Class 4A Week 0 Rankings and Predictions

Hootens.com 

Class 4A Rankings

Week 0, 2026

1. Stuttgart
2. Elkins
3. Nashville
4. Warren
5. Bauxite
6. Arkadelphia
7. Southside
8. Monticello
9. Ozark
10. Booneville
11. Gravette
12. Lonoke
13. Highland
14. Gosnell
15. Fountain Lake
16. Hamburg
17. Malvern
18. Prairie Grove
19. Pocahontas
20. HG Haskell

 Not Ranked:

1-4A: Berryville, Gentry, Green Forest, Huntsville, Lincoln

2-4A: Bald Knob, CAC, Clinton, Heber Springs, Mayflower

3-4A: Blytheville, Forrest City, Jonesboro Westside, Trumann

4-4A: Dover, Lamar, Mena, Pottsville, Waldron, Subiaco Academy

7-4A: Ashdown, Fouke, Genoa Central, Hope

8-4A: Crossett, DeWitt, Star City, Watson Chapel

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 12 Lonoke at NO. 1 STUTTGART:

Stuttgart has won 9 of the past 10 over Lonoke, including last fall’s 24-20 win. The top-ranked Ricebirds beat Jacksonville by 3 in last week’s scrimmage, with junior running back Tyquan Hall, junior receiver Bray Minor and sophomore WR Jay Griffin playing well. Senior Cain Price didn’t play in the scrimmage, but performed well in limited summer camps. Senior free safety Keaton Byers and junior linebacker Knox Hillman return to live action after shoulder injuries. “Lonoke has the best linebackers we will see until the playoffs,” Stuttgart Coach Josh Price says.

Lonoke won its scrimmage against Beebe, with RB/LB Ryder Ingle and senior WR D’Mareon Eason putting in solid efforts. Lonoke linemen Huck Waddell, Dametrius Hood, Cooper Lewis, Rain Lewis, Jacob Ascencio and Walt Jones all played well vs. Beebe, Coach Clay Bemberg says.

LAST YEAR
Hootens.com correctly predicted 272 of 323 games (84 percent).

WEEK 0 PREDICTIONS (favored teams highlighted in orange with ALL CAPS)

1-4A

NO. 2 ELKINS at Class 5A Pea Ridge: These teams haven’t played since 2015, with Pea Ridge winning 5 consecutive games in the series (but the Blackhawks forfeited the 2013 victory). Former Pea Ridge defensive coordinator Max Hotelling succeeds Tony Travis as Pea Ridge’s third coach in as many seasons. Elkins has won 28 games over the past 2 seasons, finishing as state runner-up in 2024 and winning it all last fall. Senior WR Ki’Onte Martin and safety Treyton Whittle played well in Elkins’ scrimmage.

No. 11 GRAVETTE at Adair (Okla.): Adair went 14-0 last fall, winning the Class 2A state championship. But its top passer, 3 of the top 4 rushers, and the top 3 receivers graduated. Gravette won 9 games each of the past 2 seasons. Senior QB Hudson Harris and RB/WR JD Beem (20 TDs in 2025) pace Gravette’s offense.

Pottsville at NO. 18 PRAIRIE GROVE: Prairie Grove has won 3 of the previous 4 meetings, but the teams haven’t played since Pottsville’s 34-28 win in 2019. Former Rogers offensive coordinator Nick Brill succeeds Danny Abshier (243-141-2 record) at Prairie Grove. Prairie Grove scrimmaged Stillwell (Okla.) a week ago. Kennan Stucki and Race Orr scored TDs; Tate Bailey and Luke Parrish led the D. Pottsville junior HB Penn Helton, WR/RB Eli Morris, WR Keaton Ashmore, HB Kai Mahan and junior FB Tyson Thacker scored TDs in Pottsville’s scrimmage game.

GENTRY at Class 3A Paris: This is the first meeting between these programs. Former Hector coach Trevor Cooper takes over at Paris, where the Eagles have won 16 games over the past 4 seasons. Gentry has won 29 games over the past 4 seasons. Gentry junior Guenther XXXXXX shifts from receiver (4-107-1 TD last year) to QB. Senior Atreyu Banks should be a workhorse at RB.

HOLLISTER (Mo.) at Berryville: Hollister won 6 games last season, beating Berryville’s rival Green Forest by 27 in the opener. Berryville went 5-5 last season, its best record in 20 years. Berryville RB John Butler showed explosive playmaking ability in the scrimmage vs. Clarksville. Senior CT Hicks returns for his third season at QB after accounting for 2,151 yards and 23 TDs last season.

