Class 7A Semifinals
Bentonville at Fayetteville
Harmon Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Bentonville 10-2; Fayetteville 10-1.
ON THE AIR Bentonville KFMD-FM 101.5; Fayetteville KQSM-FM 92.1
BETWEEN THE LINES These teams have met six times in the postseason since 2007 since the split to Class 7A, four times in the state finals and twice in the state semifinals. ... Fayetteville holds a 4-2 edge in postseason meetings and has won both state semifinals rematches, in 2007 and 2015. ... This is the first game between the two teams in the postseason to be played at Fayetteville. ... The Tigers won the regular season meeting at Harmon Stadium 24-21 on Sept. 23. ... Bentonville senior tailback Jacob Clark rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries in the regular season win against Fayetteville. Clark missed the entire second half of last week's 31-10 win at Fort Smith Northside with a strained neck, but is expected to play. ... Fayetteville defeated Conway 35-0 last week, holding the Wampus Cats to 168 total yards. ... The Purple'Dogs are seeking a third consecutive appearance in the Class 7A championship game. ... Bentonville and Fayetteville have won eight of the past nine Class 7A state championships combined, with the Tigers winning titles in 2008, 2010, 2013-14 and Fayetteville winning in 2007, 2011-12 and 2015.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Bentonville, QB Canaan Ross (Sr., 6-1, 210), WR Kam'Ron Mays-Hunt (Jr., 6-1, 170), RB Jacob Clark (Sr., 5-11, 195), LB Destyn Adkins (Sr., 6-1, 190) DB Aaron Estrada (Sr., 5-10, 175); Fayetteville, QB Taylor Powell (Sr., 6-2, 200), RB Terrance Rock (Sr., 5-11, 170) WR Barrett Banister (Sr., 6-1, 190), OT Ty Clary (Sr., 6-4, 275), DT Akial Byers (Sr., 6-4, 260), DB Blake Coulter (Sr. 6-0, 170).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Bentonville is No. 3 in Class 7A. Fayetteville is No. 2.
HOOTEN'S LINE Fayetteville by 4.
OUR TAKE Fayetteville 20, Bentonville 17.
-- Vernon Tarver • @NWAVernon
Class 6A Semifinals
Pine Bluff at Greenwood
Smith-Robinson Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Pine Bluff 8-2, Greenwood 11-0
ON THE AIR Greenwood -- KQBK-FM 104.7
BETWEEN THE LINES The two winningest programs in class 6A since 2009 meet yet again in the postseason. One or both schools have played for a state championship in each season since 2008. ... The winner will face Russellville or Benton in the state finals. ... The Zebras snapped Greenwood's 50-game winning streak in the 2013 state semifinals. ... Greenwood QBs Luke Hales and Connor Noland have combined for 2,703 yards passing and 15 touchdowns. ... Pine Bluff QB Simeon Blair scored four TDs against Searcy last week. LB Keyshawn Whaley intercepted two passes, returning one for a 63-yard score. ... Greenwood has won 13 consecutive games at home and fields one of the state's top scoring defenses -- 13 points per game. ... Pine Bluff has won seven straight playoff games dating back to the 2013 state finals.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Pine Bluff, QB Simeon Blair (Sr., 5-11, 190), WR Xavier Smith (Sr., 6-1, 165), LB Keyshawn Whaley (Sr., 6-1, 215), LB Isiah Singleton (Jr., 5-11, 200), DL Demontae Smith (Sr., 6-1, 275). Greenwood, QB Connor Noland (Jr., 6-2, 185), QB Luke Hales (Sr., 6-2, 220), RB Kenny Wood (Jr., 5-11, 180), WR Devin Gilbert (Sr., 6-2, 185), LB Austin Collins Sr., 5-9, 200), Hunter Heller (Sr., 5-9, 190).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Greenwood is No. 1 in Class 6A. Pine Bluff is No. 3.
