Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Hooten’s.com rankings
CLASS 7A
1. North Little Rock 2. Bryant 3. Bentonville High 4. Bentonville West 5. Fayetteville 6. Cabot 7. Fort Smith Southside 8. Conway 9. Springdale High 10. Springdale Har-Ber 11. Fort Smith Northside 12. Little Rock Catholic 13. Rogers High 14. Little Rock Central 15. Rogers Heritage 16. Van Buren
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 1 North Little Rock vs. TULSA (OKLA.) BOOKER T. WASHINGTON (1) at Bentonville (Sat.): Arkansas and Oklahoma defending state champs meet at Tiger Stadium. North Little Rock returns six starters on both sides of the ball, including running backs Brandon Thomas (1,597 yards as a sophomore in 2017), Oscar Adaway (6-0, 205; D-1 offers) and Tyler Day (6-3, 240). Booker T. Washington, a magnet school, welcomes back at least three top college prospects with a cornerback committed to Oklahoma State, running back committed to Nebraska and athlete Daxton Hill, ranked No. 14 in ESPN’s national recruiting rankings. North Little Rock starts strong-armed sophomore QB Kareem Cotton (6-2, 175) and has kicking game concerns. North Little Rock has won 32 of its past 35 games (91 percent) under Mitchell. Rogers Heritage at FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE (7): Northside employed 10 sophomores for two wins last November, including a playoff upset at HarBer. Speedy Northside is led by QB Derrick “Deuce” Wise and all-state senior tackle Stevie Young (6-5, 308). Heritage has won twice in the past three years and returns just one offensive starter but participation is up, providing more depth. Pulaski Academy at SPRINGDALE
HAR-BER (3): Har-Ber, preseason favorites in 2017, finished a disappointing 7-4 with a first-round playoff exit last November followed by multiple player transfers to crosstown rival Springdale High. But Har-Ber’s Chris Wood, who has coached two schools to state titles, says don’t count out the ‘Cats. A strong set of linemen remain at Har-Ber, which returns four starters from a defense that shut out five opponents last year. Fourtime defending 5A state champ Pulaski Academy got throttled by Class 7A No. 2 Bryant in a scrimmage last week. Pulaski Academy breaks in a new QB this fall (junior Braden Bratcher) and must rebuild its offensive line. FAYETTEVILLE (1) at St. Louis (Mo.)
Vianney Catholic: Fayetteville takes a six-hour trip to the St. Louis suburbs for an opener against one of Missouri’s Top 5 teams. Vianney (10-2 in 2017) graduated a four-year starter at QB but returns Notre Dame commit Kyren Williams (5-10, 200), who lines up at WR, RB and QB. Vianney defensive end Nate Thurman (6-2, 225) owns a scholarship offer from Kentucky. Fayetteville committed five turnovers in the first half of last week’s scrimmage vs. Class 6A Greenwood, including three in four plays, but rushed for 180 yards. Fayetteville dual-threat QB Darius Bowers passed for 3,398 yards and 34 TDs with just seven interceptions as a junior. BENTONVILLE WEST (1) at Owasso,
Okla.: League coaches voted Bentonville West to win the 7A West this fall. Look for West all-state QB Will Jarrett (26 ACT) and all-state WR Jadon Jackson, who owns scholarship offers from most SEC colleges, to challenge a suspect Owasso secondary. Owasso graduated most of its starters, including every offensive lineman but returns a standout QB.
Midwest City, Okla. at BENTONVILLE HIGH (1) (Sat.): Bentonville looks to continue its dominance in the state’s largest classification. Since 2008, every group of players that remained in Bentonville’s program for three years played for at least one state title. “I really like our defensive line and linebackers this year,” Bentonville coach Jody Grant says. Athletic Midwest City won 10 games a year ago, losing in the Oklahoma semifinals to Bixby 14-12. Bentonville beat Bixby 49-28 Week 2 last season. Midwest City’s dual-threat QB Preston Colbert (5-11, 195) might be the best Bentonville faces this fall. Colbert completed 67 percent of his passes for 3,242 yards and 36 TDs with only four interceptions as a junior. Midwest City beat Bentonville twice in 7-on-7 this summer.
