Hootens.com Rankings
Class 2A, Week 14, 2011
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. Junction City (9-1)
2. Magazine (12-1)
3. Carlisle (12-0)
4. E. Poinsett County (11-0)
5. Bearden (10-1)
6. Strong (8-3)
7. McCrory (9-4)
8. Danville (9-3)
9. Gurdon (10-3)
10. Mineral Springs (10-2)
11. Mountainburg (8-3)
12. Hazen (9-1-1)
13. Magnet Cove (10-2)
14. Salem (9-3)
15. Spring Hill (9-3)
16. Hackett (7-4)
17. Mount Ida (7-5)
18. Bigelow (7-3-1)
19. Norphlet (4-6)
20. Parkers Chapel (4-5)
21. England (5-6)
22. Des Arc (6-6)
23. Walnut Ridge (5-5)
24. Quitman (7-4)
25. Conway Christian (6-5)
26. Dierks (5-6)
27. Clarendon (4-7)
28. Hampton (4-6)
29. Union Christian (4-6)
30. Horatio (4-3)
31. Cross County (3-6)
32. Marked Tree (4-6)
33. Murfreesboro (4-6)
34. J.C. Westside (4-6)
35. Poyen (3-8)
36. Woodlawn (1-8)
37. Mountain Pine (2-8)
38. Cedar Ridge (1-8)
39. Augusta (1-7-1)
40. Two Rivers (2-8)
41. Palestine-Wheatley (1-8)
42. Western Yell County (2-8)
43. Foreman (0-10)
44. Hector (1-8)
45. Decatur (1-9)
46. Marvell (0-10)
47. Hartford (0-9)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 4 EPC at No. 3 Carlisle

EPC's drive to its first semifinal appearance in school history started a year ago at Carlisle after a 34-28 overtime loss in the second round of the playoffs. Carlisle exposed EPC's weaknesses, and the Warriors vowed to return stronger and more physical in 2011. EPC labored through its first summer workout program and has delivered this fall, allowing 204 yards and 10.6 points per game while forcing 40 turnovers. Senior LB (and Razorback commit) A.J. Turner paces the Warrior defense with 192 tackles, breaking the school record of 177 tackles he set last year. EPC is deep up front, rotating three ends and six interior linemen. Senior end Dray Young (59 tackles, nine sacks) and sophomore NG Paul Pilgrim (51 tackles, six sacks) join sophomore LB Byron Scales (83 tackles) and senior LB Ryan Tyler (70 tackles) atop the tackle chart. EPC averages 382 yards and 48 ppg behind senior triggerman Darius Barnes, who has rushed for 1,413 yards (12 ypc) and 23 TDs. Barnes has completed 50 of 74 passes (68 percent) for 794 yards and six TDs. Young, senior RB Jamar Sturdivant and RB sophomore Trevor McDaniel have rushed for a combined 1,464 yards and 25 TDs.

Carlisle counters with an offensive line that averages 250 pounds per man and opens lanes for sophomore RB Bo Weddle (1,257 yards in 2011). Weddle proved durable two weeks ago by running 29 times for 151 yards and two TDs in a 22-16 win over 2010 state runner-up Danville. Last week, Weddle carried 17 times for 105 yards in a 13-12 win over Gurdon. Carlisle averages 32 ppg. Weddle also paces the Bison in tackles, followed closely by seniors Ty Vaughn and Zac King. The Bison allow just 9.9 ppg. Carlisle has advanced to the state semifinals for the first time since losing in the 2008 semis at Junction City 29-7. Carlisle, making its 21st playoff appearance in the past 23 years, played for state titles in 1989, 1991, 1993 and 1999 but has not won one.

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly picked one of four games involving Class 2A teams. Hootens.com is 232-52 (82 percent) for the season.

WEEK 14 PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)
EPC (2) at Carlisle: See Game of the Week.

Strong at JUNCTION CITY (6): Strong senior QB Kenneth Dixon (5,599 career rushing yards) terrorized Mountainburg three weeks ago with 227 yards rushing and six-of-eight passing to beat the Dragons on the road 35-28. Two weeks ago, Dixon ran over Magnet Cove for 254 yards (12 ypc) and three TDs and passed for 81 yards and a TD in a 33-14 win at Magnet Cove. Throughout the playoffs, Dixon takes snaps in an empty backfield, hands off on the jet sweep, fakes and runs, or fakes and passes. Dixon's timely passes have been huge in the postseason, including four completions last week at McCrory to keep drives alive. Strong's front four has played well, led by senior tackles Johnique Williams (more than 90 tackles) and Bernard Hicks. Senior middle LB Arriun Gatson has also recorded more than 90 tackles. Junior LB Lamar Williams has 60 tackles. Senior safety Donte Dismuke (five interceptions) makes big plays weekly. Late in the fourth quarter at McCrory, Dismuke sprinted 25 yards to intercept a pass in the end zone to preserve the victory. Strong's seniors are 2-2 vs. Junction City, winning as freshmen and juniors.

Junction City advances to the state semifinals for the ninth time in the past 11 years. Junction City won state titles in 2003, 2008 and 2009. The Dragon defense allows 9 ppg, and the Dragons held explosive Magazine to three points and 235 yards last week. The Dragons yield just 58 yards passing a game and have intercepted 14 passes, including a game-clinching INT by senior safety Chris Williams in the fourth quarter against Magazine. Junction City has recorded 40 tackles for loss and 14 sacks. Junior end Hayden Smith and senior Winston Steward pace the Dragons with more than 80 tackles apiece. On offense, the Dragons average 8 yards per rushing attempt, paced by senior RB Romunskee Flowers (1,233 yards). Flowers has flourished in the playoffs, rushing for 182 yards and a TD last week against Magazine. Junction City has not lost this season since the opening (27-14) defeat to Class 3A No. 6 Rison. It has won 64 of its past 73 games. Junction City defeated Strong 28-6 Week 5 when Flowers rushed for 141 yard and junior QB/S Shaq Hunter intercepted four passes, returning two for TDs. Junction City held Strong to 67 yards rushing.