Class 3A
Class 3A Rankings
Week 0
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- Salem
- Rivercrest
- Fordyce
- Charleston
- Booneville
- Bismarck
- Prescott
- Mansfield
- Rison
- Osceola
- Dumas
- Smackover
- McGehee
- Newport
- Glen Rose
- Walnut Ridge
- Harmony G. Ouachita County
- Mayflower
- Atkins
- Jessieville
Not Ranked:
1-3A: Cedarville, Greenland, Hackett, Lavaca, West Fork.
2-3A: Episcopal, Melbourne, Mountain View, Quitman, Yellville-Summit
3-3A: Harrisburg, Manila, Piggott, Hoxie
4-3A: Cutter Morning Star, Danville, Magnet Cove, Paris, Perryville, Two Rivers
7-3A: Centerpoint, Fouke, Horatio, Parkers Chapel
8-3A: Barton, Drew Central, Lake Village, Palestine-Wheatley
HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 6 Bismarck at No. 8 MANSFIELD: This year’s Week 0 Game of the Week is the same matchup as last year: Bismarck and Mansfield. Bismarck won 35-31 last fall, but Mansfield is the home team this year, which just might tilt the game in the Lions’ favor. Bismarck made it to the state finals last fall, losing to Salem at War Memorial Stadium. The Lions graduated all-state player and last season’s Farm Bureau Insurance Awards 3A Offensive Player of the Year Ben Keithley, but have a strong replacement at QB in Preston Hughes, who passed for 504 yards and 5 TDs when Keithley missed games last season, helping lift the Lions over Prescott to win the conference championship. Senior Caedmon Keithley is a do-it-all threat after leading Class 3A with 1,696 total yards and 27 touchdowns. He is the brother of Ben Keithley and the son of head coach DJ Keithley. Mansfield comes off an 11-3 season during which the Tigers won the 1-3A conference for the first time since 2010. Their run ended with a loss to Salem, which went on to win the state championship, 33-20. They return all-state RB Andrew Burton (195-1,146 rushing, 12 TDs last fall). Anchoring the defense will be returning all-state linebacker Zander Walters, who totaled 86 tackles.
WEEK 0 PREDICTIONS (Favored team highlighted and CAPS)
1-3A
No. 5 BOONEVILLE at Poteau (Okla.): Booneville has won 5 state titles and looks to add another this season. The Bearcats travel across the border to face a team they defeated 14-10 last fall. Hunter Warren (187-1,500 rushing, 27 TDs) will run the Flexbone offense behind an offensive line that includes 4 returning starters.
No. 6 Bismarck at No. 8 MANSFIELD. See Hootens.com Game of the Week
CLASS 4A DOVER at 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. Three juniors — QB Matthew Krentz, RB Jacob Robertson, and slotback Sailor Smith all played well in Dover’s scrimmage game.
GREENLAND at Class 4A Lincoln: Greenland has won 11 of the past 14 games in the series against its former conference rival, including last year’s matchup 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.
Class 2A Magazine at CEDARVILLE: Magazine, looking to bounce back from a 3-6 season, will be led by junior QB Daniel Green and senior RB Chakong Yang. Cedarville, which beat Magazine 14-0 last fall, will be led by Junior RB Daniel Ramirez and an offensive line that returns 4 starters.
HACKETT at Danville: Hackett won this matchup 20-0 last fall, and the Hornets are returning all-conference performers Matthew Garner and Tomas Ruiz. Danville Coach D.J. Crane believes his Little Johns (3-7 last fall) are heading in the right direction. The Little Johns return all-conference performers Gunner Wilkins and Colton Cross.
OPEN Charleston, West Fork
2-3A
No. 1 Salem at Class 4A POCAHONTAS: Pocahontas blew a 16-point lead in a 2-point loss last year to Salem, which went on to win the Class 3A state title, while Pocahontas won 7 games. Junior RB Xayver Ballard, senior OL Mikey Alphin and senior LB Sadler Jackson played well for Pocahontas in last week’s scrimmage with Rivercrest.
No. 20 Jessieville at No. 18 MAYFLOWER: Jonathon Bates takes over for T.J. Burke as Jessieville coach, looking to build off last fall’s 9-3 season, with returning all-state player Jacob Givens leading the offense. Mayflower beat Jessieville 34-21 last fall, and the Eagles return all-state performers Devonte Williams and Kam Willis.
Perryville at No. 19 ATKINS: Atkins, coming off an 8-4 season, edged Perryville 25-24 last fall. The Red Devils will be led by returning all-state RB Mason Martin, who rushed for 1,353 yards and 11 touchdowns. Perryville will lean on all-state lineman Jordon Williams.