Huntsville at LAMAR: Both teams begin the season with new coaches (former LR Central assistant Phil Bernhardt at Huntsville, former Dardanelle assistant Jackson Guerra at Lamar). Lamar has won 6 consecutive over Huntsville, with the past 2 decided by a combined 65 points. Huntsville relies on senior QB Kollin Tucker and RB Wyatt Ingram, while Lamar expects big plays from LB Grady Marvel.

LINCOLN at Class 3A Greenland: Greenland has won 11 of the past 15 against its former conference foe, but Lincoln squeezed out a 26-25 victory a year ago. Lincoln senior WR Tucker Odom and QB Korbin Price are team leaders.

OPEN Green Forest

2-4A
No. 12 Lonoke at NO. 1 STUTTGART: Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week, above.

Class 3A Glen Rose at NO. 5 BAUXITE: These teams have split the past 12 meetings, with Glen Rose winning 32-26 a year ago. Bauxite won 9 games in 2025, advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2007. Bauxite beat Malvern 9-7 in the first half of last week’s scrimmage. Glen Rose was impressive in its scrimmage vs. HG Haskell and Arkadelphia.

Clinton at FORREST CITY: This is the first meeting between these programs. Clinton won 19 games over the past 2 seasons, but enters the season without graduated starters at 17 positions. Clinton wingback Harold McNabb, senior QB Braiden Venable and junior RB Ayden Hays played well in the Yellow Jackets’ scrimmage vs. Dover. Forrest City senior QB Kendrick Patterson and senior WR Vonterrious Williams were the top Mustangs playmakers last season.

Class 3A Atkins at HEBER SPRINGS: These teams meet for the first time since 1997, when Heber Springs won 17-7. Atkins impressed in its scrimmage vs. Hector; Heber Springs tied Class 5A Vilonia 14-14 in a one half of a scrimmage last week. Receivers Josiah Riggs and Eli Long both played well, along with center Ayden Nyari and DL Owen Norton.

CLASS 5A BEEBE at Mayflower: Mayflower bumps to Class 4A after winning 11 games and advancing to the 3A quarterfinals a year ago. Senior QB Carter Smith accounted for more than 2,000 yards and 29 TDs a year ago. Beebe scrimmaged Lonoke last week. The Badgers’ offense wants to wear down opponents this year after hiring former Foreman and Magnolia coach Mark King as offensive coordinator.

CLASS 2A Marianna at BALD KNOB: Former Pulaski Academy assistant Jerrod Barnhill takes over a Bald Knob program that’s won 12 games over the past 5 seasons. Marianna has won 2 games over the past 5 seasons. Bald Knob has beaten Marianna 7 consecutive times, including 20-14 a year ago. Bald Knob had some explosive plays but failed to score in its scrimmage with Palestine-Wheatley.

OPEN No. 20 HG Haskell, CAC

 3-4A

CLINTON at Forrest City: See comment in 2-4A.

 NO. 7 SOUTHSIDE at CLASS 5A Brookland: This is one of the week’s most intriguing games. Brookland’s size could pose problems for the Southerners. Southside scrimmaged Class 5A Nettleton last week and gave up 2 TDs on fourth-and-long situations. QB Trey Allen accounted for 210 yards in the scrimmage, while Gentry’s Shirely-Hoskins made 14 tackles in 3 quarters.

NO. 14 GOSNELLat Caruthersville (Mo.): Caruthersville has won all 3 of its previous meetings with Gosnell, but the last meeting was in 1986. Gosnell impressed in its 46-12 scrimmage win over Rivercrest. Senior QB Jamar Allen (3 TDs in the scrimmage), senior RB Mason Woods (11-189-1 TD) and senior WR La’Marco Wilborn (3-28-1 rushing) are explosive playmakers.

No. 19 Pocahontas at THAYER (MO.): Thayer opens the season as one of the top teams in Missouri’s Class 3A after winning 10 games last fall and losing to the eventual state champion in the quarterfinals by 8 points. Pocahontas scrimmaged Walnut Ridge, with senior QB Spencer James and senior RB Xayver Ballard acting as key offensive cogs. Two sophomores — WR Ryder Starr and LB Peyton Radcliff — impressed in their varsity debuts.

JONESBORO WESTSIDE at Class 3A Riverview: Connor Haag, who coordinated Class 2A champion Cross County’s offense a year ago, takes over as the third coach in as many seasons at Jonesboro Westside, which has defeated Riverview by a combined 79-19 over the past 2 seasons. Jonesboro Westside impressed in its scrimmage at Piggott, with junior QB Jaxyn Wilson (111 yards rushing, 3 TDs) and junior RB Aiden Turner (68 yards, 1 TD) leading the way.

