PREP FOOTBALL Week 7 Matchups

Week 7

Class 7A

Van Buren at Rogers Heritage

David Gates Stadium

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Van Buren 3-3, 1-2 7A-West; Heritage 0-6, 0-3

ON THE AIR Heritage -- Game is live-streamed on www.gowareagles.com.

BETWEEN THE LINES The Pointers will try to shake off back-to-back losses to Bentonville and Fayetteville. ... The War Eagles will look to snap a 20-game losing streak. ... Their last win was a 29-28 overtime victory against the Pointers in Gates Stadium on Oct. 6, 2017. ... Heritage is averaging less than nine points per game this season, compared to Van Buren which averages a shade under 29 per game. ... Running backs J.J. Webb and Ethan Farris have found some running room over the past couple weeks for Heritage. ... Quarterback Gary Phillips has shown to be a dynamic dual-threat running and passing the ball for the Pointers.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Heritage -- QB/S Dreagon Blackwell (Jr., 5-8, 160), RB J.J. Webb (Sr., 5-6, 175), WR Eli Craig (Soph., 5-10, 170), OL Tristan Ketter (Jr., 6-4, 275), LB Griffin Brown (Sr., 5-11, 185),DE/FB Noah Fricke (Jr., 6-3 230), DL/FB Nicholas Martin (Sr., 6-2 230), WR Ricky Perez (Sr., 6-3 175). Van Buren -- QB Gary Phillips (Sr., 6-0, 180), WR Jaiden Henry (Jr., 5-10, 155), WR Jude Bartholomew (Sr., 6-1, 200), RB Brayden Rivas (Sr., 5-6, 170)

HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Heritage is No. 16 in Class 7A. Van Buren is No. 12.

HOOTEN'S LINE Van Buren by 20

OUR TAKE Van Buren 42, Rogers Heritage 14

-- Paul Boyd • @NWAPaulB

Rogers High at Springdale High

Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Rogers 0-6, 0-3 7A-West; Springdale 3-3, 1-2

ON THE AIR Rogers -- The game will be live-streamed at gomounties.com. Springdale -- The game will be live-streamed on the Springdale athletics website.

BETWEEN THE LINES The winner of this game likely locks up a playoff berth. ... Rogers comes into the game off a 35-21 loss to Bentonville West in a game that wasn't that close. ... Springdale was dominated in the second half of a 49-10 loss to crosstown rival Springdale Har-Ber. ... Rogers has struggled mightily on defense this season and is allowing 486.8 yards per game including 1,475 on the ground. ... Springdale has played well on the defensive side, allowing just 320.8 yards per game. ... Rogers quarterback Hunter Loyd is 129 of 241 passing for 1,520 yards and 16 touchdowns. ... Mounties receiver Mason Ross is second in the 7A-West with 49 catches for 721 yards and leads the league in touchdown receptions with 11. ... Springdale senior QB Conner Hutchins is 85 of 179 passing for 1,080 yards and 12 TDs. ... Red'Dog junior receiver Ladarius Wonsley leads the 7A-West with 52 catches for 783 yards and is second with 10 TDs. ... Springdale rolled to a 37-27 win against Rogers a year ago.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Rogers -- QB Hunter Loyd (Sr., 6-4, 202), WR Mason Ross (Sr., 5-9, 175), OL R.J. Long (Sr., 6-3, 290), WR/DB Chris Francisco (Jr., 5-9, 160). Springdale -- QB Conner Hutchins (Sr., 5-11, 150), WR Ladarius Wonsley (Jr., 6-0, 165), WR Brandon Henry (Sr., 6-1, 165), RB Darrell Parchman (Sr., 5-9, 180)

HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Rogers is No. 15 in Class 7A. Springdale is No. 13.

HOOTEN'S LINE Springdale by 6

OUR TAKE Springdale 24, Rogers 21

-- Chip Souza • @NWAChip

Springdale Har-Ber at Bentonville West

Wolverine Stadium, Centerton

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Har-Ber 4-2, 2-1 7A-West; West 4-2, 3-0.

