Class 4A Picks
Class 4A Rankings
Week 0, 2025
- Dardanelle
- Arkadelphia
- Mills
- Elkins
- Warren
- Southside
- Nashville
- Hamburg
- Malvern
- Highland
- Stuttgart
- Monticello
- Bauxite
- Heber Springs
- Pocahontas
- Gravette
- Clinton
- DeWitt
- Prairie Grove
- Ashdown
Not Ranked:
1-4A: Berryville, Gentry, Green Forest, Huntsville, Lincoln
2-4A: Bald Knob, CAC, Forrest City, Hall Steam, Lonoke, Riverview
3-4A: Blytheville, Gosnell, Jonesboro Westside, Trumann
4-4A: Dover, Lamar, Mena, Ozark, Pottsville, Waldron
7-4A: Fountain Lake, Genoa Central, HG Haskell
8-4A: Crossett, Helena, Star City
HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
Class 5A CAMDEN FAIRVIEW at No. 2 Arkadelphia
Camden Fairview has beaten Arkadelphia 7 of the past 9 meetings, including 40-25 last season. Arkadelphia RBs Blake Moody and Kaden Whitaker played well in the scrimmage game. Junior QB Bryston McCoy passed for 3,122 yards and 46 touchdowns a year ago, and played with poise throughout fall camp. Linebackers Malachi Hamilton (105 tackles in 2024) and Quentavion Morris (111 tackles) both played well in summer team camps.
Camden Fairview scrimmaged Class 7A No. 1 Bryant last week. The Cardinals offensive line played well in the summer, while newcomers at the skilled positions faced a learning curve. “We are breaking in a lot of new skill guys on both sides of the ball,” Camden Fairview Coach Nick Vaughn says. “In our scrimmage, we competed well. But, we must do a better job of getting teams off the field on third down.”
LAST YEAR
Hootens.com correctly predicted 276 of 322 games (86 percent).
WEEK 0 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS and highlighted in orange)
1-4A
Miami (Okla.) at No. 4 ELKINS: Elkins beat Miami by 38 points in last year’s opener on its way to 14 wins and its first appearance in the state championship game. Miami won 8 games last year and finished as conference runner-up.
Class 5A Pea Ridge at No. 16 GRAVETTE: Former Pea Ridge Coach Tony Travis returns to the sidelines this fall (39-38 record from 2009-2015). Gravette’s 20-point win over Pea Ridge last year snapped a 2-game losing streak in the series.
Stilwell, Okla. at GENTRY: Gentry squeaked past Stilwell last fall, 48-45. The Pioneers return QB Talan Williams (1,514 yards, 15 TDs in 7 games last year) and versatile receiver/RB/QB Tylan Owl, who amassed more than 600 yards and 8 TDs). Stilwell went 1-9 a year ago.
Class 3A GREENLAND at Lincoln: Greenland has won 11 of the past 14 in the series against its former conference rival, including last year by 27 points. Former Booneville all-state RB and Southside assistant Brock May takes over as Greenland’s coach. The Pirates lean on RB Myles Cavanaugh, who ran for 105 yards last fall vs. Lincoln.
HOLISTER, Mo. at Green Forest: Holister beat the Tigers 20-14 a year ago. Former Green Forest player Dalton Ewing succeeds Greg Tibbett as Tigers head coach. Tibbett went 11-41 in 5 seasons. Senior WR Gabe Seran (25-275-3 TD last year) sparks Green Forest’s offense. Green Forest QB Ryne Stone and MLB Luis Bathen developed as team leaders in the summer, Ewing says.
LAMAR at Huntsville: Lamar has won 5 consecutive games over Huntsville, including last year by 37 points. Huntsville relies on junior QB Kollin Tucker and senior WR Brett Henderson. Lamar counters with senior Eli Jones at QB, and senior Kaz Crotts at RB/WR.
OPEN Berryville, Prairie Grove
2-4A
Class 3A Osceola at No. 3 MILLS: These teams combined for 21 wins last year (Mills 12, Osceola 9). Mills sophomore QB Elijah Moody accounted for almost 4,000 yards and 44 TDs a year ago, while Osceola senior QB Tyler Bell had more than 1,800 yards and 22 TDs.
No. 14 Heber Springs at POTTSVILLE: Pottsville has won its only 3 meetings against Heber Springs, including last year by 3 points. Heber Springs lost a 2-quarter scrimmage 12-7 to Vilonia last week, with Emmet Dwyer catching a 48-yard TD pass. Eli Buffalo (2 sacks) and free safety Lucas Garcia played well. Pottsville beat Perryville in a scrimmage last week. QB Cort Johnson, FB Kaleb Stancil and slotback Keagen Jones performed well in the scrimmage.
