Class 7A Week 0 Ranking and Predictions
CLASS 7A WEEK 0
RANKINGS AND SELECTIONS
- Bryant
- Bentonville
- Conway
- Shiloh Christian
- Bentonville West
- North Little Rock
- Fayetteville
- Rogers
- Little Rock Christian
- Cabot
NOT RANKED
7A CENTRAL LR Central, Pulaski Academy, FS Northside
7A WEST Springdale Har-Ber, Springdale, Rogers Heritage
HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
Class 6A No. 1 Benton at CLASS 7A NO. 1 BRYANT
Bryant opens 2026 in a familiar spot: No. 1 in Class 7A and carrying the weight of the state’s most dominant modern dynasty. The Hornets went 13-0 last fall, won a second consecutive Class 7A state championship, which was their 7th in 8 seasons. They averaged 42.8 points per game in 2025 while allowing 11.7, the best defensive mark among 7A Central teams.
The opener against Benton brings rivalry weight, too. The Benton-Bryant matchup has long been one of Arkansas’ best-known early-season series, and while Benton competes in Class 6A, the Panthers are rarely overwhelmed by the stage. Bryant beat Benton 40-10 in last year’s opener, then rolled through the regular season and playoffs with wins over Conway, Fayetteville, Rogers and Bentonville on the way to the title.
The biggest Bryant storyline is offensive retooling. Senior Kyler Shelby played in every game last season and passed for 990 yards and 13 touchdowns, but he did not enter 2025 as the full-time starter. KJ Gilcreast, a transfer who threw for 2,230 yards and 21 touchdowns over 2 seasons at Helena, gives Bryant another live option, while sophomore Judah Summers brings dual-threat ability from the freshman team. Whoever wins the job inherits a program standard that demands efficiency, not experiments.
Bryant must also rebuild the running back room after losing its top 4 rushers. Junior Kaleb Leak, junior Jamarion Greer, sophomore Tavian Morris, and senior Corey Ellison give the Hornets a variety of body types and roles. Morris, already offered by Arkansas, may be the most intriguing long-term name because of his size, receiving ability and willingness to lower his pads.
The receiving corps has upside but less proven Friday-night production than Bryant usually carries into August. Dantrell Wilkins, Crews Thomason, Evan Hicks, Keaton Herman, Abram Pendergrass, Mills transfer Chase Slater and sophomore Quinton Sykes Jr. give Bryant length and speed. Slater totaled more than 700 yards at Mills last season, while Sykes already owns interest from Power 4 schools.
The reason Bryant remains the preseason No. 1 is defense. Senior DL Sam Nelson, an Oklahoma commit, and senior DL Jacquez Suggs headline one of the most talented fronts in Arkansas. Nelson brings a 515-pound squat and explosive first step, while Suggs has the athleticism to win from the edge. Senior LB Kaveion Smith is the defensive jack-of-all-trades, and senior DB Terriun Jones had 5 interceptions last season.
Benton’s best path to victory is to make this a grinder: The Hornets must shorten the game, win hidden-yardage moments and test Bryant’s new offensive skill pieces before they settle in. But the Hornets’ defensive line and secondary are too experienced, and the home-field advantage matters in an opener where timing is rarely perfect. Bryant might not look fully polished in Week 0, but championship programs usually win early with defense and special teams.
WEEK 0 PREDICTIONS
(Favored team in ALL CAPS and highlighted in orange)
WEEK 0 PREDICTIONS
(Favored team in ALL CAPS and highlighted in orange)
7A CENTRAL
No. 3 CONWAY vs. Capital, Mo.