CLASS 6A
1. Pine Bluff 2. Greenwood 3. Benton 4. West Memphis 5. El Dorado 6. Russellville 7. Jonesboro 8. Searcy 9. Lake Hamilton 10. Marion 11. Sylvan Hills 12. Siloam Springs 13. Jacksonville 14. Sheridan 15. Mountain Home 16. Little Rock Hall
CLASS 5A
1. Pulaski Academy
2. Morrilton
3. Texarkana
4. Little Rock Christian
5. Little Rock McClellan
6. Batesville
7. Alma
8. Nettleton
9. Watson Chapel
10. HS Lakeside
11. Greenbrier
12. Camden Fairview
13. Wynne
14. Little Rock Parkview
15. Harrison
16. Valley View
17. Magnolia
18. Maumelle
19. Forrest City
20. White Hall
21. Beebe
22. De Queen
23. Blytheville
24. Vilonia
25. Hot Springs
26. Farmington
27. Paragould
28. Clarksville
29. Greene County Tech
30. Huntsville
31. Hope
32. Little Rock Fair
Beebe at GREENBRIER (6): Greenbrier has won six of its past eight games over Beebe, but the Badgers won last season 26-18. Beebe senior two-time all-state halfback Taylor Boyce (929 yards, eight TDs in 2017) played well in the summer. Greenbrier senior QB Andrew Johnson passed for 2,038 yards and 14 TDs in the final seven games last season.
TEXARKANA (16) at Shiloh Christian: Texarkana drops from Class 6A this fall with high expectations and starters returning at 18 positions. The Razorbacks didn’t play a benefit game. Senior linemen Rico Thomas (6-1, 250) and Christian Johnson (6-4, 240) return for their third seasons at the tackle spots. Shiloh Christian gets big plays from senior running back/receiver Jaret Russ, who had almost 900 yards a year ago. The Saints’ offense struggled in a benefit scrimmage against Springdale.
SEARCY (7) at Morrilton: Searcy hung 51 points on Morrilton last year and the Lions won nine of the past 15 in the series. Searcy senior lineman Drew Vest (6-6, 310) committed to UCA in the summer, turning down a DI scholarship from Air Force. Morrilton junior QB Jacolby Criswell (1,947 yards passing and 20 TDs, 969 yards rushing and 14 TDs in 2017), an Arkansas Razorback commit, injured his knee on the first play of last week’s benefit scrimmage game and will miss the entire season. Additionally, four other seniors may not play in the nonconference games.
PEA RIDGE (3) at Harrison: This is the first meeting of these teams. Harrison drilled 67 players in fall camp and the Goblin freshman team has gone 27-3 the past three seasons. Harrison junior all-state running back Gabe Huskey ran for 1,862 yards and 27 TDs a year ago. Pea Ridge won 25 games over the past two seasons, and nine starters return on a defense that gave up a TD or less four times in 2017. Clarksville at BOONEVILLE (20):
Clarksville, using the single-wing, moved the ball well in its benefit scrimmage against Atkins, but the Panthers must improve a defense that surrendered 45 ppg a year ago. Booneville moved its benefit scrimmage to Russellville due to field conditions. The Bearcats get production from senior all-state QB Brandon Ulmer (passed for 810 yards and ran for 762 yards last year) and all-conference fullback Carson Ray (637 yards and 15 TDs).
CLASS 4A
1. Warren
2. Joe T. Robinson 3. Arkadelphia
4. Pea Ridge 5. Stuttgart
6. Batesville Southside 7. Gosnell
8. Ozark
9. Nashville
10. Rivercrest
11. Prairie Grove 12. Ashdown
13. Hamburg
14. Pocahontas
15. Pottsville
16. Shiloh Christian 17. Dumas
18. Gravette
19. CAC
20. Mena
21. Heber Springs 22. Bauxite
23. Monticello
24. Jonesboro Westside 25. Dardanelle
26. Helena
27. Mills
28. Crossett
29. Trumann
30. Star City
31. Fountain Lake
32. Brookland
33. Lonoke
34. Elkins
35. Highland
36. Dover
37. Riverview
38. Malvern
39. De Witt
40. H. Grove Haskell 41. Bald knob
42. Lincoln
43. Gentry
44. Waldron
45. Cave City
46. Berryville
47. Subiaco Academy 48. Green Forest 1. Booneville 2. McGehee 3. Clinton 4. Prescott 5. Glen Rose 6. Charleston
4A-1
Gentry at DARDANELLE (11): This is the first meeting between these teams. Gentry scored two TDs or less in four of its final five games last season, and the Pioneers break in a new QB this fall. Slippery Sand Lizard junior Blake Chambers (5-3, 140) ran for more than 1,000 yards last fall. Dardanelle starters scored seven points last week in a two-quarter scrimmage against Booneville. Cascia Hall, Okla. at GRAVETTE (2): Cascia Hall (Okla.) won six games last season, and has a roster size (43 players) comparable to Gravette (36 players). First-year coach Doug Greenwood, the former offensive coordinator for Oklahoma powerhouse Jenks, took over at Gravette in May. The Lions run behind four returning linemen, including senior tackle Jarrod Barker (6-5, 245).
