Class 5A Week 9 Rankings and Selections

Published On: October 26, 2026Categories: Featured, High School, News, Rankings and Picks

HOOTENS.COM

2026 Week 9

RK.—PV. TEAM (OVERALL, CONF.; WEEK 8 RESULT)

↔ 1. JOE T. ROBINSON (8-0, 5-0; beat Greenbrier 44-13)
↔ 2. GREENWOOD (6-2, 5-0; beat Pea Ridge 56-7)
↔ 3. JACKSONVILLE (7-1, 4-1; beat Maumelle 64-0)
↔ 4. FARMINGTON (7-1, 4-1; beat Clarksville 38-2)
↑ 6. HS LAKESIDE (6-2, 4-1; beat De Queen 42-7)
↑ 7. LR PARKVIEW (5-3, 3-2; beat Beebe 49-7)
↑ 8. MILLS (7-1, 4-1; beat Vilonia 36-24)
↑ 9. WYNNE (6-2, 5-0; beat Paragould 28-20)
↑ 15. PINE BLUFF (5-3, 4-1; beat Camden Fairview 48-21)
↓ 5. CAMDEN FAIRVIEW (5-3, 4-1; lost to Pine Bluff 48-21)
↑ 18. ALMA (5-3, 3-2; beat Morrilton 27-14)
↑ 13. HARRISON (5-3, 3-2; beat Dardanelle 63-23)
↓ 10. MORRILTON (5-3, 2-3; lost to Alma 27-14)
↔ 14. HARDING ACADEMY (4-4, 4-1; beat Nettleton 45-20)
↑ 16. ARKANSAS HIGH (4-4, 3-2; beat Hot Springs 52-28)
↑ 19. BATESVILLE (5-3, 3-2; beat Brookland 35-20)
↓ 11. GREENBRIER (3-5, 1-4; lost to Joe T. Robinson 44-13)
↓ 12. NETTLETON (5-3, 4-1; lost to Harding Academy 45-20)
↑ NR. VALLEY VIEW (4-4, 2-3; beat Greene County Tech 27-6)
↓ 17. PEA RIDGE (3-5, 2-3; lost to Greenwood 56-7)

Dropped out: Brookland (previously No. 20).

NOT RANKED

5A EAST: Brookland (3-5, 1-4); Greene County Tech (3-5, 1-4); Paragould (2-6, 0-5).

5A CENTRAL: Beebe (1-7, 1-4); Maumelle (2-6, 1-4); Vilonia (2-6, 1-4).

5A SOUTH: De Queen (1-7, 0-5); Hot Springs (2-6, 2-3); Magnolia (0-8, 0-5); White Hall (3-5, 3-2).

5A WEST: Clarksville (0-8, 0-5); Dardanelle (2-6, 1-4).

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 7 Mills (7-1, 4-1) at No. 3 JACKSONVILLE (7-1, 4-1):

No. 3 Jacksonville and No. 7 Mills meet with matching records and a chance to remain 1 game behind unbeaten No. 1 Joe T. Robinson in the 5A Central. Both have lost to Robinson, making this a head-to-head opportunity crucial for playoff seeding. Jacksonville has won 4 consecutive games, scoring 204 points during that stretch. Mills has won 3 in a row, but needed fourth-quarter rallies against Greenbrier and Vilonia. Jacksonville quarterback Kingston Burnett (10-13-200 passing, 5 TDs) was efficient in last week’s 64-0 victory over Maumelle. Mason Ball (9-146-2 rushing) and Jaiden Hicks (5-129-3 receiving) combined to score 5 TDs. Ball has rushed for 608 yards and 11 touchdowns over the past 3 games. Mills must slow that running game without leaving Hicks and Jacksonville’s other receivers isolated downfield. The Comets answered a 24-21 fourth-quarter deficit against Vilonia with Kenneth “KJ” Gilcreast‘s 20-yard touchdown pass to DaKing Warren with 3:10 remaining. Warren intercepted Vilonia’s final scoring threat in a 36-24 win. Gilcreast threw 2 touchdown passes, scored a rushing touchdown, and converted 2 successful 2-point runs. Alan Hall returned an onside kickoff for a touchdown to open the second half. Mills’ ability to score through the air, on the ground, and on special teams makes the Comets dangerous even when trailing. Jacksonville must make Gilcreast finish drives rather than allowing broken plays or return opportunities to change the game. The Titans’ recent offensive balance, last week’s shutout win, and home field give Jacksonville the edge.