Conway opens with a roster built around line-of-scrimmage football and one of the state’s top returning receivers. The Wampus Cats went 9-3 last season, finished second in the 7A Central and reached the state semifinals before falling 26-21 at Bentonville. Coach Buck James, recently inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, continues to build Conway around toughness, depth, and weight-room development. Junior Ryder Cook, senior Vilonia transfer Coleson Ashcraft and senior Wit Griffin give Conway several options at quarterback. Cook appears to have the leadership traits James values, while Ashcraft brings varsity experience and positional versatility. Griffin returns from injury and gives the Wampus Cats another athletic option. The offense’s centerpiece is senior WR Kambrien Blackmon, who caught 63 passes for 1,221 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. James calls Blackmon one of Arkansas’ top players because of his blocking and toughness, not just his receiving production. Blackmon committed to Missouri State in June and may even take special-package snaps at quarterback. Conway’s offensive line is a major advantage. Seniors Major James and Tyrin ‘Ty’ Ware are returning starters and all-conference players, while Isaiah Wahpekeche, Martin Crawford, Parker Rupert, Jackson Crow, Channing Anderson, Jayveon Colvin and Keenan Young give Conway size and depth. The defensive front is similarly physical with Lawrence Wagner, Kam Sims, Jabari Criswell, Bennett Moseley and Elijah Branch. Capital gives Conway an out-of-state test, but the Wampus Cats’ combination of returning line play, Blackmon’s explosiveness and James’ program consistency should be too much. Conway’s quarterback play may determine how clean the final margin looks, but the Wampus Cats should control both lines.
Class 5A Harding Academy at No. 9 LITTLE ROCK CHRISTIAN Little Rock Christian opens the season with a smaller senior class but plenty of proven defensive production. The Warriors went 8-4 last season, finished third in the 7A Central and beat Pulaski Academy 55-28 in Week 10 before falling at Rogers in the playoffs. Coach Dustin Grimmett has a roster that may lean on defense, linebackers and special teams while the offense settles. The quarterback battle is one of the more interesting in the 7A Central. Junior Elijah ‘Eli’ Robertson passed for 702 yards and 10 touchdowns in a backup role last year while adding 433 rushing yards and 6 scores. Senior Haden Hall gives LR Christian a bigger pocket option, while sophomore Grayson Raines led the junior high team to an undefeated conference championship. The Warriors’ top returning offensive weapon is senior Pierre ‘Mann’ Pickens, who caught 26 passes for 521 yards and 8 touchdowns. Pickens gives LR Christian a physical outside target, while Blake Haughaboo, Ridge Bowman, Ashton Chapple, Jay Lawhon and others add flexibility. Up front, senior Skeet Boshears has started since his freshman season, and senior center Ayden Rodgers gives the Warriors a veteran who can handle run-game calls. The defense should travel immediately. UCA commit DJ Williams returns after totaling 103 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. Nick Harp had 81 tackles, 13 TFL and 6 sacks, while sophomore Gideon Carlisle added 95 tackles, 13 TFL, 4 sacks and an interception return for a touchdown. Haughaboo also had 97 tackles, 14 TFL and 9 sacks. Special teams could be a major separator. Brody Bost made 10 of 13 field goals and 51 of 53 PATs last season, produced 43 touchbacks, averaged 38 yards per punt and scored 81 points. All of that is a major advantage in an opener where offensive rhythm may lag.
7A West No. 8 Rogers at 7A Central No. 6 NORTH LITTLE ROCK This is the best 7A-vs.-7A matchup of Week 0 outside the Game of the Week conversation. Rogers beat North Little Rock 41-3 in last year’s opener, then went 10-2 and reached the Class 7A semifinals before falling 50-43 in overtime at Bryant. North Little Rock went 3-8 but was far more competitive late, losing 34-33 at Bentonville West in the first round. North Little Rock Coach Brad Bolding says the theme is ‘finish’ after the Charging Wildcats lost multiple close games last season. NLR returns one of the state’s best backfields with senior Christian Reeves, who rushed for 1,250 yards and 12 touchdowns, and junior Jeremiah Buckner, who added 875 yards. Junior QB Robert Jackson passed for 1,400 yards and 13 touchdowns and is expected to be stronger after offseason hip surgery. Rogers is retooling after the program’s best 3-year stretch, a 26-win run that included a near trip to the state championship game. The Mounties lost star QB Jeff Regan, BYU signee Braxton Lindsey, DL Julian Arroyos and CB Cooper Daniel, but Coach Chad Harbison still has one of the state’s best offensive lines. Arkansas commit Henry Frazier leads a possible 5-senior front, joined by Kaiden Lairamore, Andrew Cordischi, Brody Martin and Lincoln Howard. Junior Jagger Blockburger takes over as Rogers’ quarterback after starting at safety last season and earning 7A West Newcomer of the Year honors. Senior Xander Burke gives Rogers a powerful back who ran for 203 yards and 6 touchdowns and caught 8 passes for 184 yards and 3 more scores. Defensively, AJ Francisco, Gerardo Guzman, Zach Mincks and Alex Clopper give the Mounties a tough front 7. North Little Rock was handled by Rogers last season, but the 2026 Charging Wildcats are better positioned to run the football, shorten the game and play from ahead. Rogers’ line can absolutely win this game, but NLR’s returning skill production gives the home team a slight Week 0 edge.
