Class 4A Week 9 Rankings and Selections

Class 4A Rankings

Week 9, 2025

      1. ↔ 1. Dardanelle (8-0, beat Ozark 31-28)

2. ↔ 2. Elkins (7-1, beat Green Forest 42-7)
3. ↔ 3. Nashville (6-2, beat HG Haskell 35-10)
4. ↔ 4. Arkadelphia (7-1, beat Ashdown 65-6)
5.  ↑  6. Hamburg (7-1, beat Star City 63-14)
6.  ↑  8. Stuttgart (8-0, beat Warren 59-55)
7.  ↑  12. Gosnell (9-0, beat Southside 29-16)
8.  ↓  7.  Warren (5-3, lost at Stuttgart 59-55)
9. ↔ 9.  Clinton (7-1, beat Waldron 49-0)
10. ↔ 10. Bauxite (6-2, beat Genoa Central 48-0)
11.  ↓   5.  Southside (7-1, lost to Gosnell 29-16)
12. ↔ 12. Ozark (6-2, lost to Dardanelle 31-28)
13. ↔ 13. Mills (7-1, beat Hall Steam 49-0)
14. ↔ 14. Gravette (7-1, beat Prairie Grove 17-6)
15. ↔ 15. Lonoke (6-2, beat Heber Springs 27-6)
16. ↔ 16. Blytheville (5-2, beat Trumann 56-24)
17. ↑  18. Pottsville (5-3, beat Lamar 41-28)
18. ↑  20. Mena (6-2, beat Dover 42-7)
19. ↑  NR. Gentry (7-1, beat Berryville 48-7)
20. ↑   NR. Monticello (3-5, beat Helena 26-6)

Not Ranked

1-4A: Berryville (3-5), Green Forest (3-5), Huntsville (3-5), Lincoln (2-6), Prairie Grove (3-5)

2-4A: Bald Knob (1-7), CAC (3-5), Forrest City (4-4), Hall Steam (0-8), Heber Springs (4-4), Riverview (1-7)

3-4A: Highland (3-5), Jonesboro Westside (1-6), Pocahontas (4-3), Trumann (2-6)

4-4A: Dover (0-8), Lamar (3-5), Waldron (0-8)

7-4A: Ashdown (1-7), Fountain Lake (4-4), Genoa Central (1-7), HG Haskell (4-4), Malvern (4-4)

8-4A: Crossett (2-6), DeWitt (4-4), Helena (4-4), Star City (0-8)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 2 ELKINS (7-1, 5-0) at No. 14 Gravette (7-1, 5-0)

The winner earns at least a share of the 1-4A title and a No. 1 playoff seed. Elkins has won all 5 of its conference games vs. Gravette, including last year 35-21.

Elkins totaled 440 yards in last week’s 42-7 win over Green Forest. Backup QB Austin Born, filling in for injured QB Cody Napier, passed for 195 yards and a TD,  with an eye on receivers  Trey Ryan (3-47-1 TD), Isaiah Haywood (3-56) and Treyton Whittle (3-52). Senior Connor Hamm ran 14 times for 148 yards.  Senior LB SR Williams (7 tackles) and junior LB Cason Roten (6 tackles) were the top defensive performers.

Gravette positioned itself for a run at the top with last week’s 17-6 victory at Prairie Grove. Senior Cameron Bedwell (3-7-60 yards) and junior Hudson Harris (2-5-15) split QB snaps, mostly managing the game behind strong running from junior RB Joseph Beem (27-158-2 TDs). Sophomore Jack Grimes (13 tackles) and brothers Logan Wolf and Austin Wolf (9 tackles) led on defense. Junior Brody Bohannon hit a 22-yard field goal and both extra points.

 LAST WEEK

Hootens.com correctly predicted 21 of 24 games (88 percent) and has picked 213 of 248 games (86 percent) for the season.

 WEEK 9 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS and highlighted)

1-4A

No. 2 ELKINS (7-1, 5-0) at Gravette (7-1, 5-0): See Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week, above. 

PRAIRIE GROVE (3-5, 3-2) at No. 19 Gentry (7-1, 4-1): Prairie Grove has won 18 of the past 23 over Gentry, but Gentry won 34-31 last fall. Prairie Grove RB Blake Coughran ran 4 yards for a TD in last week’s 17-6 loss to Gravette. An apparent second TD in the fourth quarter, which would have pulled the Tigers within 5 points, was negated by penalty. Gentry senior QB Talan Williams passed for 304 yards and 3 TDs in last week’s 48-7 win at Berryville. Titus Cable caught 2 TDs and the Pioneers ran for 4 TDs. Gentry’s defense forced 7 turnovers, including 2 interceptions by CJ Bolinger and 1 INT by Titus Cable.