No. 18 DEWITT at Central Arkansas Christian: CAC lost its scrimmage to Bauxite 35-0, while DeWitt rallied to beat Class 2A Cross County 22-20 with a TD pass on the final play. DeWitt LB Travis London blitzed, took away the handoff from Cross County with 22 seconds remaining to set up the TD pass. WR Ray Frye caught 2 TD passes and a 2-point conversion.
No. 6 SOUTHSIDE at Forrest City: Southside’s defense played well in last week’s scrimmage vs. Nettleton. Brayden York caught a TD pass and intercepted a pass, while Blaine Baxter forced a fumble. Forrest City named assistant Brandon Wilkins as interim coach in June.
BALD KNOB at Class 2A Marianna: Bald Knob hasn’t won a game since beating Cave City in Week 9, 2023. Marianna has 1 win in the past 3 seasons.
No. 1 DARDANELLE at Hall Steam: Dardanelle has beaten Hall Steam in the past 3 season openers by a combined 126-21. Anthony Chambers has been promoted to Hall Steam head coach, succeeding Jim Withrow (8-31 record in 4 years). Sand Lizards senior WR Javarious West and junior Korbin Barnes played well in the summer. Dardanelle had 3 returning all-conference players get injured in the summer. WR Bo Rhodes missed 7 weeks with an ankle sprain but practiced this week, while CB Kentrell Diggs (7 interceptions) hopes to return by early October after a hand injury. Junior OG Jake Sandlin tore his ACL on the fifth play of the scrimmage game and will miss the season.
Lonoke at No. 11 STUTTGART: Stuttgart has won 11 of the past 19 over its former conference rival, the past 2 by a combined 20 points. The Ricebirds jumped to a 21-0 second-quarter advantage in its scrimmage vs. White Hall. Junior QB Cain Price passed for 174 yards and 2 TDs; 8 receivers caught passes and senior MLB Demari McKinney stood out on defense.
OPEN Riverview
3-4A
No. 6 SOUTHSIDE at Forrest City: See comment in 2-4A.
Thayer, Mo. at No. 10 HIGHLAND: Thayer won 8 games last year before losing to eventual state runner-up Fair Grove in the playoffs. Highland won 9 games a year ago. Junior QB Austin Christy passed for 289 yards and 3 TDs in Highland’s scrimmage game, while Jimmy Jensen had 128 yards and 1 TD at receiver and returned an interception for a TD. Dakota Niswonger caught 2 TDs.
Class 3A Salem at No. 15 POCAHONTAS: Pocahontas blew a 16-point lead to Salem last year, losing by 2 points. The Greyhounds went on to win the Class 3A state title, while Pocahontas managed 7 wins. Pocahontas scrimmaged Rivercrest last week. Junior RB Xayver Ballard, senior OL Mikey Alphin and senior LB Sadler Jackson played well.
Class 5A Greene Co. Tech at GOSNELL: The Pirates beat GCT by 19 points last season, and return all-state receiver Jai Jacobs (731 yards, 8 TDs last year). Gosnell beat Class 5A Paragould 35-0 in a scrimmage last week. Chris Smith succeeds Lewis Earnest as Gosnell’s coach. Smith compiled a 94-32 record at multiple stops in Tennessee the past decade.
Trumann at Class 5A NETTLETON: Nettleton has won the past 4 meetings, including last season 27-20. Nettleton scrimmaged Southside last week. Nettleton coach Steven Hampton says senior all-state RB Xavier Harrell (1,216 yards, 16 TDs last year), WR Jorden Simmons (705 yards, 10 TDs), DL Ahmad Hurston and LB Damin Coleman (109 tackles) played well in the summer. Former Wynne player and Marion assistant Jake Snyder succeeds Gunner Cook as Trumann’s coach.
OPEN Blytheville, Jonesboro Westside
4-4A
LAMAR at Huntsville: See comment in 1-4A.
No. 1 DARDANELLE at Hall Steam: See comment in 2-4A.
No. 14 Heber Springs at POTTSVILLE: See comment in 2-4A.
HG Haskell at No. 17 CLINTON: Clinton won this matchup by 22 points last year. Haskell is more seasoned this fall with starters back at 21 positions. QB/RB Jahiem Noble played well in Haskell’s scrimmage as did junior middle linebacker Jackson Estes, who had a great summer, Coach Josh Smith says. Clinton easily defeated Riverview in its scrimmage, yielding 63 yards. Sam Standridge returned 2 interceptions for TDs, while Briar Cullum returned a fumble for a TD.
Class 5A De Queen at MENA: Mena has won 13 of the past 24 in the series, including the past 2 by a combined 81-7. Mena QB Tripp Hensley played well over the summer, along with OG/NG Max Rocha and LBs Hunter Mcclara, Ryder House, Jimmy Glenn and Guice Anderson. De Queen coach Richard Bell says that QB Jack Martin enjoyed a solid fall camp, along with DT Jose Flores, LB Rusty Bermeo and S Landon Wise.
