8-Man Week 7 Rankings and Selections
8-Man Rankings
Week 7, 2026
RK.-PV. TEAM (Record; Week 6 result)
- ↔ 1. Corning (6-0; beat Midland 40-0)
- ↔ 2. Cedar Ridge (5-0; did not play)
- ↔ 3. Magazine (5-0; beat South Side 28-6)
- ↔ 4. Strong (2-1; did not play)
- ↔ 5. Izard County (5-1; beat JC Westside 56-6)
- ↑ 7. Lafayette Co (4-1; beat Hermitage 74-32)
- ↓ 6. SS Bee B (4-2; lost to Magazine 28-6)
- ↔ 8. Brinkley (3-1; BYE)
- ↔ 9. Rose Bud (3-3; beat Arkansas Christian 53-16)
- ↑ NR. Woodlawn (3-2; beat Dermott 70-14)
NOT RANKED
WEST: Guy-Perkins (1-4), JC Westside (1-5)
EAST: Marvell (1-3), Midland (2-3), Rector (1-3)
SOUTH: Blevins (0-6), Dermott (0-6), Friendship Aspire (1-6), Hermitage (2-4), Woodlawn (3-2)
UNSANCTIONED: Cave City (4-2)
HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 4 Strong (2-1, 2-0) at No. 10 Woodlawn (3-2, 2-0): This will be the sixth meeting between these teams since the AAA sanctioned 8-Man football in 2021, and Woodlawn leads the series 3-2. Woodlawn has won 2 in a row since losing to Izard County, and all-state senior Ethan Saeler returned from an injury to his throwing shoulder. Saeler now plays running back and played a big part in Woodlawn’s 70-14 win over Dermott last week. Saeler (118 rushing yards, 4 TDs) and senior Griffin Manes (201 rushing yards, 3 TDs). Strong Coach Jason Porter says, “They are a typical Woodlawn squad, physical and well coached. They run the ball extremely well, and they mix enough passes in to keep you honest. We know they are gonna run the ball well; we just have to slow them down some and get stops when we can. We will have to score some points. I know that sounds silly, but it is shaping up to be a high-scoring affair in my opinion.” Strong has been on a tear since its loss to River Oaks, including a 76-22 win over Hermitage. Sophomore Antonio Hicks led the way with 218 rushing yards and 3 TDs; Senior Jamarkus Perkins led on defense with 7.5 tackles. Woodlawn Coach Doug Means says: “Strong is always athletic, and this year is no exception. They have speed and size. We try to understand who their best athlete is on offense and slow him down before he gets started. We cannot miss tackles and must execute on the line on offense so that we can control the ball and time of possession. We’ve had a turnover problem early in the year, and that needs to stop.” Strong’s defense will be the story as it goes up against a nearly fully healthy Woodlawn team that has not been at full power all year. This game also being played at Woodlawn could be a big factor in this one, but Strong’s athleticism and speed gets the best of the Bears in this one.
WEST
Cave City (4-2) at No. 3 MAGAZINE (5-0, 3-0): Magazine stonewalled South Side Bee Branch in a 28-6 victory. Senior Daniel Green had 173 total yards and 2 TDs with an interception on defense. Cave City won its 3rd in a row, beating Guy-Perkins 44-14. Senior Dawson Johnson had 206 total yards and 4 TDs. Magazine’s defense is strong and can dominate.
No. 5 IZARD COUNTY (5-1, 2-0) at Arkansas Christian (3-3, 1-2): Izard County beat JC Westside last Friday 56-6. Sophomore Kane Johnson (13-15-364 passing, 5 TDs, 1 INT) had his best game yet. Rose Bud beat Arkansas Christian 53-16. Junior Owen Pitts rushed for 125 yards; Izard County’s offense will overpower Arkansas Christian.
JC WESTSIDE (2-5, 0-2) at Guy-Perkins (1-4, 0-2): JC Westside lost to Izard County 56-6 last Friday. Guy-Perkins lost to Cave City 44-14. The Rebels’ power run game will go through the Thunderbirds defense.
No. 7 SOUTH SIDE (4-2, 2-1) at No. 9 Rose Bud (3-3, 1-2): South Side’s offense looked human for the first time with a 28-6 loss to Magazine. Senior Caden Mahan (10-16-138 passing, 1 TD, 2 INT) led the way. Rose Bud won on Homecoming, 53-16, against Arkansas Christian. Senior Eli Jordan ran for 134 yards and 3 TDs. South Side’s offense will be tested again on the road against Rose Bud, but it will overpower the Ramblers.
EAST
Midland (2-3, 1-1) at RECTOR (1-3, 0-2): Rector’s game against Brinkley had to be rescheduled because of a miscommunication between Brinkley and the referee crew. Midland lost to Corning last Friday 40-0. Senior Broden Bonzell ran for 59 yards. Rector is off to a rough start, but plays better as the season progresses and the playoffs approach.
No. 8 Brinkley (3-2, 1-1) at No. 2 CEDAR RIDGE (5-0, 1-0): Cedar Ridge was on a bye week last week. Brinkley’s game against Rector was rescheduled because of a miscommunication between Brinkley and the referee crew. Cedar Ridge will continue its undefeated streak this week.
OPEN: Corning, Marvell
SOUTH
FRIENDSHIP ASPIRE (1-6, 1-2) at Dermott (0-6, 0-2): Friendship Aspire broke into the win column last Friday in a 50-42 shootout with Blevins. Rashawd Smith had 275 all-purpose yards and 3 TDs. Dermott lost 70-14 to Woodlawn. Friendship’s athleticism and momentum will carry them into their second win this week.
Blevins (0-6, 0-3) at HERMITAGE (2-4, 1-2): Blevins played its best game to date in a 50-42 loss to Friendship Aspire last week. Steven Phillips had 207 total yards and 2 TDs. Hermitage lost to Lafayette County 74-32. Robin Carroll had 156 total yards and 4 TDs. Hermitage gets a much-needed win this week to help it reach the playoffs.
No. 4 STRONG (2-1, 2-0) at No. 10 Woodlawn (3-2, 2-0). See Hootens.com Game of the Week.
OPEN: Lafayette County