PLAYOFF PICTURE: Mills has clinched a playoff berth and will get the No. 1 or 2 seed if it wins its final 2; losing both leaves it at No. 4. A sweep earns the title only if Robinson loses both; otherwise, Mills would be No. 2. Jacksonville has clinched a playoff berth. Winning both remaining games puts them at No. 1 or 2; losing both leaves them at 3 or 4. A sweep earns the title only if Robinson loses both remaining games; otherwise Jacksonville would be second.

5A EAST

No. 16 BATESVILLE (5-3, 3-2) at Greene County Tech (3-5, 1-4): Batesville regained its footing with a 35-20 victory over Brookland after losing 45-10 at Wynne. Kendall Johnson scored 3 touchdowns, and Gabe Bledsoe added 2 against the Bearcats. The Pioneers also stopped a fourth-quarter possession after Brookland recovered a fumble while trailing 28-20. Greene County Tech has scored 6 points in each of its past 2 games, losses to Nettleton and Valley View. Davontae Williams scored on a 5-yard run against Valley View, but the Eagles did not reach the end zone until the fourth quarter. Tech must stay ahead of the chains and keep Johnson from supplying another multi-touchdown night. Batesville’s more productive offense earns the pick.

PLAYOFF PICTURE: Batesville has not yet clinched a berth, but winning both of its remaining games puts it at Nos. 2–4; losing both eliminates it. A Week 10 win over Valley View guarantees a berth. A win over Tech also clinches if Nettleton beats Valley View this week; other split scenarios can require a tiebreaker. Greene County Tech is mathematically eliminated, even if they win both remaining games.

Paragould (2-6, 0-5) at BROOKLAND (3-5, 1-4): Paragould has lost 5 consecutive conference games, but the Rams pushed unbeaten conference leader Wynne before losing 28-20. Zack Flowers threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Tucker Jackson, and Flowers added a 3-yard scoring run; Dillion Burgess also scored from 3 yards. Brookland lost 35-20 at Batesville despite 105 rushing yards and a touchdown from Nick Bates, who also caught 4 passes for 67 yards and scored. Cole Escue added 104 rushing yards. Brookland must finish possessions after producing 2 100-yard rushers without winning last week. Paragould needs more defensive stops after allowing at least 28 points in every conference game. Brookland’s running game and home-field advantage give the Bearcats a slight edge.

PLAYOFF PICTURE: Paragould is mathematically eliminated, even if it wins both remaining games. Brookland has not yet clinched a playoff berth. Winning both remaining conference games could earn it a No. 4 seed, but it wouldn’t guarantee a berth; losing both eliminates Brookland. It must win both, beat Batesville, and have Greene County Tech lose to Paragould, and have Valley View lose to Nettleton but beat Batesville. That creates a 3-way tie for fourth with Batesville and Valley View. Brookland then needs at least 10 combined capped victory-margin points in its last 2 games: exactly 10 leaves a point tie, while 11 or more puts Brookland in the decisive head-to-head with Valley View.

No. 14 Harding Academy (4-4, 4-1) at No. 8 Wynne (6-2, 5-0): Harding Academy can tie Wynne atop the 5A East after ending Nettleton’s 5-game winning streak with a 45-20 win. The Wildcats have scored 103 points total in consecutive wins. Wynne has won 5 conference games by a combined 180-70, including last week’s 28-20 win at Paragould. Caden Crawford rushed for 151 yards and 3 touchdowns; Ashton McDaniel added 93 rushing yards and a score. Noah Steward and Carson Stovall made 12 tackles apiece. Harding Academy quarterback Krews Wray can challenge that defense as a runner and passer. Wynne gets the nod on its home field, but its defense must handle a Wildcats offense that has topped 40 points in consecutive games.