HUNTSVILLE (3-5, 2-3) at Green Forest (3-5, 1-4): The winner likely gets the No. 5 playoff seed. Huntsville has won 8 of the past 10 meetings, but Green Forest locked up a playoff spot last year with a 21-13 victory. Improved Huntsville, which won 1 game the 2 previous years, has 3 wins so far this season) and beat Lincoln last week by 35 points. Green Forest was held to 70 yards rushing in last week’s 35-point loss at Elkins.

 Berryville (3-5, 0-5) at LINCOLN (2-6, 0-5): Lincoln has beaten Berryville 12 of the past 16 meetings, including last year 56-13. Lincoln has lost its 5 conference games by a total of 271-94; Berryville has been outscored 259-50 in its 5 conference losses.

 2-4A

Forrest City (4-4, 3-2) at HEBER SPRINGS (4-4, 4-1): Heber Springs beat Forrest City 49-46 last year (first meeting between the programs) to secure a home playoff game. The Panthers can finish anywhere from  the No. 1 and No. 4 seed this fall, depending on the final 2 weeks after last week’s 27-6 loss to Lonoke. The Panthers stalled on 3 drives inside the red zone that produced zero points. “That was the difference in the game,” Coach Caleb Carmikle says. Seth Dudeck led the Panthers’ receivers with 5 catches for 148 yards. Josiah Riggs returned a fumble 56 yards for a TD, while Dyce Young made 15 tackles, including 3 TFL and 1 sack. Forrest City blasted Riverview last week 76-0, and the Mustangs have won their past 2 games by a combined 130-8.

 No. 15 LONOKE (6-2, 5-0) at Hall Steam (0-8, 0-5): Lonoke beat Heber Springs 27-6 last week and plays Mills next week for a shot at the conference title and No. 1 playoff seed. Junior Ryder Ingle rushed for 172 yards and 3 TDs, made 4 tackles and averaged 37 yards per punt. Junior D’Mareon Eason had 75 yards, made 5 tackles and 1 interception; Jonathan Hixson forced a fumble for a TD and registered 6 tackles, including 3 sacks. Hall Steam has scored 12 points this season.

Central Arkansas Christian (3-5, 3-2) at No. 13 MILLS (7-1, 4-1): Mills still has hope for the No. 1 playoff seed and a share of the conference title after last week’s 49-0 win over Hall Steam. The Comets have won 3 consecutive conference games (by a combined 153-32) since losing to Heber Springs 17-14 in Week 4. CAC assured itself a playoff spot with last week’s 35-8 win over Bald Knob. Sophomores Jackson Plumlee (4-6-85 yards passing; 8-130-3 TDs rushing) and Cooper Moseley (5-11-60 yards passing) split time at QB. Senior LB Damian Wicker (7 tackles, 1 sack), junior LB Andrew Lowe (8 tackles and 1 interception return for a TD) and junior DL Jackson Allen (7 tackles, including 2 sacks) were the top contributors on defense.

BALD KNOB (1-7, 0-5) at Riverview (1-7, 1-4) : Riverview has won 7 of the past 12 meetings with Bald Knob, including last season 27-16. Riverview has been outscored 418-19 this season, beating Hall Steam 13-0 in Week 4. Bald Knob has been outscored 310-81 this season and beat Class 2A Marianna 20-14 in the opener.

 3-4A

SOUTHSIDE (7-1, 4-1) at Trumann (2-6, 1-4): Southside gained more than 500 yards and led Gosnell in the fourth quarter last week before losing 29-16. Seniors Owen McLaughlin (33-197 rushing) and Braden Simpson (47 yards rushing and 1 TD, 75 yards receiving) carried the offense, with Simpson seeing extensive offensive action for the first time this year . DBs Trey Allen and Brayden York each made interceptions. This is Trumann’s final conference game because Week 10’s scheduled opponent, Cave City, dropped to 8-man before the season started.  Senior Gavin Cubit (25-186 rushing, TD; 4-70 receiving, TD) and junior Drake Harlow (170 passing yards, TD; rushing TD) in a 56-26 loss at Blytheville.

Jonesboro Westside (1-6, 0-4) at HIGHLAND (3-5, 1-3): Jonesboro Westside has lost its 4 conference games by an average of 41-11. Highland has dropped 3 consecutive games, including last week’s 28-20 nonconference setback at Marshfield, Mo. QB Isaac Hilton passed for 240 yards and 1 TD at Marshfield, and Dakota Niswonger caught 14 passes for 155 yards. Cole Boyer and Will Munroe each had 12 tackles. 

