Class 4A Week 0 Rankings, Notes & Picks

Class 4A Week 0 Rankings, Notes & Picks

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Hootens.com Rankings
Class 4A, Wk 0, 2021
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.


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. H. Grove Haskell
40. Heber Springs
41. Helena
42. Southside
43. Cave City
44. Green Forest
45. Highland
46. Berryville
47. Dover

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
Class 5A No. 8 Camden Fairview at No. 13 Arkadelphia

This game went into overtime last season, with Arkadelphia winning 21-20. Camden Fairview scored six TDs in its scrimmage against Monticello. Senior middle linebacker Elijah Tate “played outstanding,” Coach Jake Monden says. “He separated from people and came downhill.” The Cardinals improved defensive front constantly harassed Monticello's backfield.
Arkadelphia hung with Class 6A No. 2 Lake Hamilton in last week's scrimmage before tiring late. Senior Jaishon Davis “ran the ball well,” Coach Trey Schucker says. “He's faster and plays with more confidence than a year ago.” Davis owns Division I offers from Arkansas State, Kansas, New Mexico and SMU. Junior quarterback Donovan Whitten completed 17 of 24 passes for 341 yards and four TDs against Lake Hamilton, while junior cornerback Latonnieo Hughes recorded seven tackles, one interception and one forced fumble..
 
LAST YEAR
Hootens.com correctly predicted 255 of 307 games (83 percent).

WEEK 0 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS)
1-4A
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 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.
GREEN FOREST (2) at West Fork: This game has been moved to Sept. 18 due to covid quarantine. It has been decided by a total of eight points over the past three years, with Green Forest winning consecutive one-point decisions in 2018-2019. Green Forest scrimmaged Drew Central and Joe T. Robinson, while Gentry beat West Fork 32-0.
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.
Prairie Grove is open.

2-4A
HARDING ACADEMY (21) at Bald Knob: This game was canceled last season. Lonnie Roberson succeeds former Bald Knob coach Lynn Garner, who moved into administration in May. Two-time defending Class 3A champion Harding Academy has 27 consecutive wins over in-state opponents.
CLINTON (6) at Melbourne: Clinton's defense played well in last week's scrimmage vs. Pottsville. Clinton junior QB Harley Tobin and senior RB/safety Nick Epley both excelled this summer and in preseason camp. Former Warren assistant Casey Moreland succeeds Kevin McCarn at Melbourne.
DeWitt at STUTTGART (23): Stuttgart lost to White Hall 7-0 in last week's scrimmage. The Ricebird's expected three-year starting QB left the program in July. DeWitt first-year coach Tommy Cody relies on a veteran offensive line, led by senior center Garrett Taylor. The Dragon's beat Barton 13-6 a scrimmage game.
MILLS (1) at Hope: Former Watson Chapel all-conference QB Jabrae Shaw (2,000 yards, 37 TDs in 2020) and receiver Anton Pierce transferred to Mills in the summer. Hope has three wins the past five years. Opposing coaches say Hope was much improved in summer seven-on-seven play.
LONOKE (20) at Carlisle: Lonoke has won four of the past five in the series, including last season by 49 points. Lonoke scrimmaged Bauxite last week. Senior Spencer Pepper and sophomore Brandon Allen split snaps at QB. Pepper also works at receiver, running back and in the secondary, while Allen plays receiver.
POCAHONTAS (5) at Southside: Pocahontas has won the past two in the series by a combined 40 points. The Redskins alter their approach this fall after the graduation of an all-state QB and two all-conference receivers. Junior Connor Baker takes over at QB after earning all-state honors last fall at running back (almost 1,400 yards and 26 TDs). Southside beat Riverview 44-7 in a scrimmage. Senior Colby Harris ran eight times for 116 yards and a pair of TDs, and the Southern D scored a TD and recorded a safety.
Heber Springs is open.
CAC is open. The Mustangs will play Mayflower Week 3.

3-4A
NETTLETON (11) at Blytheville:
Former Blytheville coach Lance Stone left in the summer and is currently an assistant at Camden Fairview, and all-conference QB Jeremiah Northern (2,925 yards, 25 TDs in 2020) left the school in the summer after signing a recording contract. Nettleton has won three of the past four in the series, including a forfeit in 2018 and a seven-point decision a year ago. Nettleton QB Cameron Scarlett played well in a preseason scrimmage vs. Osceola.
BROOKLAND (9) at Gosnell: These are former conference foes. Brookland's four-point win last year was its first in the series. An all-state linebacker, an all-conference running back and an all-conference lineman, all Division I prospects, left Gosnell for Osceola in late July. Brookland junior Joseph Wright ran for 133 yards and two TDs on three carries in a scrimmage vs. Corning, while Kaden Matthews logged seven carries for 99 yards and a TD.
HOXIE (3) at Cave City: Hoxie has won nine of its 11 meetings with Cave City, including a six-point win last fall in double overtime. Cave City battled Class 2A No. 1 Des Arc to an 8-8 tie in a scrimmage. Cave City senior wingback Maddox Moreland played well in the summer, and both lines were much improved.
GREENE CO. TECH (4) at Jonesboro Westside: GCT won 20-0 last year and by one point in 2018. Jonesboro Westside didn't' scrimmage, but senior tight end/lineman Spencer Long and center Edward Wilson performed well in the summer.
WALNUT RIDGE (2) at Highland: Clay Wiggins returns to Highland after coaching Salem the past three years. Walnut Ridge graduates its top three running backs from 2020.
POCAHONTAS (5) at Southside: Pocahontas has won the past two in the series by a combined 40 points. The Redskins alter their approach this fall after the graduation of an all-state QB and two all-conference receivers. Junior Connor Baker takes over at QB after earning all-state honors last fall at running back (almost 1,400 yards and 26 TDs). Junior Connor Baker takes over at QB after earning all-state honors last fall at running back (almost 1,400 yards and 26 TDs).
Rivercrest is open.
Trumann is open.