Hoxie at MELBOURNE: Melbourne returns all 5 O-line starters from an 8-3 season. The Bearkatz won last season’s matchup against Hoxie 49-13. Hoxie, coming off a 4-7 season, returns 3 all-conference players in Mack Slaughter, Robert Martinez, and Dylann Barnhill.
Class 2A Izard County at YELLVILLE-SUMMIT: Yellville-Summit is coming off a 3-7 season, but it beat Izard County 55-7. The Panthers are returning all-conference running back Eli Gerth. The Cougars had a 1-9 season in 2024 and look to lean on junior quarterback Kyler Brashear.
Episcopal at No. 12 SMACKOVER: Smackover won 39-0 last fall, and the Buckaroos are returning senior all-state QBMitchell Polk, who completed 68 percent of his passes for more than 2,000 yards and 27 touchdowns. Episcopal returns all-conference QB Turner Harbour, who accounted for 1,344 total yards and 11 total TDs.
MOUNTAIN VIEW at Willow Springs (Mo.): Mountain View, coming off a 4-6 season. will rely on veteran players like senior QB Hayden Long and senior WR Cole Gray. Willow Springs (Mo.) finished 2-8 last season.
OPEN Quitman
No. 10 Osceola at Class 4A 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; Osceola senior QB Tyler Bell had more than 1,800 yards and 22 TDs.
Class 2A Marked Tree at No. 14 NEWPORT: Newport beat Marked Tree 48-30 last fall, and Marked Tree will again have to deal with Greyhounds all-state senior QB Luke Reynolds (1,544 passing, 698 rushing, school-record 41 TDs last season). Marked Tree relies on returning all-conference performers Jaiden Andrews, Jakoriuos Anderson, and Christian Revelle.
Class2A East Poinsett County at No. 16 WALNUT RIDGE: Walnut Ridge won 37-0 last year, and the Bobcats return senior QB/RB Jersie Cunningham, who rushed for 1,052 yards and 7 TDs, while throwing for 400 yards. EPC, state finalist last fall, returns an all-state backfield with seniors Dee Buchanan (who rushed for 1,392 yards and 18 TDs) and Jacob Gaines (who rushed for 1,422 yards and 18 TDs).
Hoxie at MELBOURNE. See 2-3A games
Class 5A PARAGOULD at Manila: Paragould struggled in a 35-0 loss in its scrimmage game last week vs. Gosnell. ZK Lanej and Marcool Attai ran the ball well, but turnovers and penalties doomed the Rams.
Class 2A CROSS COUNTRY at Harrisburg: Cross Country beat Harrisburg 22-0 last fall, and the Thunderbirds return all-state seniors Danny Beale and Caden Crawford. Harrisburg will lean on returning all-conference performers Jayvin Thompson, Corbin Barker, and Trent Fitzgerald.
Piggott at DONIPHAN (Mo.): Piggott looks to end its 30-game losing streak and will rely on returning all-conference performers Ben Latimer, Kyler Dickens, and Bo Young. Doniphan (Mo.) was also winless last season (0-9)..
OPEN Rivercrest
4-3A
Class 4A BAUXITE at Glen Rose: Bauxite handled CAC 35-0 in its scrimmage game last week. Junior QB Elijah Perry, who missed most of last year with a hip and leg injury, returned to action and senior LB/S Bernie Fox and S Austin Hastings (INT) led the defense. 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. Glen Rose started last season 0-3, but then went undefeated in conference to make the playoffs. Junior quarterback Gage Hood returns after completing 102 of 200 passes for 1,777 yards and 15 TDs to go with 102 carries and 455 yards rushing. All-conference RB Paxton Long returns after posting 540 yards and 4 TDs. Senior LB Austin Moreland anchors the defense after making 86 tackles last year.
Class 4A WALDRON at 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 rushed for 1 TD and passed for 152 in last week’s scrimmage. Senior Sam Ehler led Waldron’s defense with 8.5 tackles in the first half. Paris is led by junior QB Josh Honea (1,279 passing, 7 TDs last year). Senior RB Dimitri Capo adds depth, putting up 161 yards and 4 TDs against Cutter-Morning Star last year.
No. 20 Jessieville at No. 18 MAYFLOWER. See 2-3A games
Perryville at No. 19 ATKINS. See 2-3A
MAGNET COVE at CLASS 2A Gurdon: Magnet Cove returns all-state RB Angel Villezcas, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last year. The Panthers’ line will be anchored by senior Colton Sulton, who will start his third year up front. Magnet Cove won last year’s matchup against Gurdon 24-14, and Gurdon must replace senior talent that helped the team reach the playoffs last season. Senior RB Uriah Gatlin (42-352 rushing) leads the offense. Safety Andres Camarillo anchors the defense after making 63 tackles last year.
HACKETT at Danville. See 1-3A
Cutter Morning Star at Class 4A FOUNTAIN LAKE: Cutter-Morning Star, 1-9 last fall, returns senior RB Santiago Delrio, but the Eagles’ top offensive weapon will be senior WR Brody Spears, who registered 861 receiving yards and 11 TDs last season. Cutter-Morning Star has 22 total sophomores on the roster, with the majority expected to see starting or significant playing time.
OPEN Two Rivers
7-3A
No. 6 Bismarck at No. 8 MANSFIELD: See Game of the Week
Class 4A Crossett at No. 7 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 had 8 tackles. The Curley Wolves look to return to their best form after being eliminated in the second round of the playoffs last season. Prescott will get a new look at QB with senior Dalton Stockton. Expect high-power production from junior Mario Brownlee at fullback and linebacker. Brownlee logged 117 tackles last season. Senior running back KJ Page brings explosive play and speed to the backfield..
Episcopal at No. 12 SMACKOVER. See 2-3A
Class 2A Junction City at No. 17 HARMONY G. OUACHITA COUNTY: Junction City, a preseason favorite in its classification, will rely on dual-threat QB DaKorey Larry, along with seniors Brady Penister and DK Hampton. Junction City boasts a giant front unit with no starting player under 255 pounds. Harmony Grove still gets the edge here. The Hornets won last season’s matchup at Junction City by 10 points and have home-field advantage this season. HGOC returns senior all-state QB Damien Burns, who passed for 989 yards and 10 TDs to go alongside 959 rushing yards and 16 TDs. All-conference junior WR Logan Nipp returns as a receiving and rushing threat.
Class 2A Murfreesboro at CENTERPOINT: Murfreesboro has a new head coach, Jay Turley, after making a run to the quarterfinals last year. Centerpoint will have to find ways to replace departed senior production, but will have a solid rotation of RBs in Cory Passmore and Chris Borgenson. WR Zack Miot will be the top target. Centerpoint won last season’s matchup 28-14.
Class 2A Dierks at FOUKE: Dierks improved to 6-4 last fall after going 3-7 in 2023. The Outlaws could use a 3-man rotation at QB at the season’s start. Senior WR Ben Ernest, son of the coach, will be a top target. Fouke, 7-4 last season, needs to replace all-state RB Dylan Sprayberry‘s production. Senior Joshua Scoggins looks to fill that role, rushing for 140 yards and 4 TDs in a spot start last season against Centerpoint when Sprayberry was out with an injury to lift Fouke to a 36-32 win. LB Chris Sherman anchors the defense after racking up 91 tackles and 2 sacks last season
PARKERS CHAPEL at Class 2A Foreman: Parkers Chapel (1-9 last year) will be led by junior WR Hunter Cheatham, who caught 11 passes for 135 yards against Harmony Grove Ouachita County. Class 2A Foreman, coming off an 0-10 season, will be led by junior fullback Brody Bearden, who averaged 5 yards per carry, and is the best option for short-yardage situations. Parkers Chapel won last year’s matchup 44-20.
OPEN Horatio
8-3A
No. 3 FORDYCE at Class 4A 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-yarder. QB/DB Jackson Hines also played well. The Redbugs return most of the talent from last year’s team that made the semifinals and will be one of the Class 3A title favorites this season. All-state sophomore QB Andreal Ellison passed for 1,971 yards and 24 TDs as a freshman. He was sidelined after suffering an injury against Jessieville in the playoffs. Junior RB Micah Gamble and junior WR Jamartez Stroud return as offensive weapons for the Redbugs. Kyo Randall racked up 78 tackles, 15 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, and an interception last season.
Class 2A Clarendon at PALESTINE-WHEATLEY: Clarendon (0-10 last fall) will be led by senior QB Ky-mani Fluker and senior WR Drake Robinson. Expect junior Roderick Sewart to contribute at RB. Palestine-Wheatley won 4 games last fall, its best season of the 2020s, and it came during Tyler Paschal’s first year as the head coach. Brody Parker (15 total TDs) returns as the starting QB. Senior WR Andrew Knowlton will also play a major role on offense.
Drew Central at Class 2A CARLISLE: Drew Central, 2-8 last fall, will be led by senior quarterback Tra’Bennet Fuller, who will start for a third season. Fuller’s top target will be senior WR Jeremiah Bodiford, who caught 5 TD passes for the Pirates last season. The defense returns all-state CB Blake Chandler, who intercepted 5 passes last year. Carlisle is coming off an 11-1 season and will have a strong group of seniors, led by all-conference RB Jaden Elliot (148–915 rushing, 16 TDs. Senior WR Cajuan Pernell caught 16 passes for 269 yards and 3 TDs. Up front, the Bison return all-conference guard Zayden Hale.
Barton at Class 2A EARLE: Earle, which missed the playoffs a year ago, beat Barton 66-22. Earle played Forrest City in a scrimmage game last week, winning 8-6.
OPEN Rison, McGehee, Dumas