Pocahontas (4-3, 2-2) at No. 16 BLYTHEVILLE (5-2, 3-1): Blytheville can finish as the No. 2 seed if it wins out. Senior Courtney Rogers (8-144 rushing, 3 TDs) led the way in last week’s 56-26 win over Trumann and senior Johmire Guyton (4-75 receiving, TD; 44-yard pass completion on trick play) contributed. Junior DB Joshua Holton led the defense with 9 tackles and 1 fumble recovery. Pocahontas will finish  anywhere between the No. 3 and No. 5 seed in the conference, depending on the final 2 games. QB Spencer James passed for 161 yards and 2 TDs in last week’s 38-14 win at Jonesboro Westside. Brendyn Arnold (7-93 receiving, TD); Xavyer Ballard (90 rushing, 3 TDs) and Ryder Baltz (8 tackles) were significant contributors.

OPEN Gosnell (9-0, 5-0)

4-4A

No. 17 Pottsville (5-3, 3-2) at No. 1 DARDANELLE (8-0, 5-0): Dardanelle has trailed at halftime the past 2 weeks (down 21-7 at Lamar in Week 7 and 22-9 at Ozark last week) before rallying in both games. Senior Creed Vega ran for 3 second-half TDs, including the game-winner from 66 yards in the fourth quarter. Vega (26-294 rushing, 2 2-point conversions; 58 passing yards; 9 tackles, fumble). Kam Olson had a team-best 16 tackles, while Breydin Hardy finished with 15 tackles, including 1 sack. DL Paden Davis had 14 stops, including 3 TFL; Charlie Poteete had 10 tackles and 1 forced fumble; and Kentrell Diggs returned an interception 70 yards for a TD and recovered a fumble. Pottsville beat Lamar 41-28 last week.

No. 12 OZARK (6-2, 4-1) at Lamar (3-5, 1-4): Ozark plays Clinton next week for the No. 2 playoff seed after losing to Dardanelle 31-28 last week after leading Dardanelle 21-9 at halftime. Junior RB Easton Fox (26-213-2 TDs) and sophomore RB John Skolarski (26-189-2 TDs) led the Hillbillies’ ground attack. Senior LB Caeden Rosson and junior Adden Richardson had 10 tackles each. Lamar sophomore QB Carston Schluterman passed for 178 yards and 3 TDs in last week’s 41-28 loss to Pottsville; senior Ayden Sanders ran 11 times for 84 yards and a TD. Junior Grady Marvel (10 tackles) and sophomore DL Tucker Williams (9 tackles) led on defense.

 No. 9 CLINTON (7-1, 4-1) at No. 18 Mena (6-2, 3-2): Clinton can secure the No. 2 playoff seed with wins the next two weeks. The Yellow Jackets had 5 different seniors score on senior night in last week’s 49-0 win over Waldron. Senior QB Brodie Dufrene passed for 132 yards and threw TD passes to Colton Warren and Wyatt Dunn. Rylan Jones, Zach Hunt-Gonzalez and Kaleb McCarver each ran for TDs. Clinton’s defense held Waldron to 156 yards (76 rushing, 70 passing). Briar Gadberry made 8.5 tackles and 1 interception, Hunt-Gonzalez had 7.5 tackles and Dunn returned a fumble for a TD. Mena can still finish anywhere between the No. 2 and No. 5 seed, depending on the rest of the season. Freshman Hank Rose, in his varsity debut, totaled 119 yards and scored 2 TDs on 3 touches in last week’s 42-7 win over Dover. Senior OL Ayden Anderson and Grayson Farringer each recorded multiple pancake blocks, while Tripp Hensley threw 3 TDs and ran for 1. Ryder Had ran for 1 TD and recorded 10 tackles.

 DOVER (0-7, 0-5) at Waldron (0-7, 0-5): Dover has won 10 of the past 17 over Waldron, including last season 26-22. Dover has been outscored 395-67 this season; Waldron has been outscored 362-58. Dover, down to 16 varsity players after 3 more were injured last week, plans to promote 14 junior-high players to add depth. QB/LB Matthew Krentz and RB/DB Sailor Smith continue going full speed every play. Waldron’s Auston Hudson (2-4 passing, 16 yards; 9-55 rushing; 1-16 receiving; 8 tackles) was all over the field in last week’s 49-0 loss at Clinton; Jason Brown ran for 45 yards and racked up 9 tackles.

 7-4A

No. 3 NASHVILLE (6-2, 5-0) at Malvern (4-4, 3-2): Nashville has won 11 of the past 19 against Malvern, and the Scrappers need another victory to lock up the No. 1 playoff seed and at least a share of the league title. Nashville  led HG Haskell 21-10 at halftime last week before outscoring the Cardinals 14-0 in the second half. Sophomore quarterback Jacoby Hopson (131 passing, 2 TDs; 147 rushing, 2 TDs) and junior QB DJ Jefferson ran 89 yards for a TD. Abari Williams, the Scrappers’ leading tackler this fall, made 11 stops. Malvern has lost consecutive games to Bauxite and Fountain Lake by a combined 30 points.

