Class 7A Week 1 Rankings and Predictions
7A Rankings
Week 1, 2025
- Bryant (1-0)
- Bentonville (1-0)
- Fayetteville (1-0)
- Conway (1-0)
- Rogers (1-0)
- Bentonville West (0-1)
- LR Christian (1-0)
- Cabot (0-1)
- Pulaski Academy (0-1)
- Little Rock Central (1-0)
7A Central Unranked:
Little Rock Southwest
Little Rock Central
North Little Rock
7A West Unranked:
Rogers Heritage
Springdale Har-Ber
Fort Smith Northside
Springdale
HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 4 Conway (1-0) at No. 2 BENTONVILLE (1-0)
QB Wesley Tapp (407 yards and 3 TDs) and Conway rolled up 68 points against Class 6A Jonesboro in Week 0. Receivers Kambrien Blackmon, Elijah Collum and Alex McCray made plays, and RB Trey Harris rushed for more than 100 yards. Conway boasts one of the state’s largest offensive lines, led by Kingston Jackson (who has received offers from ULM, Air Force, and Army) and Isaiah Bowman (who has received offers from Colorado State, ULM, and UCA). The Wampus Cats thrive by pushing the line of scrimmage and wearing down defenses with depth at the skill positions.
Bentonville avenged last season’s opening loss to Tulsa Union (Okla), winning 28–14 behind senior RB Chris Ficklin’s 2 TDs and new QB Cole Slepecki’s efficiency. Slepecki tossed 2 TDs to senior WR Conad Schmitz, who showed his big-play ability, giving Bentonville offensive balance to complement Ficklin and the run game. The Tigers’ defense created 3 turnovers and a goal-line stand that sealed the victory.
These offenses play at different speeds, but they both prioritize winning the line of scrimmage and limiting turnovers. Both teams are state-title caliber, but Bentonville’s defensive front and special-teams edge with kicker/punter Cooper Nix gives the Tigers the tools to hold tight at home. These teams likely meet again in the playoffs.
WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS and highlighted in red)
Newton (Ga.) at No. 1 BRYANT (1-0): The Hornets face one of their stiffest nonconference challenges in years with Newton (2-1) coming from Georgia, but Bryant will not blink. Senior RB Kollin Robinson sets the tone behind a physical offensive line. Junior QB Kyler Shelby took a majority of the Hornets’ snaps in a solid Salt Bowl effort. Defensively, the Hornets rotate bodies up front to stay fresh and force turnovers late in games. Bryant’s depth and defensive discipline wear down Newton in the second half.
No. 3 FAYETTEVILLE (1-0) vs. Broken Arrow (Okla.): Fayetteville’s passing attack looks solid after QB Hank Hendrix threw 4 TDs in his debut, and WR Catavion Taylor provides a target that can take the top off of the defense. Broken Arrow (1-0) will counter with a powerful ground game and a defensive front built to pressure quarterbacks. Playing at Harmon Field in Fayetteville, the Bulldogs’ quick-strike offense should generate enough explosive plays to separate late. Hendrix and Taylor’s connection makes the difference when the game gets tight.
No. 5 ROGERS (1-0) at Muskogee (Okla.): QB Jeff Regan delivered one of the state’s best individual performances in Week 0, passing for 3 touchdowns, rushing for a score and adding a receiving TD. The Mounties’ defense forced 4 turnovers against North Little Rock, showing that takeaways can change games. Muskogee (0-1) presents speed in the skill spots, but Rogers’ creativity and ability to score in different ways give it the upper hand. Highlight-reel creator Regan once again proves too much for the opponent to contain.
No. 7 BENTONVILLE WEST (0-1) at No. 6 Cabot (0-1): Bentonville West nearly knocked off 6A juggernaut Greenwood last week, and QB Tre Thompson looked sharp distributing the football. West’s run game adds balance to the Wolverines’ offense, giving them the weapons to score with anyone. Cabot counters with QB Maddox McCrory and RB Cooper Powell. In a game that could swing either way, West’s passing game creates just enough explosive plays to win.
No. 8 LR Christian (1-0) at Class 6A SHILOH CHRISTIAN (0-0): LR Christian made a statement against El Dorado in Week 0, with QB Kemp Keller throwing 3 TD passes and WR/S Gabe Schroeder making plays on both sides of the ball. Shiloh Christian, now competing in 6A, has the size and tradition to make this close, and the Saints have athletes who can stretch the field vertically. LRCA’s balanced offense and disciplined defense travel well, but Shiloh’s home-field energy provides an extra spark. The Warriors are tough, but Shiloh makes enough plays late.
No. 10 SPRINGDALE (0-1) vs. Class 6A Van Buren (1-0): Springdale is looking for consistency after struggling to finish drives in its 26-7 Week 0 loss to LR Central, while Van Buren has a veteran squad that knows how to win tight games. QB Carson Hayter will spark the Bulldogs, especially in short-yardage and Wildcat looks, and this time he delivers big plays to finish drives. Van Buren’s experience will keep the Pointers in it, but Springdale’s fight and play-making ability set it apart. The Bulldogs win in front of their home crowd..
SPRINGDALE HAR-BER (0-1) at Class 5A Farmington (1-0): Har-Ber’s offense showed life last week with QB Brice Owens in its 35-14 loss to Broken Arrow, Okla. WR Treyson Reith made some plays, but turnovers and protection breakdowns proved costly. Farmington is one of the top contenders in 5A and has balance on both sides of the ball. Har-Ber must play a mistake-free game to win, and on the road, that’s a tall task.
FS Northside (0-1) vs. Class 6A NO. 1 GREENWOOD (1-0): Northside struggled with turnovers and finishing drives in its 27-7 loss to Fort Smith Southside. Greenwood QB Kane Archer is already one of the most polished passers in the state, and his ability to spread the ball makes the Bulldogs hard to defend. Greenwood’s defense also plays with discipline, forcing opponents to string drives together. Northside stays in it, but Archer and Greenwood’s depth wear them down late.
Rogers Heritage (0-0) at CARL JUNCTION (Mo): Heritage is still in rebuild mode under Coach Eric Muñoz, and the War Eagles’ offense has yet to find its rhythm. Traveling to Missouri for a matchup with an experienced Carl Junction team makes the challenge even tougher. Heritage’s defense will look to generate turnovers, but Carl Junction’s size and depth in the trenches should control the game. The War Eagles continue to gain valuable reps, but the home team pulls away.