Mineral Springs, Prescott hold firm to top rankings

For the fourth week in a row, the top six teams in the state in the Arkansas Sports Media High School Football Poll remain exactly the same as the latest rankings were released this week, including Texarkana region teams Prescott and Mineral Springs.

And, for the fifth straight week, the Conway Wampus Cats rule the top spot in the Overall Top 10, once again pulling in 23 of the 28 firstplace votes. The Wampus Cats are followed by Little Rock Parkview, Bryant, Greenwood, Fayetteville and Bentonville to round out the top six. Parkview got the other five first-place votes.

Rogers, which had been ranked No. 7 the last two weeks, dropped out of the Top 10 after the Mounties lost for the second week in a row. Benton and LR Christian each moved up a spot and Shiloh Christian returned to the Top 10 after thumping Harrison 55-25 last Friday. After beating Rogers, Bentonville West makes its first appearance in the poll for the season, tying for 10th with a returning Pulaski Academy.

Conway, Bryant, Fayetteville and Bentonville hold down the top four spots in the Class 7A Top 5 with Bentonville West replacing Rogers at No. 5.

There were no changes in the Class 6A Top 5 as an idle Greenwood was the unanimous pick for the top spot, followed by Benton, LR Christian, Pulaski Academy and West Memphis.

For the second week in a row, the No. 3 team in the Class 5A Top 5 lost at Pine Bluff dropping a 27-21 decision in overtime to LR Mills. Southside Batesville moves up a notch to No. 3 while Mills returns to the ranking at No. 4. Joe T. Robinson remained fifth.

The voters remained split on who are the top dogs in Class 4A as Warren barely held on to the top spot with 13 first-place votes and is just two points ahead of No. 2 Malvern, which garnered 10 first-place votes. Harding Academy remains a solid third with five first-place votes. Elkins and Dewitt finish out the Top 5.

Prescott got all but one first-place vote to remain No. 1 in Class 3A and is followed by Salem and Hoxie. Booneville moved up a spot to No. 4 while Magnet Cove dropped in a three-way tie for fifth after its first loss of the season. Tied with Magnet Cove at No. 5 are Charleston and Harmony Grove of Ouachita County.

Mineral Springs remains No. 1 in Class 2A while Hazen and Des Arc each move up one spot, pushing Carlisle back to fourth. East Poinsett County remained fifth.

Undefeated teams Mountain View and Rector remain the top teams in the two 8-man divisions.