Hootens.com rankings

Fayetteville receiver Terrance Rock pulls in a touchdown pass in front of Conway defender Nick Fletcher on Nov. 18 at Fayetteville High School.
Fayetteville receiver Terrance Rock pulls in a touchdown pass in front of Conway defender Nick Fletcher on Nov. 18 at Fayetteville High School.

CLASS 7A

  1. North Little Rock (11-0)

  2. Fayetteville (10-1)

  3. Bentonville (10-2)

  4. Bryant (9-3)

  5. Springdale Har-Ber (8-3)

  6. FS Northside (7-3)

  7. Cabot (7-5)

  8. Conway (4-8)

  9. Bentonville West (3-8)

  10. Rogers (6-5)

  11. Springdale (4-7)

  12. LR Catholic (3-8)

  13. FS Southside (3-7)

  14. LR Central (3-7)

  15. Van Buren (2-8)

  16. Rogers Heritage (1-9)

HOOTENS.COM

GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 3 Bentonville at

No. 2 FAYETTEVILE (4)

Winner returns to Little Rock. Both advanced to the state finals five of the past six seasons. This is their seventh playoff meeting since 2007, including the third semifinal matchup. Fayetteville holds a 4-2 postseason advantage, beating Bentonville 31-21 in last season’s semifinals and 24-17 in the 2007 semis. Bentonville beat Fayetteville 24-21 Week 4 this fall. Fayetteville led by a TD at halftime and tallied 60 yards more offense, but the Tigers sacked Fayetteville QB Taylor Powell five times in the first meeting. Bentonville won last week despite leading rusher Jacob Clark (1,193 yards, 7.1 yards per carry) missing the final three quarters with a strained neck. Clark likely returns this week. Two-time, all-conference safety Aaron Estrada leads the Tigers with 103 tackles while three-year starting outside linebacker Dustin Adkins (92 tackles) looks like the team’s top player. Junior go-to receiver Kam’Ron Mays-Hunt (6-2,

170) has been lining up on defense to stop opponent’s top receivers. “We played really well last week, especially on defense,” said Bentonville’s second-year coach Jody Grant. “We didn’t play that great in the first round (38-31 win) but looked better last week. Fayetteville really hasn’t been challenged since they played us the first time. Everyone talks about (Fayetteville QB) Powell and (defensive tackle Akial) Byers, but their running back (Terrance Rock) is a great player. It’s hard to beat a team twice in the same season, but we’ve done it before. We just gotta go play and play well.” Rock totaled 150 yards offense, including two TD catches last week while Fayetteville’s formidable defensive front helped hold Conway to 168 yards in a 35-0 second-round win. Byers (6-4, 275), a University of Alabama commit, and Powell (6-2, 202), a Wake Forest commit, are on the watch list for the Farm Bureau Insurance Awards Class 7A/6A Players of the Year. Powell completed 13 of 21 for 226 yards and four TDs with no interceptions last Friday. No. 4 Bryant at NO. 1 NORTH LR

(15): North LR took the top spot in hootens.com rankings Week 5 and looks to play for its first state title in the modern playoff era. The undefeated Charging Wildcats are less talented than recent seasons with no players owning Division I scholarship offers (six have D-2 offers). As predicted, North LR had less trouble with Cabot a week ago than it did in the regular-season finale. The focused Charging Wildcats dispatched Cabot by 30 points after getting by the Panthers 28-27 Week 10. North LR’s Alex Day looked healthy and better than ever running through and past Cabot for 190 yards. North LR mercy-ruled Bryant 38-7 four weeks ago, limiting the Hornets to just three first downs in the first half. Bryant QB Ren Hefley was constantly under pressure and sacked five times as the Hornets finished with minus 2 yards rushing in the first meeting. Since then, Bryant has beaten Conway, Springdale and Springdale Har-Ber. The Hornets held a 20-2 halftime lead last Friday at Har-Ber. Coach Buck James has guided Bryant to its first semifinal appearance in his first season at the school with a sharp-tackling defense. The Hornets intercepted three passes, forced three fumbles and three turnovers on downs at Har-Ber. Bryant senior Hayden Ray kicked field goals from 25, 44 and 49 yards while sophomore DB Andrew Hayes recovered two fumbles last week and sophomore DT Kajuan Robinson (6-2, 290), also a basketball player, looks like a D-1 college recruit.

