Class 7A
Week 6
Fayetteville (5-0)
Bentonville (5-0)
Springdale Har-Ber (4-1)
Cabot (5-0)
Bryant (5-0)
Fort Smith Southside (2-3)
Conway (3-2)
Fort Smith Northside (1-4)
LR Catholic (1-4)
West Memphis (3-2)
Springdale High (1-4)
Rogers High (1-4)
Rogers Heritage (1-4)
LR Central (1-4)
North LR (1-4)
Van Buren (2-3)
WEEK 6 PREDICTIONS (favored teams in ALL CAPS)
HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 3 HAR-BER (4) at No. 2 Bentonville: Two of the state’s three title contenders meet on homecoming night in Bentonville.
The winner likely earns a favorable playoff position and greatly increases its chances of making it to the state championship game in December.
No. 2 Bentonville rides a 14-game win streak. However, the Tigers needed two fourth down stops in the second half of last week’s 21-10 over Fort Smith Northside. Bentonville struggles to run the ball at times and two-time state champion QB Kasey Ford was 12 of 18 (67 percent) for 83 yards with two interceptions last Friday. Bentonville’s defense is better than Har-Ber’s defense.
Har-Ber’s physical and diverse offense, including standout senior RB Luke Hanson’s catching ability, has many weapons to put defenses in a pickle. Hanson (119 yards offense weekly) rushed for 142 yards and caught two passes (both TD) for 112 yards as Har-Ber led at Springdale 35-0 early in the second quarter last Friday. Har-Ber QB Fuller Chandler completes 67 percent of his passes for 220 yards weekly. Chandler has 16 TD and just one interception.
Har-Ber has not beat Bentonville since 2008, losing the past three years by a combined 118-40. The Tigers beat Har-Ber twice in 2010.
7A/6A Central
Bryant at ALMA (4): Bryant’s 5-0 for the first time in six seasons, outscoring opponents 29-15. Quarterback Gunnar Burks accounted for 180 yards in last week’s win over LR Catholic. The Hornets lost a fumble that led to a Catholic field goal and gave up a 42-yard TD pass. Two weeks ago, Alma overcame four turnovers to beat LR Catholic 27-16 at War Memorial Stadium. The Airedales took care of the ball better in last week’s 41-24 win at Siloam Springs, while piling up 419 total yards.
GREENWOOD (14) at Conway: Greenwood has generated 421 yards per game the past two weeks, defeating Van Buren and Russellville by an average score of 40-7. Junior QB Luke Hales (1,009 yards and 11 TDs in 2015), senior RB Jordan Green (568 yards, six TDs) and senior receiver Ryan Padilla (606 yards, five TDs) fuel the Bulldogs. All-state senior LB Grant Morgan leads Greenwood with 62 tackles (12 TFL). Conway converted two fourth downs on scoring drives last week to escape No. 16 Van Buren 42-35. Wampus Cat QB Breylin Smith completed 19 of 28 (68 percent) for 240 yards while running back McCall Dail rushed for 120 yards and three TDs at Van Buren.
Russellville at LR CATHOLIC (1): Russellville lost to Greenwood 35-0 last week after pushing Bryant two weeks ago in a 27-24 loss. Catholic has lost three in a row for the first time in three years but standout QB Andre Sale has been cleared to play Friday. The Rockets have won four of the past six meetings with Russellville, losing in 2009 and 2012.
Siloam Springs at VAN BUREN (7). Van Buren all-state athlete Jaylynn Dye accounted for 280 yards and three TDs in last week’s 42-35 loss to Conway. Siloam Springs has allowed 388 yards and 39.5 points per game the past two weeks in losses to Conway and Alma.
7A West
FAYETTEVILLE (35) at Springdale High: Undefeated Fayetteville outscores opponents 56-15 weekly. Fayetteville junior Taylor Powell is arguably the state’s top QB and the Purple Dogs run the ball better than previous teams. Fayetteville totaled more than 600 yards offense last Friday and forced Fort Smith Southside to punt on six of its first seven possessions.
FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE (16) at Rogers Heritage: Fort Smith Northside had a chance to take the lead early in the fourth quarter last week at Bentonville but was turned away on fourth-and-1 at the 20-yard line. Northside standout cornerback Kiondre Thomas ran 87 yards for a TD at Bentonville. Heritage, currently playing without four defensive starters due to injury, will be underdogs weekly the remainder of the season. Heritage converted one of eight third downs last Friday and totaled 45 yards in the second half of its 28-6 loss to Rogers.
Rogers at FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE (7): Rogers blocked a punt early and rushed 54 times for 324 yards last week to crush crosstown rival Heritage 28-6. It was Rogers’ second conference win since 2013. Southside all-conference inside linebacker Andrew Clark (6-2, 215), the Rebels’ leading tackler, returns later this month from a Week 4 knee injury.