OPEN No. 13 Highland, Blytheville, Trumann.

4-4A

Pottsville at No. 18 PRAIRIE GROVE: See comment in 1-4A.

Huntsville at LAMAR: See comment in 1-4A.

NO. 9 OZARK at Class 5A Maumelle: These teams have scrimmaged over the past 6 years, but this is their first official game. They did meet in the 1979 quarterfinals when Maumelle was called Pulaski Oak Grove. Maumelle scrimmaged Class 7A Pulaski Academy last week. Ozark scrimmaged Gentry last week (ran for 324 yards in 3 quarters, allowed 21 yards rushing).

NO. 10 BOONEVILLE at Class 3A Charleston: Booneville returns to Class 4A after spending the past 8 seasons in Class 3A. The Bearcats have won 27 of 35 meetings over Charleston since the modern playoff era started in 1969, but Charleston has won 3 of the past 5, including 21-7 last season. Booneville beat Crossett 33-19 in its scrimmage game. QB Tayden Washburn ran for 72 yards and 2 TDs in the first half. Senior fullback Brody Chambers (102 yards rushing) led a Bearcats running attack that generated more than 300 yards in 3 quarters.

MENA at Class 5A De Queen: Mena has won 9 consecutive games over rival De Queen, outscoring the Class 5A Leopards 109-7 the past 3 seasons. Mena scrimmaged Class 3A Bismarck and Poteau (Okla). Sophomore Hank Rose takes over as Mena’s QB. Jesse Zamora returned an interception for a TD vs. Poteau, and Stradden House caught a TD vs. Bismarck.

WALDRON at CLASS 5A Clarksville: These teams have combined for 11 wins the past 5 seasons, and they haven’t played since Clarksville’s 42-12 win in 2011. Clarksville has won 10 of the past 13 in the series (Waldron’s last win came via forfeit in 2001). Waldron outscored Class 3A Lavaca 27-13 in one half of a scrimmage game. RB Jaxon Brown (7-77-1 TD) and WR Phisher Brown (2-42-1 TD) were productive, along with RB Austin Hudson and Hayden Henry.

Class 3A Lavaca at DOVER: Josh Jones, former coach at Lamar and Magazine, takes over as the third coach in 3 years at Dover; the Pirates have 8 wins over the past 8 seasons. These teams split their meetings the past 2 seasons, with Dover winning 8-0 in 2024, and Lavaca notching a 30-26 win a year ago. Dover’s starters battled Clinton to a 14-14 tie in last week’s scrimmage. QB Matthew Krentz ran for a TD in the scrimmage and was a team leader in the summer, Jones says. TE Chance Paylor, OT Jordan Peters and OG Drake Cook played well vs. Clinton. Lavaca scrimmaged Waldron.

OPEN Subiaco Academy

7-4A

Class 3A Bismarck at NO. 3 NASHVILLE: Nashville went 7-0 vs. Bismarck when the teams were members of the former 7-AAA from 1996-2002 (Bismarck dropped varsity football from 2003-2005). These teams have both won consecutive conference championships (Nashville in the 7-4A, Bismarck in the 7-3A). Nashville lost its half scrimmage to HS Lakeside 21-19, but senior QB DJ Jefferson threw 2 TD passes to Jacoby Hopson, who caught 3 passes for 150 yards.

 NO. 4 WARREN at Malvern: These teams haven’t met since the 2022 quarterfinals, which Malvern won 27-21 on its way to the state championship. Malvern lost to Bauxite by 2 points in the first half of last week’s scrimmage game. Aaron Pinkston and sophomore Trevor Hodges split snaps at QB. Receiver Gerard Bailey, linebacker Jeremiah Jimerson and defensive backs Westen Goyne and Tyrese Osborne played well. Warren’s defensive line stood out in last week’s scrimmage vs. McGehee. Senior QB Jackson Denton, senior WR’s Josiah Steen and Tayshawn Edwards are seasoned offensive leaders for the Lumberjacks.

No. 6 Arkadelphia at CLASS 5A CAMDEN FAIRVIEW: Camden Fairview has beaten Arkadelphia 7 of the past 10 seasons, but the Badgers won last season 17-14. The Cardinals’ offense made big plays in last week’s scrimmage vs. Class 6A Sheridan. Arkadelphia scrimmaged Glen Rose and HG Haskell. QB Turner Ross threw 2 TDS vs. Glen Rose (to Beau Lewis and Kaiden Richards). Middle linebacker Walker Whitten played well in the summer, and Anthony Hills had 2 TFLs in the scrimmage. Senior LB Mario Brownlee, a University of Arkansas commit, should give Arkadelphia one of the better linebacker groups in Class 4A.