No. 10 CABOT at Class 6A Jonesboro Cabot begins a new era under Lance Clark, who replaces Scott Reed. Clark led Marion to a 35-23 record in 5 seasons, 3 Class 6A quarterfinal appearances and a 2021 semifinal trip. Reed led Cabot to a 47-35 record over 7 seasons, including three 8-win campaigns and a 2022 Class 7A semifinal appearance. The Panthers went 4-7 last season but finished strong enough to make the postseason, beating LR Central and North Little Rock in the final 2 regular-season weeks before falling to Springdale in the playoffs. The biggest offensive question is quarterback, where junior Tyce Fletcher emerged as the first-team option after missing most of 2025 with an ankle injury. Keegan Leavitt and sophomore Easton Pifer provide competition. Cabot’s best early strength should be the offensive line. Senior all-conference center Rylee Cochran identifies fronts and protection calls, while Wyatt Macmillan, Brady Poe, Preston Collins and Braxton Bailey give the Panthers a senior-heavy front with starting experience. That matters in Clark’s first game, especially on the road. The defensive front has energy and strength with Link Meinhart, Camron Greene, Cameron Thompson, Hudson McDaniel, Timothy Gaylor and Anthony Sanchez. At linebacker, Bryce Moore, Harrison Fry, Danny Cox and Carson Nyborg are competing for roles. The secondary may be a strength, with Jayden Terry moving from offense and veterans Bronson Elizandro and Carlos Lozano returning. Jonesboro is a dangerous opener because it has athletic skill players and is comfortable in high-scoring games. Cabot’s biggest task is avoiding first-game mistakes while installing a new staff’s systems. The Panthers’ line play and Clark’s immediate organizational impact should be enough.
Pulaski Academy at MELISSA, TEXAS Pulaski Academy opens the Mark Kelley era with one of the toughest Week 0 assignments in the state: a road trip to Melissa, Texas. Kelley replaces Anthony Lucas, who left for Fayetteville, after engineering a remarkable turnaround at Sylvan Hills. The Bears went from 0-20 across 2023-2024 to 10-2 in 2025, winning the 6A East and reaching the semifinals. PA went 3-8 last season, a rare down year by Bruins standards, but still averaged 32.7 points per game. The Bruins were explosive but struggled defensively, allowing 45.5 points per game. Kelley’s task is not just to preserve PA’s offensive identity, but to build more toughness and week-to-week consistency. Sophomore QB Caleb Sullivan takes over after leading the junior high team to a 9-1 record. Kelley describes him as composed, smart, and accurate, and Sullivan already has multiple Division I offers before his first varsity start. He inherits proven receivers in Bryce Gittens and Chase Hancock. Gittens caught 56 passes for 634 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Hancock caught 67 passes for 803 yards and 5 scores and has run a 10.3-second 100 meters. The Bruins also return senior OL Luke Edwards, a physical anchor at tackle, and 2-way lineman Austin Childers, who had 43 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. LB Andrew Manning returns after 63 tackles, including 3 sacks, while Tyler Galloway, Jackson Burton, Collin Neal and Sam Hurtado help stabilize the defense. Melissa gives PA a Texas-style measuring stick right away. The Bruins have enough speed to hit explosive plays, but a sophomore quarterback making his first varsity start on the road against a quality opponent is a difficult ask. PA will be improved under Kelley, but this opener may be more about growth than record.
