Class 5A Week 0 Rankings and Selections

Hootens.com 

Class 5A Rankings

Week 0, 2026

1. Greenwood
2. Joe T. Robinson
3. Greenbrier
4. HS Lakeside
5. Farmington
6. LR Parkview
7. Valley View
8. Camden Fairview
9. Wynne
10. Harrison
11. Maumelle
12. Harding Academy
13. Magnolia
14. Morrilton
15. Jacksonville
16. Batesville
17. Hot Springs
18. Alma
19. Nettleton
20. Arkansas High

LAST SEASON

Hootens.com correctly picked 82.7 percent

Week 0 Predictions (Favored team in ALL CAPS and highlighted in orange)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

5A CENTRAL

No. 2 JOE T. ROBINSON at Class 6A LR Catholic: Joe T. Robinson has not lost a game since head coach Tyler Uptergrove took over the program before last season. The Senators finished last season ranked among the top 100 teams in the nation and return plenty of experience, including senior All-State TE Kyrin Grimes and a group of returning all-conference players.  Little Rock Catholic enters after closing last year with 5 consecutive losses, but the Rockets have pieces to build around. Senior quarterback Phillips Blair should be more comfortable directing the offense after a year in the system, while returning All-State safety Peyton Capps gives Catholic a proven playmaker. The Rockets also return all-conference performers Hunter Markham and Luke Burdine, giving them veteran leadership on both sides of the ball. Look for Joe T. Robinson to extend Catholic’s current losing streak to 6 games.

No. 17 Hot Springs at No. 3 GREENBRIER: Hot Springs exits a 10-2 season that included a first-place conference finish before a close playoff loss to Morrilton. Five starters return on offense and 6 on defense, including 2 all-conference offensive linemen and the kicker. Greenbrier also enters Week 0 with momentum after Randy Tribble’s Panthers finished 11-1 and won their conference last year. Greenbrier returns 5 offensive starters and 9 on defense, led by explosive all-state wide receiver Trenton Mosley, along with returning all-conference linebacker Rupe Adams and cornerback Tyrae Kemp. Greenbrier’s experience gives it the edge in the end. 

No. 6 LR PARKVIEW at Pine Bluff: Parkview enters its second season under Bobby Bolding, and we’re looking for the Patriots to build on last year’s 9-win season. Parkview returns all-conference wide receiver Carmelo Johnson and linebacker Kingston Metcalf, providing proven playmakers on both sides of the ball. Parkview found its rhythm after a 1-3 start last fall and played some of its best football down the stretch. Pine Bluff just missed finding a spot in Hooten’s 5A Top 20 and is picked No. 6 in the 5A South. The Zebras are led by returning all-conference QB Jamar Morrow and WR Rashawn Reed. Pine Bluff finished 3-7 last season, but winning 2 of its final 3 games gives the Zebras some momentum to build on.

CLASS 4A OZARK at No. 11 Maumelle: Maumelle ended last season with 3 consecutive losses, and it hopes to reverse that trend under new head coach Nick Vaughn and returning all-state QB Levi Warrior. Playmakers must emerge as the Hornets adapt to their new staff. Ozark has improvement on its mind after finishing 7-4 in  Josh Watson’s second season. The Hillbillies beat Booneville and came within 2 points of Bauxite in the playoffs. Ozark returns All-State running back/defensive back John Skolarski and All-State running back/defensive lineman Easton Fox, along with all-conference quarterback/linebacker Cade Cap. With that experience and momentum established last season, Hooten’s is picking Ozark to beat Maumelle.

NO. 15 JACKSONVILLE at Watson Chapel: Reggie Swinton enters his second season at Jacksonville with playmakers to build around, including running back Mason Ball, returning all-conference linebacker Anthony Ross Jr., and some new roster additions. Jacksonville showed encouraging signs in its 3-point scrimmage loss to Class 4A No. 1 Stuttgart, playing the Ricebirds to within 3 points. Watson Chapel enters Stephen Hurd’s third season looking to improve after going 0-10 last fall. Hooten’s Arkansas Football is picking Jacksonville to go on the road and beat Watson Chapel.