ON THE AIR Har-Ber -- The game will be live-streamed at springdaleathletics.com. West -- The game will be live-streamed at bentonvillesportsnetwork.com.

BETWEEN THE LINES West has a 2-1 lead in this short series, including a 45-0 rout of the Wildcats last year. ... Har-Ber rolled past Springdale for its second straight win despite a number of players that were either hurt or suspended. ... Har-Ber enters the game with the league's top offense, averaging more than 482 yards total offense. ... QB Blaise Wittschen has thrown for 1,709 yards and 21 touchdowns, while RB Jay Burns leads the conference in rushing with 681 yards and 11 scores. ... West attempts to go 4-0 in league play for the third straight year. ... The Wolverines offense is led by QB Dalton McDonald, who surpassed the 1,000-yard passing mark in last week's win over Rogers High, while WR Stephen Dyson has 27 catches for 349 yards and 3 TDs. ... Sophomore OLB Ariel Bradic has emerged as the Wolverines' leading tackler and had double-digit tackles in four of the first five games, including 15 against Bryant.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Har-Ber -- QB Blaise Wittschen (Sr., 6-0, 170), WR Hunter Wood (Sr., 6-1, 180), RB Jay Burns (Sr., 5-10, 180), OL Jack Struebing (So., 6-1, 260), DB JuJuan Boyd (Sr., 6-0, 150), TE Errington McRae (Jr., 6-3, 235). West -- QB Dalton McDonald (Jr., 6-0, 165), RB/LB Jonas Higson (Sr., 6-3, 220), RB/LB Nick Whitlatch (Sr., 6-0, 185), WR Stephen Dyson (Jr., 5-10, 160), SS Maddux Thornton (Sr., 6-1, 185).

HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Har-Ber is No. 4 in Class 7A. West is No. 6

HOOTEN'S LINE Har-Ber by 1

OUR TAKE Bentonville West 37, Springdale Har-Ber 35

-- Henry Apple • @NWAHenry

Bentonville High at Fayetteville

Harmon Field

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Bentonville 6-0, 3-0 7A-West; Fayetteville 3-3, 2-1

ON THE AIR Game is live-streamed on fhsbulldogs.com and bentonvillesportsnetwork.com.

BETWEEN THE LINES Bentonville recorded its 21st straight conference victory last week in a 56-7 rout over Rogers Heritage. ... Seven players scored touchdowns for the Tigers, who are second in the 7A-West in total offense with 387.7 yards per game. ... Bentonville is the league's top defensive unit, allowing 230 yards per game. ... . Fayetteville pounded Van Buren 46-6 last week behind senior quarterback Hank Gibbs, who threw six touchdown passes in the first half. ... Gibbs is third in the league with 1,367 yards passing and 16 touchdowns. .... Bentonville's Preston Crawford is fourth in the league in rushing with 439 yards and 11 touchdowns on 72 carries. .... Bentonville beat Fayetteville 24-20 last year when Harrison Campbell caught a short pass and ran 56 yards for the touchdown with 47 seconds left in the game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Bentonville -- QB/FS Ben Pankau (Sr., 6-2, 180), QB Andrew Edwards (Jr., 6-2, 185), RB Colby Reid (Sr., 5-11, 160), RB Preston Crawford (Sr., 5-11, 190), WR Trenton Kolb (Sr., 5-11, 170), LB Cole Joyce (Jr., 6-0, 215), LB Keegan Stinespring (Jr., 5-11, 180). Fayetteville -- QB Hank Gibbs (Sr., 6-4, 215), QB Quinn McClain (Sr., 6-1, 215), WR Connor Flannigan (Sr., 5-11, 170), LB Quade Mosier (Sr., 6-2, 220), DB Brooks Flannigan (Sr., 5-11, 190), LB Tyler Barnes (Sr., 6-1, 215)

HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Bentonville is No. 2 in Class 7A. Fayetteville is No. 8.

