. Rivercrest must overcome a lack of size in the secondary in order to contain the Harding Academy receivers. "They put a lot of pressure on you in a lot of different ways," said Rivercrest coach Kelly Chandler. "It's hard to get them out of position."

Comparing common opponents: Rivercrest beat Mayflower 54-25 and Bald Knob 48-13. Harding Academy beat Mayflower 47-20 and Bald Knob 41-14.

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly picked both semifinal games. For the season, HAFR has correctly predicted 263 of 334 games (79 percent).

WEEK 15 PLAYOFF PREDICTION (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)
Click to watch game highlights from 3A
RIVERCREST (4) vs. Harding Academy