LR MILLS at Osceola: Mills (10-2 last fall) travels to Osceola with 9 starters retiring on offense and 7 on defense. The Comets bring back 7 All-Conference players, led by All-State tight end Cortez Carter, and appear capable of being explosive on both sides of the ball. Osceola hopes to pick up where it left off after turning a 1-5 start into a 6-7 finish and playoff win. The Seminoles return 6 starters on offense and 6 on defense, giving them a solid foundation. Hooten’s Arkansas Football is looking for Mills to take control in the fourth quarter and come away with the win.

BEEBE at Class 4A Mayflower: The Beebe Badgers travel to Mayflower for a Week Zero matchup after hiring Flexbone specialist Mark King as offensive coordinator during the offseason. Look for Beebe to lean on that physical rushing attack as the game moves into the second half. Mayflower makes the jump from to Class 4A after an impressive 11-2 season, but the Eagles have to replace a large portion of last year’s roster while also adjusting to the move up in classification. Hooten’s Arkansas Football has Beebe taking control in the fourth quarter and coming away with the win.

Vilonia at No. 19 NETTLETON: Kyle Russell takes over a Vilonia program that brings 4 all-conference players  into a tough road matchup at Nettleton, which finished 6-5 last season and is picked No. 2 in the Hooten’s 5A East preseason rankings. Nettleton returns 6 starters on offense and 3 on defense, led by returning All-State defensive back Kielyn Hendrix and 3 returning all-conference players. Hooten’s Arkansas Football is picking Nettleton to get the win over Vilonia.

5A EAST

Class 6A West Memphis at NO. 7 VALLEY VIEW: Valley View has outscored West Memphis by a combined 70-12 score, including 35-6 last fall, in consecutive meetings. Valley View enters off a 9-2 season and a first-place finish in the 5A East, and the Blazers have proven talent back for another strong run. Three returning All-State players lead the way — running back Carter Wallace, wide receiver Levi Manning and defensive lineman Eli Thornton, and 6 returning All-Conference players provide experience throughout the lineup. All-Conference QB Taylor Hyneman is also back after passing for 1,250 yards and rushing for nearly 400 last season. Valley View looks poised for a breakout year. West Memphis looks to return to the playoffs this fall for the first time since 2023, but the Blue Devils finished spring camp with 7 seniors on the roster, and a 2-year starter up front left the district over the summer. The Blue Devils got good play from Andrew Clay, Brayden Bass and Anthony Watkins over the summer, when they finished in the Top 8 of a competitive 7-on-7 tournament in Memphis. Watkins earned that tournament’s top lineman award. West Memphis isn’t ducking anyone in the nonconference, and it could pay off later in the fall for the Blue Devils in 6A East play, but Valley View pulls away in this one.

No. 12 Harding Academy at LR CHRISTIAN: Second-year Harding Academy Coach Ashley Henley looks to build off last season’s 5-6 record, placing third in their conference and suffering a tough first-round playoff loss at Farmington. Harding Academy returns a strong group led by All-State safety Tanner Simmons and All-State wide receiver Joseph Myles, along with 7 returning All-Conference performers. The Wildcats will be looking to reverse a recent trend after their win total has declined each season since capturing the state championship in 2023. Class 7A Little Rock Christian finished 8-4 last year and placed third in the 7A Central, improving by 2 wins in its second season in Class 7A. The Warriors return 3 starters on offense and 5 on defense, but they will be putting more responsibility on senior QB Hayden Hall after an injury in fall camp. Little Rock Christian will feature a new defensive scheme. How quickly the Warriors adjust will be worth watching early. Hooten’s Arkansas Football is picking Little Rock Christian to get the win over Harding Academy.