Class 5A Clarksville at OZARK: This game was moved to Ozark on Monday due to stadium construction at Clarksville. Ozark has won 17 of the past 24 in the series, including the past 5 by a combined 88 points. The Hillbillies lost at Harrison by 10 points in a scrimmage game last week. Sophomore John Skolarski led the junior high to a conference title last year, and he produced big plays in the summer and scored a TD in the scrimmage.
WALDRON at Class 3A Paris: Paris has won 10 of the past 16 in the series, but Waldron won last year’s opener 27-21. Waldron QB Eli Kluthe enjoyed a good scrimmage (1 rushing TD, 152 yards passing). Senior Sam Ehler led Waldron’s defense with 8.5 tackles in the first half.
DOVER at Class 2A Lavaca: Mark King succeeds Will Cox (6-40 record in 5 years) at Dover. King led Foreman to the 2017 Class 2A state title, then went 31-22 in 5 years at Magnolia. Junior QB Matthew Krentz, junior RB Jacob Robertson and junior slotback Sailor Smith all played well in Dover’s scrimmage game.
7-4A
HG Haskell at No. 17 CLINTON: See comments in 4-4A.
Class 5A CAMDEN FAIRVIEW at No. 2 Arkadelphia: Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week.
No. 9 MALVERN at Class 5A Jacksonville: Malvern lost its scrimmage to Class 6A Sheridan, while Jacksonville lost 27-26 to Class 7A LR Central. Malvern’s offense is in learning mode after the transfer of 3 starters in the spring. Jacksonville’s Mason Ball ran for 141 yards and 3 TDs vs. LR Central, while Matthew Golberry played well at receiver (8-71-1 TD) and DB (7 tackles, 1 interception).
No. 7 Nashville at Class 5A MAGNOLIA: Magnolia beat the Scrappers by 19 points in last year’s opener. Magnolia relies on 8 returning defensive starters this fall, led by senior LBs Chevis Johnson (116 tackles last year) and Carmelo McDonald (108 tackles). Brad Chesshir takes over as Nashville’s coach, succeeding Shawn Jackson (6-5 in only season). The Scrappers scrimmaged Class 5A HS Lakeside last week. QB DJ Jefferson passed for 156 yards and threw a TD pass to Carson Chambers. Mahki Johnson played well at DE.
No. 13 BAUXITE at Class 3A Glen Rose: Bauxite handled CAC 35-0 in its scrimmage game last week behind junior QB Elijah Perry, who missed most of last year with a hip and leg injury.
Senior LB/S Bernie Fox led the defense, while senior S Austin Hastings intercepted a pass. Sophomore QB Sam Combs threw 3 TD passes, junior Emeory Moore ran 75 yards for a TD, and senior Cole Witherington had more than 100 yards receiving.
Class 2A SPRING HILL at Genoa Central: Spring Hill beat Genoa Central by 28 points last year, in its first game back from 8-man football. Jim LeGrand enters his second season at Genoa Central, after the Dragons were helped to a TD or less in 8 games a year ago.
OPEN No. 20 Ashdown, Fountain Lake
8-4A
Lonoke at No. 11 STUTTGART: See comment in 2-4A.
No. 18 DEWITT at Central Arkansas Christian: See comment in 2-4A.
Class 5A GREENBRIER at No. 5 Warren: Greenbrier played well in its scrimmage against Batesville. The Panthers handled Warren 41-34 last season, and will rely on senior RB Enoch Assan (2,003 yards, 22 TDs in 2024) this fall. Warren, which beat McGehee in its scrimmage, counters with a strong running attack, led by senior Antonio Davis (more than 1,200 yards last fall). Lumberjacks QB Jackson Denton, who broke his leg in last year’s opener, returned vs. McGehee, throwing 4 TD passes, including 2 to Tayshawn Edwards.
Class 3A FORDYCE at No. 12 Monticello: These teams have split the past 22 meetings, with Fordyce winning last season 36-16. Fordyce beat Junction City in its scrimmage game last week, while Monticello played well in its scrimmage vs. Rison. Joseph Accelus caught a 66-yard TD pass vs. Rison, while Jayden Rhodes caught a 76-yard touchdown. QB/DB Jackson Hines also played well.
Watson Chapel at Class 4A HELENA: Watson Chapel Coach Steven Heard says the Wildcats made strides in the summer. They won 1 game between 2021-2023, and won 2 games last fall. Helena won 6 games last year after winning 1 game total from 2020-2023.
Crossett at CLASS 3A PRESCOTT: Crossett went winless last year and has posted losing records in 9 of the past 15 years. Charles Moore caught a TD pass in last week’s scrimmage vs. Lake Village, while Braylon Howell ran for 75 yards and 1 TD. JT Barnett led the defense with 8 tackles.
OPEN No. 8 Hamburg, Star City