Hootens.com Rankings
Class 6A, Week 1, 2010
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1.  El Dorado
2.  Lake Hamilton
3.  Jonesboro
4.  Russellville
5.  Marion
6.  Pine Bluff
7.  Texarkana
8.  LR Parkview
9.  Van Buren
10.  Searcy
11.  Sheridan
12.  Mountain Home
13.  Jacksonville
14.  Benton
15.  LR Fair
16.  LR McClellan

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
Class 5A No. 2 Camden Fairview at No. 1 El Dorado
El Dorado has played in the past two Class 6A title games, winning it all last season, while Camden Fairview played for its first-ever state title in 2009. Camden Fairview's improved defense gave up 15 points per game last season under first-year coordinator Marc Jones. El Dorado looks for its third straight win over the Cardinals behind senior all-state QB Taylor Reed (2,313 yards and 21 TDs in 2009). The Wildcats return three starters from a defensive unit that also allowed 15 points per game last fall.

HOOTENS TV SHOW
Hooten's Arkansas Football TV show airs at 11 a.m. Saturdays on Fox 16 in Little Rock and KFSM in Fort Smith/Fayetteville, featuring Pine Bluff at FS Northside, Texarkana at LR Central, Greene County Tech vs. Jonesboro, Mills vs. Parkview, Cabot vs. Jacksonville

LAST YEAR
Hootens.com correctly picked 90 of 113 games (80 percent) involving 6A teams.

WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)
7A/6A CENTRAL
Morrilton at RUSSELLVILLE (7): Russellville has won four straight games over Morrilton by an average of 20 points. First-year Morrilton coach Cody McNabb coordinated Russellville's defense the past six seasons.
Van Buren at ALMA (6): Alma has beaten Van Buren six of the past eight years, with the teams tying 36-36 a year ago. Alma could use multiple schemes on defense this fall.

7A/6A EAST
Greene Co. Tech vs. JONESBORO (10): Greene County Tech's lack of veteran skill players hurts against the deeper, more athletic Hurricane. The University of Arkansas offered a scholarship to Jonesboro RB/WR Zac Brooks in the spring.
CABOT (30) vs. Jacksonville: Cabot has beaten Jacksonville four straight times by an average of 28 points. Jacksonville has won 11 games since capturing a league title in 2006.
LR PARKVIEW (6) vs. Mills: Little Rock Parkview, the Capital City's most successful team the past two years (15 wins), must find a successor for graduated, two-time all-state QB Benjamin Anderson. Mills QB Chris Hampton makes plays with nimble feet.
MARION (3) at Wynne: Marion has beaten Wynne five straight times by a total of 34 points. Wynne has missed the playoffs two of the past three seasons while winning just 10 games in that span.
Nettleton at MOUNTAIN HOME (8): These two teams combined for 15 wins over the past two years. Mountain Home native Benji Mahan returns to Baxter County as head coach after former coach Shane Patrick left in February for Springdale High.
North Pulaski at SEARCY (24): North Pulaski promoted assistant Terrod Hatcher to head coach in late July. Searcy won four games a year ago, more than the previous four years combined. The Lions lost to North Pulaski by six points two years ago.

7A/6A SOUTH
Benton vs. BRYANT (22): Benton first-year head coach Scott Neathery (Off. Coord. from 2002-05) installed the Spread in the spring. The Panthers return starters at 11 positions, including all-state LB Lucas Haley. Bryant's formidable linemen will give the Hornets their fifth straight win in the Salt Bowl.
Camden Fairview at EL DORADO (1): See Hootens.com Game of the Week.
LAKE HAMILTON (38) at LR Hall: Lake Hamilton last beat Little Rock Hall 41-0 in 2007. The Warriors must keep Lake Hamilton junior LB and leading tackler Tyler Lindsey away from the ball.
LR FAIR (14) at Earle: Little Rock Fair has won just four games over the past four seasons. After playing three Class 2A schools to start last season, Earle elevates its non-conference competition this fall. The Bulldogs travel to Class 4A Lake Village Week 2 and play host to 3-4A favorite Osceola on Sept. 17.
LR McClellan at ASHDOWN (6): Ashdown promoted William Frazier to head coach in July when Chris Hill left after two seasons. Little Rock McClellan has won just six games over the past five years, but it plays better in September than later in the year.
Pine Bluff at FS NORTHSIDE (4): Pine Bluff, which last beat the Grizzlies 28-22 in 2008, returns five starters on both sides of the ball after playing in the Class 6A title game a year ago. Fort Smith Northside senior all-state QB Tanner Knight accounted for 401 yards of offense (31 of 42 passing) and six TDs in last year's 47-27 win at Pine Bluff.
Sheridan at HARRISON (1): Harrison has won four straight season-openers by an average of 33 points. Sheridan first-year coach Louis Campbell installed an option attack in the spring and conducted practices with college-styled efficiency.
Texarkana at LR CENTRAL (7): These two teams meet for the first time since 2007 when Texarkana beat the Tigers by six points. The Razorbacks have won 10 games since claiming back-to-back state titles in 2006 and 2007. Texarkana senior all-state QB Kierra Harris totaled more than 2,000 yards of offense in 2009. Little Rock Central enters the season with a 21-game losing streak. The unpredictable Tigers, under first-year coach Ellis "Scooter" Register, have much to prove.