HOOTEN'S LINE Bentonville by 7

OUR TAKE Bentonville 35, Fayetteville 21

-- Rick Fires • @NWARick

FS Southside at Bryant

Hornet Stadium

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Southside 1-5, 0-3 7A-Central; Bryant 6-0, 3-0

ON THE AIR The game will be live-streamed at thesouthsidemavericks.com.

BETWEEN THE LINES Bryant has mercy-ruled all six opponents this season, while Southside's only win is against winless Rogers Heritage. ... The Mavericks have played their best football the past two weeks and appear to be gaining late-season momentum. ... Bryant is clearly the best team in the state right now, and the defending state champions are playing with a lot of confidence. Last week the Hornets rocked Little Rock Central 55-14. ... Southside is averaging just 213 yards per game total and fewer than 100 yards per game rushing. Johntarrius Washington has rushed for 420 yards on 104 carries with 4 TDs. ... Bryant RB Ahmad Adams has verbally committed to Arkansas State.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Southside -- QB Parker Wehunt (Jr., 5-11, 190), RB Johntarrius Washington (Jr., 5-11, 150), OL Marlon Briggs (Jr., 5-11, 320), FS Eli Lyles (Jr., 5-7, 140). Bryant -- QB Austin Ledbetter (Jr., 6-1, 190), RB Ahmad Adams (Sr., 6-0, 235), WR Xavier Foote (Jr., 5-9, 155), LB Catrell Wallace (Sr., 6-6, 225)

HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Southside is No. 14 in Class 7A. Bryant is No. 1.

HOOTEN'S LINE Bryant by 36

OUR TAKE Bryant 52, Southside 14

-- Chip Souza • @NWAChip

Conway at FS Northside

Mayo-Thompson Stadium

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Conway 4-2, 2-1; Northside 2-4, 0-3

ON THE AIR The game will be live-streamed at thenorthsidegrizzlies.com.

BETWEEN THE LINES Conway rolled to a 30-20 win against Cabot last week. ... Northside lost its third straight 7A-Central game 24-21 to Little Rock Catholic and faces a tough road in order to reach the playoffs after advancing to the semifinals a season ago. ... Conway hammered Cabot with a punishing ground game, piling up more than 300 yards despite a rash of injuries at the position. ... Northside has battled through some injuries and youth. Last week the Grizzlies led Catholic 21-7 before being outscored 17-0. ... The Grizzlies alternated Dreyden Norwood and Matthew Hollenbeck at quarterback. ... Northside had the ball with under three minutes left, but an interception stopped the drive.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Conway -- RB Luke Bailey (Sr., 5-10, 185), RB Bryce Bohannon (Jr., 5-10, 160), QB Nick McCuin (Sr., 6-2, 175), WR Shane Smith (Sr., 6-0, 195). Northside -- QB Dreyden Norwood (Jr., 6-1, 180), QB Matthew Hollenbeck (Sr., 5-11, 178), WR Tyheen Proises (Jr., 5-9, 150), WR J.T. Thorne (Sr., 5-9, 170) TE James Clayton (Sr., 6-2, 230).

HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Conway is No. 5 in Class 7A. Northside is No. 11.

HOOTEN'S LINE Conway by 1

OUR TAKE Conway 27, Northside 20

-- Chip Souza • @NWAChip

Class 6A

Greenwood at Russellville

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Greenwood 6-0, 3-0 6A-West; Russellville 1-5, 0-3

ON THE AIR Greenwood -- The game is live-streamed on the Greenwood YouTube channel.