HOOTEN'S LINE Greenwood by 10
OUR TAKE Greenwood 28, Pine Bluff 21
-- Scottie Bordelon • @NWAScottie
Class 4A Quarterfinals
Hamburg at Pea Ridge
Blackhawks Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Hamburg 9-3; Pea Ridge 11-1
ON THE AIR None
BETWEEN THE LINES Hamburg has been one of the hottest teams in Class 4A, winning nine of its last 10 games after starting the season 0-2. ... The Lions have crushed their two playoff opponents 97-22 including a 42-10 romp over Gravette last week ... Hamburg will face the same challenge Gravette faced last week with an almost 6-hour bus ride to Pea Ridge. ... Hamburg has a solid passing game with QB Stetson Shelby and big 6-foot-4 receiver Laquan Bryant, who has 4 TD catches in the two playoff games. Bryant is a matchup nightmare for DBs. ... Pea Ridge QB Jakota Sainsbury tweeted last week that his team was "going to shock the world" against No. 1 Nashville, and the Blackhawks did just that in a stunning 53-28 win. ... Sainsbury passed for one TD and ran for another as Nashville loaded the box to stop Pea Ridge's potent ground game. ... Senior RB Zaine Holley (227-1,264, 14 TDs) and junior RB Drew Winn (85-1,050, 18 TDs) are a handful for any team. Winn had 3 TDs against Nashville. ... The Blackhawks held Nashville to its lowest offensive output of the season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Hamburg, QB Stetson Shelby (Sr., 5-11, 170), RB EJ Holmes (Sr., 5-6, 165), WR Laquan Bryant (Sr., 6-4, 195). Pea Ridge, QB Jakota Sainsbury (Jr., 5-11, 180), RB Zaine Holley (Sr., 5-8, 180), RB Drew Winn (Jr., 5-10, 170), WR Hayden Holtgrewe (Jr., 6-1, 160), SS Britton Caudill (Sr., 6-3, 210), LB Robby Pickthall (Jr., 6-0, 195), LB Jacob Torres (Sr., 5-5, 150), DT Seth Trammell (Sr., 5-9, 215)
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Hamburg is No. 8 in Class 4A. Pea Ridge is No. 4
HOOTEN'S LINE Pea Ridge by 8
OUR TAKE Pea Ridge 30, Hamburg 21
-- Chip Souza • @NWAChip
Gosnell at Prairie Grove
Tiger Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Gosnell 11-1, Prairie Grove 11-0
ON THE AIR pgtigersonline.com
BETWEEN THE LINES Last week, Gosnell won 25-14 at Ozark. Prairie Grove logged a 61-13 home win against Central Arkansas Christian. ... The Pirates won the 4A-3 this season with a 7-0 record. Their lone loss came in Week 3 against Rivercrest (32-26). ... Gosnell averages 333.3 yards per game, including 251 yards rushing out of its Spread offense. ... Senior Rashan McShan and sophomore Caderius Young have combined for more than 1,700 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns. ... Junior quarterback Brandon Partee has completed 53 of 113 passes for 977 yards, 15 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. ... Freshman defensive end Brett Barbaree leads the Pirates' defense with 101 tackles, including 12 for loss. ... The Tigers feature a balanced running attack out of a Wing-T offense behind Anthony Johnson (124 carries, 1,094 yards, 11 touchdowns), Kyle Sam (112-745-5) and Reed Orr (83-598-10). ... Orr leads the defense with 73 tackles while Johnson has 50 tackles, including a team-high 9 for loss ... Senior Zeke Laird has passed for 1,618 yards and 24 touchdowns while also rushing for 10 touchdowns. ... Senior Isaac Disney averages 26 yards per reception and has 15 total touchdowns, including 9 receiving, 4 on defense and 2 punt returns.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Gosnell, RB Rashan McShan (Sr., 5-9, 155), RB Caderius Young (So., 5-6, 155), QB Brandon Partee (Jr., 6-0, 190), DE Brett Barbaree (Fr., 6-2, 185), LB Matthew Miller (Sr., 5-11, 190). Prairie Grove, HB/FS Anthony Johnson (Jr., 5-9, 180), QB/LB Zeke Laird (Sr., 5-11, 180), DE/WB Sol Walker (Sr., 6-2, 210), FB/LB Reed Orr (Sr., 5-10, 205), WR/CB Isaac Disney (Sr., 6-0, 155).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Gosnell is No. 5 in Class 4A. Prairie Grove is No. 1.
HOOTEN'S LINE Prairie Grove by 16.
