Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
HOOTEN’S ARKANSAS FOOTBALL WEEK ZERO RANKINGS
CLASS 7A
1. Bryant
2. Cabot
3. Bentonville
4. Fayetteville
5. North Little Rock
6. Conway
7. Bentonville West
8. Springdale Har-Ber
9. LR Catholic
10. FS Northside
11. Springdale
12. LR Central
13. Rogers
14. FS Southside
15. Rogers Heritage
16. LR Southwest
GAME OF THE WEEK NO. 1 BRYANT
VS. CLASS 6A NO. 3 BENTON
The annual Salt Bowl, which draws Arkansas’ largest high school crowds, is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Three-time defending state champion Bryant reloads with new defenders (9 starters graduated) and skill players but a veteran offensive line returns. Three Bryant offensive linemen, who average 290 pounds, start for a third season. Both tackles have D-1 scholarship offers. Bryant High (2,300-plus students) has almost twice the enrollment of neighbor Benton and will dwarf the Panthers’ smallish lines, too.
Benton played for the Class 6A title in 2018 and 2019 before Covid-19 quarantine knocked the Panthers out of the postseason last November. All-conference tailback Casey Johnson and standout senior receivers Andre Lane (team-best 57 catches in 2020) and Cam Harris (6-6 wing span) are big-play threats. Stran Smith, a starter the past two seasons at Monticello, succeeds graduated QB Garrett Brown (Benton’s all-time passing leader). Senior all-conference linebacker Cain Simmons (5-9, 175; 4.6 speed) starts for a third season and might be Benton’s best player. Benton hasn’t beat Bryant since 2005.
LAST SEASON hootens.com correctly predicted 89 of 104 games (86%)
7A CENTRAL
BRYANT (17) vs. Benton. See hootens. com Game of the Week.
LR Central at LR CHRISTIAN (7): LR Central hired veteran coach George Shelton in the spring to revive its once-proud program. Shelton, LR Central’s fourth coach in 14 seasons, guided Augusta to the Class 2A state finals in 1999 and Dollarway to the 4A finals in 2004 and 2007. He coached Watson Chapel to a conference title in 2010 and led Dumas (1-9 in 2019) to the state quarterfinals last fall in his first season at the school. LR Christian stopped a two-point conversion in the final seconds to lead Benton 21-20 at halftime of its scrimmage last week.
CABOT (21) at Searcy: Cabot could be Bryant’s top challenger in Coach Scott Reed’s third season. Reed’s Panthers won at Bentonville before losing 49-42 at North LR in last season’s semis. Searcy has a new coach for the third straight season. Former Razorback and UCA QB Zak Clark, who coached at Springdale the past six seasons, inherits eight returning starters to run his Spread offense. Searcy led Cabot early in last season’s matchup before succumbing 35-18.
FS NORTHSIDE (20) at FS Southside (Thurs.): Battle of Rogers Avenue. FS Northside has dominated the series lately, winning 35-7 last year. Northside’s team speed and front line should provide plenty of points this fall. Close to 40 sophomores improve Southside’s depth.
Conway at FAYETTEVILLE (1): Conway won by a TD last season. Conway will be faster and likely better on defense but graduated its standout QB and WR. Fayetteville returns more starters than any team in Class 7A, including receiver Isaiah Satenga (10.9 in 100 meters). The speedy Satenga owns more than 20 Power 5 college offers and ran wild in a 14-14 scrimmage tie vs. Greenwood. Senior linebacker Mani Powell (6-3, 225) moved from Ohio to Fayetteville after committing to Arkansas on July 2.
LR Catholic at JONESBORO (6): Jonesboro won this matchup 28-24 last year. Jonesboro normally the more talented team and that is certainly the case this season. Catholic’s sophomore class is one to watch, though.
WEST MEMPHIS (15) at LR Southwest: Second-year program LR Southwest, winless a year ago, looks to shorten games with an option attack. The sophomore class at West Memphis makes the Blue Devils relevant again.
North LR is open.
7A WEST
Liberty (Mo.) North at BENTONVILLE (6): Bentonville, winners of the West conference 14 of the past 15 years, has toughened its non-conference schedule to prep for postseason play. Bentonville graduated most of its defense, including the state’s top linebacker corps, but is loaded at the offensive skill positions. Junior left tackle Joey Su’a (6-5, 315), a move-in from California with scholarship offers from Arkansas, Georgia and more, may be the league’s best lineman in a decade. Bentonville will score often this fall. Liberty North finished 9-3 last season, lost by a field goal in the Missouri state semifinals.