PLAYOFF PICTURE: Harding Academy has clinched a playoff berth. Winning both remaining games makes it a No. 1 seed; losing both puts them as high as No. 2 or as low as No. 4. Winning both guarantees the conference title. A split leaves the seed dependent on which game they win and the Wynne-Nettleton result. Wynne has clinched a playoff berth, and 2 more wins put it as a No. 1 seed; losing both leaves it at 2 or 3. Winning both guarantees the title. Even if Nettleton beats Harding Academy, it doesn’t guarantee first if Nettleton also wins both remaining games; the Week 10 head-to-head would then decide it.

No. 18 NETTLETON (5-3, 4-1) at No. 19 Valley View (4-4, 2-3): Nettleton must recover from a 45-20 loss to Harding Academy that knocked the Raiders out of a first-place tie. Valley View ended a 3-game slide with a 27-6 win over Greene County Tech. Trent Dunham scored on runs of 16 and 62 yards, and Sonny Williams intercepted a pass and broke up another on third down. The Blazers scored all 4 touchdowns on the ground and held Tech scoreless until the fourth quarter. Nettleton’s Calmarre Harrell scored twice in the fourth quarter against Tech on Oct. 16. Valley View needs another disciplined run defense; Nettleton must stop Dunham’s long gains. The Raiders’ 4 conference victories give them a narrow edge, but the Blazers’ defensive improvement makes this a difficult road assignment.

PLAYOFF PICTURE: Nettleton has clinched a playoff berth, but it could finish anywhere from No. 1 to No. 4, depending on the final weeks. Winning both puts them at Nos. 1–2; losing both leaves them at Nos. 3–4; if Harding Academy wins both, it would take the title ahead of Nettleton on head-to-head. Valley View has not yet clinched a berth. Two wins could make it the No. 3 or No. 4 seed, but would not guarantee a berth; losing both games eliminates them. They must beat Batesville in Week 10, and either beat Nettleton or have Tech beat Batesville. Winning both reaches at least a fourth-place tie, but a multi-team tiebreaker can still keep the Blazers out.

5A CENTRAL

No. 1 JOE T. ROBINSON (8-0, 5-0) at Beebe (1-7, 1-4): Robinson remained unbeaten with a 44-13 win at Greenbrier, rebounding defensively after allowing Parkview 49 points the previous week. The Senators have outscored five conference opponents 222-103 and already beat their closest pursuers, Jacksonville and Mills. Beebe has lost 4 in a row since its conference-opening win over Vilonia, including last Thursday’s 49-7 loss to Parkview. The Badgers need sustained possessions and fewer short fields against a Robinson offense averaging 45.8 points. Robinson totaled 383 yards — 292 rushing and 91 passing — in its victory over Greenbrier. Charles Petty (11-144-3 rushing; 1-11 receiving), Dallas Bledsoe (14-126-2 rushing; 2-14-1 receiving) and Reece Simpson (10-13-83 passing, TD; 2-24 rushing) all contributed. Robinson’s consistency and ability to separate early make the Senators the clear choice.

PLAYOFF PICTURE: Joe T. Robinson has clinched a playoff berth and will be a No. 1 seed with 2 more wins; losing both leaves them at either 1 or 2. One more victory clinches the No. 1 seed. Losing both opens the door for the Mills-Jacksonville winner to take the title by winning in Week 10. Beebe is mathematically eliminated.

No. 17 GREENBRIER (3-5, 1-4) at Maumelle (2-6, 1-4): Both teams need a response after decisive losses. Greenbrier fell 44-13 to Robinson, and Maumelle lost 64-0 to Jacksonville after beating Beebe the previous week. Greenbrier has lost 3 in a row, but its offense produced 35 points against Mills on Oct. 16. Trendon Moseley caught 2 touchdown passes from Tyler Hart in that game, and Ashyr Crow ran for 2 scores. Maumelle quarterback Levi Warrior threw 3 touchdown passes against Parkview on Oct. 8, giving the Hornets a passing option if they can protect him. Greenbrier must turn its offensive production into a complete game after allowing 152 points during its 3-game skid. The Panthers’ scoring potential gives them the edge against a Maumelle defense allowing 42.1 points per game.

