Hootens.com Rankings
Class 4A, Week 0, 2018
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.
1. Warren
2. Joe T. Robinson
3. Arkadelphia
4. Pea Ridge
5. Stuttgart
6. Southside Batesville
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

GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 6 Southside Batesville vs. No. 1 Warren
These teams start the season at noon Saturday in the Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield Kickoff Classic at North Little Rock's Charging Wildcat Stadium with high expectations.

Top-ranked Warren has played in two of the past three Class 4A state title games. The Lumberjacks return starters at 15 positions, including a quartet for their fourth seasons. They were sharp in a preseason scrimmage with McGehee, winning 42-10. “We have some explosive players and have to take advantage of it,” Coach Bo Hembree says.
Senior receiver/linebacker Treylon Burks (6-3, 227) committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks in July. Burks caught 45 passes last year for 1,090 yards and 11 touchdowns, ran for 936 yards and 27 TDs and passed for 135 at QB. Junior running back Vincent Steppes ran for 1,221 yard sand eight TDs last year, and he broke a 67-yard run in last week's scrimmage against McGehee. Senior QB J'malachi Kinnard passed for more than 2,100 yards last year, throwing just two interceptions. Senior defensive tackle Marcus Miller (6-4, 290) committed to Arkansas in late July after collecting 78 tackles and eight sacks a year ago.
Southside Batesville enters 2018 with the highest expectations in school history after winning 10 games last year and the first league title in school history. Senior QB Koby Rich passed for 2,016 yards and 25 TDs last season. Seniors Caden Huskey (6-2, 200) and Brayden Duncan (5-7, 155) play wingback and slotback. Huskey ran for 548 yards and 13 TDs a year ago, while Duncan had 1,036 yards and six TDs. Huskey earned all-state honors last year at safety with 128 tackles. “One of the main reasons we want to play Warren is to see elite speed and talent,” Southside Batesville coach Kenny Simpson says. “We want to see how we stack up against the best. Our players embraced this opportunity.”

TV LAND
Hooten's Arkansas Football airs 10:30 a.m. Saturdays on KATV (ABC Little Rock) Channel 7, covering the Razorbacks, high school teams and players to watch.

LAST YEAR
Hootens.com correctly predicted 284 of 320 games last season (89 percent).

WEEK 0 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)
1-4A
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 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 Saint offense struggled in a benefit scrimmage against Springdale.
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.
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.
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).
Berryville is open.
Green Forest is open.
Lincoln is open.
Prairie Grove is open.

2-4A
Southside Batesville vs. WARREN (14) (Sat.): Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week.
Brookland at RIVERVIEW (2): These schools play for the first time. Many coaches in the 3-4A believe Brookland could surprise this season with starters back at 17 positions, including all-conference fullback Ethan Barkley (713 yards in 2016). Riverview gets plays from three-year QB Griffin Miller (ran for 963 yards and 11 TDs, and passed for 841 yards and eight TDs last year) and junior linebacker Santos Gutierrez (71 tackles).
STUTTGART (20) at DeWitt: DeWitt hasn't won the Battle of Arkansas County in more than 20 years. Stuttgart has won the past four meetings (series was halted after 2005 and didn't resume until 2014) by a combined 173-73. Ricebird senior defensive end David Walker racked up seven sacks and 24 tackles behind the line of scrimmage last season. Stuttgart scored just one TD in a preseason scrimmage with Marion. DeWitt builds its D around senior tackle Nathan Ezell (40 tackles in 2017).
Bald Knob is open.
CAC is open.
Heber Springs is open.
Lonoke is open.
Mills is open.

3-4A
JONESBORO WESTSIDE (3) at Greene Co. Tech: These teams play for the first time. Jonesboro Westside has never beaten a Class 5A program. Multi-sport athlete Hunter Scott played well in fall camp, lining up at H-back, slotback and receiver. Nathan Morgan takes over as coach at Greene County Tech for a program that has won five games (four on the field) over the past four years.
Gosnell at NETTLETON (4): Nettleton had three TDs negated by penalty in last week's one-point win over Osceola in a benefit scrimmage. The Raiders, fresh off their first conference title in 20 years, move playmaker Jarquavious Cain to various spots. Cain caught four passes in the benefit game. Gosnell has won four conference titles in the past five seasons. The Pirates advanced to the quarterfinals the past two seasons. Juniors Rayshon Gates and Brett Barbaree split time at QB in the summer. Gosnell has beaten Nettleton both times they played in the past 20 years.
Brookland at RIVERVIEW (2): These schools play for the first time. Many coaches in the 3-4A believe Brookland could surprise this season with starters back at 17 positions, including all-conference fullback Ethan Barkley (713 yards in 2016). Riverview rides three-year QB Griffin Miller (ran for 963 yards and 11 TDs, and passed for 841 yards and eight TDs last year) and junior linebacker Santos Gutierrez (71 tackles).
Highland at VALLEY VIEW (21): Valley View has won six of its 10 games over Highland since starting football a decade ago. The Blazers averaged 32 points per game last season, but banks more on defense this fall with junior strong safety Carter Winters (103 tackles last year) and junior linebacker Jacob Waleszonia (51 tackles). Highland has one win in its past six non conference games (beat Harding Academy in the 2016 opener).
Cave City at HOXIE (17): Hoxie has won six of the eight meetings over Cave City. Danny Brustrom takes over as Cave City's third coach in three years. The Cavemen were winless last season, scoring a TD or less six times. Hoxie drilled 37 players in August.
Pocahontas is open.
Rivercrest is open.
Trumann is open.

