Hootens.com Rankings
Class 5A, Week 14, 2011
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. Greenwood (13-0)
2. Batesville (11-2)
3. Camden Fairview (11-2)
4. White Hall (9-4)
5. Greenbrier (9-3)
6. HS Lakeside (10-2)
7. Wynne (9-3)
8. Beebe (7-5)
9. Alma (7-4)
10. Morrilton (6-5)
11. Watson Chapel (7-4)
12. Monticello (7-3-1)
13. Siloam Springs (6-4)
14. Blytheville (6-5)
15. Arkadelphia (4-7)
16. West Helena (5-5)
17. CAC (5-5-1)
18. Vilonia (4-6)
19. Nettleton (4-5-1)
20. Greene Co. Tech (4-6)
21. Hope (4-6)
22. Sylvan Hills (4-6)
23. LR Christian (3-7)
24. Crossett (2-8)
25. Magnolia (2-8)
26. Harrison (2-8)
27. Hot Springs (1-9)
28. Mills (2-8)
29. Paragould (1-9)
30. Forrest City (0-9-1)
31. Huntsville (1-9)
32. North Pulaski (0-10)

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
No. 2 Batesville vs. No. 1 Greenwood

Batesville meets the Bulldogs in the playoffs for the fifth time in 14 years. Greenwood bested Batesville 38-13 in the 2010 semifinals, 24-20 in the 2008 quarterfinals, 58-42 in the 2006 quarterfinals and 31-14 in the first round in 1998. "They've been the premier 5A football program for a decade," Batesville coach Dave King said.

Batesville, Hootens.com preseason No. 3, advances to the state title game for the first time since winning it all in 2003. The Pioneers have won 10 straight games since losing back-to-back to Searcy and Mountain Home by a combined 22 points in mid-September. They whipped 5A Southeast champion White Hall 47-26 a week ago by forcing five turnovers. On the second play of the second half, senior tackle Terrance Robinson stripped White Hall's QB and senior end Bailey Pollett scooped and scored from 12 yards out. Senior safety Cody Vaughn has recorded almost 150 tackles this year. Vaughn, Batesville's emotional leader, recovered a fumble last week. Junior workhorse Tim Childress ran 27 times for 255 yards a week ago and he's rushed for 2,177 yards this season.

Greenwood, Hootens.com No. 1 ranked team all season, makes its second straight state title game appearance and eighth in the past 16 years. The Bulldogs have played in six state title games, winning four by a total of 26 points, since Rick Jones took over as coach in 2004.

Greenwood's latest venture to the state title game came in patented Jones fashion, rallying from a 21-point second half deficit for a 34-31 triumph at Camden Fairview. Senior quarterback Hayden Smith threw three touchdown passes in the final 14 minutes, including a 12-yarder with 3:37 left that tied it 31-31. Senior linebacker Brandon Boerjan pulled in a interception at midfield and returned it to the 14-yard line with 1:11 left, setting up senior Adam McFain's winning field goal as time expired.

"We found a way to win," Jones said. "There's no secret potion or pills, just a lot of hard work and preparation. When we were down 21 points, we didn't say let's make all this up at once. Instead, we focused on getting first downs and stopping them. Once we started coming back, gaining some momentum, the pressure flipped to them."

Smith passed for 273 yards and four TDs against Camden Fairview and has thrown for 2,936 yards and 38 TDs this fall. Junior Drew Morgan has emerged as the Bulldogs top playmaker, caching 74 passes for 1,244 yards and 21 scores this fall. Senior Justin Sunde ran for just seven yards against Camden Fairview, but caught nine passes. Sunde has rushed for 1,062 yards and caught 57 passes for 520 yards and five TDs this fall. Boerjan tops Greenwood's tackle chart with 145 stops. "The past two years, their defense has turned it up another notch," King says. "Last year, they shut down our running game and we weren't able to move the ball."

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly predicted both semifinal games. For the season, Hootens.com has correctly predicted 178 of 209 games (85 percent).

WEEK 14 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)
Batesville vs. GREENWOOD (8)