Class 6A SEARCY at No. 16 Batesville: Searcy has beaten Batesville in 10 of the past 11 meetings, including 45-7 in 2025. Batesville enters the season under head coach Ryan Morrow after finishing 4-7, improving by 2 wins from the previous year, and showed noticeable growth after starting 0-4 before putting together a stronger second half of the season. Batesville eventually reached the playoffs before falling at Greenbrier. The Pioneers return All-State standout Rourke Sevier along with 7 other All-Conference players. Look for Batesville to take another step forward and be an improved football team this season.

Searcy opened eyes at various 7-on-7 tournaments and team camps. The Lions won the Sonic Air Raid 7-on-7 tournament in July with a 7-0 mark. Searcy defeated Harding Academy in last week’s benefit scrimmage behind big nights from 2025 all-state quarterback Jacob Miles (completed 13 of 16 passes for 346 yards and 4 TDs against Harding Academy) and all-conference receivers Jackson Smith (3 receptions for 34 yards), Will Manning (6-238 receiving, 3 TDs) and Bryson Thompson (3-51 receiving, TD). Searcy’s defense returns all-state end Jeremiah Goodman and all-state linebacker Kayden Hickman. Searcy expects to contend for the Class 6A state title, and it starts this week against former league rival Batesville. 

No. 9 Wynne at Class 6A MARION: Wynne leads the all-time series 34-15-1, but Marion has won 4 of the past 5, including a 60-27 decision in 2025. Wynne’s last victory was a 21-10 home decision in 2022. Randy Coleman takes over at Wynne after the Yellowjackets finished 4-6 last season and placed fifth in conference play. Wynne enters the year with 3 returning starters on offense and 3 on defense, but will be replacing all of its All-State and All-Conference selections from a year ago. Junior quarterback Ashton McDaniel will be a key piece for the Yellowjackets as Coleman begins building his program. Marion charges into 2025 under first-year head coach Claude Johnson, who served as offensive coordinator the past 4 years at Little Rock Parkview. The Patriots acclimated to Johnson’s scheme and terminology over the summer, when Marion performed well at various team camps and 7-on-7 tournaments, including a quarterfinal run at the Arkansas State 7-on-7 tournament in June. All-conference performer and University of Arkansas commit Jeremiah Dent likely earns 15-20 touches weekly this season behind 3-year starters Jarrett Selvy and Walt Tucker, Jr. up front. Marion senior defensive back Colton Kimbel is the Pats’ only returning starter on defense, while senior Gary Wilson has made plays at defensive tackle and junior defensive back Kole Clay earned a starting role this summer after earning a scholarship offer from Tennessee-Martin. Marion led Mountain Home 7-3 at halftime of last week’s benefit scrimmage, and the Patriots held on for a 14-10 victory after getting a touchdown pass from Dell Pickett to Chase Davis, an 8-yard TD run from Dedrian Love, and a game-clinching interception from Neil Rossell. This series is typically tight, especially at Wynne (3 of the past 4 decided by 1 score or less), but Marion makes the final play this week.

Southside (Batesville) at Brookland: This is one of the intriguing games of Week 0. Brookland’s size could pose problems for the Southerners. Southside scrimmaged Class 5A Nettleton last week and yielded 2 TDs on fourth-and-long situations. QB Trey Allen tallied 210 yards in the scrimmage, while Gentry Shirley-Hoskins made 14 tackles in 3 quarters.

Manila at Paragould: Paragould hosts Manila in a Week 0 matchup after the Rams won last year’s meeting 35-8. Paragould returns 5 starters on offense and 5 on defense, led by All-State wide receiver Zach Flowers, who should provide an explosive playmaking threat for the Rams. Manila finished last season with 2 wins, including 1 by forfeit, but the Lions have experience returning at QB with All-Conference performer Patrick Fisher and will look to take a step forward this fall. Hooten’s Arkansas Football is picking Paragould to take care of business at home and come away with the Week 0 victory.