MANSFIELD, TEXAS (8) at Bentonville West: Bentonville West lacks linemen and will start a sophomore QB. Mansfield has a second-year coach, finished 2-5 in its tough conference last season.
Siloam Springs at ROGERS (9): Rogers won this game 52-42 last August and should be improved with less man coverage on defense and promoting a super sophomore class. Siloam Springs looks solid at QB, left tackle and its tight end creates matchup problems. The Panthers also hope to give up fewer big plays with a new defensive coordinator.
VAN BUREN (15) at Springdale: Van Buren smacked Springdale 48-28 last year and the Bulldogs likely struggle, again, this season. Defending Class 4A champion Shiloh Christian led Springdale 35-0 in the first half of last week’s scrimmage. New Springdale coach Brett Hobbs is the first former Bulldog to lead the program. Van Buren led Class 5A Farmington 1514 at halftime of last week’s scrimmage.
FARMINGTON (15) at Rogers Heritage: Both will be improved. Heritage could climb out of the 7A West basement. Watch Class 5A Farmington take off under new Coach J.R. Eldridge and become a title contender in the next 2-3 years. Farmington trailed Class 7A Van Buren 15- 14 at halftime of its scrimmage. Sophomore Cameron Vanzant won the QB spot with a solid summer. Heritage (three wins the past six seasons) ran the ball well in a scrimmage against Class 6A Siloam Springs.
Conway at FAYETTEVILLE (1): Fayetteville returns more starters than any team in Class 7A, including receiver Isaiah Satenga (10.9 in 100 meters). Satenga owns more than 20 Power 5 college offers and ran wild in a 14-14 scrimmage tie vs. Greenwood. Senior linebacker Mani Powell (6-3, 225) moved from Ohio to Fayetteville after committing to Arkansas on July 2. Conway will be faster and likely improved on defense but graduated its standout QB and WR. Conway won this opener by a TD last season.
Har-Ber at MCKINNEY, TEXAS (9): Game set for 7 p.m. Saturday. Har-Ber has no stars on defense but returns junior Hudson Brewer (1,579 yards and 16 TDs), the state’s leading rusher in 2021. Brewer (6-2, 200) added 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason, Coach Chris Wood says. Talented receiver Peyton McKee (4.5 speed) showed out in the Wildcats scrimmage at West Moore, Okla., and Drew McClendon took his first catch for a 50-yard TD. QB Luke Buchanan completed 11 of 14 passes with 5 TDs. McKinney plays in arguably the toughest conference in Texas, scored 23 points per game last season. Central Florida coach Gus Malzahn has offered McKinney sophomore receiver a scholarship.
CLASS 6A
1. Greenwood
2. Lake Hamilton
3. Benton
4. El Dorado
5. Jonesboro
6. LR Parkview
7. Sylvan Hills
8. Searcy
9. West Memphis
10. Pine Bluff
11. Siloam Springs
12. Marion
13. Van Buren
14. Mountain Home
15. Russellville
16. Sheridan
LAST SEASON hootens.com correctly predicted 91 of 112 winners (82%) in games involving Class 6A teams.
6A WEST
Benton vs. BRYANT (17): See hootens. com Game of the Week
GREENWOOD (18) at Muskogee, Okla.: Greenwood had no turnovers and tied Class 7A Fayetteville 14-14 in last week’s scrimmage. The Bulldogs are athletically better on defense than a year ago.
HS Lakeside at LAKE HAMILTON (7): This is the fourth straight meeting between these Garland County rivals since the series resumed (was shelved from 2000-2017). In scrimmage games last week: Class 5A HS Lakeside ran the ball well against Class 4A Nashville, while Class 6A Lake Hamilton struggled at times to slow Class 4A Arkadelphia’s passing game.
Morrilton at RUSSELLVILLE (3): Russellville has won 11 of the past 15 in the series. Morrilton senior receiver/defensive back Julian Brockman played well in last week’s scrimmage against Class 7A Conway.
Siloam Springs at ROGERS (9): Class 7A Rogers won this game 52-42 last August and should be improved promoting a super sophomore class and lining up less in man coverage on defense. Siloam Springs looks solid at QB, left tackle and its tight end creates matchup problems. The Panthers also hope to give up fewer big plays with a new defensive coordinator.