Class 6A Sylvan Hills at LR CENTRAL Little Rock Central may be one of the more dangerous unranked teams in Class 7A. The Tigers went 3-7 last season, their best record since 2020, and barely missed the playoffs. Coach Anthony Robinson says he believes senior leadership is the program’s biggest strength because this group arrived when he did and has improved each year. The offense features one of the state’s most talented backfields. Senior RB Trey Stewart, a Kansas commit, rushed for 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns and added 570 receiving yards last fall. Central also returns senior WR Micah Frazier, TE/defensive standout Ricky Gaston, center Evan Blackwell, guard Kyle Williams and tackle Gilbert Moore. That gives Robinson a strong offensive core and enough experience to avoid the inconsistency that has hurt Central in past seasons. Defensively, the Tigers must replace Arkansas signee Anthony Kennedy, but Gaston’s move from defensive end to linebacker gives Central a college-level athlete in space. Kaedyn Dunn, Roy Holmes, Brayden White, Kemon Porter and sophomore Ethan Lauryea give the defense returning pieces at every level. Sylvan Hills is also in transition after losing Mark Kelley to Pulaski Academy and hiring Trey Schucker, so this opener carries extra intrigue. Central’s historical challenge has been turning talent into wins in 7A Central play. This is the kind of nonconference game the Tigers need to win if they are serious about a playoff push.
Class 6A FS Southside at FS NORTHSIDE Few Week 0 games carry more rivalry history than Northside-Southside. The Fort Smith schools know each other well, and for Northside, this opener is about more than city bragging rights. The Grizzlies went 0-10 last season and were outscored 451-134, but they now move into the 7A Central with a more experienced roster and several impact transfers. Coach Dom Mirocke is in his first season. Northside’s biggest addition is senior QB Jaseir Posey, who returns from Pocola, Okla., after throwing for 7,135 yards and 71 touchdowns over the past 2 seasons. Posey also rushed for 741 yards and 9 scores during that span. Posey is joined by former Pocola teammate Jaryus Birdsong, who rushed for 845 yards and 14 touchdowns and caught 35 passes for 381 yards and 4 scores last season. Keelan Mendoza (31-326 receiving, 4 TDs) gives Posey a proven target, while Vonjay Johnson, Derian Dupriest, Jayden Charles and TE Cain Teague give Northside more speed than it showed in 2025. The line has potential with all-conference tackle Charlie Scott, center Kalen Rodriguez and tackle Bryan Flores. Defensively, all-conference NT Cayden Dye is the tone-setter with strength after benching 320, squatting 525 and power-cleaning 300. Jeremiah Cartmill, Imani Marshall, Braylen Henry, Jonah Caldarera and Omauri Hill add experience in the back 7. Southside won last year’s meeting 27-7, so Northside has both motivation and a better offensive trigger. The concern is depth, especially on the lines, but rivalry openers often reward senior quarterbacks and explosive skill players. Posey gives Northside a very different ceiling.
7A WEST
Union, Okla., at No. 2 BENTONVILLE Bentonville opens against Union, Okla., after finishing 12-1 and reaching the Class 7A state championship game last season. The Tigers beat Union 28-14 in last year’s opener, then won the 7A West before falling to Bryant 27-7 in the final. The storyline is offensive transition. Junior Evan Canode takes over at quarterback after being thrust into last year’s title game when Cole Slepecki suffered a concussion on the fourth offensive snap. Coach Jody Grant says he believes that experience means no moment will be too big for Canode. Bentonville will lean more on 12 personnel, the run game, play-action and RPOs. RBs Steven Schafer, Desi Hendrick and Nathan Clouston run behind a massive offensive line led by Zach Harsha, Devin Laupua, Spencer Starnes, Jack Summers and Jack Grant. Laupua is a returning all-conference guard, and Harsha already owns a Liberty offer. The Tigers also return senior Aiden McCarthy, their projected No. 1 receiver and an all-conference safety. Defensively, Ethan Hoffmann leads the front, Garrett Wolfe returns as the defensive leader at inside linebacker, and McCarthy anchors the secondary. Wolfe is expected to again be among Bentonville’s top tacklers. Union is never a soft opener, but Bentonville’s line play and defensive structure give the Tigers a safe early-season formula. Canode does not need to carry the offense this week; he needs to manage it and let Bentonville’s size take over.
