Class 5A Week 3 Rankings, Notes & Picks

Class 5A Week 3 Rankings, Notes & Picks

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Hootens.com Rankings
Class 5A, Week 3, 2017
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. Pulaski Academy (2-0)
2. Wynne (2-0)
3. LR Christian (2-0)
4. Alma (1-1)
5. Harrison (2-0)
6. Morrilton (2-0)
7. LR McClellan (1-1)
8. Batesville (0-2)
9. White Hall (2-0)
10. Beebe (2-0)
11. Nettleton (2-0)
12. Watson Chapel (1-1)
13. Sylvan Hills (1-1)
14. Greenbrier (1-1)
15. HS Lakeside (0-2)
16. Blytheville (1-1)
17. Camden Fairview (0-2)
18. Valley View (1-1)
19. LR Parkview (1-1)
20. De Queen (1-1)
21. Forrest City (1-1)
22. Vilonia (1-1)
23. Farmington (1-1)
24. Maumelle (0-2)
25. Magnolia (1-1)
26. Mills (1-1)
27. Hot Springs (0-2)
28. Hope (0-2)
29. Clarksville (1-1)
30. Paragould (0-2)
31. Greene County Tech (0-2)
32. LR Fair (0-2)

GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 5 Harrison at No. 3 Little Rock Christian

These two former conference foes are undefeated. Little Rock Christian has slipped past Class 4A traditional powers Warren and Shiloh Christian by a combined 83-40. Junior Justice Hill stepped in at quarterback in the second half against Warren (scored four touchdowns) and threw a touchdown pass last week against Shiloh Christian. Senior Ladarius Burnes caught a short TD pass against Shiloh Christian before getting injured last week. Sophomore Kendel Givens stepped in with 10 carries for 124 yards and three TDs in the second half.  Undefeated Harrison has beaten Class 6A Mountain Home and Siloam Springs by a combined 56 points. The Goblins led Siloam Springs 41-6 at halftime a week ago, scoring TDs on their opening seven possessions. Harrison gained 332 of its 540 yards on the ground against Siloam Springs. Sophomore Gabe Huskey ran 14 times for 126 yards and two TDs in the first half, while senior QB Noah Ditmanson hit 10 of 16 passes for 208 yards and two TDs.

TV SHOW
Hooten's Arkansas Football airs 10:30 a.m. Saturdays on KATV (ABC Little Rock) Ch. 7, covering the Razorbacks and high schools. Lake Hamilton senior Ian Bishop receives the prestigious Arkansas Air Guard Scholar Athlete of the Week award on this week's show.

LAST WEEK
Hootens.com correctly predicted 26 of 30 games (87 percent). Hootens.com has correctly predicted 52 of 61 games (85 percent) this season.

WEEK 3 PREDICTIONS  (favored team in CAPS followed by point spread)
5A CENTRAL
Harrison at LR CHRISTIAN (2):
Hootens.com Class 5A Game of the Week.
LR Fair at CABOT (41): This isn't close to LR Fair's 41-point win over Cabot in the 1998 state title game. The War Eagles have three wins in the past five years (two of them by forfeit). LR Fair has scored four TDs this season after scoring just six in 2016.
Bossier (La.) Parkway at PULASKI ACADEMY (8): This game set for 9 p.m. on ESPNU. Undefeated Pulaski Academy hasn't been tested this season. The Bruins average 58 points and 586 yards a game. Bruin senior receivers Brett Lynch and Tre Johnson have combined for 17 catches, 229 yards and three TDs in the first half of blowouts. Bossier City (La.) Parkway lost last week 50-27 to Pearl, Miss., the top-ranked team in Mississippi.
Jacksonville at SYLVAN HILLS (7): Sylvan Hills senior Deon Youngblood ran for 263 yards and the D forced five turnovers in last week's 26-point win against HS Lakeside. Jacksonville trailed Class 7A LR Catholic by seven points at halftime last week before losing 34-17. Sylvan Hills lost the opener at LR Catholic 44-7.
LR MCCLELLAN (21) at LR Hall: LR McClellan racked up 440 yards (300 rushing ) in last week's 18-point loss at North Little Rock. The Lions average 35 points per game.
WYNNE (9) at Beebe: A battle of unbeatens. Beebe rallied in the third quarter last week at Lonoke for a 22-point triumph. Senior Kahlil Anthony has rushed for 288 yards this year. Wynne's stout rushing attack features senior fullback Ta'Von Hicks (four TDs at Maumelle). Wynne lineman Erik South misses his third straight game with a MCL injury, but could return next week. Yellowjacket senior center Hunter Hylle, guard Harryson Hess and tackle DeQuan Marrs dominated Maumelle's defensive front as the Yellowjackets rolled up almost 500 yards, including 400 rushing.  
LR Parkview at NORTH LR (21): Former coach Brad Bolding returns to North Little Rock with improved LR Parkview. The Patriots (one winning season since 2009) trailed Benton by seven points in the fourth quarter last week before losing by 14 points. Bolding went 63-30 in eight years at NLR. The undefeated Charging Wildcats led LR McClellan by 28 points at halftime last week, but couldn't apply the 35-point sportsmanship rule while allowing 440 yards.
Mills at MAUMELLE (7): Mills' Corbin Humphrey ran for 150 yards in last week's 10-point win over Hall. Humphrey has 197 yards this fall. Maumelle junior QB Xavion Morgan has 247 yards passing this year, but he was replaced in the second half of last week's 39-point loss at Wynne by senior Connor McCullough (12 of 24 for 60 yards).