Class 6A
Pine Bluff (5-0)
Greenwood (5-0)
El Dorado (5-1)
Benton (4-1)
Jonesboro (4-1)
Alma (4-1)
LR Parkview (3-2)
Siloam Springs (3-2)
Searcy (4-1)
Russellville (1-4)
Marion (3-2)
Sheridan (3-2)
Lake Hamilton (1-4)
Texarkana (0-5)
Mountain Home (1-4)
LR Hall (0-5)
Class 5A
Pulaski Academy (5-0)
LR Christian (5-0)
Batesville (3-2)
Sylvan Hills (5-0)
Watson Chapel (2-3)
Hope (4-1)
HS Lakeside (4-1)
Wynne (2-3)
Hot Springs (3-2)
Greenbrier (3-2)
LR McClellan (3-2)
Morrilton (3-2)
Blytheville (3-2)
Forrest City (4-1)
Vilonia (3-2)
Camden Fairview (2-3)
Harrison (2-3)
Beebe (2-3)
Maumelle (2-3)
Nettleton (2-3)
Farmington (2-3)
Magnolia (2-3)
De Queen (1-4)
Mills (1-3)
Jacksonville (1-4)
Greene County Tech (1-4)
Valley View (1-4)
Clarksville (1-4)
White Hall (0-5)
Paragould (0-5)
LR Fair (0-5)
5A WEST
Clarksville at FARMINGTON (7): Both teams are improved from last season and playing well. Clarksville was tied with Maumelle 20-20 in the third quarter last week before losing 41-26. Clarksville QB Mason Shucker has passed for 1,034 yards and 11 TDs this fall. Farmington senior Justice Hobbs ran 30 times for 209 yards in last week’s eight-point loss to Greenbrier. Hobbs has 548 yards and five scores in 2015.
GREENBRIER (1) at Maumelle: Greenbrier has won consecutive conference games by a total of 10 points. The Panthers trailed at Farmington last week until scoring twice late in the fourth quarter for an 36-28 decision. Greenbrier senior QB Harold Ross completed 25 of 28 passes for 308 yards last week, and the Panthers like to move junior receiver Carter Burcham to QB in running situations. Greenbrier receivers dropped just one pass at Farmington. Senior end Connor McGuire and linebacker Sam McNabb spark the Panther defense. Maumelle ran for 264 yards in last week’s 15-point win at Clarksville. Maumelle senior Jacob Acklin ran for three TDs, while junior QB Cameron Porras passed for 191 yards and three scores.
MORRILTON (3) at Harrison: Harrison trailed LR Christian 23-14 at halftime last week. Morrilton junior Grahm Heidenreich scored three TDs (89-yard kickoff return and two TD receptions) in last week’s 21-point win over Vilonia.
Vilonia at LR CHRISTIAN (25): LR Christian has led by at least 35 points in every game this fall. Warrior senior QB Kyron Sanders completed 16 of 22 passes for 382 yards and five TDs in last week’s 58-21 win at Harrison.
Class 4A
Dardanelle (5-0)
Nashville (5-0)
Pulaski Robinson (5-0)
Hamburg (4-1)
Gosnell (4-0)
Warren (4-1)
Malvern (4-1)
Star City (3-2)
Shiloh Christian (3-1)
Prairie Grove (4-1)
Dollarway (4-1)
Pea Ridge (5-0)
Pocahontas (5-0)
Ashdown (4-1)
Pottsville (3-2)
Crossett (4-1)
CAC (4-1)
Fountain Lake (3-2)
Dover (4-1)
West Helena (2-3)
Arkadelphia (2-3)
Stuttgart (3-2)
Ozark (3-2)
Heber Springs (2-3)
Gravette (3-2)
Trumann (4-1)
Newport (1-4)
Monticello (2-3)
Lonoke (2-3)
Mena (1-4)
Dumas (3-2)
DeWitt (2-3)
Brookland (1-4)
Highland (3-2)
Riverview (3-2)
Clinton (1-4)
Huntsville (2-3)
Gentry (3-2)
Southside Batesville (3-2)
Baptist Prep (0-5)
Subiaco Academy (1-4)
Harrisburg (1-4)
Bauxite (0-5)
Berryville (2-3)
Cave City (1-4)
Lincoln (1-4)
Jonesboro Westside (0-5)
Waldron (0-5)
HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 9 Shiloh Christian at No. 10 PRAIRIE GROVE (2): This game helps decide the conference championship (although undefeated Pea Ridge plays both in the final four weeks). Shiloh Christian has won four of the past five in the series, including 27-20 a year ago. The Saints led Huntsville 21-0 at halftime last week and invoked the 35-point sportsmanship rule after two Huntsville special teams errors. Junior QB Connor Reece completes 61 percent of his passes for more than 600 yards and seven TDs in four games this fall. Junior Oklahoma move-in Broc Berus averages 6.7 yards per carry, and has developed into a defensive leader. Berus left the Huntsville game with a pinched nerve but was cleared for this week, Shiloh Christian coach Jeff Conaway said. Shiloh Christian linebacker Jacob Plunkett likely misses his third straight game with a separated shoulder.
