Hootens.com Rankings
Class 3A, Week 1, 2014
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. Booneville
2. Charleston
3. Harding Academy
4. Lamar
5. Glen Rose
6. Smackover
7. Episcopal
8. Prescott
9. Rivercrest
10. Hoxie
11. Paris
12. Fordyce
13. Mayflower
14. McGehee
15. Barton
16. Lavaca
17. C. Harmony Grove
18. Mansfield
19. Atkins
20. Fouke
21. West Fork
22. Osceola
23. Melbourne
24. Jessieville
25. Elkins
26. Corning
27. Greenland
28. Bald Knob
29. Danville
30. B. Harmony Grove
31. Mountain View
32. Green Forest
33. Cedarville
34. Two Rivers
35. Centerpoint
36. Horatio
37. Piggott
38. Marianna
39. Lake Village
40. Perryville
41. Bismarck
42. Rose Bud
43. Marshall
44. Yellville-Summit
45. Genoa Central
46. Manila
47. Cedar Ridge
48. Drew Central

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 2 Charleston vs. Class 4A No. 12 Shiloh Christian
Shiloh owns a 5-0 series record over Charleston. This is the first meeting between these schools since 2001 when the Saints won 41-20.
Charleston claimed its fourth state title last fall in nine years. All-state senior quarterback and Hog commit Ty Storey completed 268 of 408 passes (66 percent) for 4,241 yards and 52 touchdowns. Seventeen other seniors return, including center Colton Posky, receiver Taylor King (992 yards, 11 TDs) and linebacker Tanner Lynch (team-high 137 tackles).
Shiloh Christian captured seven state titles from 1998-2010. The Saints have won just 15 games over the past three seasons, including a 10-10-1 mark in Class 5A. First-year coach Jeff Conaway inherits returning starters at 12 positions, including senior running back Chandler Smith. Smith (4.6 speed) helped the Saints rush for a school-record 283 yards weekly in 2013, finishing with 624 yards and eight TDs. Watch highlights of Charleston's win over Shiloh Christian in the Hootens.com Kickoff Classic at Mayo-Thompson Stadium here.

HOOTENS TV SHOW
Hooten's Arkansas Football airs 10:30 a.m. on KATV 7 (ABC-Little Rock) and 8:30 a.m. on KXNW (Ch. 34 Fort Smith/Fayetteville) Saturdays this fall starting Aug. 30. The show features the state's top recruiting prospects.

LAST SEASON
Hootens.com correctly picked 238 of 285 games (84 percent) involving 3A teams.

WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS (favored team in CAPS followed by point spread)
1-3A
CEDARVILLE (16) at Mountainburg: Cedarville has beaten Mountainburg on the field by an average of 37 points the past two years. The Pirates forfeited last year's 51-6 win (ineligible player). Mountainburg's sophomores went 8-1 in junior high last year.
Elkins at PEA RIDGE (3): Pea Ridge forfeited last year's 27-24 win over Elkins (ineligible player). Three of Elkins' four wins were by a combined 13 points.
GENTRY (7) at West Fork: Gentry beat West Fork 24-18 in 2012 and 30-0 a year ago. West Fork features a talented junior class, led by QB Colton Wise and tailback Brayden Burnett.
J.C. Westside at GREENLAND (35): The first meeting between these schools since 2005 when both played in the 1-2A. Senior tackles McKenzie Fanning and Kiersey Beckett anchor Greenland's offensive line. Juniors Hayes Rhodes and Chance Glander lead in the secondary.
Green Forest at HUNTSVILLE (7): Green Forest reached the quarterfinals last year for the first time since 2004. Junior halfback Carl Roberts rushed for 664 yards and 12 TDs. Seniors Riley Walker and Andrew Sutton anchor the line. Huntsville's two wins last year came over Berryville and 1-3A member Elkins.
Marshall at HECTOR (21): Marshall's junior class, led by receiver/safety Trey Kelley, went undefeated in junior high two years ago. Junior running backs Tyler Magness and Kendrick Campbell will run behind a young but big offensive line. Hector defeated Marshall 36-8 last fall.
Yellville-Summit at MELBOURNE (22): These former conference foes have split the past two meetings. Melbourne beat Yellville-Summit 44-20 Week 9 last year. Senior QB Conor Fogle, senior RB Dalton Romero (1,142 yards, 20 TDs), senior receiver Bryce Hutchins and senior linemen Lee Richardson and Wesley Pierce lead the offense.
Mountain View at SALEM (12): Salem has beaten Mountain View by an average of 34 points the past two years.