5A EAST
WYNNE (9) at Beebe:
A battle of unbeatens. Beebe rallied in the third quarter last week at Lonoke for a 22-point triumph. Senior Kahlil Anthony has rushed for 288 yards this year. Wynne's stout rushing attack features senior fullback Ta'Von Hicks (four TDs at Maumelle). Wynne lineman Erik South misses his third straight game with a MCL injury, but could return next week. Yellowjacket senior center Hunter Hylle, guard Harryson Hess and tackle DeQuan Marrs dominated Maumelle's defensive front as the Yellowjackets rolled up almost 500 yards, including 400 rushing.  
BATESVILLE (7) at Mountain Home: Batesville has given up 110 points the past two weeks in losses to 6A East members Joneboro and Searcy. The Pioneers gave up six passing TDs in last week's 47-9 setback at Searcy.
Blytheville at MARION (3): Blytheville had just 32 yards in last week's 40-0 loss to West Memphis, including minus-16 yards rushing. Marion struggles on defense, especially in the the secondary (allowed 505 yards in last week's seven-point loss at Jackson, Mo.) The balanced Patriots are getting improved play from QB Jacob Green (passed for 417 yards in last week's seven-point loss at Jackson, Mo).
Forrest City at HELENA (7): Forrest City has won three straight over Helena, by a total of 17 points. Forrest City converted a late fumble into a TD for a four-point win last week over winless Dollarway. Undefeated Helena averages 42 points per game.
VALLEY VIEW (17) at Highland: Valley View kicked the winning 43-yard field goal with 1:05 left in last week's 32-29 triumph over Rivercrest. Senior Lehman McNabb caught six passes for 142 yards, and he has nine catches for 214 yards and two TDs this fall. Highland junior QB Tristan Hudson tore his ACL and MCL in the second quarter Week 1, and will miss the rest of the season. Three-year center Thomas Rigsby was injured in last week's 42-point loss to Riverview and may not return this year. Sophomore Dylan Tharp (5-9, 140) takes over at QB.
NETTLETON (16) at Star City: This is the third meeting between these teams (Nettleton won 35-13 last year, Star City won 28-7 n the first round of the 1977 playoffs). Nettleton led Class 6A Mountain Home 21-0 at halftime last week, on its way to a mercy-rule win. Star City led Lake Village 38-8 at halftime last week before easing to a 52-26 victory. 
Paragould at TRUMANN (14): Paragould held Pocahontas to minus-37 yards rushing in the first half last week, but the Rams gave up 167 rushing yards in the second half. Paragould senior QB Trent Teaguer has rushed for 434 yards this fall. Trumann starters have played sparingly in the second half of consecutive blowouts over Class 3A Hoxie and Manila.
KENNETT, MO. (7) at Greene Co. Tech: Greene County Tech's 20-game losing streak started with a 33-point blowout against Kennett, Mo. In 2015. The Eagles run the ball better this fall with senior Kobe Brown (more than 400 yards). The Kennett Indians are 3-1 this fall, outscoring opponents by an average of 44-21.

