Predictions made on this week's 2A contests.
No. 2 Rison at No. 3 Harmony Grove
This game likely determines the 8-2A title and top playoff seed, which plays at home throughout the postseason.
After losses to Class 3A Smackover, Prescott and Glen Rose, third-ranked Camden Harmony Grove has won four straight league games by outscoring opponents 221-67.
Harmony Grove rushed for 398 yards last week in a 56-20 win over Bearden with senior running back Jace Garcia rushing for 160 yards and classmate Jordan Hicks covering 112 yards.
Junior QB Gannon Bearden throws an assortment of bubbles and tunnels to Garcia, Hicks, sophomore slot Xaylon Falls and the deep ball to junior wideout Kentrell Hill (6-2, 190).
That could prove troublesome for a Rison defense that gave up 241 passing yards and three TDs in the first half last week to Parkers Chapel.
But Rison also rushed for 540 yards and controlled the football the entire second half in a 38-point win over PC.
The front seven for both teams are salty.
Rison has won eight straight in the series, including a heated 34-26 overtime triumph last year when Harmony Grove's OT possession started at the 40-yard line after two penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct.
WEEK 8 (favored team in CAPS followed by point spread) 3-2A
EARLE (21) at Cross County: This matchup again likely decides the 3-2A title. Earle and Cross County have shared the past three league titles.
Cross County has won four straight this fall over teams with a combined record of 5-20.
Cross County defeated Earle the past two seasons.
E. POINSETT COUNTY (18) at Rector: No. 22 EPC secured a needed (26-20) win last week over Salem to stay in solid playoff contention.
MARKED TREE (16) at Salem: No. 20 Marked Tree had two weeks to prepare for Salem, which traded blows with EPC last week but lost by a TD.
With a loss, Salem would play host to rested Midland Week 9 with the league's final playoff berth likely at stake.
MIDLAND is open.
4-2A
Magazine at JC WESTSIDE (2): The league's fifth and final playoff berth could be on the line.
Magazine did not score last week after its first drive in a 19-point loss to Lavaca.
J.C. Westside almost doubled its scoring production for the entire year with a 50-6 win over Decatur.
Decatur at WESTERN YELL COUNTY (8): The loser resides alone in the 4-2A basement.
Hackett at MOUNTAINBURG (1): Mountainburg won this matchup 33-30 Week 2 when it counted as conference game.
Hackett not at full strength after the injuries sustained last week against No. 8 Danville. PALESTINEWHEATLEY (6) at Lavaca: Lavaca won the matchup 39-12 a year ago, and the Golden Arrows have improved weekly with senior Ryan Dockery shredding Magazine a week ago.
DANVILLE is open.
5-2A
MAGNET COVE (15) at Bigelow: No. 16 Magnet Cove contending for a conference crown for the first time since 2014.
Cutter M Star at CONWAY CHRISTIAN (38): CC junior QB Jacob Woods carrying the offensive load with senior RB Luke Gates (ankle) still limited.
England at HECTOR (8): After losing by two points last week at Magnet Cove, Hector can still capture a share of its fourth league title in the past five years by winning out and getting some help from Conway Christian.
POYEN (2) at Quitman: Quitman passed for 246 yards last week at Conway Christian but suffered two interceptions and lost a fumble.
6-2A
HAZEN (2) at Des Arc: League-leading Hazen was improving weekly before last week's open date.
Des Arc has won the past two games in the series by a combined 84-22. CLARENDON (32) at Marvell: Clarendon moved junior Montea'l Williams (6-1, 180) to QB last week and ran the zone read with modest success in a 56-18 loss to McCrory.
Brinkley at CARLISLE (8): Carlisle stays in playoff contention while keeping Brinkley winless.
MCCRORY is open.
7-2A
MOUNT IDA (35) at Dierks: No. 1 Mount Ida asserted its dominance over the 7-2A last week with a 35-7 win over previously unbeaten Foreman.
Dierks topped Mount Ida 42-21 last year in one of the bigger upsets of the 2017 regular season.
Mineral Springs at FOREMAN (17): Foreman cannot afford a hangover after losing last week at top-ranked Mount Ida. MOUNTAIN PINE (9) at Lafayette County: With a win this week, Mountain Pine would play for the league title Week 9 at Mount Ida.
Murfreesboro at SPRING HILL (1): Spring Hill could still reach the playoffs. Winless Murfreesboro managed 103 total yards last week in a loss at Mineral Springs.
8-2A
Rison at C. HARMONY GROVE (2): See Game of the Week.
Bearden at HAMPTON (5): Bearden played well for a half last week against Harmony Grove, trailing 20-14 at halftime with C. Harmony Grove getting a defensive TD on a fumble return.
However, Bearden failed to pick up a first down after the first quarter.
Hampton also hung with Harmony Grove for almost a half Week 5, but four turnovers led to four TDs and a 39-point loss.
STRONG is open. PARKERS CHAPEL is open.