Class 5A No. 1 Greenwood at No. 5 BENTONVILLE WEST This is one of the state’s best Week 0 matchups. Bentonville West went 8-4 last season, and all 4 losses came to teams that reached at least the semifinals. The Wolverines lost 35-31 at Greenwood in last year’s opener, giving West clear motivation for revenge in 2026. The quarterback battle is the main offensive question. Senior Jacob Paulk, junior Sutton Mackey and Pulaski Academy transfer Aron Orgil competed in the spring. Orgil passed for more than 3,500 yards and 35 touchdowns at PA last season, giving West a high-upside option if he wins the job. The Wolverines have enough around the quarterback to be dangerous immediately. Junior RB VJ Warren generated almost 1,200 total yards last season and is one of the most explosive players in Northwest Arkansas. Senior WR Ryan Adjam caught almost 900 yards worth of passes and 12 touchdowns, while TE/WR Asher Swoboda caught the game-winning touchdown against North Little Rock in the playoffs. The offensive line should be one of the best in 7A. Keegan Larson, Jaxson Bertschy, Stellan Shelnutt, Joseph Cavness and Brady Betts give Bryan Pratt a veteran group. Defensively, West is loaded with Brison Johnson, Ronan Cryer, Peyton Dodd-Gore, Quentin Lavalais, Hunter Vinson, Ashton Jones and Dane Renick. Jones, a Colorado State commit, had 99 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 2 defensive touchdowns and 3 kickoff-return touchdowns, all coming in the playoffs. Greenwood is always a heavyweight, and this could easily be a one-score game again. But West’s defensive star power and home-field edge give the Wolverines the nod.
Heritage Hall, Okla., at No. 4 SHILOH CHRISTIAN Shiloh Christian enters 7A with immediate credibility. The Saints went 11-2 last season, averaged more than 50 points per game and won the Class 6A state championship by beating Greenwood 70-50 at War Memorial Stadium. Now they move up to the 7A West under the competitive-equity rule. The Saints return the best quarterback in the classification in senior Cole Creighton, who passed for 4,017 yards and 44 touchdowns. Coach Tucker Barnard says Creighton can make every throw, makes big plays in big games, and is one of the best decision-makers he has been around. The backfield remains strong with juniors Charlie Kroell and Max Eldridge. Kroell rushed for 482 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Eldridge rushed for 547 yards and 15 touchdowns and also had 119 tackles on defense. WR Cohen Beach returns after 36 catches for 612 yards and 7 scores, and 2-way standout Brody Francis gives Shiloh another physical receiving option. The defense may be what makes Shiloh a true 7A contender right away. Mac Kimbrow had 125 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 safeties; Corbin Miller had 144 tackles, Silas Nantze had 153 tackles and 3 interceptions, Colton Miller had 119 tackles and 4 interceptions, and Tate Barnard had 116 tackles and 4 interceptions. That is a staggering amount of returning production. Heritage Hall will not be intimidated, but Shiloh’s quarterback experience and defensive production make the Saints too complete in their first official 7A statement game.
Springdale Har-Ber at BROKEN ARROW (Okla.) Har-Ber begins Year 2 under Aaron Danenhauer after going 3-8 and making the playoffs in 2025. The Wildcats were more competitive than the record suggests, including a 1-point loss to Greenwood and a 5-point loss to rival Springdale. Senior QB Brice Owens returns after passing for 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 600 yards and 14 scores. That dual-threat production makes Har-Ber dangerous early, especially in a new pro-style system built around 11-, 12-, and 13-personnel, empty sets, heavy tight-end usage, and quarterback movement. The Wildcats also return senior RB Reed McAllister, who rushed for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns, and senior WR/TE Treyson Reith, who caught 58 passes for 860 yards and 7 touchdowns. Grayre Graham, Breck Roach, Gibson Green and Jackson Hammontree give Har-Ber more targets, while the line is anchored by all-state tackle Hudson Mayhew and all-conference guard Perry Lewis. Defensively, Hammontree, Aiden Aguilar, Cyler Moore, Grayson Daspit, William Krauft and Landon Schultz give Har-Ber enough experience to improve. The question is whether the Wildcats can hold up physically against an Oklahoma power on the road. Broken Arrow beat Har-Ber 35-14 last season, so this is a measuring stick. Har-Ber’s offense should travel, but Broken Arrow’s physicality gives the Tigers the edge.