GREENE COUNTY TECH at Class 3A Salem: Greene County Tech travels to Salem for an intriguing Week 0 matchup as the Golden Eagles begin a new era under head coach Price Holmes, who was hired during the offseason after a 2-win season. Greene County Tech returns 4 starters on offense and 4 on defense, and this opener should provide an early look at the direction of the program under Holmes. Salem exits a 13-1 season that included a conference championship and a trip to the Class 3A semifinals, where the Greyhounds fell to eventual state champion Mansfield. Salem returns 3 starters on offense and 4 on defense, including All-Conference performers Aiden Province and Ferris Thweatt. Greene County Tech is looking to make an immediate impact under its new coaching staff; Hooten’s Arkansas Football is picking the Eagles to go on the road and come away with the win.

5A SOUTH

Class 4A Arkadelphia at NO. 8 CAMDEN FAIRVIEW: Camden Fairview has beaten Arkadelphia 7 of the past 10 seasons, but the Badgers won 17-14 last season. 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 TFL. Senior University of Arkansas commit LB Mario Brownlee should give Arkadelphia one of the better linebacker groups in Class 4A.

Class 6A Lake Hamilton at Class 5A No. 4 HS LAKESIDE: Lake Hamilton leads this nonconference series 6-2 since it resumed in 2017, but Hot Springs Lakeside has won the last 2, including 56-20 last year. Hot Springs Lakeside enters the season ranked No. 4 in Class 5A after putting together back-to-back 10-win seasons. The Rams lost to Joe T. Robinson in the championship game, and they return 4 All-Conference players from that team. Lakeside brings back 3 starters on offense and 3 on defense as it prepares to host Lake Hamilton.  Lakeside once again enters the year with high expectations on the heels of consecutive 10-win seasons. Lake Hamilton led Class 5A Hot Springs 7-0 in last week’s benefit scrimmage that was called with 5:41 left in the first period. The Wolves rushed the passer well and came up with a fumble inside the Hot Springs 5 to set up the only score of the evening. Evan Keller, Mikey Parker and Blaine Sears led the Wolves’ defense in the summer, fall and against Hot Springs. “We will need to play well,” first-year Lake Hamilton coach Justin Bigham says. “Anything is possible, and we will get their best.” Lake Hamilton has quickly adapted to a new defensive scheme, but Lakeside has too much firepower on offense in this one.

Class 6A EL DORADO at Class 5A No. 13 Magnolia: El Dorado has won 10 of the past 11 meetings with Magnolia, including 50-30 in the team’s last game in 2021. Adam Kirby enters his third season at Magnolia with a .500 winning percentage. Magnolia won 5 games last season and finished fifth in conference play, but Hooten’s has the Panthers ranked No. 13 in Class 5A heading into this year. There is plenty of talent to build around, led by returning All-State running back Jamaijha Marshall, along with 4 returning All-Conference players. Magnolia also closed last season with 2 wins in a row, giving the Panthers some momentum to carry into the new year.

El Dorado produced a big summer under first-year coach Brett Shockley, a longtime Ouachita Baptist assistant coach and former Arkansas Razorbacks’ offensive lineman. The Wildcats got good play from senior quarterback Gavin Jacobs and Christian Williams on offense and Gavin Briggs and Jaylon Dunnton defense;  all-conference performer Justin Hammet delivered on both sides of the ball. This is one of South Arkansas’ top rivalry series, but El Dorado keeps rolling against Magnolia.

Mena at DeQueen: Mena has won 9 consecutive 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.