VAN BUREN (15) at Springdale: Van Buren smacked Class 7A Springdale 48-28 last year and the Bulldogs likely struggle, again, this season. Defending Class 4A champion Shiloh Christian led Springdale 35-0 in the first half of last week’s scrimmage. New Springdale coach Brett Hobbs is the first former Bulldog to lead the program. Van Buren has no senior linemen on its team. Starters at right guard or right tackle might not be named until Friday. Sophomore QB Bryce Perkins, who moved in from Shiloh Christian, will toss often to junior playmaker Ty Henry. Van Buren, dressing 64 players, led Class 5A Farmington 1514 at halftime of last week’s scrimmage. Shiloh returned the opening kick and then hit a 98-yard TD pass on its first play against Springdale. Coach Brett Hobbs, an all-state linebacker in 1999 and defensive coordinator the past five seasons at Springdale, welcomes back starters at just 10 positions.
Mountain Home, LR Parkview are open.
CLASS 5A
1. Pulaski Academy
2. LR Christian
3. Harrison
4. Wynne
5. HS Lakeside
6. Vilonia
7. White Hall
8. Camden Fairview
9. Maumelle
10. Magnolia
11. Batesville
12. Nettleton
13. Greenbrier
14. Texarkana
15. Watson Chapel
16. Farmington
17. Hot Springs
18. Valley View
19. Morrilton
20. Clarksville
21. Greene Co. Tech
22. Beebe
23. Alma
24. Jacksonville
25. Brookland
26. Pea Ridge
27. Forrest City
28. Hope
29. Paragould
30. De Queen
LAST SEASON hootens.com correctly predicted 169 of 197 games (86%) in games involving Class 5A teams.
5A WEST
GREENBRIER (17) at Beebe: Greenbrier has won nine of the past 11 over Beebe, including the past three by a combined 82 points. The Panthers scored 42 points in the first half of last week’s scrimmage vs. Sylvan Hills. Beebe returns starters at 19 positions, but the Badgers lack of size up front could hurt.
OZARK (7) at Clarksville: These teams played last September after the Week 0 game was canceled due to Covid-19. Clarksville senior Bryce Buckner ran for 81 yards, and junior Arthur Alvarez had four totes for 40 yards in a little more than one quarter in last week’s scrimmage vs. Prairie Grove. Ozark junior Eli Masingale ran for a TD in last week’s scrimmage vs. Maumelle, while senior guard Brock Burns blocked well.
FARMINGTON (15) at Rogers Heritage: Farmington first-year coach J.R. Eldridge has expectations soaring in Cardinal country. Farmington trailed Van Buren 15- 14 at halftime of its scrimmage. Sophomore Cameron Vanzant won the QB spot with a solid summer. Improved Heritage (three wins the past six seasons) ran the ball well in a scrimmage against Siloam Springs.
HARRISON (2) vs. Magnolia (at UCA): Harrison trailed Rogers 27-21 at halftime in last week’s scrimmage. The Goblin D played well, and senior QB Logan Plumlee has improved as a passer, and junior Beck Jones offers a downhill running threat at multiple spots. Magnolia scrimmage Jacksonville a week ago. Junior QB Dalen Blanchard completed six of nine passes for 206 yards and four TDs, while junior Garrion Curry ran for 104 yards and two TDs and hauled in two TDs.
Morrilton at RUSSELLVILLE (3): Russellville has won 11 of the past 15 in the series. Morrilton senior receiver/defensive back Julian Brockman played well in last week’s scrimmage against Conway.
SHILOH CHRISTIAN (24) at Pea Ridge: Shiloh Christian led Springdale 35-0 in the second quarter of last week’s scrimmage. The Saints returned the opening kickoff for a TD, held the Bulldogs to a three-and-out, then threw a long TD pass on the first play from scrimmage. Pea Ridge beat Elkins 28-0 in last week’s scrimmage. Blackhawk senior left tackle Clay Sebree impressed opposing coaches in the summer.
Alma, Vilonia are open.