Prairie Grove has won four straight since losing at Class 5A Farmington by 16 points in the opener. The Tigers beat Huntsville and Gravette the past two weeks by a combined 92-40. Tiger running back Blake Faulk accounted for 238 yards and five TDs in last week’s 25-point win over Gravette. Senior tight end Dylan Soehner has five TD catches, while senior Dakota Hutchinson serves as a team leader on the offensive line and at middle linebacker.
4A-1
Gentry at HUNTSVILLE (3): Opposing coaches brag about Huntsville’s physical play. The Eagles trailed Shiloh Christian 21-7 in the third quarter a week ago. Gentry forced three first-half turnovers in last week’s 16-point Homecoming win over Berryville.
Gravette at PEA RIDGE (14): Pea Ridge junior Zaine Holley has rushed for more than 500 yards and 11 TDs this past two weeks. The Blackhawks, winners of 15 straight conference games, led Lincoln 35-0 at halftime last week. Gravette’s Jackson Soule’ caught a pair of TD passes at Prairie Grove last Friday.
LINCOLN (1) at Berryville: Berryville’s Bryan King shifted to QB last week, throwing a TD pass and running in a pair of two-point conversions in a 16-point setback at Gentry. Lincoln trailed Pea Ridge 21-0 in the first quarter last week, eventually losing 35-13.
4A-4
Baptist Prep at DARDANELLE (28): The Sand Lizards held Clinton to 91 yards and seven points last week (starters gave up 29 yards through three quarters). Junior lineman Caden Brown paced Dardanelle with 13 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss. Senior linebacker Daniel Craig leds the Sand Lizards this fall with 50 tackles.
Clinton at DOVER (7): Dover never passed, fumbled four times and gave up more than 500 yards in last week’s loss at Robinson. Leading rusher Luke Price hasn’t played the past two weeks. Clinton gave up more than 400 yards in last week’s mercy-rule loss to No. 1 Dardanelle. Clinton junior Wyatt McCoy has rushed 47 times for 232 yards (4.9 ypc) this fall, while senior linebacker Jesus Robles paces the Yellow Jackets with 47 tackles.
Ozark at POTTSVILLE (8): Pottsville has won two of the three meetings between these teams, including 32-0 last fall. Apache senior Josh Duggar ran 16 times for 61 yards and two TDs in last week’s 21-point win at Baptist Prep. Ozark has given up just 24 points this fall, posting shutouts against Booneville and Subiaco Academy.
PULASKI ROBINSON (35) at Subiaco Academy: Pulaski Robinson held Dover to 233 yards in last week’s 33-point win. Senator senior QB Brennan Johnson has passed for almost 1,300 yards and rushed for 500 yards this fall.
Class 3A
Smackover (3-2)
Lamar (5-0)
Charleston (3-2)
Harding Academy (4-1)
Fordyce (3-2)
C. Harmony Grove (4-1)
Prescott (3-2)
Glen Rose (4-1)
Hoxie (4-1)
Episcopal Collegiate (3-1)
McGehee (1-4)
Centerpoint (4-1)
Rivercrest (3-2)
Danville (2-3)
Fouke (3-2)
Bald Knob (2-3)
Greenland (5-0)
Marianna (4-1)
Lavaca (4-1)
Jessieville (3-2)
H. G. Haskell (4-1)
Paris (2-3)
Mansfield (1-4)
Atkins (2-3)
Horatio (3-2)
Cedar Ridge (4-1)
West Fork (2-3)
Mayflower (2-3)
Two Rivers (2-3)
Booneville (1-4)
Manila (3-2)
Melbourne (3-2)
Piggott (4-1)
Osceola (2-3)
Elkins (2-3)
Barton (2-3)
Mountain View (2-3)
Perryville (1-4)
Cedarville (1-4)
Green Forest (2-3)
Corning (0-5)
Rose Bud (1-4)
Marshall (1-4)
Bismarck (1-4)
Genoa Central (0-5)
Drew Central (2-3)
Yellville-Summit (0-5)
Lake Village (0-5)
3A-1
WEST FORK (20) at Cedarville: West Fork has defeated Mountain View and Marshall the past two weeks by a combined 54-0. Cedarville outlasted Green Forest 42-34 last week, its first victory of the year. Junior RB Caleb Stockton (330 yards, three TDs) and junior receiver Dillon Strelow (380 yards, three TDs) power the Pirates.