5A SOUTH
Malvern at HS LAKESIDE (1):
A battle of winless teams. HS Lakeside has beaten Malvern eight of the past 11 years, but Malvern won a 48-32 shootout last year, prompting the Rams to make changes on their way to a conference title. HS Lakeside's fumble twice and threw three INTs in last week's 26-point loss to Sylvan Hills. Malvern QB Demias Jimerson ran 63 yards for a TD against Lake Hamilton. He's accounted for six TDs this fall.
Sheridan at WHITE HALL (21): Youthful Sheridan (start nine sophomores) has scored one offensive TD this fall, and the Yellowjackets gained 123 yards in last week's 56-0 loss to Class 4A Arkadelphia. White Hall averaged 551 yards weekly. Senior Ollie Reddick has 17 carries for 230 yards and four TDs this fall, while Layne Hartsfield has eight carries for 149 yards and three scores.
WARREN (7) at Watson Chapel: Warren has won three of the past four over Watson Chapel, including by 20 points last year. Warren junior QB Jmalachi Kinnard hurt his ankle in the first quarter of last week's 14-point win over Stuttgart. Junior Treylon Burks filled in at QB, rushing for four TDs. Burks also led the Lumberjacks in tackles and punted. Watson Chapel jumped to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter last week at Pine Bluff, but failed to score again in a 36-point loss.
Camden Fairview at TEXARKANA (7): These teams have split the past six meetings, with Texarkana winning eight points a year ago. They'll be conference foes the next two years after Texarkana drops into the 5A South. Texarkana impressed with last week's 7-0 win over talented Texas High, its first shutout since 2013. Winless Camden Fairview has scored just three TDs this fall.
Magnolia at EL DORADO (17): El Dorado has won eight straight over Magnolia by a combined 205 points. Magnolia gave up a late TD and two-point conversion in last week's one-point loss to Monticello. El Dorado senior QB Darius Holly completed 16 of 22 passes for 236 yards and four TDs in last week's four-point win at Cabot.
Hot Springs at ARKADELPHIA (24): Arkadelphia has won four of the past five in the series (Hot Springs won by 10 points in 2015), and 11 of the past 16. The Badgers haven't allowed a point this year, shutting out Stuttgart and Class 6A Sheridan. Arkadelphia led Sheridan 56-0 at halftime last week, as sophomore QB Cannon Turner threw four TD passes and junior Zion Hatley ran for three.
DE QUEEN (1) at Poteau, Okla.: De Queen slid receiver Hunter Earney from receiver to running back in last week's 49-42 win over Nashville. Earney responded with 285 yards and four TDs, and defensively he returned an interception 30 yards for a TD.
PRESCOTT (11) at Hope: Prescott has won seven of the past 10 over Hope, including last year by 20 points. Prescott senior Thomas Muldrew ran 12 times for 139 yards and three TDs in last week's 21-point win over Camden Harmony Grove.

5A WEST
Harrison at LR CHRISTIAN (7):
Hootens.com Class 5A Game of the Week.
GREENWOOD (21) at Alma: Greenwood has beaten Alma 13 of the past 16 seasons. The Bulldogs blasted Class 7A FS Southside 49-0 last season, leading 42-0 at halftime. Alma junior safety Coltin Bowerman has 18 tackles this fall. Alma trailed Springdale 21-6 in the third quarter last week before losing by 34-19.
MORRILTON (7) at Searcy: Morrilton has won four of the past five over Searcy, but had to forfeit last year's 41-13 triumph for using an ineligible player. Searcy QB Mason Shucker has 13 TDs and one INT this fall. Morrilton has six sacks in 2017.
BENTON (13) at Greenbrier: Benton has won four of the past seven in the series. Benton averages 40 points per game this fall. Greenbrier rallied past Heber Springs last week, behind senior QB Jeremy Kendall's three TD passes.
Mills at MAUMELLE (7): Mills' Corbin Humphrey ran for 150 yards in last week's 10-point win over Hall. Humphrey has 197 yards this fall. Maumelle junior QB Xavion Morgan has 247 yards passing this year, but he was replaced in the second half of last week's 39-point loss at Wynne by senior Connor McCullough (12 of 24 for 60 yards).
Farmington at PEA RIDGE (10): Pea Ridge didn't play last week after winning twice in Week 1 (beat Hamburg and Booneville by a combined 79-39). But Class 5A Farmington has won six of the past nine over its former conference rival. Farmington ran for 378 yards in last week's 30-point win over Huntsville.
BOONEVILLE (6) at Vilonia: Vilonia won this weather-delayed game by four points last season, which was the first meeting since 1988 when Booneville played the Eagles 34-8. Vilonia couldn't slow Pottsville rushing attack a week ago (20-point loss). Booneville junior QB Brandon Ulmer ran for 113 yards and a TD in last week's 28-13 win at Gravette. The Bearcats led 28-7 early in the fourth quarter.
Clarksville at DARDANELLE (18): Dardanelle has won five of the past nine in the series. Dardanelle senior kicker Temo Martinez has made all nine extra points, two of three fields (including a 43-yarder), and placed 11 of 12 kickoffs into the end zone. Linebacker Tate Vestal paces a stingy defense (29 points in two games) with 20 tackles, three tackles for loss and forced one fumble.

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