CLASS 4A
1. Shiloh Christian
2. Stuttgart
3. Warren
4. Joe T. Robinson
5. Ozark
6. Crossett
7. Malvern
8. Prairie Grove
9. Gosnell
10. Nashville
11. Ashdown
12. Lonoke
13. Arkadelphia
14. Dardanelle
15. Blytheville
16. Rivercrest
17. Clinton
18. Star City
19. Dumas
20. Mena
21. Monticello
22. Pocahontas
23. Elkins
24. CAC
25. Pottsville
26. Jonesboro Westside
27. Gentry
28. Bauxite
29. Trumann
30. Lamar
31. Mills
32. Hamburg
33. Fountain Lake
34. Gravette
35. Bald Knob
36. Waldron
37. Huntsville
38. DeWitt
39. Harmony Grove Haskell
40. Heber Springs
41. Helena-West Helena Central
42. Batesville Southside
43. Cave City
44. Green Forest
45. Highland
46. Berryville
47. Dover
LAST SEASON hootens.com correctly predicted 255 of 307 games (83%) in games involving Class 4A teams.
4A-1
Berryville at CEDARVILLE (12): Berryville has won four of its past six games against Class 3A opponents, but lost to Cedarville last fall by 38 points. Bobcat first-year coach Bryan Hutson installed a spread scheme in the summer. Berryville scrimmaged Yellville-Summit and Mountain View. Cedarville relies on two-time all-state RB Darryl Kattich (2,007 yards in 2021).
Elkins at LINCOLN (1): Former Hector Wildcat QB and Greenwood assistant Zach Watson succeeds Bryan Hutson at Elkins. Elkins failed to score in its scrimmage against Pea Ridge. Lincoln senior QB/receiver Kyler Calvin performed well in the summer.
Waldron at GENTRY (4): Gentry beat West Fork 32-0 last week in a scrimmage, with junior receivers Jonathon Corter and Braedon Warren hauling in TDs. Junior Chris Bell won the QB spot in the summer. Waldron played “fairly clean” in a scrimmage vs. De Queen, coach Doug Powell says. Senior Gabino Grano and junior Trenton Hunt both ran the ball well.
Gravette at VIAN, OKLA. (7): Vian finished as Oklahoma Class 2A runner-up in 2019 and lost to the eventual state champs in last year’s playoffs. Gravette had two expected returning starters quit early in the summer.
Huntsville at LAMAR (3): Lamar beat Lincoln 14-0 in a scrimmage game, with senior Skylar Smith hauling in a TD from QB Landon Harrison. Junior tailback Lee Harkreader sprinted 45 yards for another TD. Huntsville should be more balanced on offense this fall with senior receivers Kolton Reynolds, Tucker Bradley and Dylan Sieber.
SHILOH CHRISTIAN (24) at Pea Ridge: Shiloh Christian led Springdale 35-0 in the second quarter of last week’s scrimmage. The Saints returned the opening kickoff for a TD, held the Bulldogs to a three-and-out, then threw a long TD pass on their first play from scrimmage. Pea Ridge beat Elkins 28-0 in last week’s scrimmage. Blackhawk senior left tackle Clay Sebree impressed opposing coaches in the summer.
Green Forest at West Fork: rescheduled for Sept. 18 (covid). Prairie Grove is open.
4A-4
OZARK (7) at Clarksville: These teams played last September after the Week 0 game was canceled due to Covid-19. Clarksville senior Bryce Buckner ran for 81 yards, and junior Arthur Alvarez had four totes for 40 yards in a little more than one quarter in last week’s scrimmage vs. Prairie Grove. Ozark junior Eli Masingale ran for a TD in last week’s scrimmage vs. Maumelle, while senior guard Brock Burns blocked well.
Dardanelle at BOONEVILLE (14): Booneville leads the series 11-5. Booneville held Charleston to 34 yards in last week’s scrimmage (Booneville won 18-0 despite having two TDs negated by penalty). Senior QB Randon Ray ran just three times, but two went for TDs. Dardanelle has fewer than 30 players on its roster, before jumping to Class 5A next fall.
De Queen at MENA (17): De Queen has won 11 of the past 21 in the series, but Mena has won four straight by a combined 124 points. De Queen has one win the past three seasons. Mena bulldozes opponents with linemen Jake Brotherton (6-1, 280), Logan Yang (5-11, 310) and all-conference center Jett Baber (5-11, 195).
HECTOR (20) at Dover: Dover hasn’t won since beating Waldron by four points Week 10, 2018. The Pirates lost to Class 2A J.C. Westside in a scrimmage, and plan to dress 18 players for the opener. Trevor Cooper takes over as Hector’s fourth coach in the past seven seasons.
Huntsville at LAMAR (3): Lamar beat Lincoln 14-0 in a scrimmage game, senior Skylar Smith hauling in a TD from QB Landon Harrison. Junior tailback Lee Harkreader sprinted 45 yards for another TD. Huntsville should be more balanced on offense this fall with senior receivers Kolton Reynolds, Tucker Bradley and Dylan Sieber.