BETWEEN THE LINES Greenwood QB Jace Presley has thrown just one interception in 209 pass attempts this season. ... Presley has completed 155 of 209 passes for 1,836 yards and 23 touchdowns. ... Three different Bulldogs have 20 or more catches this season led by junior Caden Brown with 32 receptions for 278 and 5 TDs. ... Senior Treyton Dawson has 25 catches for 396 yards and a team-high 8 touchdowns. ... Russellville's lone win came nearly a month ago, 31-21 over Alma. ... The Cyclones' success offensively has come through the air as quarterback Brayden Whitford has thrown for just under 1,000 yards and 8 touchdowns. ... Russellville has managed only 173 yards on the ground as a team in six games. ... Junior Brady Burnett has 43 catches for 386 yards and 4 TDs for the Cyclones.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Greenwood -- QB Jace Presley (Sr., 6-4, 188), WR Treyton Dawson (Sr., 6-0, 178), RB Hunter Wilkinson (Jr., 5-10, 185), OL Braden Stein (Jr., 6-5, 293), OL Kevin Douglas (Sr., 6-2, 272), DL Beau Asher (Jr., 6-1, 209), LB Garrett Newman (Sr., 5-8, 174), DB Jayden Jasna (Jr., 5-10, 151). Russellville -- QB Brayden Whitford (Jr., 5-10, 170), RB Kobe Robinson (Jr. 5-5, 145), WR Brady Burnett (Jr. 5-8, 155), LB Cole Hathcote (Sr., 5-11, 185), DB Caleb Gray (Jr 5-9, 150)

HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Greenwood is No. 1 in Class 6A; Russellville is No. 13.

HOOTEN'S LINE Greenwood by 30

OUR TAKE Greenwood 49, Russellville 14

-- Paul Boyd • @NWAPaulB

Lake Hamilton at Siloam Springs

Panther Stadium

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Lake Hamilton 6-0, 3-0 6A-West; Siloam Springs 2-4, 1-2

ON THE AIR The game will be live-streamed on Siloam Springs Athletics on YouTube.

BETWEEN THE LINES This will be the fourth meeting in four years between Lake Hamilton and Siloam Springs. ... Lake Hamilton won 56-33 in Pearcy 2016 and 34-27 in Siloam Springs in 2017. ... Siloam Springs picked up a 21-14 win in 2018, holding the Wolves' Wing T rushing attack to more than 100 yards below their season average. ... Lake Hamilton has rolled to a 6-0 start, including 3-0 in 6A-West Conference play. ... The Wolves are averaging 360.3 rushing yards per game. ... Sophomore running back Owen Miller has 909 rushing yards on 99 carries and scored 14 touchdowns. ... Sophomore fullback Tevin Woodley has 792 yards on 97 carries and 17 touchdowns. ... Wolves quarterback Layne Warrick has been effective running and throwing the ball, passing for 516 yards and running for 307 yards. ... Several wide receivers have been productive in recent weeks for Siloam Springs. ... Gage Weaver caught four passes for 109 yards in last week's 43-13 loss at Greenwood, while Tate Criner caught four passes for 72 yards. ... The Panthers have struggled running the football the last two weeks, totaling 155 yards on 67 carries (2.3 yards per carry.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Lake Hamilton -- QB Layne Warrick (Jr., 6-0, 165), RB Owen Miller (Soph., 5-11, 195), FB Tevin Woodley (Soph., 5-8, 190), MLB Izaiah Clenney (Jr., 5-11, 190), DL Brandon Baker (Sr., 6-3, 236), DE Chase Jessup (Soph., 6-4, 255). Siloam Springs -- QB Taylor Pool (Sr., 5-11, 179), WR Tate Criner (Sr., 5-10, 150), DT Mariano Dominguez (Sr., 6-0, 255), TE/DE Kolby Fesler (Sr., 6-3, 254), RB/LB Jackson Norberg (Sr., 6-1, 173), RB/LB Cam Collins (Jr., 6-2, 185)

HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Lake Hamilton is No. 5 in Class 6A. Siloam Springs is No. 7 in Class 6A.

