Hootens.com Rankings
Class 4A, Week 1, 2014
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. Dardanelle
2. Nashville
3. Star City
4. Pulaski Robinson
5. Hamburg
6. Prairie Grove
7. Malvern
8. Gosnell
9. Arkadelphia
10. Lonoke
11. Shiloh Christian
12. Dollarway
13. Pea Ridge
14. Pottsville
15. Mena
16. Dover
17. CAC
18. Warren
19. Fountain Lake
20. West Helena
21. Ashdown
22. Pocahontas
23. Heber Springs
24. Highland
25. Newport
26. Gravette
27. Stuttgart
28. DeWitt
29. Crossett
30. Ozark
31. Monticello
32. Clinton
33. Trumann
34. Jonesboro Westside
35. Huntsville
36. Dumas
37. Cave City
38. Bauxite
39. Gentry
40. Riverview
41. Arkansas Baptist
42. Lincoln
43. Subiaco Academy
44. Southside Batesville
45. Berryville
46. Brookland
47. Harrisburg
48. Waldron

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
Class 3A No. 2 Charleston vs. No. 11 Shiloh Christian
The final game of Hootens.com Kickoff Week, on Tuesday at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, features Class 3A power Charleston and Shiloh Christian.
Charleston has won five state titles in the past decade, and the Tigers ride a 29-game win streak. The Tigers return just seven starters this fall, "but they are a great football program and put a great product on the field," Shiloh Christian coach Jeff Conaway says. Charleston running back/QB Wade Gerlick played well in the summer. Gerlick averaged 6.1 yards per carry last season and caught 55 passes for 672 yards and four scores, and he's racked up 241 tackles at linebacker the past two seasons.
Shiloh Christian hopes to compete for conference and state titles in Conaway's second season. "We are more comfortable this year in our terminology and lingo than last year," Conaway says. The Saints have won seven state titles since 1998. The Saints pin hopes of another title on five returning defensive starters. Former Plainview, Okla., coach Chris Berus takes over as defensive coordinator. Senior inside linebacker Lakin Hall (112 tackles in 2014) and senior outside linebacker Jacob Plunkett (95 tackles) anchor the unit this fall. "Our defensive product will be extremely disciplined and tackle well," the coach says.

TV SHOW
Hooten's Arkansas Football TV show airs on KATV (Channel 7) at 10:30 a.m. Saturday's this fall, beginning Sept. 5. HS Lakeside's Josh Morton will be featured as the Arkansas Air Guard Scholar Athlete of the Week.

LAST YEAR
Hootens.com correctly predicted 275 of 331 games (83 percent) last year.

WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS (favored team in CAPS followed by point spread)
1-4A
CHARLESTON (3) vs. Shiloh Christian (Tue.): Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week takes place Tuesday at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.
Decatur at BERRYVILLE (11): Austin Winters takes over as Berryville's third coach in four seasons. Bobcat senior lineman Miguel Martinez (6-1, 340) started the past two seasons for Class 5A De Queen.
WEST FORK (16) at Gentry: Former Horatio coach and Nashville assistant Paul Ernest takes over at Gentry (10 wins since 2011). West Fork has 18 seniors this fall, including QB Colton Wise (3,163 yards and 32 TDs).
HUNTSVILLE (8) at Green Forest: Four of Huntsville's 10 wins since 2011 are against 1-3A members Elkins and Green Forest. Huntsville senior QB Will Weaver (6-1, 195) started six games a year ago.
LINCOLN (2) at Westville, Okla.: Former Newport coach Don Harrison takes over at Lincoln. The Wolves won two games last fall. Harrison installed a passing offense and blitzing defense in the spring and summer.
PEA RIDGE (6) at Elkins: Elkins hasn't beaten Pea Ridge since 2010. Pea Ridge won 10 games and a conference title last fall, but return just five starters.
Gravette at POTTSVILLE (7): Gravette has made the playoffs eight straight seasons. Pottsville twins Jake Dugger (quarterback) and Josh Dugger (fullback) pace an offense that averaged 31 points a game last fall.
PRAIRIE GROVE (1) at Farmington: Farmington has won five of the past nine in the series. Prairie Grove chases its third conference title in the past four seasons. Tiger senior tight end Dylan Soehner (6-7, 275) owns scholarship offers from Arkansas State, Illinois, Louisiana Tech and Memphis. Farmington senior QB Brice Waggle (more than 2,000 yards last year) and senior running back Justice Hobbs (more than 900 yards) were All-5A West players last fall.