East Poinsett County at POTTSVILLE (21): Pottsville played well in a scrimmage against Clinton. Senior fullback/ inside linebacker Landon Mahan, QB Cooper Duvall and two-way lineman K.J. Spencer were standouts in summer camp.
CLASS 3A
1. Prescott
2. McGehee
3. Harding Academy
4. Booneville
5. Osceola
6. Newport
7. Centerpoint
8. Paris
9. Charleston
10. Hoxie
11. Jessieville
12. Melbourne
13. Camden Harmony Grove
14. Glen Rose
15. Harrisburg
16. Rison
17. Cedarville
18. Salem
19. Perryville
20. Lincoln
21. Dollarway
22. Hackett
23. Walnut Ridge
24. Greenland
25. Atkins
26. Piggott
27. Bismarck
28. West Fork
29. Smackover
30. Mayflower
31. Genoa Central
32. Palestine-Wheatley
33. Drew Central
34. Mountain View
35. Baptist Prep
36. Fouke
37. Lake Village
38. Lavaca
39. Manila
40. Corning
41. Barton
42. Mansfield
43. Riverview
44. Danville
45. Two Rivers
46. Horatio
LAST SEASON Hooten.com correctly picked 249 of 298 (84%) games involving Class 3A teams.
3A-1
Berryville at CEDARVILLE (12): First-year head coach Bryan Hutson inherits a Berryville squad that played seven games (0-7) in 2020. The Bobcats should be better on defense but lack speed on offense. This looks like a mismatch with Cedarville returning seven starters on both sides of the ball. The Pirates beat Berryville 44-6 last year on the road. PARIS (8) at Lavaca: New Paris HC Jeff Weaver expects the Eagles to contend for the 4-3A title with starters back at 13 spots off an 11-2 team, their first winning season since 2016. Lavaca has not posted a winning record since 2016 after going 1-6 in 2020. The Golden Arrows are unproven up front on offense.
Elkins at LINCOLN (1): The Elks have won 38 games over the past five seasons, going 8-3 last fall. Quarterback is an unknown for Elkins, which lost 28-0 last week in a scrimmage with Pea Ridge. Lincoln has surprised in its first two years in 3A, including going two rounds into the 2020 postseason. Only six total starters return from a 7-5 squad. Four players competed in August for the starting QB job.
Magazine at MANSFIELD (5): Mansfield’s only win in 2020 was 41-0 over Magazine, and the Tigers return more experience this season. Class 2A No. 18 Magazine will dress 22 Rattlers with senior slotback Ashton Droemer (1,100 yards in 2020) running behind a line anchored by all-league OT and never-more-fit Terrance Thurman (6-0, 290). Sophomore ATH Ethan Vasquez made plays in fall camp.
GREEN FOREST (2) at West Fork: This game has been decided by a total of eight points over the past three years. It took Green Forest most of last season to grasp the Spread offense, entering the regular-season finale 0-9 before beating Berryville 18-12. West Fork also reached the postseason in 3A before falling in the first round at Glen Rose.
CHARLESTON, GREENLAND and HACKETT are open.
3A-4
BAPTIST PREP (6) at Yellville-Summit: This is the first meeting between the two schools. Both own 17 wins over the past seven years. Class 2A Y-S expects to dress 33, including a 12 senior leaders. Junior lineman Daniel Maxwell will start on both sides after an industrious off-season and summer. Classmate Kamden Norberg shifts from end to inside LB. BP’s strength is its defensive front, but the offense failed to score last week on Class 2A Bigelow’s starting defense in a scrimmage.
BOONEVILLE (14) at Dardanelle: Booneville leads the overall series 11- 5. Booneville’s defense should carry the Bearcats early with eight starters back. That defense held Charleston last week to 34 yards in a (18-0 win) scrimmage. Booneville’s Flexbone, with all-state QB Randon Ray (1,733 rushing yards, 25 TDs in 2020), scored three TDs with two more negated by penalties. Class 4A Dardanelle, which jumps to Class 5A next year, is expected to dress fewer than 30 Friday night.