OUR TAKE Prairie Grove 44, Gosnell 20
-- Mike Capshaw • @NWACappy
Shiloh Christian at Dardanelle
Bob Kennan Field
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Shiloh Christian 10-2; Dardanelle 10-2.
ON THE AIR shilohsaints.org or ustream.tv/channel/ewurKjXVBVf
BETWEEN THE LINES Dardanelle defeated Dumas 45-28 last week. Shiloh Christian won 42-7 at Heber Springs ... They share one common opponent as Dardanelle defeated Pottsville 41-36 in Week 5 and Shiloh Christian beat Pottsville 48-19 in Week 3. ... The Saints have averaged 43.1 points per game in their 10 victories and have limited opponents to seven points or loss during their past six wins. ... Senior third-year starter Connor Reece has passed for more than 2,700 yards while completing 60 percent of his passes. He's thrown 29 touchdown passes with only four interceptions. ... Senior Broc Berus has more than 1,300 yards rushing and receiving combined with 21 total touchdowns. ... The Sand Lizards opened the season 2-2, but have won eight straight to reach the quarterfinals for the third consecutive season. ... Their lone conference loss came against Dover in Week 4. ... Senior Dakota Rowland has rushed 198 times for 1,279 yards and 22 touchdowns. He had four touchdowns against Dumas. ... Dardanelle's defense has recorded five shutouts this season and is led by junior Tate Vestal, who has 121 tackles in his first season playing since junior high.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Shiloh Christian, QB Connor Reece (Sr., 5-10, 175), RB/LB Broc Berus (Sr., 6-1, 210), RB/WR Jaret Russ (So., 5-9, 170), WR Jake Nelson (Jr., 5-11, 180), OL/DL Cameron Ford (Sr.,6-3, 285). Dardanelle, RB/LB Dakota Rowland (Sr., 5-11, 175), LB Tate Vestal (Jr., 5-7, 200), OG/DT Caden Brown (Sr., 6-1, 270), QB/FS Elyas Carter (Jr., 5-8, 160), WR/SS Carter Chandler (Sr., 5-8, 155).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Shiloh Christian is No. 6 in Class 4A. Dardanelle is No. 7.
HOOTEN'S LINE Shiloh Christian by 6.
OUR TAKE Shiloh Christian 35, Dardanelle 24
-- Mike Capshaw • @NWACappy
Class 3A Quarterfinals
Centerpoint at Charleston
Alumni Field
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Centerpoint 9-3; Charleston 11-0
ON THE AIR None
BETWEEN THE LINES Centerpoint is in uncharted waters in its first quarterfinals appearance in school history. ... The Knights have won four straight games since a seven-point loss to Glen Rose. ... Centerpoint senior QB Keenan Owens, who missed time with a shoulder injury, was 17-of-28 for 275 yards and a pair of touchdowns last week in the Knights' 30-21 win over Bald Knob. ... The Tigers were tested last week in a 9-0 win over Smackover coming off a bye week. ... Charleston senior QB Jackson Rowland has put together a sensational season, completing 158 of 239 passes for 2,451 yards and 31 TDs with just 5 interceptions. ... Five Tigers receivers have at least 12 catches, led by Mason Wisdom (44-559) and Sean Michael Flanagan (43-770, 12 TDs). ... Brayden Ketter leads the Tigers in rushing with 737 yards and 9 TDs.
PLAYERS TO WATCH QB Keenan Owens (Sr., 6-2, 190), WR Logan Taylor (Sr., 6-2, 195), RB Cameron Clower (Sr., 5-9, 205), WR Lance Chambers (Sr., 6-1, 175). Charleston, QB Jackson Rowland (Sr., 6-1, 195), RB Brayden Ketter (Sr., 5-8, 185), WR Sean Michael Flanagan (Jr., 6-2, 185), Mason Wisdom (Jr., 6-0, 160), LB Drew Young (Sr., 6-1, 185).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Centerpoint is No. 5 in Class 3A. Charleston is No. 1.
HOOTEN'S LINE Charleston by 6.
OUR TAKE Charleston 33, Centerpoint 26
-- Chip Souza • @NWAChip
Sports on 11/24/2016