Class 7A Week 5 Rankings and Selections

HOOTENS.COM 

CLASS 7A, WEEK 5

RANKINGS

PV.  TEAM (RECORD; WEEK 4 RESULT)

1. ↔ 1. BENTONVILLE (4-0,1-0; beat Har-Ber 24-16)
2. ↔ 2. SHILOH CHRISTIAN (4-0, 1-0; beat Rogers 47-17)
3. ↔ 3. BENTONVILLE WEST (4-0, 1-0; beat Fayetteville 47-18)
4. ↑  5. CONWAY (3-1, 1-0; beat Northside 45-7)
5. ↑  7. NORTH LITTLE ROCK (4-0, 1-0; beat PA 64-50)
6. ↑  8. PULASKI ACADEMY (1-3; 0-1; lost to NLR 64-50)
7. ↑  9. HAR-BER (2-2, 0-1; lost to Bentonville 24-16)
8. ↓  4. BRYANT (1-3, 1-0; beat Central 14-2)
9. ↓  6. FAYETTEVILLE (2-2, 0-1; lost to Bentonville West 47-18)
10. ↑ NR. LR CHRISTIAN (2-1, 1-0; led Cabot 14-7 when game suspended)

NOT RANKED

7A-CENTRAL Cabot (1-2; 0-0), FS Northside (2-2; 0-1), Little Rock Central (1-3; 0-1)

7A-WEST Springdale (0-3; 1-0), Rogers Heritage (0-4); 0-1, Rogers (0-4; 0-1)

WEEK 5 PREDICTIONS (favored teams in ALL CAPS and highlighted in Orange)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK 

No. 1 BENTONVILLE (4-0; 1-0) at No. 2 Shiloh Christian (4-0; 1-0): These teams are a combined 8-0 on the season, and Northwest Arkansas bragging rights are at stake here. 

Bentonville has been ranked No. 1 since a Week 0 win over Tulsa Union (Okla.), but the Tigers have not dominated on the scoreboard, winning their past 3 games by 1 score or less, including last week’s 24-16 come-from-behind win over Har-Ber. Bentonville used 3 fourth-quarter TDs to beat a Har-Ber team led by first-year coach Aaron Dananhauer, a Bentonville alum. Blake Stroud caught a late TD that proved to be the game-winner, 1 of 2 passing scores thrown by QB Evan Canode, which put the Tigers ahead for good with 1:48 remaining.  Shiloh Christian opened its season with a 2-score win over Heritage Hall (Okla.) and has not looked back, racking up 3 blowout wins. Last week’s 30-point win over Rogers made a statement: Shiloh Christian is a Class 7A contender. Shiloh racked up 505 yards of offense behind QB Cole Creighton (15-25-261 passing, 2 TDs). The Saints rushed for 244 yards. This Week 5 game could decide the 7A West. Bentonville has won 25 of its past 27 games, with its 2 losses coming to Bryant in the 2024 and 2025 7A state championship games. Shiloh won last year’s 6A title and has had no trouble fitting in at 7A. This game comes down to the wire, but Bentonville’s ability to make the big play when it matters gives it an edge on the road.

7A WEST

Springdale (1-3; 1-0) at No. 3 BENTONVILLE WEST (4-0; 1-0): Springdale got back on track last week with a 31-17 win over Rogers Heritage, which remains winless in 2026. The Bulldogs have been competitive aside from a lopsided loss to North Little Rock, with their other 2 defeats coming in 1-score games. Bentonville West cruised to a 47-18 win over Fayetteville last week, with Sutton Mackey and VJ Warren combining for 5 TDs. A 4-point win over Class 5A Greenwood in the season-opener has been West’s only test to date. The Wolverines have posted 3 big wins, 2 over 7A opponents, making Bentonville West look like a contender. West knocks off Springdale at home and moves to 5-0. 

Heritage (0-4, 0-1) at No. 7 HAR-BER (2-2; 0-1): It has been nearly 1 calendar year since Heritage’s last victory, a 1-point OT win over Northside last October. Har Ber, meanwhile, has played well since a season-opening 34-7 loss to Broken Arrow, Okla. Brice Owens scored both touchdowns in a 1-possession loss to Bentonville last week after Har Ber defeated 2 other 7A opponents, Little Rock Christian and FS Northside. Har-Ber cruises to its first 7A West victory as Owens creates problems for Heritage’s defense.

No. 9 FAYETTEVILLE (2-2; 0-1) at Rogers (0-4; 0-1): Asher Swoboda, Ryan Adjam, and Blake Johnson made big plays for the Purple Dogs offense, but Bentonville West pulled away in the second half and won by 29. Rogers QB AJ Francisco passed for more than 200 yards last week, but 4 interceptions gave Shiloh Christian too many short fields. Fayetteville gets back on track as QB Aron Orgil leads the team to victory through the air. 

7A CENTRAL

No. 5 North Little Rock (4-0; 1-0) at No. 4 CONWAY (4-0; 1-0): This one could be the Game of the Week if not for the No. 1-No. 2 matchup between Bentonville and Shiloh Christian. North Little Rock held off Pulaski Academy’s offensive onslaught of more than 700 yards, led by QBs Robert Jackson and Thomas Washington, who combined for 226 yards and 2 scores last week. The Charging Wildcats totaled 249 team rushing yards and won the turnover battle. NLR clung to a 57-50 lead when linebacker Priest Simpson intercepted a pass near the goal line and returned it for a 99-yard pick-6 to seal the deal with 6 seconds remaining. Conway had little trouble in its 45-7 win over Northside and looked polished in all 3 phases. Ryder Cook finished with 250 passing yards and 3 TDs; Crosby Kear kicked a school-record 55-yard FG for the Wampus Cats.

No. 8 BRYANT (1-3; 1-0) at No. 10 Little Rock Christian (1-2; 0-0): One of the more intriguing matchups in 7A this week. Bryant defeated Central 14-2 for its first win. Brandon Johnson and Jamarion Greer scored on the opening drives of each half to lead the Hornets. LR Christian’s game at Cabot was suspended early when 3 separate medical emergencies occurred at the stadium. Bryant goes on the road and moves to 2-0 in conference behind outstanding defensive play.

LR Central (1-3; 0-1) at No. 6 PULASKI ACADEMY (1-3; 0-1): Central’s defense looked stout last week in its 12-point loss to Bryant. Calvyn Colclough and Kaedyn Dunn made big plays as the Tigers held the 2-time defending champion Hornets to 2 touchdowns in the 14-2 loss. Central struggled on offense, turning the ball over 5 times (4 fumbles and 1 interception). The Tigers also committed more than 100 yards in penalties. Pulaski Academy put up more than 700 yards in its loss to North Little Rock, with QB Chase Sullivan going 46 of 72 for 665 yards and 6 TDs. Four Bruins went over 100 receiving yards: Chase Hancock, 14-119-4; Win Wilson, 12-197-1; Myles McDaniel, 8-140-1, and Bryce Gittens, 9-181-3. Pulaski Academy will have no trouble with Central at home as the Bruins improve ball security.

Cabot (1-2, 0-0) at NORTHSIDE (0-4, 0-1): Montrell Jackson and Cain Teague are the Grizzlies’ playmakers. Cabot’s game with LR Christian was suspended in the first half last week after 3 separate medical emergencies at the stadium stopped play. Northside wins, using its home-field advantage.