Danville at MOUNT IDA (20): Class 2A No. 9 Mount Ida leads this series 7-2. MI expects to dress 23 (18 returning starters) for the opener, including a much-improved O line. Junior DE Ashton Humphries and senior MLB Gavin Summitt emerged in preseason camp, but all-league RB and projected 1,000-yard rusher and linebacker Jack Hoeksema (10 INTs in 2020) moved back to Texas. Numbers are down at Danville where the Little Johns transition to the Spread.
PARIS (8) at Lavaca: Paris senior QB Chase Watts passed for more than 2,000 yards and accounted for 40 TDs last season. Watts led the Eagles to an 11-2 record and quarterfinal run. Former Greenwood assistant, Mena HC, LR Christian HC and Russellville HC Jeff Weaver takes over at Paris. Veteran Lavaca HC Mark Headley expects his Golden Arrows to be much improved. Paris leads the series 6-3.
QUITMAN (42) at Two Rivers: Class 2A No. 16 Quitman seeks more after notching the school’s first postseason victory last winter. A 32-man roster features allleague QB/LB Will Litton (2,400 passing yards, 27 TFL in 2020), go-to receiver Trevor Locke (64 receptions, 829 yards) and emerging tight end Logan Love (6-3, 220). Class 3A Two Rivers has lost 17 straight games, dating to Week 1 2019. Mayflower at CAC (PPD): Postponed until Week 3. Mayflower has 11 players in quarantine.
ATKINS and PERRYVILLE are open.
CLASS 2A
1. Des Arc
2. Fordyce
3. Junction City
4. McCrory
5. Bigelow
6. Clarendon
7. Dierks
8. Magnet Cove
9. Mount Ida
10. Gurdon
11. E. Poinsett County
12. Poyen
13. Carlisle
14. Hampton
15. Hector
16. Quitman
17. Cross County
18. Magazine
19. Murfreesboro
20. Hazen
21. Foreman
22. Mountainburg
23. Marked Tree
24. Bearden
25. Mineral Springs
26. Parkers Chapel
27. Lafayette County
28. Yellville-Summit
29. Earle
30. England
31. J.C. Westside
32. Conway Christian
LAST SEASON Hootens.com correctly picked 191 of 223 games (86%) involving Class 2A teams.
2A-4
Bearden at BIGELOW (20): No. 5 Bigelow raised eyebrows one year ago by winning this opening matchup 16-6 en route to a school-record 12 victories and a trip to the state quarterfinals. Bigelow boasts a 30-man roster and returns starters at nine positions, including emerging OG Kaden Terrell and All-4-2A OG Joe Phillips. Junior WR Bennett Johnson also stood out this summer. Bearden counters with 20 Bears, including senior Kathan Emerson who has played all 22 positions in three years of varsity football. Emerson battles senior Haden Grice for the starting job at QB. Neither has missed a workout, practice or game in three years.
QUITMAN (42) at Two Rivers: No. 16 Quitman seeks more after notching the school’s first postseason victory last winter. A 32-man roster features all-league QB/LB Will Litton (2,400 passing yards, 27 TFL in 2020), go-to receiver Trevor Locke (64 receptions, 829 yards) and emerging tight end Logan Love (6-3, 220). Class 3A Two Rivers has lost 17 straight games, dating to Week 1 2019.
HECTOR (22) at Dover: No. 15 Hector should dress 28 Wildcats at rival Dover. Sophomore QB Jackson Taylor will trigger Hector’s Spread with junior Drake Riley and sophomore P.J. Henderson as playmaking receivers. Senior TB Mason Reid blossomed this summer. Class 4A Dover, with fewer than 20 players, lost a preseason scrimmage to J.C. Westside.
Magazine at MANSFIELD (5): No. 18 Magazine will dress 22 Rattlers with senior slotback Ashton Droemer (1,100 yards in 2020) running behind a line anchored by all-league OT and nevermore-fit Terrance Thurman (6-0, 290). Sophomore ATH Ethan Vasquez made plays in fall camp. Mansfield’s only win in 2020 was 41-0 over Magazine, but the Tigers return more experience this season.
BAPTIST PREP (6) at Yellville-Summit: This is the first meeting between the two schools. Both own 17 wins over the past seven years. Class 2A Y-S expects to dress 33, including 12 senior leaders. Junior lineman Daniel Maxwell will start on both sides after an industrious off-season and summer. Classmate Kamden Norberg shifts from end to inside LB. BP’s strength is its defensive front, but the offense failed to score last week on Class 2A Bigelow’s starting defense in a scrimmage.
MOUNTAINBURG, JC WESTSIDE and CONWAY CHRISTIAN are open.