Hootens.com Rankings
Class 6A, Week 14, 2015
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. Pine Bluff (12-0)
2. Greenwood (12-0)
3. Benton (9-3)
4. Jonesboro (8-4)
5. El Dorado (6-6)
6. Russellville (5-7)
7. Alma (7-5)
8. Searcy (6-5)
9. Siloam Springs (4-6)
10. Marion (5-7)
11. Sheridan (5-6)
12. Lake Hamilton (4-7)
13. Texarkana (3-8)
14. LR Parkview (5-5)
15. Mountain Home (1-9)
16. LR Hall (0-10)

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
No. 2 Greenwood vs. No. 1 Pine Bluff
These teams meet for the third time in four years. Greenwood beat Pine Bluff 51-44 to win the 2012 state championship. A year later, Pine Bluff ended Greenwood's 50-game win streak with a 37-34 triumph in the semifinals at Smith Robinson Stadium.
Greenwood makes its eighth state title game appearance in 12 years under Coach Rick Jones. The Bulldogs have claimed six state championships during that span, losing only to Wynne by two points in 2004 (Jones' first year). Greenwood has mercy-ruled nine of its 12 opponents this fall, including last week's 61-23 victory over Benton. Junior quarterback Luke Hales ran 19 times for 172 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 185 yards and two scores. The Bulldogs ran the ball 52 times for 351 yards, while punting only twice. Greenwood has punted 20 times all season. "They don't make many mistakes," Pine Bluff coach Bobby Bolding says. "Third down is going to be the money down. We've got to get (our defense) off the field." The efficient Bulldogs average 510 yards and 46 points per game. Hales has completed 120 of 173 passes (69 percent) for 1,982 yards and 18 TDs with three interceptions. Hales' favorite target is senior Ryan Padilla, who has 87 receptions for 1,222 yards and eight scores. Senior Jordan Green leads Greenwood with 134 carries for 929 yards (6.9 yards per carry) and 14 TDs. Greenwood's improvement on defense has been a big part of its success. The coaches switched schemes this off-season, installing a 4-2-5 alignment. "It has really helped us stop the run," Jones says. All-state senior linebacker Grant Morgan paces the Bulldogs with 132 tackles (25 for loss). Senior ends Peyton Noland (71 tackles, team-high eight sacks) and Josh Moudy (61 tackles), senior tackle Gunnar White (36 tackles) and sophomore tackle John Womack (47 tackles) control the front four.
Pine Bluff reaches the state title game for the fourth straight season and fifth time in nine years under Bolding. The Zebras mercy-ruled Russellville and Jonesboro before halftime the past two weeks. Senior QB Ladarius Skelton ran 15 times for 292 yards and five TDs in last week's 52-14 win at Jonesboro. Senior tailback Romar Reades rushed for 199 yards and two TDs on 17 carries. Skelton, who has committed to Southern University, paces the Zebras this year with 139 carries for 1,477 yards (10.6 ypc) and 19 TDs, while passing for 1,258 yards and 17 scores with four interceptions. Reades has rushed for 1,216 yards (7.5 ypc) and 16 TDs. Senior receiver and Louisiana Tech commit David Beasley has 30 catches for 704 yards and 16 TDs. Savvy senior Jordan O'Guinn (6-2, 280) anchors the line at left tackle. "Their offensive line is tremendous," Jones says. "They blow everybody off the ball. They have a great running back, and (Skelton) looks like Cam Newton." Senior defensive ends John Tate (37.5 tackles, 13 TFL, nine sacks) and Jaquavis Russell (39 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 13 sacks), senior LB Malik Isaiah (team-high 69 tackles) and senior safety Braylen Jones (47 tackles, seven interceptions) lead on defense. Tate has 10 scholarship offers from FBS schools. "They play great defense and their defensive ends are unbelievable," Jones says. "They have no weaknesses. We've got to play physical, take care of the football and keep them off balance." The Zebras ride a 15-game win streak.

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly picked both semifinal games involving 6A teams. For the season, hootens.com has correctly predicted 104 of 129 winners (81 percent).

WEEK 14 PLAYOFF PREDICTION (favored team in CAPS followed by point spread)
No. 2 Greenwood vs. No. 1 PINE BLUFF (7)