Razorbacks’ bubble burst — for now

When the season began, most folks would be happy if the Hogs could just win more than three or four games this year, after going 3-7 last year which came on the heels of two very dismal seasons.

The year started on a rough note, trailing Rice in the first half of the opener, then being tied headed into the fourth quarter. The offense turned it on, scored three touchdowns late to win 38-17. They were then heavy underdogs to a 15thranked Texas team, but the Hogs soundly thumped the arrogant Longhorns 40-21 and suddenly the Razorbacks were a ranked team.

A blowout win over Georgia Southern was followed by a game with the seventh-ranked Texas A&M Aggies. The Hogs pulled another upset, beating A&M 20-10 and were subsequently ranked No. 8 nationally, and the fans were ecstatic. Next up was Georgia and their secondranked Bulldogs. Bolstered by the return of most of their starters from their top-four team of a year ago, Georgia was ranked No. 2. Without Alabama on their schedule, they were looking to go 12-0 in 2021 and a place in the SEC bowl for a spot in the final four. The Hogs struggled early, falling behind 21-0 and could not come back, losing 37-0. The Bulldogs’ superior size, speed and a few breaks in the second quarter were enough to rebuff the ’Backs.

Helping the home ’Dogs was a very loud and boisterous home team. Decibel levels at the game reached 115, the level most factories require hearing protection equipment be in use. Having no verbal contact with your teammates on the field can be brutal in a high stakes game like last week.

Georgia was a far better team than either Texas A&M or Texas, and will be the top two teams Arkansas will play this year. The Hogs are still the third-ranked team from the SEC, sitting 13th in the Associated Press poll. They will play the 17th-ranked team this Saturday at Mississippi. Mississippi lost to Alabama 42-21 this past weekend.

Ranked 16th this year is a surprising Kentucky team that stands at 5-0. The Wildcats surprised a highly ranked Florida team this weekend 20-13. Florida is now sitting in the 20th position in the AP. The sixth SEC team ranked in the top is Auburn who is cruising in the 18th AP position at 4-1, losing an early game to Penn State.

Arkansas has the fortune or misfortune of playing five of the six of the nationally ranked SEC football teams. Only Missouri, LSU and Mississippi State on their SEC schedule are unranked. Only Arkansas has that many ranked SEC teams on their schedule.

With some hard work, good play and some luck, Arkansas could well finish the season in the top 10 with an invite to a top bowl in the offing.

Volleyball Hawks ranked no. 12 in the state

Blackhawk volleyball is ranked No. 12 in the state and is hoping to make it back to the 4A State Tournament again this year. A repeat entrant in the state playoffs, the Hawks must finish in the top four of their conference tournament to punch their ticket to the state tournament.

Pea Ridge is currently ranked third in the 4A-1 behind No. 1 Shiloh, and No. 2 Harrison.

The state volleyball poll is:

MaxPreps 4a state Volleyball poll

1. Valley View

2. Shiloh

3. Brookland

4. Mena

5. Pulaski

6. Harrison

7. Pottsville

8. Westside

9. Southside

10. Bauxite

11. Fountain Lake

12. Pea Ridge

13. Robinson

14. Morrilton

15. Highland

16. Huntsville

17. Gravette

18. Farmington

19. Blytheville

20. Magnolia

21. Trumann

22. Lonoke

23. Pocahontas

24. Wynne

25. Berryville

Vilonia taking control of the 5a West?

Perennial league contender Harrison was working on a lengthy conference winning streak two weeks ago, but Farmington came up to upset the Goblins and serve notice that the pecking order may be changing in the 5A West.

This week’s game with Farmington hosting the Vilonia Eagles was supposed to be a battle, but it was not to be as Vilonia whipped the Cards 57-28 to stay in the top spot in the league.

Harrison got back on the winning track by thumping Alma 42-21 with Greenbrier keeping the conference record intact with a 34-13 drubbing of Clarksville. Morrilton earned their first league win with a 40-12 win over Pea Ridge.

This week, Alma hosts Clarksville while Harrison entertains Greenbrier. Morrilton invades Farmington with Vilonia bringing their state No. 3 ranking to face Pea Ridge at the Hawks’ annual Homecoming Game.

5a West football standings

1. Vilonia 2-0

2. Greenbrier 2-0

3. Harrison 1-1

4. Morrilton 1-1

5. Alma 1-1

6. Farmington 1-1

7. Pea Ridge 0-2

8. Clarksville 0-2 MaxPreps state 5a Football poll

1. Pulaski 4-1

2. White Hall 5-0

3. Vilonia 5-0

4. Little Rock Christian 4-1

5. Greenbrier 5-0

6. Camden 5-0

7. Nettleton 5-0

8. Farmington 4-1

9. Harrison 4-1

10. Maumelle 2-3

11. Wynne 4-1

12. Hot Springs 3-2

13. Valley View 4-1

14. Magnolia 2-3

15. Lakeside 1-4

16. Green County Tech 3-2

17. Morrilton 2-3

18. Alma 2-3

19. Beebe 1-4 20. Batesville 1-4

21. Brookland 2-3

22. Texarkana 1-4

23. Clarksville 1-4

24. Jacksonville 1-4

25. Hope 1-4

26. Pea Ridge 0-5 Editor’s note: John McGee, an award-winning columnist, sports writer and art teacher at Pea Ridge elementary schools, writes a regular sports column for The Times. The opinions expressed are those of the writer. He can be contacted through The Times at prtnews@nwadg.com.