Hootens.com Rankings
Class 7A, Week 1, 2010
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. Bentonville
2. Har-Ber
3. North LR
4. Heritage
5. FS Southside
6. West Memphis
7. Fayetteville
8. Bryant
9. LR Central
10. Cabot
11. Conway
12. Springdale
13. LR Catholic
14. FS Northside
15. Rogers
16. LR Hall

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
Class 5A No. 7 West Helena vs. No. 4 Heritage.
Intriguing matchup in the state's biggest venue. They meet Thursday, Sept. 2 at Razorback Stadium during Simmons First/Hooten.com Kickoff Week. West Helena played for the 5A title two years ago and could contend again with a senior-laden offense and super-talented sophomore class. Electric quarterback Markeith Jacobs and powerful running back DeKeathan Williams (330-pound bench press) challenge a veteran Heritage defense. Heritage returns nine three-year starters, including QB Reed Brown and cool, curly-haired kicker Hayden Severs. Reid Schatzman leads Heritage linemen while Jimmy Britton anchors the secondary. Helena's offense attacks with nine senior starters.

TV SHOW
Hooten's Arkansas Football airs 11 a.m. Saturdays on Fox 16 and KFSM TV 5. Catch highlights of Helena vs. Heritage, North LR at Bentonville, LR Catholic at Springdale, FS Southside at Conway, Alma vs. Van Buren, Texarkana at LR Central and Jacksonville vs. Cabot.

LAST YEAR
Hootens.com correctly predicted Class 7A winners at a 76 percent clip. For the season, hootens.com finished 73-22-2

WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)
7A/6A CENTRAL
North LR at BENTONVILLE (7): A dozen from North LR signed college scholarships in the spring, but Brad Bolding says this will be "the most talented team I've coached." Up to five sophomores could start, and as many as nine could play for the Charging Wildcats. All-world swimmer and three-year starting QB Pearson Gean and beefy linemen lead Bentonville.
Texarkana at LR CENTRAL (7): Their first meeting since 2007 when Texarkana beat the Tigers by six points. The Hogs have won just 10 games since capturing back-to-back state titles in 2006 and 2007. Senior all-state QB Kierra Harris totaled more than 2,000 yards for Texarkana in 2009. Little Rock Central carries a 21-game losing streak. The unpredictable Tigers, under first-year coach Ellis "Scooter" Register, have much to prove.
LR Catholic at SPRINGDALE (1): Springdale strives for offensive balance with QB Joseph Calcagni (University of Tulsa commit) and running backs Rahmon Taylor and Lentonio Jenner. Its defense allowed 34 points per game in league play last year.
Morrilton at RUSSELLVILLE (7): Russellville has won four straight over Morrilton by an average of 20 points. First-year Morrilton coach Cody McNabb coordinated Russellville's defense the past six seasons.
CABOT (30) vs. Jacksonville: Cabot has beaten Jacksonville four straight times by an average of 28 points. Jacksonville has won just 11 games since capturing a league title in 2006.
Benton vs. BRYANT (22): Benton first-year coach Scott Neathery 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.
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.
FS SOUTHSIDE (1) at Conway: Conway won its first playoff game since 2003 last November. Second-year coach Clint Ashcraft welcomes back nine defensive starters to a team that lost at FS Southside 28-14. FS Southside has played in three of the past four state title games.
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 WEST
Helena vs. HERITAGE (11). Game of the Week set for Thursday, Sept. 2 at Razorback Stadium.
LR Catholic at SPRINGDALE (1): Springdale strives for offensive balance with QB Joseph Calcagni (University of Tulsa commit) and running backs Rahmon Taylor and Lentonio Jenner. Its defense allowed 34 points per game in league play last year.
North LR at BENTONVILLE (7): A dozen from North LR signed college scholarships in the spring, but Brad Bolding says this will be "the most talented team I've coached." Up to five sophomores could start and as many as nine could play for the Charging Wildcats. All-world swimmer and three-year starting QB Pearson Gean and beefy linemen lead Bentonville.
Pine Bluff at FS NORTHSIDE (4): Pine Bluff, who 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.
HAR-BER (14) at Stillwater, Okla.: Defending state champ Har-Ber has arrived. Coach Chris Wood reloads with 47 seniors, including 10 starting on defense and nine on offense. Like Oklahoma State, Stillwater only has a good team occasionally. The 2009 Pioneers finished 5-5, losing to Tulsa Union 45-7.
FAYETTEVILLE (9) at Parkway West, Mo.: Parkway finished 4-6 in 2009, dressing fewer than 50 Longhorns. Strong safety Brooks Ellis (6-1, 195) and running back Brice Gahagans are sophomores to watch at Fayetteville.
Rogers at NEOSHO, MO. (7): First-year Rogers coach Shawn Flanningan's challenge grew with key preseason injuries. Rogers heads to 2009 playoff qualifier Neosho with no experience on defense and a sophomore QB.
FS SOUTHSIDE (1) at Conway: Conway won its first playoff game since 2003 last November. Second-year coach Clint Ashcraft welcomes back nine defensive starters to a team that lost at FS Southside 28-14. FS Southside has played in three of the past four state title games.