HOOTEN'S LINE Lake Hamilton by 14

OUR TAKE Siloam Springs 35, Lake Hamilton 31

-- Graham Thomas • @NWAGraham

CLASS 4A

Shiloh Christian at Gentry

Pioneer Stadium

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Shiloh Christian 6-0, 3-0 4A-1; Gentry 4-2, 2-1

ON THE AIR The game is live-streamed at shilohchristianfootball.com.

BETWEEN THE LINES Shiloh enters the game with a 12-game win streak in conference play after last week's win over Prairie Grove. ... Since Shiloh returned to Class 4A status in 2014, the Saints have outscored Gentry by a 187-33 margin in five games. ... Shiloh has scored at least 56 points in each of its last four games. ... QB Eli Reece has thrown for more than 1,500 yards and has 16 TD passes. ... The Saints' defense has allowed just seven points in three conference games this season. ... Gentry QB Brandon Atwood surpassed the 1,000-yard passing mark last week in a win over Green Forest, and he's the team's leading rusher with 553 yards and eight TDs. ... Zac Jarnagan has been the Pioneers' top receiving threat with 30 catches for 424 yards and 6 TDs, while Beau Tomblin adds 26 receptions for 357 yards and 2 scores. ... Sophomore LB Will Plyburn leads Gentry's defense with 62 tackles, while Charlie Reams is next in line with 56. Jarnagan, also a DB, has a team-high four interceptions.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Shiloh Christian -- QB Eli Reece (Sr., 5-9 170), RB Logan Raben (Sr., 6-2, 220), RB Ben Walton (Sr., 5-8, 145), WR Truitt Tollett (Sr., 6-1, 175), LB Hunter Mason (Sr., 5-11, 210). Gentry -- QB Brandon Atwood (Sr., 5-11, 175), WR/DB Zac Jarnagan (Jr., 5-10, 155), WR Beau Tomblin (Sr., 6-1, 185), LB Will Plyburn (So., 5-7, 170), DB Charlie Reams (Sr., 5-8, 180)

HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Shiloh Christian is No. 2 in Class 4A. Gentry is No. 26.

HOOTEN'S LINE Shiloh Christian by 45

OUR TAKE Shiloh Christian 52, Gentry 20

-- Henry Apple • @NWAHenry

Class 3A

Booneville at Mansfield

Tiger Stadium

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Booneville 4-2, 3-0 3A-1 Conference; Mansfield 5-1, 2-1

BETWEEN THE LINES Mansfield followed a defeat to Greenland with a 28-24 victory over Charleston last week. Layton Howard provided the game-winner when he intercepted a pass and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. .... Howard also had a 75-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. .... Mansfield is led by all-state quarterback Ethan Stovall, who has thrown for 1,266 yards and 15 touchdowns. .... Howard has 33 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. ... Booneville rushed for 388 yards last week during a 41-6 victory over winless West Fork. .... Randon Ray leads the Bearcats with 531 yards rushing and nine touchdowns on 65 carries. ... Booneville beat Mansfield 55-6 last year when the Bearcats won the Class 3A state championship with a 15-0 record. ... Booneville also won state championships in 1986, 2000 and 2013. ....

PLAYERS TO WATCH Booneville -- QB Evan Schlinker (Sr., 5-1, 165), RB Randon Ray (So. 5-10, 150), LB Andrew Robertson (Sr., 5-7, 160), FB Cam Brasher (Sr., 5-9, 200), DL Cort Mitzell (Sr., 6-1, 230), TE Anthony McKesson (Sr., 6-1, 230). Mansfield -- QB Ethan Stovall (Sr., 6-2, 205), FB Isaac Cothran (Sr., 6-2 215), WR/DB Tyler Holmes (Sr., 6-2, 175), WR Layton Howard (Sr., 6-2, 175)

HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Booneville is No. 6 in Class 3A. Mansfield is No. 16.

HOOTEN'S LINE Booneville by 18

OUR TAKE Booneville 35, