Hootens.com Rankings
Class 3A, Week 0, 2020
Copyright Hooten Publishing, Inc.

1. Harding Academy 
2. Osceola
3. Prescott
4. Hoxie
5. Rison
6. Newport
7. McGehee
8. Booneville
9. Glen Rose
10. C. Harmony Grove 
11. Cedarville 
12. Dollarway
13. Centerpoint
14. Harrisburg 
15. Jessieville
16. Greenland 
17. Charleston
18. Riverview
19. Walnut Ridge
20. Perryville 
21. Lincoln
22. Mayflower 
23. Smackover 
24. Atkins 
25. Mansfield
26. Melbourne 
27. Baptist Prep 
28. Hackett
29. Piggott 
30. Danville 
31. Salem 
32. Genoa Central 
33. Barton 
34. Fouke 
35. Drew Central 
36. Lake Village 
37. Paris 
38. Bismarck 
39. Corning 
40. Mountain View 
41. West Fork
42. Manila 
43. Lavaca
44. Palestine-Wheatley
45. Two Rivers 
46. Horatio

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
Class 2A No. 1 Fordyce at No. 5 Rison 
Teams have split the last four meetings, with Fordyce winning 14-8 last year en route to the Class 2A state title (first since 1991). Fordyce boasts projected four-year starters at quarterback (Jaheim Brown) and guard/linebacker (Josh Harrington). Junior center Carson Williams played varsity football the past two years and owns an offer from Louisiana-Monroe. Electric senior Ja'Quez Cross delivers big plays at receiver, running back and on kick and punt returns.  
Rison has won 24 games and two league titles since bumping to Class 3A two seasons ago, but the Wildcats must replace all-state end Fred Marsh, all-state running back Jamarien Bracey (transferred to Bryant) and all-conference QB Jaylon Henry. Rion's offense looks for longer drives this fall behind a veteran line and senior QB Cole Keese. All-state performer Eli Herrington starts at guard and defensive tackle. Rison returns three all-conference linebackers (Monte Barnett, Dalton Riggins and Keese) from the top scoring defense in 3A last season. 

LAST YEAR
Hootens.com correctly predicted 259 of 311 games (84 percent) of games involving Class 3A schools.

WEEK 0 PREDICTIONS (favored team in CAPS followed by point spread)
1-3A
CEDARVILLE (8) at Berryville: Cedarville pursues its first league title ever and its first postseason appearance since 2015. Six running backs likely get carries weekly behind an athletic offensive line that excels pull blocking. League coaches voted Berryville to finish fourth in the 1-4A. The Bobcats last made the playoffs in 2006.
MANSFIELD (6) at Magazine: Thirty-two Mansfield Red Tigers went through summer camp, including senior Zayne Dugan (6-6, 225), who shifts to QB from receiver. Senior all-league linebacker Randall Claude (6-1, 210) captains the defense. Magazine won its fourth league title in school history last season and returns seven starters on offense.
Lavaca at PARIS (13): Lavaca's one win last season was its fewest since finishing winless in 1998. The Golden Arrows return starters at 14 positions. Paris junior quarterback Chase Watts (6-0, 155) showed a good rapport during the off-season with junior receiver Cooper Haley (6-1, 160).
West Fork at GREEN FOREST (1): Class 4A Green Forest slipped West Fork 14-13 last fall. Senior center Conner McAdoo (6-1, 215) anchors the West Fork offensive line as a projected three-year starter. All-league fullback Brenan Cash emerged as a leader during the off-season.
Lincoln at ELKINS (7): Coach Reed Mendoza returns to Lincoln where he was an assistant before coaching last season at Dover (0-10 in 2019). Elkins looks to end a five-game losing streak. Elkins QB Cain Johnson passed for 269 yards in last week's scrimmage. 
HACKETT, CHARLESTON and GREENLAND are open. 

