Class 5A Week 8 Rankings and Selections

HOOTENS.COM

2026 Week 8

RK.—PV. TEAM (OVERALL, CONF.; WEEK 7 RESULT)

1. ↔ 1. JOE T. ROBINSON (7-0, 4-0; beat LR Parkview 52-49)
2. ↔ 2. GREENWOOD (5-2, 4-0; beat Farmington 42-14)
3. ↑  4. JACKSONVILLE (6-1, 3-1; beat Vilonia 50-29)
4. ↓  3. FARMINGTON (6-1, 3-1; lost to Greenwood 42-14)
5. ↔ 5. CAMDEN FAIRVIEW (5-2, 4-0; beat De Queen 38-34)
6. ↔ 6. HS LAKESIDE (5-2, 3-1; beat Pine Bluff 22-7)
7. ↔ 7. LR PARKVIEW (4-3, 2-2; lost to Joe T. Robinson 52-49)
8. ↔ 8. MILLS (6-1, 3-1; beat Greenbrier 48-35)
9. ↔ 9. WYNNE (5-2, 4-0; beat Batesville 45-10)
10. ↔ 10. MORRILTON (5-2, 2-2; beat Clarksville 42-7) 
11. ↔ 11. GREENBRIER (3-4, 1-3; lost to Mills 48-35)
12. ↔ 12. NETTLETON (5-2, 4-0; beat Greene County Tech 28-6)
13. ↑ 14. HARRISON (4-3, 2-2; beat Pea Ridge 52-21)
14. ↑ 16. HARDING ACADEMY (3-4, 3-1; beat Paragould 58-33)
15. ↓ 13. PINE BLUFF (4-3, 3-1; lost to HS Lakeside 22-7)
16. ↑ 20. ARKANSAS HIGH (3-4, 2-2; beat White Hall 48-12)
17. ↑ 18. PEA RIDGE (3-4, 2-2; lost to Harrison 52-21)
18. ↑ 19. ALMA (4-3, 2-2; beat Dardanelle 17-3)
19. ↓ 15. BATESVILLE (4-3, 2-2; lost to Wynne 45-10)
20. ↑ NR. BROOKLAND (3-4, 1-3; beat Valley View 34-24)

Dropped out: Valley View (previously No. 17).

NOT RANKED

5A EAST: Greene County Tech (3-4, 1-3); Paragould (2-5, 0-4); Valley View (3-4, 1-3).

5A CENTRAL: Beebe (1-6, 1-3); Maumelle (2-5, 1-3); Vilonia (2-5, 1-3).

5A SOUTH: De Queen (1-6, 0-4); Hot Springs (2-5, 2-2); Magnolia (0-7, 0-4); White Hall (2-5, 2-2).

5A WEST: Clarksville (0-7, 0-4); Dardanelle (2-5, 1-3).

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 13 Harding Academy (3-4, 3-1) at No. 10 NETTLETON (5-2, 4-0)

Nettleton has won 5 in a row after a 0-2 start and shares the 5A East lead with Wynne. Harding Academy is 1 game back after beating Paragould 58-33, giving the Wildcats a chance to tie the Raiders rather than falling 2 games behind. Calmarre Harrell scored twice in the fourth quarter of Nettleton’s 28-6 victory at Greene County Tech, including a 5-yard touchdown that finished the scoring. The Raiders also stopped Tech on fourth-and-goal late in the third quarter, just short of the end zone. Tech later cut the lead to 14-6, but Nettleton answered, keeping the game from becoming a 1-possession struggle down the stretch. Harding Academy’s  Krews Wray can test that defense as a passer and a runner. He ran for 2 touchdowns in the Oct. 9 overtime loss at Batesville, and Angelau Kamdem caught a 20-yard scoring pass that helped the Wildcats erase a 28-14 fourth-quarter deficit. Harding Academy has scored 86 points in its past 2 games but allowed 64. The Wildcats must tackle Harrell and keep Nettleton off the field. The Raiders need pressure that keeps Wray from extending plays, especially near the goal line. Nettleton’s recent fourth-quarter execution and home field earn them the pick this week. 

WEEK 8 PREDICTIONS (favored teams in ALL CAPS and highlighted in Orange)

5A EAST

No. 20 Brookland (3-4, 1-3) at No. 19 BATESVILLE (4-3, 2-2): Brookland ended a 3-game losing streak by beating Valley View 34-24; Batesville fell 45-10 at Wynne. The Bearcats can pull even with Batesville in conference play with a win. Layton Byler scored all 3 Brookland touchdowns on runs of 2, 1, and 5 yards against Greene County Tech on Oct. 9. Batesville’s Hayes Kibe threw 2 touchdown passes and ran for another in the Oct. 9 overtime win over Harding Academy; Kendall Johnson caught a 42-yard scoring pass. Brookland needs to limit those downfield completions and keep Kibe from opening running lanes. Batesville gets a narrow home-field nod, but the Pioneers must recover offensively after last week’s 10-point performance.

Greene County Tech (3-4, 1-3) at VALLEY VIEW (3-4, 1-3): Valley View returns home after 3 consecutive losses, most recently 34-24 at Brookland. Greene County Tech stayed within 14-6 of Nettleton in the fourth quarter before surrendering 2 late touchdowns in a 28-6 loss. Davontae Williams intercepted a pass to set up Tech’s score, a fourth-down, 4-yard throw from Gavin Cupp to Lane Compton. Tech also recovered a fumble near its goal line before halftime. The Eagles need to convert those defensive opportunities into more points. Valley View’s Rowan Sanders ran for 2 touchdowns against Wynne on Oct. 9, and Ketcher Pattillo intercepted a pass. Valley View’s home field gives it a slight edge in a game neither can afford to let slip away early.

No. 13 Harding Academy (3-4, 3-1) at No. 10 NETTLETON (5-2, 4-0): See Hootens.com Game of the Week.

No. 9 WYNNE (5-2, 4-0) at Paragould (2-5, 0-4): Wynne has outscored its 4 conference opponents 152-50 after beating Batesville 45-10. Paragould has scored 102 points in its past 3 games but lost all 3 while allowing 141 points. The Rams must stop a Wynne offense that has consistently found the end zone in conference play. Caden Crawford scored all 4 of the Yellowjackets’ touchdowns in the Oct. 9 win over Valley View, while Ashton McDaniel supplied a third-and-10 scramble that helped set up the opening score. Paragould’s Zach Flowers ran for 3 touchdowns against Nettleton on Oct. 9. Flowers gives the Rams a scoring threat, but Wynne’s offensive production and a defense that allows 12.5 points per conference game make the Yellowjackets the pick.

5A CENTRAL

Beebe (1-6, 1-3) at No. 7 LR PARKVIEW (4-3, 2-2/Thursday, Oct. 22, at War Memorial Stadium)

Parkview lost 52-49 at unbeaten Robinson last week, and its offense — 111 points in its past 2 games — is dangerous. Beebe must keep that offense from getting repeated short possessions. The Badgers lost 35-27 to Maumelle and have dropped 3 in a row. Cameron Harness ran for 2 touchdowns against Mills on Oct. 9, including a 40-yard score, while Donald Willett added a rushing TD. Parkview’s Sadiq Goji scored 3 times on 4 first-half carries against Maumelle on Oct. 8; Elijah Moody added 2 first-half rushing scores. Beebe needs sustained drives and clean option exchanges. Parkview’s substantially greater offensive production makes the Patriots the choice.

No. 1 JOE T. ROBINSON (7-0, 4-0) at No. 15 Greenbrier (3-4, 1-3): Robinson stayed unbeaten with a 52-49 win over Parkview, and Greenbrier has receivers who can test a defense coming off its season-high points allowed. Trendon Moseley caught 2 touchdown passes from Tyler Hart in the Panthers’ 48-35 loss at Mills, including the tying score with 2:11 remaining. Ashyr Crow ran for 2 third-quarter touchdowns, including one that covered 38 yards on third-and-6. Greenbrier surrendered the go-ahead touchdown with 1:08 left. Robinson’s Reece Simpson threw 4 touchdown passes against Vilonia on Oct. 9, with Braylyn Brown catching 2. The Panthers need passing production and late defensive stops; Robinson’s 46-point scoring average and unbeaten conference record give the Senators the edge.

No. 3 JACKSONVILLE (6-1, 3-1) at Maumelle (2-5, 1-3): Jacksonville’s Mason Ball has rushed for 462 yards and 9 touchdowns over the past 2 games. He carried 19 times for 251 yards and 4 scores in the Titans’ 50-29 win at Vilonia. Kingston Burnett added 225 passing yards and 2 touchdowns, both to Mazaiah Davis; Jakobe Boone caught 7 passes for 126 yards. That balance will force Maumelle to defend more than Ball. The Hornets ended a 3-game losing streak with a 35-27 win over Beebe. Levi Warrior threw 3 touchdown passes against Parkview on Oct. 8, showing Maumelle can attack through the air. Jacksonville must avoid giving Warrior short fields, but its recent rushing and passing production makes it the clear choice.

Vilonia (2-5, 1-3) at No. 8 MILLS (6-1, 3-1): Mills needed a late flurry to beat Greenbrier 48-35. Zamarion McDonald ran for 3 touchdowns, including the go-ahead 11-yarder with 1:08 left, and Christopher Oliver added a defensive touchdown. Kenneth “KJ” Gilcreast threw 2 touchdown passes to Ja’Meion Reese and scored on a fourth-down keeper. Vilonia stayed competitive against Jacksonville before losing 50-29. Cooper Hanson threw touchdown passes to Hunter Harwood, Jackson Ringgold and Brody Williams, but a fourth-quarter possession ended on downs at the Jacksonville 8. The Eagles must finish those chances and improve a run defense that allowed Mason Ball 251 yards. Mills’ McDonald-Gilcreast combination gives the Comets the advantage against a defense facing another demanding rushing matchup.

5A SOUTH

Hot Springs (2-5, 2-2) at No. 16 ARKANSAS HIGH (3-4, 2-2): Hot Springs has won consecutive conference games by 3 points each, beating De Queen 34-31 in overtime before last Friday’s 36-33 victory over Magnolia. Arkansas High snapped a 2-game skid by beating White Hall 48-12. The Razorbacks have held 2 conference opponents to 14 points or fewer, but gave up 41 and 35 in their losses to Camden Fairview and Lakeside. Quarterback CJ Cleveland rushed for 2 touchdowns against Lakeside on Oct. 9. Hot Springs must limit his scrambles to keep possessions short while keeping its own offense productive after scoring 70 points in its past 2 games. Arkansas High’s home field and stronger defensive performance last week give the Razorbacks the nod.

No. 14 Pine Bluff (4-3, 3-1) at No. 5 CAMDEN FAIRVIEW (5-2, 4-0): Camden Fairview is the South’s only unbeaten team after consecutive 4-point wins over Magnolia and De Queen. Receiver Dayton Browning caught 9 passes for 175 yards and 5 touchdowns against Magnolia on Oct. 9. Pine Bluff lost 22-7 to Lakeside despite Jamar Morrow completing 13 of 19 passes for 234 yards. The Zebras rushed for 18 yards and did not score after Cedric Rauls’ opening-drive touchdown. Fairview has surrendered 81 points in its past 2 games, so Pine Bluff should have opportunities if it finishes drives and avoids turnovers. Fairview is a narrow choice, with Pine Bluff needing more rushing production to complement Morrow’s passing.