CLASS 6A

  1. Greenwood (11-0)

  2. Russellville (10-1)

  3. Pine Bluff (8-2)

  4. Benton (8-4)

  5. Jonesboro (9-2)

  6. El Dorado (6-6)

  7. West Memphis (7-5)

  8. Searcy (6-6)

  9. Lake Hamilton (6-5)

  10. Marion (5-6)

  11. Mountain Home (4-7)

  12. Texarkana (3-8)

  13. Siloam Springs (1-9)

  14. Sheridan (1-9)

  15. Jacksonville (2-8)

  16. LR Hall (2-8)

No. 3 Pine Bluff at NO. 1 GREENWOOD (10): These are the winningest 6A schools since 2009 and one or both of these teams have played for a state title every year since 2008. This week’s victor advances again to state finals against the winner of Benton at Russellville. This is their fourth meeting in five years, including state title showdowns in 2012 and 2015. Pine Bluff snapped Greenwood’s 50-game winning streak in the 2013 semifinals.

“Some say familiarity breeds contempt. I think it breeds respect,” said Coach Rick Jones (149-22 at Greenwood). “They play good, clean, hardnosed football. They always have a good plan and execute. We have our hands full every time we play them.”

Greenwood eliminated El Dorado last week 20-3, its 13th straight win at home. Greenwood QB Luke Hales has completed 66 of 103 passes for 891 yards, 10 touchdowns and 2 interceptions but junior Connor Noland is taking more snaps in the playoffs. Noland (133-198 for 1,812 yards, 15 TDs and 2 INTs) has committed to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks. The 6A West champs rush for 220 yards per game and pass for 254. The Bulldog defense allows 13 points an outing.

Pine Bluff slammed Searcy for the second time this year 42-13 last Friday night. Pine Bluff has won 7 consecutive playoff since losing in the 2013 finals to El Dorado. Pine Bluff players on the Farm Bureau Insurance Awards watch list are QB Simeon Blair and LBs Keyshawn Whaley and Demontae Smith. Whaley had two interceptions last week, including a 63-yard return for a score, while Blair totaled 4 TDs.

“We’ve been blessed these past few years,” said Pine Bluff coach Bobby Bolding. “There will be a lot of pride at stake Friday night.”

Benton at RUSSELLVILLE (9): Winner advances to the state final against the victor of Pine Bluff at Greenwood. Russellville beat Benton 45-24 in this year’s conference opener. “They’re a different team now, so you can’t put a lot of stock in that result,” says Russellville second-year coach Billy Dawson, whose team has won nine straight at home. Russellville won its second playoff game since 2009 when it downed West Memphis 34-7 last Friday. The Cyclone’s stingy defense allows 14.8 points per game. It limited West Memphis to 141 yards, and scored on a 21-yard interception return by Ryan Talley (55 solo stops, 10 assists).

“The last two or three games we didn’t play as well as we had hoped on defense, so we used the bye week to get the standard back up there,” said Dawson. Russellville QB Cale Fulsom (193-299 for 2,264 yards, 20 TDs and 7 interceptions), Caleb Stokes (60 catches, 848 yards, 8 TDs), Layton Bicanosvky (76 tackles, 28 for loss and 8 sacks) and Paul Chiolino (72 stops, 18 for loss) are on the Farm Bureau Insurance Awards watch list for Class 7A/6A Players of the Year.

Benton advances to its third straight state semifinal, winning at Jonesboro 56-52 last Friday. The game featured three ties and six lead changes. Benton’s Brandon Hunter (3 TDs against Jonesboro), Chandler Clift and Brayden Harris (2 scores last week) are on the Farm Bureau Insurance Awards watch list.