4-4A
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 two quarters against Booneville.
MENA (10) at DeQueen: DeQueen has won 11 games over Mena since 2000, but lost last season by 35 points. The Leopard defense (especially the secondary) could improve this season. Mena coach Tim Harper heaps praise on senior tight end/defensive end Brock Strother (6-4, 235) and defensive tackle Zion Barnes (6-2, 240).
Dover is open.
Elkins is open.
Ozark is open.
Pottsville is open.
Subiaco Academy is open.
Waldron is open.

7-4A
NASHVILLE (5) vs. Watson Chapel (Mon.): Nashville has won three of four in the series, including 69-48 in the last meeting in 2015. Nashville senior Tristen Jamison (6-3, 175) impressed in the spring and summer after moving from Dekalb, Texas. Watson Chapel whipped Star City in a benefit scrimmage and the Wildcats feature one of the better defensive fronts in Class 5A with senior all-state linemen Malik Neal (42 tackles in 2017) and Tariq Urquhart (49 tackles).
Joe T. Robinson at SPRINGDALE (9) (Thurs.): Springdale impressed in its benefit scrimmage game against Shiloh Christian. The Bulldogs drilled almost 100 players in August, while Joe T. Robinson has nearly 60 players. But three Senator's own Division I offers, including defensive lineman Zach Williams (65 tackles in 2017), an Arkansas Razorback commit.
H. Grove Haskell at CENTERPOINT (14): Harmony Grove Haskell and first-year coach Mike Guthrie elevate to Class 4A with 31 players on the roster. Class 3A Centerpoint averaged 25 ppg a year ago and gets plays from dual threat senior QB Owen Bright (22 TDs in 2017).
Sylvan Hills at ARKADELPHIA (16): Sylvan Hills bumps back to Class 6A this fall. Defending 4A champion Arkadelphia returns seven starters from a defense that gave up a Class 4A-low 10.5 ppg last season. Senior cornerback Victor Tademy (44 tackles, six interceptions in 2017) committed to Harvard in July.
Hamburg at ASHDOWN (1): Ashdown has won three of its past four over Hamburg, including 56-10 a year ago. Panther sophomore QB Braylon Bishop (6-1, 180) started four varsity games last season, including three in the playoffs. Bishop committed in early June to play baseball at Arkansas. Hamburg returns eight starters on offense, including left tackle Jared Laughlin (6-5, 310), who committed to UAPB in late July.
Conway Christian vs. BAUXITE (10): These teams battle in the opener of the Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield Kickoff Classic at 10 a.m. Saturday at North Little Rock's Charging Wildcat Stadium. Miner coach Daryl Patton says this season “will be a failure if we aren't in the postseason.” The Miners (13 wins in the past seven seasons) rely on senior QB Seth McDowell (eight TD runs in 2017) and running back Dawson Dabbs (1,100 yards and 10 TDs).
Fountain Lake is open.
Malvern is open.

8-4A
Southside Batesville vs. WARREN (14) (Sat.): Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week.
Hamburg at ASHDOWN (1): Ashdown has won three of its past four over Hamburg, including 56-10 a year ago. Panther sophomore QB Braylon Bishop (6-1, 180) started four varsity games last season, including three in the playoffs. Bishop committed in early June to play baseball at Arkansas. Hamburg returns eight starters on offense, including left tackle Jared Laughlin (6-5, 310), who committed to UAPB in late July.
Star City at FORREST CITY (17): Star City first-year coach Chris Vereen implements the Wing T scheme after the Bulldogs scored two TDs or less in four games last season. But they scored only once in a benefit scrimmage against Watson Chapel. Forrest City senior QB Randal Moore threw for almost 1,300 yards and just one interception last season.
STUTTGART (20) at DeWitt: DeWitt hasn't won the Battle of Arkansas County in more than 20 years. Stuttgart has won the past four meetings (series was halted after 2005 and didn't resume until 2014) by a combined 173-73. Ricebird senior defensive end David Walker racked up seven sacks and 24 tackles behind the line of scrimmage last season. DeWitt builds its D around senior tackle Nathan Ezell (40 tackles in 2017).
Crossett is open.
Dumas is open.
Helena is open.
Monticello is open.