Hootens.com Rankings
Class 3A, Week 15, 2011
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

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

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
No. 2 Barton vs. No. 1 Charleston
These teams meet for the third time in the postseason. Barton beat Charleston 32-13 in the 2003 semifinals and 46-0 in the 1990 quarterfinals. The Bears have won eight state championships, last winning it all in 1997. Charleston chases its third state title since 2005. The Tigers are 58-6 under fifth-year coach Doug Loughridge.

Barton (No. 15 in the Hootens.com preseason rankings) has ripped off eight straight wins, including its past six on the road. The Bears have logged almost 1,800 miles in the playoffs, eliminating Paris, West Fork, Arkansas Baptist and Prescott by an average of 22 points. Sophomore quarterback Laquarius Hall ran 19 times for 128 yards and three touchdowns in last week's 42-27 win at Prescott. Junior fullback Corey Anderson rushed for 106 yards, including 18 for a score. Hall threw two TD passes in a 42-7 win at Arkansas Baptist two weeks ago. Junior wingback Kedrick Jackson set a school record with a 98-yard TD run in a 21-8 win at Paris in the first round. Senior linebacker and Farm Bureau Awards Class 3A Defensive Player of the Year finalist Ethan Roberts paces the Bears this year with more than 160 tackles. "They're a traditional Barton team," Charleston coach Doug Loughridge says. "They're very physical and their skill guys are dangerous."

Charleston features 18 seniors who have won 32 games over the past three years. The Tigers rallied to beat Fountain Lake 26-23 last week after trailing 23-13 in the third quarter. Senior QB and Farm Bureau Awards Class 3A Offensive Player of the Year finalist Dustin Shelby has completed 119 of 199 passes (60 percent) for 2,101 yards and 20 TDs with four interceptions this fall. Shelby has 206 carries for 1,084 yards and 19 scores. Senior fullback Payne Christenberry has accounted for 901 total yards and eight TDs. Senior slotback/defensive back Seth McCann paces the Tigers with 42 catches for 620 yards and nine TDs and has 10 interceptions. Senior receiver Zach Craig (seven TDs) averages 26 yards per catch. Senior LB David Weeks leads Charleston with 100 tackles. Senior tackle Michael Roberds (51 tackles) and senior end Jesse Crosswhite (38 tackles) each have recorded seven sacks. "They're solid," Barton coach Van Paschal says. "They don't give you anything and they're always in the right place on defense."

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly picked one semifinal game. For the season, HAFR has correctly predicted 261 of 321 games (81 percent).

WEEK 15 PLAYOFF PREDICTION (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)
Barton vs. CHARLESTON (2)