Hope at CLASS 3A PRESCOTT: Prescott has won 8 consecutive over Hope, including 28-20 a year ago. Hope should be improved, dropping from Class 5A. The Bobcats scrimmaged Arkansas High last week. Senior WR Jaiden Brown, senior lineman Joel Bello and sophomore WR/DB Tristan Taylor performed well.

Ashdown at ATLANTA (Texas): These teams have played once (Atlanta won 35-8 in 1990). Atlanta finished as conference runner-up last season but lost in the opening round of the playoffs. Ashdown went 1-9 a year ago, but the offensive line showed improvement in the summer. Senior receiver Bryson French, junior WR Tyler Smith, junior DB Cayden White and junior OLB Logan Erwin are key cogs for the Panthers.

FOUNTAIN LAKE at Class 3A Cutter Morning Star: Fountain Lake has won 3 of the 4 matchups since this series renewed in 2022. Cutter Morning Star beat Class 2A Episcopal by 6 points in its scrimmage. Fountain Lake senior QB Cooper Buss and receivers Peyton Harwood and Kase Haire form one of Class 4A’s most formidable passing attacks.

FOUKE at Class 3A Horatio: Fouke has beaten its former conference rival the past 8 seasons. Former Lafayette County coach and De Queen/Dierks assistant Phillip Binkley takes over at Fouke and will rely on senior QB Cody Heflin. Horatio promoted former assistant Brice Higgins to head coach in the summer.

GENOA CENTRAL at Class 2A Spring Hill: Genoa Central’s 8-point win over Spring Hill last fall was its first in the series since 2019. Genoa Central failed to score in its final 4 games last fall, but the Dragons made plenty of plays in a scrimmage vs. Horatio. Senior RB Brayden Adams (4-87-2 TDs), senior B.J. Colley (5-74-1), junior RB/QB Coby Fike (7-54-3) ran the ball well, while QB Zach Deaton threw 2 TD passes to Michael Rawlinson.

8-4A

No. 12 Lonoke at No. 1 STUTTGART: See comment in 2-4A.

NO. 4 WARREN at Malvern: See comment in 7-4A.

No. 8 Monticello at CLASS 3A FORDYCE: Fordyce has won 8 of the past 10 over Monticello. The tradition-rich Redbugs have played in 4 state title games over the past 6 years, and the offense features junior QB Andreal Ellison, RB Micah Gamble, and WR Jamartez Stroud. Monticello scrimmaged White Hall. Senior Joseph Accelus ran 49 yards for 1 TD in limited action, and senior TE Jax Rawls caught a TD pass on the second drive. Senior DT Aaden Franklin played well in the summer.

 NO. 16 HAMBURG at Class 3A Dumas: Hamburg has won 5 consecutive over Dumas, winning the past 2 by a combined 87-28. Hamburg MLB Aiden Robinson and WR Colt Tubbs played well in the Lions’ scrimmage vs. Drew Central. Senior Kaiden Thomas returns for his fourth season at QB and could be one of the more exciting players in a loaded conference.

CROSSETT at Class 3A Drew Central: Crossett scrimmaged Booneville last week, with senior QB Cash Forrest passing for 163 yards and 1 TD and running for 88 yards; WR Charles Moore caught a TD pass. Kayman Williams led the defense with 7 tackles. 

Class 3A Rison at DEWITT: DeWitt switched to an air raid attack in the summer and responded with a 28-0 win over Class 2A Carlisle in the scrimmage. QB Kaden Pippinger passed for 225 yards and 3 TDs. Converted QB Xa Cox (4-77) and Marshawn Bowers (8-98-2 TDs) shined at receiver. Rison senior RB Kyson Walker ran for 1,444 yards last season and performed well in the Wildcats’ scrimmage game.

Watson Chapel at CLASS 5A JACKSONVILLE: These teams have split the past 4 meetings, with Jacksonville winning 60-28 a year ago. Jacksonville lost its scrimmage game to Stuttgart by 3 points. The Titans offense revolves around RBs Jakobe Boone and Mason Ball. Watson Chapel scrimmaged Dumas, led by junior Jakilynn Battles, sophomore RB Anthony Compton Jr., and senior DL David Henderson.

STAR CITY at Class 3A Barton: Surprisingly, these teams have played just once, with Barton winning 28-7 in the first round of the 1978 playoffs. Former Hazen coach Joe Besancon takes over at Barton. Star City scrimmaged Rison last week (Rison kicked a field goal as the second quarter expired for a 17-14 win). Senior Amarion Iverson, junior Jamarian Spencer and junior OT/DT Adam Sullivan played well for the Bulldogs.