Class 6A Week 2 Rankings and Selections
WEEK 2, 2026
CLASS 6A RANKINGS
RK.—PV. TEAM (RECORD, WEEK 1 RESULT)
- ↔ 1. BENTON (1-0; idle last week)
- ↔ 2. SEARCY (2-0; beat Class 5A Valley View 56-20)
- ↔ 3. SYLVAN HILLS (2-0; beat Class 5A Maumelle 46-10)
- ↔4. VAN BUREN (2-0; beat Class 7A Springdale 31-24)
- ↔ 5. MOUNTAIN HOME (1-1; beat Class 5A Harrison 28-7)
- ↑ 7. SHERIDAN (2-0; beat Little Rock Southwest 48-0)
- ↓ 6. EL DORADO (2-0; beat Class 5A Camden Fairview 22-6)
- ↔ 8. JONESBORO (2-0; , beat Class 5A Hot Springs Lakeside 31-28)
- ↓ NR. LAKE HAMILTON (1-1; beat Marion 38-27)
- ↑ NR. LR CATHOLIC (1-1; beat John Paul II (Texas) 50-13)
NOT RANKED
6A EAST: Marion (0-2), W. Memphis (0-2)
6A WEST: FS Southside (0-2), Siloam Springs (0-2), LR Southwest (0-2), Russellville (0-2)
LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly picked 8 of 12 games (67 percent) last week involving Class 6A teams and has picked 18 of 28 games (65 percent) involving Class 6A teams in 2026.
WEEK 2 PREDICTIONS (Favored team in ALL CAPS and HIGHLIGHTED IN ORANGE)
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 10 Little Rock Catholic (1-1) at Class 7A CABOT (0-2)
Class 7A Cabot has won the last two meetings with Little Rock Catholic, but the last meeting was a 44-21 decision in 2021.
Little Rock Catholic jumped John Paul II 21-7 after a quarter last week and pulled away to a 50-13 victory in Frisco, Texas. The Rockets rushed 38 times for 286 yards (7.6 yards per carry) and 6 touchdowns, led by QB Philips Blair’s 109 rushing yards with 2 TDs, and 61 yards and 3 scores from 2-way starter Luke Burdine. Little Rock Catholic impressed in all three phases a week ago, and a similar effort could be enough this week, but Cabot wins a close one.
6A EAST
Class 5A No. 5 Hot Springs Lakeside (1-1) at No. 1 BENTON (1-0): Top-ranked Benton took its open date last week after erasing a 42-14 deficit in Week 0 to topple Saline County rival and defending Class 7A state champion Bryant 43-42, Benton’s first victory in the series since winning in 2005. Benton quarterback Chase Cobb fired 4 touchdown passes against Bryant, plus the game-winning 2-point conversion with no time left on the clock to give the Panthers the dramatic victory. Benton must turn the page, but after a week off, the Panthers show why they’re ranked No. 1 in Class 6A this week against last season’s Class 5A runners-up.
No. 3 Sylvan Hills (2-0) at Class 7A No. 6 FAYETTEVILLE (1-1): Sylvan Hills has hardly missed a beat in the transition from Mark Kelley to head coach Trey Schucker, averaging almost 50 points per game through 2 weeks. The Bears rolled 486 total yards a week ago in a 46-10 victory over Class 5A Maumelle after leading 33-3 at halftime. Sylvan Hills QB Caden Burnett completed 21 of 35 passes for 346 yards and 4 touchdowns against Maumelle. Sylvan Hills has its sights set on a second consecutive 6A East title, but Class 7A Fayetteville has too much at every spot this week.
No. 6 SHERIDAN (2-0) at Class 4A Warren (1-1): Class 4A power Warren won the only previous meeting of these schools, 48-14 in the 2007 season opener. Sheridan picked up a 48-0 win over 6A West opponent LR Southwest, Sheridan’s first shutout since 2022. Sheridan led 34-0 at halftime, and the starters only played the first half against Southwest, with Yellowjackets QB Easton Barksdale (14-16-266 passing, 5 TDs; tailback Isaiah Stephens (8-119 rushing, 2 TDs; 3-60 receiving). The Yellowjackets limited the Gryphons to 9 total yards.
Class 5A No. 10 Valley View (1-1) at No. 8 JONESBORO (2-0): This is the first meeting of the schools since 2015, when Jonesboro won 49-20. Jonesboro is 2-0 all-time against Valley View. Jonesboro is 2-0 for the first time since 2019 after limiting Class 5A Hot Springs Lakeside to less than 300 total yards last week in a 31-28 overtime victory on a 28-yard field goal from kicker Alex Glomski. QB C.J. Lovelace passed for 128 yards and rushed for 123 yards against Lakeside. Jonesboro’s balanced offense and stout defense give the Golden Hurricane enough to win this year’s 870 Bowl.
Class 5A Pine Bluff (0-2) at No. 7 EL DORADO (2-0): El Dorado won the last meeting 70-38 en route to the 2021 Class 6A state championship. El Dorado rushed for almost 250 yards a week ago in its 22-6 victory over Class 5A Camden Fairview. Junior tailback Trayden Cook-King (221 rushing yards); Christian Williams (3-27 receiving). El Dorado looks to go 3-0 for the first time since 2017 as its defense is allowing 11 points per game.