PLAYOFF PICTURE: Greenbrier is mathematically eliminated, even if it wins both remaining games. Maumelle is mathematically eliminated, even if they win both remaining games.

No. 7 Mills (7-1, 4-1) at No. 3 JACKSONVILLE (7-1, 4-1). See Hootens.com Game of the Week.

No. 6 LR PARKVIEW (5-3, 3-2) at Vilonia (2-6, 1-4): Parkview has scored 160 points in its past 3 games, including last Thursday’s 49-7 victory over Beebe. The Patriots’ 2 conference losses came by a combined 5 points against Jacksonville and Robinson. Vilonia led Mills 17-13 at halftime and 24-21 in the fourth quarter before losing 36-24. Cooper Hanson ran for all 3 Eagles touchdowns, and Luke Robinson added a 30-yard field goal. Vilonia must finish late possessions after an interception ended its final scoring threat at Mills. Parkview’s Sadiq Goji and Elijah Moody combined for 5 first-half rushing touchdowns against Maumelle on Oct. 8.

PLAYOFF PICTURE: LR Parkview has not yet clinched a berth. Winning both remaining games puts the Patriots anywhere from 2 to 4; losing both leaves them fourth or out. One win, or any Vilonia loss, clinches a berth. Losing both leaves Parkview vulnerable to Vilonia and a possible 3-team tiebreaker involving Beebe. Vilonia has not yet clinched a berth. Winning both could earn it a No. 4 seed, but it wouldn’t guarantee a berth; losing both eliminates it. Vilonia must beat Parkview and Greenbrier and have Mills beat Parkview. A 3-way tie with Parkview and Beebe brings capped winning-margin points into play; without that triangle, Vilonia wins the fourth-place head-to-head or mini-conference tiebreaker.

5A SOUTH

No. 15 Arkansas High (4-4, 3-2) at No. 9 PINE BLUFF (5-3, 4-1): Pine Bluff created a 3-way tie for the South lead by beating Camden Fairview 48-21. Rayshun Reed scored on a kickoff return, a reception, and a fumble return; Kyeran Culclager caught 3 touchdown passes from Jamar Morrow. Janaveyon Willis supplied an interception-return touchdown. Arkansas High has totaled 100 points in consecutive victories over White Hall and Hot Springs, including last week’s 52-28 win. The Razorbacks can pull even with Pine Bluff in conference play, but they must avoid the short fields and return scores that helped the Zebras build a 21-0 first-quarter lead at Fairview. Pine Bluff gets the home-field nod after last week’s complete performance.

PLAYOFF PICTURE:

Arkansas High has not yet clinched a berth, and the outcomes remain wide open. Winning both remaining games guarantees a berth and puts it anywhere from 1 to 4; losing both would leave it fourth or eliminate them. If they lose both, Arkansas High’s remaining path is White Hall losing both and Hot Springs failing to win both; Arkansas High owns the relevant head-to-head wins. Pine Bluff has not yet clinched a berth. Winning both remaining games puts it anywhere from No. 1 to No. 4; losing both could leave the Zebras third, fourth, or out. Winning both guarantees a berth.

No. 10 CAMDEN FAIRVIEW (5-3, 4-1) at Hot Springs (2-6, 2-3): Camden Fairview remains tied for first despite a 48-21 loss to Pine Bluff, but the Cardinals have allowed 129 points in their past 3 games. Pine Bluff scored on the opening kickoff and added 2 defensive touchdowns, putting Fairview behind before its offense settled. Brodie Dow threw third-quarter touchdown passes to Aaden Evans and Calvin Morris, and Demarion Robinson added a rushing touchdown. Hot Springs had won 2 consecutive 3-point games before falling 52-28 at Arkansas High. The Trojans have scored 98 points in 3 weeks and can test a defense still looking for stops. Fairview is the choice, provided it protects the football and avoids another early special-teams breakdown.