2-3A
Melbourne at CLINTON (3): Clinton is 4-0 all time against Melbourne, including a 41-28 victory last season. Thirty Melbourne Bearkatz went through fall camp. Coach Kevin McCarn expects to call more runs this season behind a seasoned offensive line, including all-conference performers Slayton Wheeler (5-10, 260) and Ty Cooper (6-1, 225). Clinton bumps to Class 4A after winning three league titles in the past four seasons in Class 3A.
Mills at NEWPORT (9): Newport sophomore D.J. Marshall (6-0, 165) starts this season at QB with junior Eli Alcorn sidelined with a hand injury. Marshall quarterbacked the 9-0 junior high Greyhounds to a conference title in 2019. Look for Newport to feed all-conference running back and North Alabama commit Tharon Davis (6-0, 180) often.
Riverview at BAUXITE (7): Riverview shifts to the Spread this season after operating in the Wing T a year ago. Riverview sophomore QB Harley Sawtelle (6-6, 205) triggered the 7-1 junior high in 2019 and delivered decisive passes this summer. Senior Xander Duckett boasts 4.6 speed at receiver and running back. Class 4A Bauxite leans on senior QB Conner Stacy (6-1, 180). 
FOUKE (1) at Mountain View: Mountain View drilled four QBs in the off-season, including projected starter Elijah Carlton (6-3, 175). All-conference receiver J'Air Jackson (5-11, 180; 4.6 speed) caught 12 TD passes last season. Fouke likely plays this game without senior running back Jordan Dell (6-1, 170), who was recently injured in practice. Fouke All-5-3A receiver Kanon Garrett (6-1, 170) emerged as a leader during the off-season.
HARDING ACADEMY and SALEM are open. 

3-3A
Cross county at HARRISBURG (13) (Saturday): Class 2A Cross County has won five of the last seven meetings, but Harrisburg rolled the Thunderbirds 44-6 last season. Cross County linemen impressed coaches with physical play during last week's scrimmage. Look for Harrisburg to spread, get it to shifty playmakers in space.
Cave City at HOXIE (28): Hoxie has won three straight in this series, including 48-21 last year. Class 4A Cave City has one win in the past three seasons. Hoxie enters 2020 looking to advance past the quarterfinals for the first time in school history. All-state QB Daylon Powell and all-conference running back brother ShunDerick Powell, both North Alabama commits, spark the Mustangs.
CROSSETT (7) at Osceola (Saturday): Class 4A Crossett returns 13 starters one year after advancing to the semifinals for the first time since 2003. Osceola looks to play for the state title for a third straight season. Osceola's line should be stout behind senior all-league performer Chris Littleton (6-1, 230) and senior tackle Kendre Oliver (6-3, 240).
Palestine-Wheatley at DES ARC (14): Defending 6-2A champion Des Arc enters 2020 with its third coach in three seasons. Look for all-conference QB Luke Morton to shine behind all-league offensive linemen (Cooper Childers and Chance Eldridge). Palestine-Wheatley finished winless for the first time since reviving varsity football in 1996.
HIGHLAND (2) at Walnut Ridge: Class 4A Highland has won one game each of the past two seasons. The Rebels own ample size in the trenches and will try to control the ball. Walnut Ridge has potential for an explosive offense with all-state playmaker Cole Manning, All-3-3A receiver Mari Thomas and all-league tight end Mason Andrews. 
MANILA, PIGGOTT and CORNING are open. 

4-3A
Cedar Ridge at BAPTIST PREP (7): Baptist Prep plays host to Class 2A members Cedar Ridge, Conway Christian and Marvell (a combined 7-22 last year) to start the season. Baptist Prep coach Zach Welchman on Monday singled out sophomores Henry Robertson (5-4, 127) and Luke Stallings (5-8, 300) for having big off-seasons. Cedar Ridge drops down to Class 2A after totaling two wins over the past two seasons. 
Lavaca at PARIS (13): Lavaca's one win last season was its fewest since a winless 1998, but the Golden Arrows return starters at 14 positions. Paris junior quarterback Chase Watts (6-0, 155) showcased a good rapport during the off-season with junior receiver Cooper Haley (6-1, 160).
Dardanelle at BOONEVILLE (7): Booneville downed Class 4A Dardanelle 21-20 in 2017, the last meeting of these schools. Dardanelle uses multiple offensive formations to create mismatches. Booneville outscored rival Charleston 14-7 last week in a scrimmage behind TDs from Ethan Wooldridge and Randon Ray. Booneville looks to execute a ball-control offense under first-year coach Doc Crowley. Booneville had 38 players faithfully attended fall drills.
CAC (14) at Mayflower: Teams have split the past four meetings with CAC winning 48-0 a season ago, when CAC earned its first league title in four years. All-league QB Palmer Gilbrech (6-0, 175) triggers the CAC offense, but the Mustangs return no starting receivers. Mayflower's two wins last season were its fewest since 1985. Mayflower graduated just four seniors and nine sophomores started last season.
Two Rivers at QUITMAN (13): Class 2A Quitman trounced Two Rivers 35-6 last fall. Two Rivers drilled 25 players in August. Senior receiver Hayden Smith (5-11, 175) emerged this off-season as a leader. Smith paced Two Rivers in 2019 with 55 receptions for 567 yards and six TDs.
DANVILLE, ATKINS and PERRYVILLE are open.