Class 5A No. 11 WYNNE (1-1) at unranked W. Memphis (0-2): Class 5A Wynne has won the last 3 meetings with West Memphis, including a 35-13 decision in 2021. West Memphis absorbed its first shutout loss since 2025 a week ago in a 45-0 home defeat to Class 7A Fayetteville. The Blue Devils played the Bulldogs to a scoreless tie after a quarter, but trailed 24-0 at halftime. West Memphis continues to get good play from starting QB Andrew Clay and senior linebacker Carelle Miller. Neither team scored a week ago, but we think Wynne can generate more offense this week to improve to 2-1.
Class 7A No. 5 CONWAY (0-1) at unranked Marion (0-2): Conway has won the 2 previous meetings with Marion, including a 19-0 victory last fall at Marion. Marion fell behind Lake Hamilton 24-0 in the second quarter last week, trailed 31-17 at halftime, and got within 31-27 in the third period before falling 38-27. Senior athlete Kam Riley had almost 300 total yards (126 rushing, 170 receiving) at Lake Hamilton, catching 2 TD tosses from senior QB Ben Bateman, who made his first career varsity start. Senior Brody Wasion kicked field goals from 25 and 31 yards. Marion still expects to make a push for the playoffs once league play begins, but Conway will be ultra-focused after a tight loss last week, and the Pats will get the Wampus Cats’ best shot here.
OPEN No. 2 Searcy (2-0)
6A WEST
No. 10 LR Catholic (1-1) at Class 7A CABOT (0-2): See Game of the Week.
Rolla, Mo. (0-2) at No. 5 MOUNTAIN HOME (1-1): Mountain Home has rolled Rolla the past 2 seasons by a combined score of 87-35. The Mountain Home Bombers topped Class 5A Harrison for the fourth season in a row last week, scoring 28 unanswered points in a 28-7 win at Harrison. The Bombers defense did not allow an offensive touchdown, and the Mountain Home offense got 2 touchdowns from senior playmaker Nazsier Johnson: a 20-yard TD run and a 15-yard fumble return. Kobe Dodson and Saxton Bodenhamer also scored for Mountain Home. Mountain Home looked more like itself a week ago against its oldest rival, and we think the Bombers will keep it rolling this week against Rolla.
Class 5A No. 3 Greenbrier (2-0) at No. 4 VAN BUREN (2-0): Class 5A Greenbrier has won the last 3 meetings, including 48-34 a season ago. Van Buren improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2021 with a 31-24 victory a week ago over Class 7A Springdale. The Pointers rolled up 352 total yards (203 rushing, 149 passing), with tailback Hayden Christenberry rushing for 174 yards and 2 TDs; QB Hayden Williford completed 11 of 17 passes for 149 yards and a TD toss to Abe Cone. Van Buren has impressed over 2 weeks; the home field, plus a stout running game, gives the Pointers the slightest edge in this one.
PRYOR, Okla. (1-1) at unranked FS Southside (0-2): Fort Smith Southside led Sallisaw, Oklahoma 14-7 a week ago after a quarter, before losing 39-28. The Mavericks continue to get good play from QB Michael Nolewajka. Southside’s offense has proven formidable early in 2026, but Pryor’s ability to score gives it an edge this week.
Class 5A No. 9 Jacksonville (2-0) at No. 9 LAKE HAMILTON (1-1): Lake Hamilton has won the past 2 meetings, but the teams have not met since the Wolves won 41-0 in the second round of the 2008 Class 6A playoffs. Lake Hamilton charged out to a 24-0 second-quarter lead and never trailed Marion in a 38-27 home victory. Wolves QB Jace Bohannan (19-30-288 passing, 3 TDs; 105 rushing, 2 TDs) and senior receiver D.J. Wilson (5-157 receiving, TD) led the offense; senior Bo Martin (11 tackles, INT.) and Reese Winston (INT.) stood tall on defense. Lake Hamilton’s offense is explosive and balanced enough to win a shootout.
NR Siloam Springs (0-2) at Class 5A PEA RIDGE (0-2): Siloam Springs has beaten Pea Ridge the past 2 seasons, including 48-7 in 2025. Siloam Springs trailed Pryor (Okla.) 24-0 after a quarter 2 weeks ago en route to a 56-10 defeat. The Panthers rushed 34 times for 212 yards, led by Izael Beleche’s 19 carries for 148 yards. Siloam Springs (7 seniors) fields the youngest Class 6A team, and that inexperience costs them this week away from home.
NR Russellville (0-2) at Class 7A FS NORTHSIDE (1-1): Russellville is 5-3 against Fort Smith Northside since 2002, but the teams have not met since a 27-20 Northside win in 2013. Russellville rushed for almost 300 yards last week, led by Sam Callahan’s 152 yards and 2 TDs, but the Cyclones lost 56-35 to Class 5A Alma (566 total yards). Russellville’s offense has been potent enough in 2026, but Northside is more balanced this week.
NR LR Southwest (0-2) at Class 7A LR CENTRAL (0-2): Little Rock Southwest has won 4 of the 6 meetings against Little Rock Central since it began playing football in 2020. LR Central beat LR Southwest 39-0 a season ago. Little Rock Southwest absorbed a 48-0 home loss last week to Sheridan, surrendering 12 tackles for loss, committing 2 turnovers, and allowing a sack. Sheridan outgained LR Southwest 527-32. Little Rock Southwest is still trying to find its footing this fall under a new staff, and those growing pains are evident this week.