4-4A
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.
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 a “fairly clean” in a scrimmage vs. De Queen, coach Doug Powell says. Senior running back Gabino Grano and and junior Trenton Hunt both played well.
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.
EPC 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.

7-4A
Camden Fairview at ARKADELPHIA (3):
Hootens.com Class 4A Game of the Week.
PULASKI ACADEMY (10) at Joe T. Robinson: Hootens.com Class 5A Game of the Week.
HOT SPRINGS (6) at Fountain Lake (Thurs.): Hot Springs' first-team D allowed one TD in last week's scrimmage against Glen Rose. Defensive end/linebacker Jayvion Walker paced the Trojans in TFL's, while Steve Robinson and junior corner Devren Brown played well. Fountain Lake beat Magnet Cove 33-7 in a scrimmage by running for more than 300 yards. The defense forced four turnovers.
ASHDOWN (8) at Hamburg: Cecil Ray Cossey resigned as Hamburg's coach in late July after going 52-32 the past seven seasons. Hamburg native Darrrick Tucker promoted to interim coach. Ashdown junior tight end Shamar Easter (6-5, 220) committed to Arkansas on Aug. 13.
BAUXITE (25) at Riverview: Bauxite offensive linemen Ryan Cantrell, Braden Chappel, Parker Ellington, Noah Adams, Tyler Fleming and Michael Greer played well in its scrimmage vs. Lonoke, while senior RB Devin Jones scored three TDs. Riverview gave up 44 points vs. Southside.
Nashville at PLEASANT GROVE, TEXAS (28): Pleasant Grove has a 37-8 record over the past three seasons. The Hawks hammered Nashville last fall by 41 points. Nashville's defense struggled to slow HS Lakeside's running attack in a scrimmage game.
Malvern is open.
H. Grove Haskell is open.

8-4A
ASHDOWN (8) at Hamburg: Cecil Ray Cossey resigned as Hamburg's coach in late July after going 52-32 the past seven seasons. Hamburg native Darrrick Tucker promoted to interim coach in late July. Ashdown junior tight end Shamar Easter (6-5, 220) committed to Arkansas on Aug. 13.
Osceola at CROSSETT (1): Osceola was bolstered in late July with three move-in's from Gosnell (all-state linebacker Tru Walker, all-conference running back Travelle Anderson and all-conference lineman Tederian Blair). Anderson owns six DI offers, while Blair has an offer from Kansas. Crossett didn't scrimmage. Senior QB Tyrique Jones, receiver Dewayne Ashford and linebacker Denzel Washington enjoyed a solid preseason camp.
DeWitt at STUTTGART (23): Stuttgart lost to White Hall 7-0 in last week's scrimmage. The Ricebird's expected three-year starting QB left the program in July. DeWitt first-year coach Tommy Cody relies on a veteran offensive line, led by senior center Garrett Taylor. The Dragon's beat Barton 13-6 a scrimmage game.
Helena at DOLLARWAY (7): Helena went winless last fall (three losses by a TD or less) for the first time since 1991. Helena Daejohn Harrell caught an 80-yard TD pass in last week's scrimmage vs. Newport, while junior defensive tackle Kourtney Gamble led the Cougars in tackles.
Forrest City at STAR CITY (18): Star City has beaten Forrest City two of the past three years, including last fall by 36 points. The Bulldogs played Watson Chapel to an 0-0 stalemate in a weather-shortened scrimmage. Star City junior running back C.J. Turner, junior QB Mason Taylor and senior tight end/defensive end Trey Proctor performed well in fall camp. Former Memphis Trezevant Teli White (91-35 record, two state titles in 10 years) succeeds Rich Trail at Forrest City. Trail's Mustangs were 71-73-1 in 14 seasons.
MONTICELLO (11) at Lake Village: Monticello's expected three-year starter at QB transferred to Benton in July. The Billies beat Lake Village the past two years by a combined 94 points. Monticello's D allowed six TDs in a scrimmage against Camden Fairview.
Dumas is open.
Warren is open.



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