ELKINS (22) at Marshall: Elkins averaging 32 ppg the past two weeks in wins over Yellville-Summit and Mountain View. Meanwhile, Marshall has allowed 34.5 ppg in losses to Green Forest and West Fork.
GREEN FOREST (18) at Yellville-Summit: Green Forest gave up two fourth-quarter scores in last week’s 42-34 loss to Cedarville. Yellville-Summit has lost 15 of its past 16 league games.
GREENLAND (28) at Mountain View: Greenland has beat Cedarville and Yellville-Summit the past two weeks by a combined 77-0. Mountain View has scored two TDs over the past month, struggling without all-state senior TB Josh Burns. Burns (2,187 yards, 23 TDs in 2014) could return next week.
3A-4
LAMAR (18) at Booneville: League favorite Lamar has rushed for 330.5 yards per game the past two weeks in big wins over Lavaca and Mansfield. Meanwhile, Booneville has given up 52 ppg in losses to Two Rivers and Danville. The Bearcats have dropped back-to-back conference games for the first time in eight years.
Two Rivers at CHARLESTON (28): Two Rivers senior QB Morgan Yates ran 18 times for 116 yards and a TD in last week’s 54-18 loss at Lavaca. Charleston mercy-ruled Paris by halftime in a 35-7 win.
Mansfield at DANVILLE (22): Mansfield surrendered 405 yards in last week’s 50-20 loss to Lamar. Danville beat Booneville 64-53. The Little Johns have won five of their past seven league games, including last year’s 32-0 win at Mansfield.
LAVACA (4) at Paris: Lavaca rushed for a season-high 440 yards in last week’s 54-18 win over Two Rivers. Senior Kasey Neimann ran 14 times for 144 yards and a TD. Paris has beaten winless Waldron and 1-4 Mansfield by a TD each for its two wins this year.
Class 2A
Rison (4-1)
Junction City (2-2)
McCrory (5-0)
Mount Ida (5-0)
Earle (4-1)
Hector (5-0)
Des Arc (4-1)
England (5-0)
Conway Christian (3-2)
Hazen (2-3)
Gurdon (2-3)
Lafayette County (4-1)
Spring Hill (4-1)
Brinkley (3-2)
Cross County (4-1)
Marked Tree (2-3)
Dierks (3-2)
Hermitage (2-3)
Strong (2-3)
Murfreesboro (1-4)
Parkers Chapel (3-2)
Hackett (4-1)
Walnut Ridge (3-2)
Mountainburg (5-0)
Bearden (1-3)
Salem (3-2)
Quitman (4-1)
Carlisle (2-3)
Augusta (2-3)
Woodlawn (1-2)
E. Poinsett County (2-3)
Poyen (2-3)
Magnet Cove (0-5)
Palestine-Wheatley (2-3)
Mineral Springs (0-4)
Foreman (1-4)
Bigelow (0-5)
J.C. Westside (3-2)
Clarendon (0-5)
Midland (0-5)
Union Christian (1-3)
Marvell (0-5)
Mountain Pine (1-4)
Decatur (0-5)
Magazine (0-5)
W. Yell County (0-5)
Cutter M. Star (0-5)
Rector (0-5)
2A-4
Mountainburg at HECTOR (13): Probably No. 6 Hector’s biggest league test in two years. Hector, which shifts to the 5-2A next year, has won 22 straight games in the 4-2A, including a 67-14 blowout last week of Magazine. Junior QB Tanner Gaines completed five of nine passes for 129 yards and two TDs. Junior NG Caleb Riley recorded his first career sack. Mountainburg senior RB Clayton Stephenson has already topped 1,000 yards this fall (1,073 yards), averaging 12 yards per carry. A year ago, Hector held Stephenson to 84 yards on 16 attempts. Efficient senior QB Bobby Pixley completed four of five passes last week for 138 yards and four TDs.
Union Christian at HACKETT (34): Hackett should dispose of UC, travel next week to Mountainburg for a key 4-2A matchup with playoff positioning on the line.
Western Yell County at MAGAZINE (1): Magazine has scored 50 points this season. Western Yell has scored 22 points.
J.C. Westside at LR FAIR (1): Fair, ranked last in Class 5A, has scored nine TDs over the past 15 games. Westside, with eight seniors playing and leading well, gets to see some speed before likely traveling to South Arkansas in the playoffs.
DECATUR is open.