PLAYOFF PICTURE: Camden Fairview has not yet clinched a berth. Winning both puts them at Nos. 1–3; losing both could leave them third, fourth or out. Winning both guarantees a berth but not the title because Lakeside and Pine Bluff can also finish 6-1. Beating White Hall in Week 10 guarantees qualification; a win at Hot Springs alone can still leave a multi-team tiebreaker. Hot Springs has not yet clinched a berth. Winning both could earn the No. 3 or No. 4 seed, but would not guarantee a berth; losing both eliminates them. They must beat both Fairview and Lakeside and still need help: either Arkansas High loses both, or White Hall wins both and either Arkansas High beats De Queen or Pine Bluff beats Magnolia. One win is not enough for Hot Springs.

MAGNOLIA (0-8, 0-5) at De Queen (1-7, 0-5): One team will earn its first conference victory. Magnolia has lost its past 3 games by a combined eight points, most recently 42-41 to White Hall as the Panthers scored 121 points during that stretch without winning. De Queen also has endured close losses, falling in overtime at Hot Springs and by 4 points to Camden Fairview before last week’s 42-7 loss at Lakeside. The Leopards need to get back to scoring after scoring 31 and 34 points in their previous 2 games. Magnolia’s recent scoring makes the Panthers a narrow choice, but both defenses must improve. Avoiding the late mistake that has decided so many of their recent games will be essential.

PLAYOFF PICTURE: Magnolia and De Queen are mathematically eliminated, even if either wins both remaining games.

No. 5 HS LAKESIDE (6-2, 4-1) at White Hall (3-5, 3-2): Lakeside has won 4 consecutive games, allowing a combined 38 points, and shares first place with Camden Fairview and Pine Bluff. The Rams followed their 22-7 win at Pine Bluff with a 42-7 victory over De Queen. They gained 448 yards—326 rushing and 122 passing—in the 42-7 win over De Queen. James Hall (6-7-122 passing, 2 TDs; 4-46-2 rushing) leads the offense, along with Peter Ohman (6-110-1 rushing); Rahshaamon Moore (53 rushing yards; 2-61-1 receiving), Quardarius Jackson (4-60-1 receiving), Terrance Turner (4-62 rushing); Dallas Hecke (3-43 rushing), and Logan Polczynski (TD run). White Hall ended a 2-game losing streak with a 42-41 win over Magnolia, but has allowed 130 points in its past 3 games. Receiver Kel McEntire caught 5 passes for 94 yards against Pine Bluff on Oct. 9. The Rams’ recent defensive effort makes them the choice.

PLAYOFF PICTURE: HS Lakeside has not yet clinched a berth. Winning both remaining games puts it at either No. 1 or 2; losing both could leave them second, third, fourth or out. Winning both guarantees a top-2 seed. Beating White Hall this week clinches a berth; a Week 10 win alone can still leave a multi-team tiebreaker. White Hall must win both remaining games to finish anywhere from 1 to 4; losing both eliminates it.

5A WEST

No. 12 Harrison (5-3, 3-2) at No. 11 ALMA (5-3, 3-2): Both teams arrive with momentum and matching records. Harrison has won 3 in a row, scoring 171 points against Clarksville, Pea Ridge and Dardanelle. Alma has allowed 17 points in consecutive wins over Dardanelle and Morrilton. Hudson Loughridge caught 3 touchdown passes from Jay Lemieux in the Airedales’ 27-14 win at Morrilton; his first 2 scores came on fourth-down plays. Dallas Perkins added a 58-yard touchdown run, and Izaac Plourde intercepted a pass. Harrison’s 63-23 win over Dardanelle gives the Goblins another reason to trust the offense, but Alma’s defense is playing considerably better than Harrison’s recent opponents. Alma gets a narrow home-field nod in a matchup with significant implications for the West standings.

Playoff picture: Harrison has not yet clinched a berth. Two wins would put the Goblins at 2 or 3; losing both would leave them fourth or eliminate them. Alma has not yet clinched a berth, and winning its final 2 games puts it anywhere from 1–3; losing both would leave it fourth or eliminate it. Beating Harrison is the more direct route for Alma but does not clinch under every other-result combination.