White Hall at Class 6A SHERIDAN: White Hall has won the Highway 270 trophy 7 of the past 10 years, but Sheridan has won the last 2 meetings, including 58-28 last fall. White Hall eyes a rebound from a 1-9 season. New head coach Jason Mitchell was hired in the spring and takes over a program that has a proven playmaker returning in All-State wide receiver Kel McEntire. The Bulldogs have not won more than 4 games in a season since reaching the state championship game in 2021, so Mitchell and his staff will look to build momentum and get White Hall moving in the right direction again. Sheridan fell behind Camden Fairview 21-7 in last week’s first half before scoring 28 unanswered points to claim a 35-21 lead during the varsity portion before halftime. Yellowjacket QB Easton Barksdale threw for 276 yards and 5 touchdowns, and Parker Mullins scored 3 TDs in his return from a knee injury last season. Hunter Socia blocked well and caught 5 passes. Dylan Smith, who missed spring and fall camp with an injury, started both ways and caught 2 passes and intercepted another.

5A WEST

No. 1 Greenwood at Class 7A BENTONVILLE WEST: This is one of the state’s best Week 0 matchups. Greenwood opens the season in the No. 1 spot in the Farm Bureau Top 20 as former defensive coordinator Jason Gill takes over as head coach. The Bulldogs finished 12-1 last year and advanced to the state championship game, returning 6 starters on offense and 6 on defense. All-State lineman Jackson Cepeda leads an experienced group that also includes 4 returning All-Conference players. Greenwood will have a new quarterback directing the offense, and he has big shoes to fill as he replaces 3-time All-State standout Kane Archer. Even with a change at quarterback and head coach, the Bulldogs return enough proven talent to enter the season with championship expectations. Bentonville West went 8-4 last season, and all 4 losses came to teams that reached at least the semifinals. The Wolverines lost 35-31 at Greenwood in last year’s opener, giving West clear motivation for revenge in 2026. The Wolverines have enough around the quarterback to be dangerous immediately. Junior RB VJ Warren generated almost 1,200 total yards last season and is one of the most explosive players in Northwest Arkansas. Senior WR Ryan Adjam caught almost 900 yards worth of passes and 12 touchdowns, while TE/WR Asher Swoboda caught the game-winning touchdown against North Little Rock in the playoffs. The offensive line should be one of the best in 7A: Keegan Larson, Jaxson Bertschy, Stellan Shelnutt, Joseph Cavness and Brady Betts give Bryan Pratt a veteran group. Defensively, West is loaded with Brison Johnson, Ronan Cryer, Peyton Dodd-Gore, Quentin Lavalais, Hunter Vinson, Ashton Jones and Dane Renick. Jones, a Colorado State commit, had 99 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 2 defensive touchdowns and 3 playoff kickoff-return touchdowns last season. Greenwood is always a heavyweight, and this could easily be a 1-score game again. But West’s defensive star power and home-field edge give the Wolverines the nod.

No. 5 Farmington at CLASS 6A MOUNTAIN HOME: Farmington enters the season ranked No. 5 in the Hooten’s Class 5A rankings under Tommy Tice, who begins his third season with the Cardinals. Farmington finished 9-3 last year and placed second in conference play, with its season ending in a 3-point loss to eventual state champion Elkins in the second round of the playoffs. The Cardinals return 5 offensive starters and 6 on defense. Farmington has plenty of depth and competition throughout the program with roughly 100 players out for football. The Cardinals once again look capable of being a major factor in Class 5A. Mountain Home has won 19 games over the past 2 seasons, its most successful 2-year run since 1987-1988. The Bombers lost their benefit scrimmage 14-10 last week at Marion, but Mountain Home scored first on an Isaac Ballard field goal and trailed 7-3 at halftime after projected starters played the vast majority of the first 2 quarters. Grady Sheehan scored the Mountain Home’s touchdown with about a 60-yard catch-and-run to get the visitors within 14-10. Ford Coleman, Elijah Hillstrom and Nazsier Johnson also delivered big plays for the Bombers. Sophomore quarterback Connor Gentry started and took most of the reps at QB for Mountain Home. The Bombers’ defense played well against Marion, and a similar effort pushes this one to the Bombers at home. 