2-4A
ARKADELPHIA (6) vs. Stuttgart (Mon.): Arkadelphia has advanced to the quarterfinals the past two seasons. The Badgers need consistency from senior QB Jeff Blake. Stuttgart has won just eight games since claiming the 2012 state title, but the Ricebird Junior High went undefeated last fall.
CAC (6) vs. Arkansas Baptist (Tue): CAC has beaten Arkansas Baptist by a total of 25 points over the past three years. Arkansas Baptist senior QB Cory McGonigal passed for almost 2,000 yards the past two seasons. CAC QB Noah Evans passed for 1,687 yards and 22 TDs in eight games last fall.
HEBER SPRINGS (3) at Clinton: These are former conference foes. Former assistant Darren Gowen promoted to Heber Springs' third coach in as many seasons in the spring. Panther all-state senior QB Hunter Chandler passed for more than 2,200 yards and 24 TDs last season, while rushing for more than 900 yards and 13 scores.
West Helena at DOLLARWAY (7): Dollarway has won five straight season openers, including last year's 24-point decision at West Helena. The Cardinals get solid play from junior QB Simeon Blair. West Helena returns 15 starters from last season, including junior tackles Damien McDonald (6-2, 280) and Riley House (6-5, 285).
Lonoke at STAR CITY (8): Star City has won four straight over the Jackrabbits. Bulldog senior QB Tye Brown, an expected four-year starter, passed for 2,147 yards and 17 TDs last fall. Senior tackle Austin Capps (6-4, 310) committed to Arkansas in the spring. Lonoke three-year starting QB SaVonte Rountree passed for 1,500 yards and 16 TDs a year ago.
CAVE CITY (2) at Southside Batesville: Former Blytheville assistant Joey Moseley takes over at Cave City (just the second coach in school history). These teams tied in 2012, Southside Batesville won by 20 points in 2013 and Cave City won by five points last season.
Riverview at POCAHONTAS (11): Pocahontas won 10 games last season its first conference title since 2006. Junior QB Reece Coates passed for 1,257 yards and ran for 885 yards a year ago, while junior running back Barkley Sorg ran for 876 yards. Riverview senior QB David Lee passed for 1,015 yards and nine TDs last fall.
Newport at NETTLETON (3): Newport has beaten Nettleton by a total of 36 points the past two seasons. Former defensive coordinator Mark Hindsley was promoted to head coach in May (third coach in four years), and former Cave City coach Jon Bradley takes over as offensive coordinator. Newport senior tailback Carl Turner has rushed for more than 4,200 yards the past three seasons.

3-4A
Riverview at POCAHONTAS (11): Pocahontas won 10 games last season its first conference title since 2006. Junior QB Reece Coates passed for 1,257 yards and ran for 885 yards a year ago, while junior running back Barkley Sorg ran for 876 yards. Riverview senior QB David Lee passed for 1,015 yards and nine TDs last fall.
CROSS COUNTY (14) at Harrisburg: Harrisburg hasn't beaten Cross County since 2011, and they tied in 2012. Harrisburg's expected QB transferred in the winter, but the Hornets impressed opposing coaches in seven-on-seven drills in the summer. Cross County has 16 seniors, 10 start on offense and eight on defense.
CAVE CITY (2) at Southside Batesville: Former Blytheville assistant Joey Moseley takes over at Cave City (just the second coach in school history). These teams tied in 2012, Southside Batesville won by 20 points in 2013 and Cave City won by five points last season.
BROOKLAND (7) at Cedar Ridge: Former Conway Christian and Corning coach Chuck Speer takes over at Brookland (second coach in school history). The Bearcats are 4-1 against Class 3A teams since starting varsity football in 2012. Cedar Ridge has won four games in as many seasons.
Highland at HARDING ACADEMY (6): Highland promoted defensive coordinator Adam Carter to head coach this spring. The Rebels claimed a share of the 3-4A title in 2014. Harding Academy lost to eventual 3-4A tri-champ Gosnell 40-15 in last year's opener.
HOXIE (2) at Trumann: Hoxie has defeated Trumann by an average of 33 points the past three seasons. But Trumann got better late last year (won two of final four games), and QB Connor Haag transferred into the program in the winter.
Manila at JONESBORO WESTSIDE (25): Manila switched from the Wishbone to the Spread this spring, featuring athletic senior Jake Helton at QB. Bobby Engle takes over at Jonesboro Westside (fourth coach in five years).
Gosnell is open.