Clarksville (0-8, 0-5) at No. 2 GREENWOOD (6-2, 5-0): Greenwood has won 6 in a row and outscored its 5 conference opponents 248-51. Cruz Coatney completed 16 of 19 passes for 173 yards and 4 touchdowns in last week’s 56-7 win at Pea Ridge. Mario Dunbar scored on runs of 6 and 61 yards, and Rodney Wirth returned a blocked punt 15 yards for a touchdown. Greenwood’s defense kept Pea Ridge’s offense out of the end zone. Clarksville lost 38-2 at Farmington and has scored 25 points in 5 conference games. The Panthers must sustain possessions and avoid the early special-teams mistakes that helped Greenwood build a 21-0 first-quarter lead last week. The Bulldogs are the clear selection.

PLAYOFF PICTURE: Clarksville is mathematically eliminated; Greenwood has clinched a playoff berth, and winning its final 2 conference games will leave it as a No. 1 seed. One more win clinches the conference title. Losing both can leave Greenwood first, second or third, depending on Farmington and Alma.

No. 4 FARMINGTON (7-1, 4-1) at Dardanelle (2-6, 1-4): Farmington rebounded from its first loss with a 38-2 victory over Clarksville and remains a game behind Greenwood. Dardanelle has lost 4 consecutive games, allowing 178 points, and fell 63-23 at Harrison last week. Farmington quarterback Slade Norwood threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jett Pierce against Greenwood on Oct. 16, and Tucker Wood added a 57-yard scoring reception. Dardanelle rushed for 137 yards in its 63–23 Week 8 loss to Harrison. Kam Olson (5-13-97 passing, TD), CJ Cursh (69 passing, 58 rushing), Brayden Mans (2-81-1 receiving) and Jayvon Chaten (4-61 receiving; 13-yard TD run). Dardanelle needs to turn rushing gains into sustained scoring drives. Farmington’s more consistent offense and defense give the Cardinals the advantage.

PLAYOFF PICTURE: Farmington has not yet clinched a berth: Winning both remaining games puts it at either 1 or 2; losing both could leave it second, third, fourth or out. One win guarantees a berth and at least the No. 3 seed. A sweep earns first or second, with first requiring Greenwood to lose both remaining games. Dardanelle could earn the No. 4 seed by winning its final 2, but that path requires wins of at least 13 points over Farmington and Clarksville, plus Harrison beating Alma and Morrilton, Greenwood beating Alma, and Pea Ridge beating Morrilton by at least 13 before losing to Farmington. That would tie Dardanelle, Alma, and Pea Ridge at 3-4 with 39 tiebreak points apiece; an AAA-supervised coin toss would leave Dardanelle and Pea Ridge, and Dardanelle’s head-to-head win would decide fourth.

No. 20 Pea Ridge (3-5, 2-3) at No. 13 MORRILTON (5-3, 2-3): Both teams need to recover after losses and can gain a valuable head-to-head result. Morrilton fell 27-14 to Alma despite Dalton Shirley‘s 100 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Champ McNabb caught 10 passes for 114 yards, setting a new school record with 205 career receptions. Pea Ridge has allowed 108 poprints in consecutive losses to Harrison and Greenwood; its only touchdown against Greenwood came on an interception return. The Blackhawks need the offensive production Rhett Hargiss and Isaiah Cruz provided when they combined for 5 touchdowns against Alma on Oct. 9.

PLAYOFF PICTURE: Pea Ridge hasn’t clinched a berth yet, but 2 wins could earn it a seed anywhere from No. 2 through No. 4. Those 2 wins wouldn’t guarantee a berth; losing both would eliminate it. Winning both, plus a Harrison win over Alma, guarantees a berth; without that help, even a sweep can leave Pea Ridge outside the top 4 via a multi-team tiebreaker. Morrilton can end up as a 3 or 4 seed, but has not yet clinched a berth. The Devil Dogs need at least 1 win. A sweep guarantees a berth if Alma loses to Greenwood or beats Harrison; otherwise, Morrilton can still be caught in a multi-team tiebreaker.