5-3A
CUTTER M. STAR (2) at Bismarck: Bismarck downed Class 2A Cutter Morning Star 33-20 last season. Former Lake Hamilton defensive coordinator Matt Kinsinger succeeds T.C. Shamel at CMS. Seniors Preston DeMorrow, Braven Golden, Thomas Short, B.J. Ledford, Connor Corley and Steven Roberson led Bismarck through off-season workouts. Sophomore Ian Smith starts at QB after guiding Bismarck's junior high to a 5-4 finish in 2019.
FOUKE (1) at Mountain View: Mountain View drilled four QBs in the off-season, including likely starter Elijah Carlton (6-3, 175). All-conference receiver J'Air Jackson (5-11, 180; 4.6 speed) caught 12 TD passes in 2019. Fouke likely plays without senior running back Jordan Dell (6-1, 170), who was recently injured. Fouke all-league receiver Kanon Garrett (6-1, 170) emerged as a leader during the off-season.
POYEN (17) at Genoa Central: Genoa Central pivots after recording the most wins (five) and making the playoffs a season ago for the first time in program history (launched in 2010). Genoa's expected starting QB left the district during the off-season. Class 2A Poyen impressed in its scrimmage, leading Jessieville 32-14 at halftime. All-state playmaker Brandon Sanchez caught three TD passes from QB classmate Jaxson Carter. 
PRESCOTT (38) at Lafayette County: Prescott beat Class 2A Lafayette County 41-0 in 2018, the last meeting of these schools. Lafayette County varsity players compiled a 21-6 record in junior high but have won just one game each of the past two years in high school varsity play. QB Jacobi Nolen dazzled in Prescott's 28-7 scrimmage win last week against Class 4A Ashdown, firing multiple passes more than 50 yards in the air. Prescott all-state performer Justin Wilson, a projected four-year starter on the offensive line, plays more defensive end this season.
CENTERPOINT (13) at Hampton: High expectations at Centerpoint. The Knights have won eight games or more three of the past five seasons. All-conference performers Garrett Alexander (6-3, 265) and James Mitchell (5-10, 180) anchor the line. Class 2A Hampton returns all-conference performers at QB (Ashton Rice) and fullback (Cymeon McRae), while senior Easton Welch (5-10, 145) delivers plays at receiver and QB. 
Glen Rose, Jessieville and Horatio are open.

6-3A
FORDYCE (8) at Rison: See Hootens.com Game of the Week.
C. Harmony Grove at JUNCTION CITY (5): Harmony Grove beat eventual Class 2A runner-up Junction City 30-26 last season for its first win in the series since 2006. Harmony Grove coach Ernie Horstkamp led 34 Hornets through summer drills, led by seniors Mecca Arnold, Jeremie and Jermaine Edwards, Houston Bryant and Brandon Harris.
Dollarway at DUMAS (1): Class 4A Dumas has won the past two meetings. Dumas' one win last season was its fewest since 2014. Dumas senior running back Kylin James (6-0, 210; 3.9 GPA) could prove one of the state's top playmakers. Dollarway's six wins in 2019 were its most in four seasons and the Cardinals drilled more than 30 players in fall camp. Senior Jessiah Grigsby emerged in the off-season as a leader.
Lake Village at MONTICELLO (8): Class 4A Monticello won the last meeting 61-7 in 2015. Lake Village senior running back Keavorris Campbell (6-1, 205) delivered big plays in the summer after missing last season with a torn ACL.
DREW CENTRAL, McGEHEE, SMACKOVER and BARTON are open.