CLASS 3A
7. Mayflower 8. Newport
9. C. Harmony Grove 10. Harding Academy 11. Osceola
12. Danville
13. Rison
14. Melbourne
15. Atkins
16. Hoxie
17. Smackover
18. Harrisburg
19. Lamar
20. Barton
21. Fouke
22. Walnut Ridge 23. Centerpoint
24. Palestine-Wheatley 25. Piggott
26. Perryville
27. Greenland
28. Mansfield
29. Horatio
30. Drew Central 31. Yellville-Summit 32. Jessieville
33. Dollarway
34. Cedarville
35. Paris
36. Mountain View 37. Bismarck
38. Cedar Ridge
39. Lake Village
40. Rose Bud
41. Genoa Central 42. West Fork
43. Marshall
44. Baptist Prep
45. Manila
46. Corning
47. Two Rivers
3A-1
Melbourne vs. CHARLESTON (13): Game will be played at Hendrix College between teams with great expectations. Melbourne has won nine games three of the past five years and competes for its first conference title in program history (launched in 2012). “We have to overcome the fact that they are Charleston,” Melbourne coach Kevin McCarn says. “It can be hard to get past the name when you play that type of tradition.” Melbourne returns its leading passer (junior Gabe Lawrence), its top two rushers (junior Noah McSpadden and senior Silas Motes) and top two receivers (senior all-league performer Andrew Pitts and junior all-state playmaker Alex Bray). The Bearkatz also return allstate and Landers Super Teamer Michael Masson (520-pound squat and 87 tackles with 8.5 sacks a year ago). Tradition-rich Charleston is not favored to win a conference title this season, which it has done six times in seven years. The Tigers have not won a state title since 2014, a drought for a school which owns five crowns since 2005. Charleston is strong at the skill positions, including all-state senior quarterback Brayden Caudle (2,792 yards last year with 38 touchdowns and four interceptions). Each team throws the ball most of the time, but the team that runs the ball better wins on Friday night. J.C. Westside at CEDARVILLE (14):
Optimism runs rampant in Cedarville after “the best summer since I’ve been here,” Coach Max Washausen says. Starters return at 20 positions and the sophomores finished 8-1 last year with a district title. Cedarville proved physical in team camps this off-season. MANSFIELD (3) at Hackett: Mansfield enters the fall with excellent team chemistry. “Camp season showed us that our hard work we have been putting in is paying off,” third-year coach Craig Bentley says. “It also highlighted areas which we needed to improve and we think we’ve made the adjustments.” Junior Ethan Stovall showcases improved footwork and mechanics. Mansfield installed a new defense in the spring to fit its personnel and hopes to create more turnovers.
PERRYVILLE (6) at Paris: Perryville welcomes new coach Chris Norton (2735 record at Marvell, Lake Village and Rose Bud). Senior all-league QB Landon Walker tore his ACL in the winter playing basketball and will miss the season. Juniors Reid Standridge and Hayden Gottsponer compete for the starting QB position. Paris is led by former Marion assistant Tyler Clark but the Eagles do not have a QB on the roster who has taken a varsity snap.
CLASS 2A
1. Foreman
2. Junction City
3. Mount Ida
4. Hazen
5. Conway Christian
6. Mineral Springs
7. Hector
8. Hampton
9. Fordyce
10. McCrory
11. Earle
12. Des Arc
13. Parkers Chapel
14. Magnet Cove
15. Bearden
16. England
17. E. Poinsett County
18. Mountainburg
19. Clarendon
20. Salem
21. Gurdon
22. Marked Tree
23. Hackett
24. Mountain Pine
25. Cross County
26. Strong
27. Lavaca
28. Lafayette County
29. Poyen
30. Carlisle
31. Magazine
32. Quitman
33. Bigelow
34. Murfreesboro
35. Marianna
36. Dierks
37. Spring Hill
38. Rector
39. Brinkley
40. W. Yell County
41. J.C. Westside
42. Cutter M. Star
43. Marvell
44. Midland
2A-4
ATKINS (7) at Hector: Class 3A Atkins (averaged 37.1 points per week in 2017) expects to contend for its first league title since 2004 after consecutive runner-up finishes. Hector, which won league titles four of the past five seasons, welcomes first-year coach Scott Poteete, a former Morrilton assistant. Hector will start three sophomores on the line with a new offense and coordinator. Senior Cody Day has not played QB since junior high but threw it well in preseason drills and scrimmages. Day, at outside linebacker, and senior safety Dakota Davis have been solid in fall camp for new defensive coordinator Chris Taylor. Magazine at BIGELOW (2): Magazine should dress 23 players and Bigelow 26 for this opener. Magazine junior QB Xeng Yang and workhouse FB Caleb Hyatt fuel the Rattlers. Bigelow’s scrappy linemen average just 193 pounds, but maturing QB Brady Reed, RB Ricky Dunlap and slotback Addison Brown provide firepower. Senior FB Colby Miller punished defenders in preseason practices.
8-MAN CLUB
Former 11-man teams Augusta, Hermitage, Woodlawn and Decatur are playing eight-man club sport football this fall with no playoffs or title game. The Arkansas Activities Association plans to sanction eight-man football in 2020.