CLASS 5A

  1. Pulaski Academy (11-1)

  2. Wynne (12-0)

  3. Batesville (9-3)

  4. Watson Chapel (8-4)

  5. Alma (8-4)

  6. LR McClellan (8-4)

  7. Forrest City (8-4)

  8. LR Christian (5-7)

  9. Morrilton (5-6)

  10. Sylvan Hills (9-2)

  11. White Hall (9-2)

  12. Greenbrier (8-3)

  13. HS Lakeside (6-5)

  14. Harrison (8-3)

  15. Blytheville (6-5)

  16. Magnolia (5-6)

  17. Valley View (5-5)

  18. Hot Springs (4-6)

  19. Vilonia (5-5)

  20. Nettleton (5-5)

  21. Beebe (4-6)

  22. Farmington (3-7)

  23. Camden Fairview (3-7)

  24. Paragould (4-6)

  25. De Queen (3-7)

  26. Maumelle (2-8)

  27. Mills (3-7)

  28. LR Parkview (1-8)

  29. Hope (0-10)

  30. Clarksville (1-9)

  31. Greene Co. Tech (0-10)

  32. LR Fair (1-9)

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 3 Batesville at No. 1 PULASKI ACADEMY (10)

Batesville advances to the semifinals for the seventh straight season, and travels to Rector Field for the third time in five years. The Pioneers pounded Pulaski Academy 40-21 in the 2012 semifinals, but the Bruins gained revenge in 2014 with a 42-25 decision. Batesville has 11 starters or key players who are out with season-ending injuries. The injuries nearly derailed Batesville early, as the Pioneers surrendered 106 point in the opening two weeks to eventual Class 6A quarterfinalists Jonesboro and Searcy. Batesville has won nine of its past 10 games, including playoff victories over Harrison and Little Rock Christian by a combined 66-40.

Pulaski Academy returns to the semifinals for the third straight season and eighth time in nine years. The Bruins won their playoff games over Magnolia and Forrest City by a combined 115-39. The Bruins average 48 points and 532 yards per game.

Watson Chapel at WYNNE (14):

This is the second meeting between these teams (Wynne won 55-7 in the first round in 2012).

Watson Chapel has won three straight games after derailing late in the year and almost missing the playoffs (lost consecutive games at Magnolia in Week 8 and Hot Springs Lakeside in Week 9). One starter was dismissed and another quit following the Magnolia loss. But the addition by subtraction has made the Wildcats stronger. They rallied from a 21-0 halftime deficit in the first round at Sylvan Hills and notched a 36-35 triumph with a TD pass as time expired and subsequent two-point conversion. Watson Chapel led Alma 21-0 in the first half last week and never allowed the Airedales within seven points in the second half.

Undefeated Wynne outscores opponents 49-14. Junior defensive end Logan Jessup is the only major injury (broke leg in Week 11), which coach Chris Hill attributes to a strong weight program.