No. 10 HARRISON at Branson (Mo): Harrison travels across the state line to take on Branson in a matchup between teams that have split their past 2 meetings, with the home team winning each time. The Goblins won last year’s game 34-27 at Harrison after Branson captured the previous meeting at home. Harrison, picked third in the Hooten’s 5A West, begins a new era under head coach Van Paschal and returns 7 starters on offense and 5 on defense. Three All-Conference players are back, including quarterback Gavin Jones, from a team that won 6 games last season and battled Parkview to a close playoff loss. Despite the recent home-field trend in this series, Hooten’s Arkansas Football is picking Harrison to go on the road, get the job done and come back to Arkansas with the win.

Class 6A Russellville at No. 14 MORRILTON: Russellville leads the Battle of I-40 all-time series 59-34-3, but Class 5A Morrilton has won the past 2 games, including 48-35 last season. Morrilton is coming off a 10-win season and continues to trend upward with its win total. The Devil Dogs return All-State wide receiver Champ McNabb along with all-conference offensive tackle Jaylen Dickerson, giving them proven talent on the offensive side of the ball. Morrilton has 4 starters on offense and 4 on defense, including a strong group of linebackers who accounted for a large number of tackles last season. The Devil Dogs made a deep playoff run a year ago before falling to eventual state champion Joe T. Robinson. Morrilton looks poised for another strong season with experienced playmakers returning and momentum building in the program. Russellville quickly learned new schemes in the spring and summer and “competed well at every camp and passing league we have gone to so far,” first-year coach Derek Davis says. “We have had a ton of young men get much better.” All-conference performer Marcellus Olson-Patton lines up at receiver and tailback for Russellville. The Cyclones could start as many as 4 underclassmen on the offensive line this fall. Russellville’s participation is up over the past few years, but it’s still a large gap to close against Morrilton. 

Class 6A VAN BUREN at No. 18 Alma: Van Buren has won 7 of the past 8 meetings in the “Battle for the Bone,” including a dramatic 40-29 win in 2025. Alma has new head coach Jeremie Burns, who moves up from the Airedales’ junior high program. Alma, 4 wins last season, returns 4 starters on offense and 3 on defense, along with 3 returning All-Conference players. One encouraging sign is the number of players in the program: 77 participated during the spring. Alma has a solid foundation to build on. Van Buren surges into 2026 after hosting its first playoff game since 2010 a season ago. The Pointers lost to Class 7A Bentonville in last week’s benefit scrimmage, but the Pointers got good play from Abe Cone, who led all receivers in yards and also intercepted a pass. Jaxson Silvers (6 tackles in 2 varsity quarters) and the Pointers’ special teams performed well with sophomore kicker Trevor Akins.

CLASS 4A ELKINS at Pea Ridge: These teams haven’t played since 2015, with Pea Ridge winning 5 consecutive 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.

Class 3A Mansfield at DARDANELLE: Dardanelle moves up to Class 5A after a 14-1 season that ended with the Sand Lizards as the Class 4A state runner-up. Dardanelle returns 8 starters from last year’s team, including All-State linebacker Breydin Hardy, and will have some new faces stepping into key roles after a special 2025 run. Mansfield comes to Dardanelle after a 14-0 season and the Class 3A state championship. The Tigers return 5 starters on offense, led by All-State standout Jubal Parks, along with 3 returning All-Conference players. This should be one of the more competitive Week 0 matchups, with two programs coming off tremendous seasons, but Hooten’s Arkansas Football is picking Dardanelle a to make the plays late and win a close one at home.

Class 4A Waldron at 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 was a forfeit in 2001). Waldron outscored Class 3A Lavaca 27-13 in its scrimmage game. RB Jaxon Brown (7-77-1 TD), and WR Phisher Brown (2-42-1 TD) played well, along with RB Austin Hudson and Hayden Henry.