De Queen (1-6, 0-4) at No. 6 HS LAKESIDE (5-2, 3-1): Lakeside has won 3 in a row, allowing a total of 31 points. Quardarius Jackson returned an interception for a touchdown in a 22-7 win at Pine Bluff, and Hudson Phillips intercepted another pass. Rahshaamon Moore and Logan Polczynski scored on first-quarter runs, and the Rams held Pine Bluff to 18 rushing yards. De Queen remains winless in conference play, but it has lost its last 2 games by 7 points. The Leopards scored 34 against conference leader Camden Fairview after taking Hot Springs to overtime. Lakeside can’t treat this as an easy night, but its recent defense and ability to create extra possessions make the Rams the choice.

White Hall (2-5, 2-2) at MAGNOLIA (0-7, 0-4): Magnolia has scored 80 points in its past 2 games, both losses, by a combined 7 points. That makes White Hall’s defensive response the central issue after the Bulldogs surrendered 41 points to Pine Bluff and 48 to Arkansas High the past 2 weeks. White Hall receiver Kel McEntire caught 5 passes for 94 yards and intercepted a pass against Pine Bluff on Oct. 9, but the Bulldogs produced 19 net rushing yards that night. They need more rushing production to keep drives from depending on McEntire’s receiving. Magnolia must turn its improved scoring into a complete result after losses of 51-47 and 36-33. Magnolia gets the nod in a game both teams badly need.

5A WEST

No. 18 Alma (4-3, 2-2) at No. 11 MORRILTON (5-2, 2-2): Dalton Shirley (7-101-3 rushing) and Jy’mire Evans (8-120-2 rushing; TD reception) led Morrilton in a 42-7 win at Clarksville. The Devil Dogs scored on their first 6 possessions. Alma offers a tougher defensive test after holding Dardanelle to 3 points, but the Airedales must keep the ball away from Morrilton’s productive backs. Alma QB Jay Lemieux threw for 283 yards at Pea Ridge on Oct. 9, with Quinton Broadway catching 60- and 71-yard touchdowns, yet Alma lost 5 fumbles. Limiting those mistakes keeps Alma in the game, but Morrilton’s running game and home field give it a slight edge.

Clarksville (0-7, 0-4) at No. 4 FARMINGTON (6-1, 3-1): Farmington returns home after its first loss, 42-14 at Greenwood. Slade Norwood threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jett Pierce, and Tucker Wood caught a 57-yard touchdown pass, but the Cardinals couldn’t overcome a 35-7 halftime deficit. Clarksville allowed Morrilton to score touchdowns on its first 6 possessions in a 42-7 loss. Ty Kimbrough scored on a 5-yard run to cap a 77-yard drive, with Rylan Melson catching 3 first-down passes on that possession. Clarksville needs that kind of sustained offense earlier, before Farmington can separate. Farmington is the clear choice.

Dardanelle (2-5, 1-3) at No. 12 HARRISON (4-3, 2-2): Harrison has totaled 108 points in consecutive home wins over Clarksville and Pea Ridge, and the Goblins remain at home against a Dardanelle team that scored a total of 10 points in losses to Greenwood and Alma. The Sand Lizards need Jayvon Chaten and CJ Cursh to sustain possessions. They combined for 164 rushing yards against Greenwood on Oct. 9, but Dardanelle was held to 7 points. Stalled drives and empty trips into scoring range will be difficult to overcome against Harrison. The Goblins are the selection after their 52-21 win over Pea Ridge, with Dardanelle needing to improve significantly on offense to sustain drives.

No. 2 GREENWOOD (5-2, 4-0) at No. 17 Pea Ridge (3-4, 2-2): Greenwood quarterback Cruz Coatney completed 20 of 32 passes for 262 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 42-14 win over Farmington. Braxton Canada caught 13 passes for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Terry McGinister was credited with 3 sacks. Pea Ridge scored 52 points at Harrison and now faces a Bulldogs offense that has averaged 48 points through 4 conference games. The Blackhawks need Rhett Hargiss and Isaiah Cruz to create the explosive plays they supplied against Alma on Oct. 9, when they combined for 5 touchdowns. Greenwood’s pressure also makes extended passing downs dangerous. The Bulldogs’ balance and 192-44 scoring advantage in conference play make them the clear selection.