CLASS 4A

  1. Prairie Grove (11-0)

  2. Warren (12-0)

  3. Joe T. Robinson (11-1)

  4. Pea Ridge (11-1)

  5. Gosnell (11-1)

  6. Shiloh Christian (10-2)

  7. Dardanelle (10-2)

  8. Hamburg (9-3)

  9. Nashville (11-1)

  10. Ozark (7-5)

  11. Heber Springs (6-5)

  12. Stuttgart (8-4)

  13. Dumas (8-4)

  14. CAC (8-4)

  15. Southside Batesville (8-4)

  16. Gravette (7-5)

  17. Ashdown (7-4)

  18. Pocahontas (8-3)

  19. Booneville (6-5)

  20. Mena (6-5)

  21. Arkadelphia (5-6)

  22. Trumann (7-4)

  23. Monticello (4-7)

  24. Dover (7-4)

  25. Pottsville (5-6)

  26. Crossett (4-7)

  27. Malvern (5-5)

  28. West Helena (5-6)

  29. Highland (5-6)

  30. Jonesboro Westside (5-6)

  31. Huntsville (4-7)

  32. Waldron (5-5)

  33. Fountain Lake (2-8)

  34. Riverview (4-6)

  35. Cave City (4-6)

  36. Star City (3-7)

  37. Lincoln (3-7)

  38. Brookland (3-7)

  39. Dollarway (1-8)

  40. Lonoke (2-8)

  41. Berryville (3-7)

  42. Gentry (2-8)

  43. Bauxite (0-10)

  44. DeWitt (0-10)

  45. Baptist Prep (0-10)

  46. West Fork (1-9)

  47. Subiaco Academy (0-10)

  48. Harrisburg (0-10)

SHILOH CHRISTIAN (6) at Dardanelle: Dardanelle advances to the quarterfinals for the third straight season, while Shiloh Christian returns for the second time in three years. Saint senior quarterback Connor Reece has passed for more than 2,700 yards and 29 TDs this year. Sophomore running back Jaret Russ caught a 90-yard TD pass and ran 28 yards for a score in last week’s 42-7 win at 4A-2 champion Heber Springs. Dardanelle started the season with a 2-2 record after losing the conference opener in the final minute at Dover. But the Sand Lizards have won eight straight, including playoff wins over West Helena (45-23) and Dumas (45-28). Senior Dakota Rowland has 198 carries for 1,279 yards and 22 TDs this year. The Sand Lizards allow 14 points weekly. Junior linebacker Tate Vestal has 120 tackles.

Hamburg at PEA RIDGE (8): This is the first meeting between these teams. Both were runners-up in their conferences in the regular-season. Pea Ridge, winners of at least 10 games each of the past three seasons, shook up the playoff bracket last week by pummeling previously unbeaten Nashville 53-28, snapping Nashville’s 26-game win streak. The Blackhawks’ only loss was Week 7 at No. 1 Prairie Grove 42-21. Junior QB Jakota Sainsbury completed 7 of 10 passes for 229 yards and a TD and ran for a TD at Nashville. Sainsbury has passed for 1,618 yards and 16 TDs this fall. Senior Zaine Holley (227 carries, 1,264 yards and 14 TDs) and junior Drew Winn (85 carries, 1,050 yards and 15 TDs) pace a Blackhawk rushing attack that rushes for 227 yards weekly. Winn blocked a punt and scored three TDs at Nashville. Hamburg has won nine of its past 10 games after starting the season 0-2. But the Lions haven’t been to the quarterfinals since 1997. Senior QB Stetson Shelby completed six of 12 passes for 106 yards and a pair of TDs and ran in two TDs in last week’s 42-10 win over Gravette. Senior receiver Laquan Bryant has 4 TD catches in two playoff games.

Gosnell at PRAIRIE GROVE (16):

Gosnell won at Prairie Grove (56-28) as a No. 4 seed in the first round in 2005. Gosnell passes the ball better this fall with junior QB Brandon Partee (53 of 113 for 977 yards and 15 TDs). Sophomore Cadarius Young has been hampered with an ankle, but played his best game in six weeks against Ozark (80 yards and one TD). Senior Ronnie McShan has 132 carries for 887 yards and 11 TDs this season, and team-leader has 33 tackles, three interceptions and one fumble recovery at safety. Prairie Grove swept the 4A-1 this fall, winning every game by at least 13 points, including victories over quarterfinalists Shiloh Christian (45-15 in Week 6) and Pea Ridge (42-21 Week 7). The Tigers generated 520 yards in last week’s 61-13 win over CAC. Senior Reed Orr had nine carries for 98 yards and was a stalwart on defense. Senior QB Zeke Laird threw 3 TDs and ran for 2 more against CAC.