No. 7 Fayetteville at STILLWATER (Okla.) Fayetteville opens a new era under Anthony Lucas, who replaces Casey Dick after Dick left for Rockwall-Heath in Texas. Lucas went 48-16 in 5 seasons at Pulaski Academy and won 2 state championships — 1 in 5A and 1 in 6A. The Purple Dogs went 7-5 last season and reached the second round before losing to eventual state champion Bryant. They must replace QB Hank Hendrix, who passed for 3,602 yards and 32 touchdowns before leaving for Arkansas. Junior Cade Rogers and sophomore Remington Thomas are the top quarterback candidates. The offense has talent around the new QB. Terrence Garden rushed for 554 yards and 5 touchdowns and should take a larger role. Jayden Nicholson is the top returning receiver after 379 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Kalin Hendrix, Bentonville West transfer Jamarion ‘Juju’ Sanders, Huck Broyles and first-year football player Mitch Kirkland add athleticism. Defense is the reason Fayetteville can win early while the offense develops. Arkansas commit Will Caston returns after 75 tackles, 6 sacks, 2 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles. DL Kayden Walters is a leader up front, and brothers CJ Bailey and Christian Bailey give Fayetteville strong cornerbacks. Stillwater is a difficult road opener, and Fayetteville is changing systems with a new quarterback. Lucas’ teams usually improve quickly, but Week 0 may come a little too early for a clean offensive showing.
Muskogee, Okla., at 7A West SPRINGDALE Springdale enters 2026 with momentum after improving to 5-7 last season and winning at Cabot in the playoffs. Coach Brett Hobbs has the Red Dogs trending upward, and the addition of former Rogers Heritage head coach Eric Munoz as offensive coordinator gives Springdale a fresh voice on that side of the ball. The offense should lean on RB Wilder Lherisse, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season, and OL Judah Amram, one of the more important returning linemen in the 7A West. Springdale must sort through quarterback options, but the run game gives the Bulldogs a stable identity. Defensively, Springdale has notable pieces in DL Junior Rodriguez, Alvaro Rodriguez, Lolin, Kumtak, Alba, DJ Manuel and a hybrid Dog linebacker role. The Bulldogs were more competitive late in 2025, including the rivalry win over Har-Ber and the playoff victory at Cabot. Muskogee presents a physical Oklahoma test, but Springdale’s recent trajectory matters. The Bulldogs have gone from 1- and 2-win seasons earlier in the decade to 5 wins last year, and this is the kind of opener that can validate their climb.
7A West Rogers Heritage vs. CAMDENTON, MO. Rogers Heritage opens a new chapter under Max Washausen, who brings 18 years of coaching experience and is installing a Wing-T offense and a 3-4 defense. The War Eagles have struggled in recent seasons but have a clear schematic identity for 2026. The offense is expected to be more physical and run-oriented. QB Jack Presley is among the key names, while Aneja Clement, Edwin Reyes, Noah Walker, Gibson Ricketts, Diego Cervantes, Will Stone, Camden Isbell and Devin Jakaitis are part of the skill-position mix. The line includes Dante Carrillo, Kahner Ketkeorasmy, Sunny Sanchez, Asher Auxier, William Aguilera, Alex Marino, George Duanes and Angel Salinas. The defensive transition to a 3-4 will rely heavily on 2-way players. Sunny Sanchez, Will Stone, William Aguilera, Dante Carrillo, George Duanes and Kahner Ketkeorasmy are candidates up front, while Santiago Cortez, Gibson Ricketts, Smith, Reyes and Bray Guillen headline the linebacker group. The secondary includes Marcus Watkins, Devin Jakaitis, Jayden Cortez, Sam Klein, Castaneda and Jace Melber. Special teams may help Heritage steal field position. Ronald Vizuet made a 43-yard field goal last season, a valuable weapon for a team trying to play lower-scoring, possession-based football. Camdenton is a challenging opener for a program installing new systems. Heritage should be more organized and physical, but the War Eagles may need time before the Wing T timing and defensive fits fully settle.