4-4A
Danville at DARDANELLE (28): Top-ranked Dardanelle has beaten Yell County rival Danville by an average of 36 points over the past two seasons, but two of the past five games in the series were decided by a TD or less. Dardanelle senior QB/safety Chris Kershner (4.38 speed) committed to UCA in July.
HEBER SPRINGS (3) at Clinton: These are former conference foes. Former assistant Darren Gowen promoted to Heber Springs' third coach in as many seasons in the spring. Panther all-state senior QB Hunter Chandler passed for more than 2,200 yards and 24 TDs last season, while rushing for more than 900 yards and 13 scores.
PULASKI ROBINSON (21) at Bauxite: Expectations are high at Pulaski Robinson, where the Senators expect to compete for a state title with senior QB Brennan Johnson (passed for 2,164 yards and 20 TDs last year and ran for 885 yards) and T.J. Hammonds (2,067 all-purpose yards). Bauxite first-year coach Dustin Prescott led Des Arc to 33 wins the past four seasons.
Ozark at BOONEVILLE (13): Booneville has won eight of the past 11 regular-season meetings over its rival. The Bearcats start the season with 38 players. Ozark has won just four games since playing for the 2012 state championship game.
Gravette at POTTSVILLE (7): These teams meet for the third straight season (met in 2013 playoffs). Pottsville senior twins Jake and Josh Dugger fuel the Apache Dead T offense.
Atkins at DOVER (35): Dover's 31-point win last year snapped a two-game losing skid in the series. Atkins completed summer workouts with just six linemen. Dover senior running back Luke Price (almost 1,200 yards last year) owns an offer from Air Force.
CAC (6) vs. Arkansas Baptist (Tue): CAC has beaten Arkansas Baptist by a total of 25 points over the past three years. Arkansas Baptist senior QB Cory McGonigal passed for almost 2,000 yards the past two seasons. CAC QB Noah Evans passed for 1,687 yards and 22 TDs in eight games last fall.
SUBIACO ACADEMY (4) at LR Fair: LR Fair hasn't won on the field since Week 1, 2013. Subiaco Academy senior James Wells (almost 200 career tackles) plays linebacker and safety. The Trojans have won just nine games over the past three seasons.