No. 4 ARKADELPHIA (7-1, 4-1) at Genoa Central (1-7, 0-5): Arkadelphia likely finishes as the No. 2 seed with 1 more victory. The Badgers blasted Ashdown 65-6 a week ago behind QB Bryston McCoy (230 passing, TD) and Caden Whitaker (80 rushing, 3 TDs) ran for 80 yards and 3 TDs. Sophomore DT Anthony Hill recorded 4 tackles (3 TFL, 2 sacks) and LB Xzavion Williams registered 5 tackles. Genoa Central has lost consecutive games to Fountain Lake and Bauxite by a combined 97-0.

No. 10 BAUXITE (6-2, 3-2) at Ashdown (1-7, 1-4): Bauxite has rebounded from consecutive losses with wins over Malvern and Genoa Central by a combined 89-16. Ashdown has lost 3 consecutive conference games by a combined 126-34. Bryson French returned a kickoff for a TD in last week’s 65-6 loss at Arkadelphia.

Fountain Lake (4-4, 2-3) at HG HASKELL (5-3, 3-2): This is a key battle for playoff positioning. Fountain Lake has won 8 of its 11 meetings with HG Haskel, and the Cobras shocked Malvern 28-23 last week. Fountain Lake junior QB Cooper Buss has passed for 2,501 yards and 25 TDs this year; WR Peyton Harwood (85-1,263, 14 TDs) and Kaise Haire (1,061 receiving, 9 TDs) are the leading receivers. HG Haskell hung with Nashville last week before losing 35-10. Cam Taylor ran for 71 yards, caught a TD pass and made 10 tackles; Kaden McClane had 10 tackles and forced 1 fumble.

 8-4A

No. 5 HAMBURG (7-1, 5-0) at DeWitt (5-3, 2-3): Hamburg has won 11 of the past 16 over DeWitt. The Lions remained unbeaten in league play with last week’s 63-14 win over Star City, and they eye a conference championship showdown next week against Stuttgart. Linebacker Aiden Robinson led the Lion defense with 12 tackles and scored a defensive TD, while Jace Harrington made 5 tackles and forced a fumble vs. Star City. DeWitt snapped a 2-game losing streak with last week’s 12-6 victory at Crossett. Senior Korri Graham ran 24 times for 260 yards and 2 TDs. Cameron Mitchell (15 tackles), Rae Frye (14 tackles), Cannon Craig (14 tackles) and Cane Fisher (12 tackles) were DeWitt’s defensive leaders.

 No. 6 STUTTGART (8-0, 5-0) at Star City (0-8, 0-5): Stuttgart remained unbeaten with last week’s 59-55 shootout win over Warren. Junior QB Cain Price passed for 431 yards and 3 TDs, and ran for 130 yards and 4 TDs. Jeremiah Jackson caught 2 TD passes and Jamarion Hoard caught 8 passes for 130 yards and 1 TD. Keaton Byers led Stuttgart’s forced 2 fumbles and intercepted a pass.. Winless Star City has lost its five conference games by at least 28 points.

Helena (4-4, 2-3) at No. 8  WARREN (5-3, 3-2): Warren hasn’t lost to Helena since 2018. The Lumberjacks lost at heartbreaker at Stuttgart 59-55 last week, and their 2 conference losses this fall are the most since losing 4 conference games in 2010. Receiver Tayshaun Edwards (6-183-2 TDs) was injured early in the third quarter and didn’t return. Senior Bleyze Fellows (5-181 receiving) and Josiah Steen (3 TD catches, 1 rushing TD and an interception on defense). Senior Aaron Davis (111 rushing yards, TD; 4-53 receiving) contributed.

 Crossett (2-6, 1-4) at MONTICELLO (3-5, 2-3): Monticello has won 14 of the past 24 over Crossett, and the Billies put themselves back into playoff contention with last week’s 26-6 victory at Helena. Joseph Accelus ran 16 times for 105 yards and 1 TD and caught 2 passes for 30 yards; Dual threat Jackson Hines (9-79 rushing, 2 TDs; 4-22 receiving). TK Hoover had 12 tackles and 2 interceptions; Ed Ramos (12 tackles) and Keilyn Green (5 tackles, fumble-return TD) contributed. Crossett lost to DeWitt 12-6 last week despite junior QB Cash Forrest rushing for 153 yards and a TD and passing for 52 yards.