CLASS 3A

  1. Charleston (11-0)

  2. Prescott (12-0)

  3. Glen Rose (11-1)

  4. Fordyce (10-1)

  5. Centerpoint (9-3)

  6. Rivercrest (9-3)

  7. Bald Knob (10-1)

  8. Newport (11-1)

  9. Junction City (8-4)

  10. Atkins (9-2)

  11. H. Grove Haskell (7-5)

  12. Piggott (9-3)

  13. Elkins (9-3)

  14. Clinton (8-3)

  15. Paris (7-5)

  16. Smackover (7-4)

  17. Mountain View (8-3)

  18. Harding Academy (7-4)

  19. Walnut Ridge (8-4)

  20. Jessieville (6-5)

  21. Fouke (6-4)

  22. Lake Village (4-7)

  23. Melbourne (5-6)

  24. McGehee (5-5)

  25. Manila (5-6)

  26. Cedar Ridge (6-5)

  27. Greenland (5-6)

  28. Lamar (5-6)

  29. Mayflower (6-4)

  30. Barton (5-6)

  31. Horatio (3-7)

  32. Genoa Central (4-6)

  33. Perryville (4-7)

  34. Gurdon (3-7)

  35. Mansfield (2-8)

  36. Hoxie (2-8)

  37. Osceola (2-8)

  38. Cedarville (2-8)

  39. Marianna (2-7)

  40. Green Forest (2-8)

  41. Yellville-Summit (1-8)

  42. Episcopal Collegiate (1-9)

  43. Marshall (1-9)

  44. Corning (0-10)

  45. Bismarck (0-10)

  46. Two Rivers (0-10)

  47. Drew Central (0-10)

  48. Rose Bud (0-10)

Centerpoint at CHARLESTON

(6): Top-ranked Charleston had not

played a four-quarter game in a

month until last week and it showed

in an ugly 9-0 win over Smackover.

Charleston had 13 penalties for 95

yards. A first-and-goal from inside

the 1 turned into a third-and-goal

from the 30-yard line. While the

offense sputtered, the defense, led

by senior LB Garrett Loughridge’s

team-high 11 tackles, one sack and

an interception, held Smackover

to 126 yards. The Buckaroos’ lone

scoring threat was thwarted by

a penalty. Centerpoint senior QB

Keenan Owens (broken collarbone)

returned last week in the 30-21 win

over 2-3A champion Bald Knob,

completing 17 of 28 passes for 275

yards and two TDs. Owens ran for

another 34 yards and a TD. Senior

WR Lance Chambers burned Bald

Knob with six receptions for 93 yards

and a TD. Senior TE/LB and leading

tackler Cameron Clower caught three

passes for 77 yards and a TD, ran

for 44 yards and a TD and made

eight tackles. Centerpoint reaches

the quarterfinals for the first time in

school history. Charleston has won

five state titles in the past 11 years.

CLASS 2A

  1. England (12-0)

  2. Hampton (11-0)

  3. Danville (11-0)

  4. Des Arc (10-1)

  5. C. Harmony Grove (7-4)

  6. Mount Ida (11-1)

  7. Hector (10-2)

  8. Conway Christian (10-3)

  9. Earle (8-3)

  10. Hackett (10-2)

  11. Bearden (5-5)

  12. Rison (6-4)

  13. Murfreesboro (8-4)

  14. Foreman (8-4)

  15. Dierks (6-5)

  16. E. Poinsett County (6-4)

  17. Cross County (10-2)

  18. McCrory (6-4)

  19. Quitman (7-4)

  20. Lavaca (6-5)

  21. Carlisle (7-5)

  22. Mountainburg (7-4)

  23. Marked Tree (6-5)

  24. Salem (6-5)

  25. Parkers Chapel (4-6)

  26. Woodlawn (4-5)

  27. Hazen (4-7)

  28. Lafayette County (2-9)

  29. Mineral Springs (3-7)

  30. Clarendon (3-7)

  31. Strong (2-8)

  32. Magnet Cove (3-8)

  33. Palestine-Wheatley (6-5)

  34. Bigelow (3-7)

  35. Augusta (2-7)

  36. Brinkley (3-6)

  37. Cutter M. Star (3-7)

  38. J.C. Westside (4-7)

  39. Spring Hill (2-8)

  40. Magazine (4-6)

  41. Poyen (1-9)

  42. Decatur (1-8)

  43. Western Yell County (1-9)

  44. Marvell (0-9)

  45. Rector (1-7)

  46. Midland (0-10)

  47. Mountain Pine (0-9)

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