7-4A
ARKADELPHIA (6) vs. Stuttgart (Mon.): Arkadelphia has advanced to the quarterfinals the past two seasons. The Badgers need consistency from senior QB Jeff Blake. Stuttgart has won just eight games since claiming the 2012 state title, but the Ricebird Junior High went undefeated last fall.
CAC (6) vs. Arkansas Baptist (Tue): CAC has beaten Arkansas Baptist by a total of 25 points over the past three years. Arkansas Baptist senior QB Cory McGonigal passed for almost 2,000 yards the past two seasons. CAC QB Noah Evans passed for 1,687 yards and 22 TDs in eight games last fall.
LR Hall at ASHDOWN (26): LR Hall's last victory came Week 3, 2011 over Class 4A Arkadelphia. Ashdown, ranked No. 21 in Class 4A, won two of its last three games a year ago after changing to a Power I offense. Panther senior receiver Brandon Northcross scored 12 TDs last fall.
DeQueen at MENA (8): Mena finished as state runners-up last season, but six graduated starters signed college scholarships in the winter. Mena seniors D'Wayn Grinder and Jared Flemens form one of the more experienced linebacker duos in Class 4A. Class 5A DeQueen won just three games over the past three years, but the junior high won the conference title in 2014.
Hope at NASHVILLE (7): Nashville has won eight of the past nine in the series. Mike Volarvich debuts as Nashville's coach after coaching at Henderson State the past five seasons. Scrapper senior QB Leonard Snell passed for 2,048 yards and 33 TDs and ran for 790 yards and 10 scores a year ago. Hope defensive end McTelvin Agim (76 tackles and 16 sacks in 2014) owns 19 Division I offers, including Arkansas, Alabama, Ole Miss and Oklahoma.
Glen Rose at MALVERN (21): Malvern has defeated Glen Rose (2-8 in 2014) the past three seasons. The Leopards rely on running backs Jamari McCollum and Devin Shaw.
Fountain Lake at LR CHRISTIAN (1): Expectations soar on Highway 10. The LR Christian Warriors won six games last fall, and received a boost in the spring when senior QB Kyron Sanders moved from Magnolia. All-state running back Damarea Crockett (1,178 yards and 17 TDs in 2014) committed to Boise State in the summer. Fountain Lake senior Parker Ross ran for 1,651 yards and 23 TDs last fall.
PULASKI ROBINSON (21) at Bauxite: Expectations are high at Pulaski Robinson, where the Senators expect to compete for a state title with senior QB Brennan Johnson (passed for 2,164 yards and 20 TDs last year and ran for 885 yards) and T.J. Hammonds (2,067 all-purpose yards). Bauxite first-year coach Dustin Prescott led Des Arc to 33 wins the past four seasons.
MANSFIELD (21) at Waldron: Mansfield has won nine straight over Waldron. Former Booneville defensive coordinator Rickey May takes over as Waldron's third coach in three years. Waldron has lost 33 straight games.

8-4A
SMACKOVER (7) vs. Warren: Hootens.com Class 3A Game of the Week. Smackover finished as state runner-up last season and opens 2015 as Class 3A's top team. Defending Class 4A champion Warren could start three freshmen. Warren hasn't won its season opener since beating Fordyce by one point in 2010.
MONTICELLO (21) at Lake Village (Wed): Lake Village has won just four games over the past four seasons. Monticello relies on stout defensive linemen in 2015.
West Helena at DOLLARWAY (7): Dollarway has won five straight season openers, including last year's 24-point decision at West Helena. The Cardinals get solid play from junior QB Simeon Blair. West Helena returns 15 starters from last season, including junior tackles Damien McDonald (6-2, 280) and Riley House (6-5, 285).  
Lonoke at STAR CITY (8): Star City has won four straight over the Jackrabbits. Bulldog senior QB Tye Brown, an expected four-year starter, passed for 2,147 yards and 17 TDs last fall. Senior tackle Austin Capps (6-4, 310) committed to Arkansas in the spring. Lonoke three-year starting QB SaVonte Rountree passed for 1,500 yards and 16 TDs a year ago.
McGehee at HAMBURG (7): Hamburg has won seven of the past 11 meetings, including 39-14 a year ago. McGehee all-conference tailback/cornerback Ty Grant injured his back in mid-August and won't return to until October.
Crossett at MAGNOLIA (1): Magnolia snapped Crossett's two-game win streak in the series last fall. Panther senior Nile Cooper (658 yards) and junior Mikosky Jones (200 yards) man the the tailback spot. Crossett senior QB Hunter Welch had more than 2,400 yards last season.
Clarendon at DEWITT (7): Former Dumas coach Mark Courtney takes over at DeWitt. Courtney guided Dumas to a 49-51-1 record the past decade. DeWitt won seven games the past two seasons, its best two-year stretch in 15 years.
MAYFLOWER (1) at Dumas: Mayflower has defeated Dumas three years in a row, including 46-41 in 2014. But the Eagles must adjust to life with graduated QB Adam Dycus (12,150 yards in four seasons). Dumas has lost 25 of its past 31 games. Hamburg native Max Pennington takes succeeds Mark Courtney as Dumas' head coach.