2-3A
Dover at ATKINS (4): League newcomer Atkins coming off its best season last fall in five years. The Red Devils have beaten rival Dover by an average of 18 points the past three years.
MARIANNA (1) at Augusta: Marianna has won two games over the past three seasons, including a 20-18 victory at Stuttgart Week 10 last year. Augusta lost its last four games after a 54-52 win in five overtimes over Marked Tree.
Bald Knob at DES ARC (3): Bald Knob has won 10 games over the past three seasons. The Bulldogs return starters at 16 positions, including senior QB Grant Glaze. Des Arc pushed 2-3A member Harding Academy Week 3 last year in a 12-0 loss before reaching the Class 2A championship game.
BARTON (42) at Marvell: Nine miles on Highway 49 in Phillips County separate these schools. Barton has won 30 games over the past three years. Marvell beat Palestine-Wheatley 22-12 Week 10 last year for its first victory since 2010. Marvell coach Jessie McGruder played for Barton in the mid 1990s.
Perryville at BIGELOW (2): Perryville has beaten Bigelow six of the past seven years, including 28-12 a year ago.
Dumas at MAYFLOWER (10): Mayflower has defeated Dumas by an average of 24 points the past two years. Senior QB Adam Dycus has passed for 8,896 yards and 98 TDs in his career. Other leaders on offense include senior receivers Josh Woodham (1,438 yards, 20 TDs in 2013) and Trey Lasker, senior RB Justin Bailey (1,020 yards, 11 TDs) and senior lineman Riley Norman. Watch highlights of Mayflower's win over Dumas in Week 1 here.
GOSNELL (1) at Harding Academy: Gosnell enjoyed a productive summer after winning the 3-4A a year ago. Senior QB Dwight Griffin returns for his third season. Junior running back Carlos Blackman could emerge as a college prospect with 4.6 speed. Senior linebackers Michael Miller and Justin Mann lead on defense. Harding Academy has won 25 of its past 26 games. The Wildcats forced 24 turnovers last season and held 11 opponents to 206 yards per game.
Quitman at ROSE BUD (8): Both teams debut with a new head coach. Less than 24 players practiced in August for both squads. Quitman's sophomores, led by athletic QB Trey McGhee, went 7-2 in junior high last year. First-year Rose Bud coach Kevin Coleman installed the Dead T over the summer, featuring senior fullback Caleb Ferren (school-record 1,490 yards and 14 TDs in 2013). Senior tackle Dustin Swint and senior tight end Sam McGrand lead up front.

3-3A
OSCEOLA (1) at Blytheville: Osceola beat Blytheville 40-22 last year for the first time since 2005. Senior all-state RB/DB Tevin James ran 5 yards for a score, caught a 26-yard TD pass, returned a kickoff 70 yards for a TD and intercepted a pass.
Walnut Ridge at CORNING (1): Walnut Ridge has beaten Corning the past two years. Corning senior Klint Harvey (6-7, 335) anchors the line at tackle, while senior linebacker Travis Foster sets the defense.
Trumann at HOXIE (18): Trumann has won three games over the past three seasons. Hoxie (12-1 in 2013) coming off its best season in school history. Senior all-state QB Cole Sears (2,341 total yards, 36 TDs), senior all-state RB Gunner Cook (1,528 yards, 17 TDs) and senior linemen Aaron French, Dustin Brown and Kaelin Wilson lead the offense.
JONESBORO WESTSIDE (25) at Manila: Westside has won 10 games over the past two seasons, its best two-year span in almost 30 years. Manila enters the fall with a 16-game losing streak. Senior QB Kyle Joyner operates the Wishbone, featuring seniors Tyler Barley and Nick Stiles in the backfield.
PIGGOTT (6) at Marked Tree: Piggott promoted Michael Harrell to head coach in July. Harrell played at Piggott in 1990 and 1991 when it went 8-2 both years. The Mohawks feature a speedy backfield, including senior halfback Bradley Stephens. Senior linebacker Eli Smith and junior linemen Gabriel Gilbee and John Daniel Back lead the defense. Marked Tree debuts with perhaps its best squad under sixth-year coach Waylon Dunn.
Yellville-Summit at MELBOURNE (22): These former conference foes have split the past two meetings. Melbourne beat Yellville-Summit 44-20 Week 9 last year. Senior QB Conor Fogle, senior RB Dalton Romero (1,142 yards, 20 TDs), senior receiver Bryce Hutchins and senior linemen Lee Richardson and Wesley Pierce lead the offense.
RIVERCREST (7) at Paragould: Rivercrest returns starters at 16 positions, including junior RB Cecil Langston (843 yards and 10 TDs in 2013) and senior safety Chris Johnson (team-high 109 tackles). Paragould lost to Greene County Tech 28-21 Week 10 last year, two months after Rivercrest beat GCT 25-13.
Cedar Ridge at WEST LINCOLN, MISS. (5): Cedar Ridge joins Class 3A after winning two games over the past three seasons in Class 2A. The Timberwolves travel more than 700 miles round-trip for their opener. West Lincoln went 2-8 in 2013.

4-3A
BOONEVILLE (21) at Ozark: Booneville, the 2013 Class 4A champs, has won seven of the past 10 regular-season meetings over its rival. Senior all-state FB Bryson May (1,394 yards, 27 TDs in 2013), senior halfbacks Matt Berry and Josh Smith, senior all-state noseguard Justin Shackleford and senior QB/safety James Ray return.
Centerpoint at PARIS (8): Both teams lost in the first round of last year's playoffs. A well-prepared Paris squad features seniors at each position group. Centerpoint graduated its leading passer, rusher/tackler and receiver from last year.
CHARLESTON (8) vs. Shiloh Christian (Thurs.): See Hootens.com Game of the Week.
LAMAR (7) at Clarksville: The Battle of Highway 64. Lamar features a stellar defensive line and linebacker corps. Senior QB Braxton Sampley returns after passing for 2,433 yards and 32 TDs in 2013. Clarksville lost to 4-3A member Charleston 42-19 in last year's opener. Six weeks later, Lamar lost to Charleston 31-6.
Danville at DARDANELLE (20) (Tues.): Danville junior twins Rhett and Jordan Sullivan anchor the line in front of sophomore QB Jake Madding and senior RB Grant Cathey
(805 yards, six TDs in 2013). Dardanelle has defeated Danville by a combined 75-0 the past two years.
TWO RIVERS (6) at Hackett: Both teams debut with a new head coach. Two Rivers promoted Jimmy Wilson to head coach July 31. Hackett hired Lonnie Hester in May. The Hornets finished tied for third in the 4-2A last fall. Two Rivers beat eventual 4-2A champ Hector 40-34 in the opener.
Union Christian at LAVACA (35): Union Christian, the smallest football-playing school in the state, finished tied for third in the 4-2A last year. Lavaca returns starters at 15 positions after notching its first playoff victory (27-13 over Osceola) since 2009. Senior QB Hayden Headley, senior tailback Luke Brown, senior FB Tanner Graham and senior linemen Hunter Schlinker and Marcuss Cole lead the offense.
Waldron at MANSFIELD (7): Mansfield has won eight straight over Waldron, including a 48-28 victory last year.

5-3A
EPISCOPAL (7) vs. DeWitt (Tues.): Night two of Hootens.com Kickoff Week starts at 5:30 at UAPB's Golden Lion Stadium. Episcopal returns starters at 15 positions from last year's 10-3 squad. Junior playmaker Allie Freeman caught 101 passes for 1,639 yards and 13 TDs, while gaining 7.6 yards per carry. Senior LB Justin Gooseberry paced the Wildcats with 103 tackles. DeWitt won four games a year ago after a 38-29 loss to Barton in the opener. Seven weeks later, Episcopal beat Barton 25-19. DeWitt coach Steven Jones moved athletic junior Jake Rieves (6-3, 190) from receiver to QB this spring. Senior LB Drew Boyd led the Dragons last year with 100 tackles in nine games. Watch highlights of Episcopal's win over DeWitt in the Hootens.com Kickoff Classic at UAPB here.
Poyen at B. HARMONY GROVE (13): Harmony Grove beat Poyen 40-7 in 2013 before reaching the playoffs for the first time in school history.
SPRING HILL (5) at Bismarck: Bismarck has won five games over the past three seasons. The Lions fell to a pair of 7-2A opponents (Murfreesboro and Dierks) last fall to start the season. Spring Hill (5-6 in 2013) beat Murfreesboro 41-32 Week 8.
Centerpoint at PARIS (8): Both teams lost in the first round of last year's playoffs. A well-prepared Paris squad features seniors at each position group. Centerpoint graduated its leading passer, rusher/tackler and receiver from last year.
Horatio at CUTTER M. STAR (1): Horatio's three wins last fall came over teams with a combined record of 5-23. Cutter Morning Star won seven games, including a 28-20 victory over 5-3A member Bismarck.
MALVERN (11) at Glen Rose: Malvern has beaten Glen Rose by a combined 11 points the past two seasons. Glen Rose could start as many as eight sophomores on both sides.
Prescott at GURDON (9): Prescott returns nine starters on offense, including senior RB Khaalid Stewart (1,000 yards, 13 TDs in 2013) and senior receivers Ron'Darious Cone and Darian Marlow. Gurdon has beaten Prescott the past two years, including a 42-14 triumph last season. First-year coach Kyle Jackson, who served as defensive coordinator the past three years, welcomes back seven starters on defense, including junior LB Jackson Kirkpatrick (107 tackles). First-year offensive coordinator Elliot Jacobs with plenty of skill players to work with, including junior all-state running back Jackie Harvell (827 yards, 14 TDs).
Mountain Pine at JESSIEVILLE (30): Mountain Pine enters the fall with a 20-game losing streak. Jessieville lost its last nine games in 2013 after beating Mountain Pine 58-12.
EPISCOPAL (8) at Conway Christian: Episcopal's second game in three days after taking on DeWitt Tuesday in Pine Bluff during Hootens.com Kickoff Week. The Wildcats beat Conway Christian 27-17 in last year's opener. Conway Christian finished with six wins, including its second playoff victory in school history. Watch highlights of Episcopal's win over DeWitt in the Hootens.com Kickoff Classic at UAPB here.

6-3A
C. Harmony Grove at BEARDEN (18): These teams have split the past four meetings. Bearden beat Harmony Grove 28-8 a year ago. Bearden held the Hornets to 140 yards rushing on 35 attempts.
Drew Central at HAMPTON (10): Drew Central enters the fall with a 32-game losing streak. Hampton won two of its last three games in 2013, pushing Rison Week 10 in a 41-33 loss.
Fordyce at RISON (4): Fordyce has beaten Rison the past three years, including a 28-21 victory last season.
FOREMAN (19) at Genoa Central: Foreman has beaten Genoa Central by an average of 27 points the past two seasons.
Mineral Springs at FOUKE (15): Fouke defeated Mineral Springs 29-8 last year on its way a 7-4 season, ending with a 27-21 loss to Episcopal in the playoffs. Senior RB Tyler Edwardes paced the Panthers with 1,358 yards and 15 TDs. Senior Holden Williams and sophomore Landon Gonzales will split time at QB. Fouke will dress close to 50 players.
HAMBURG (2) at McGehee: Hamburg (9-3 in 2013) has won six of the past 10 meetings, including a 15-0 victory during last year's Hootens.com Kickoff Week.
Smackover at JUNCTION CITY (6): Smackover claimed its first league title last fall in eight years, reaching the semifinals for the first time since 1987. The Buckaroos averaged 313 yards and 37 points per game with senior quarterback Logan Clark passing for 1,449 yards and 15 TDs. Smackover's leading rusher graduated in May, but juniors Keiandre Purifoy, Dewayne Jones and Willie Manning return to fill the backfield. Junior receiver and Hog commit Jordan Jones paced the Buckaroos with 25 catches for 687 yards and 10 TDs.
Junction City has won 27 games in a row, including back-to-back Class 2A state title games. Senior QB Randall Holyfield passed for a school-record 1,587 yards and 26 TDs last year. Powerful senior tailback Jaqwis Dancy rushed for 1,674 yards despite missing most of three games with a sprained ankle. The Dragon defense held opponents to 178 yards and 10 points per game and features some of the better players in the state regardless of classification.
Lake Village at MONTICELLO (21): Lake Village has won three games over the past three seasons. The Beavers lost their last seven games in 2013, including a 42-8 setback to Monticello.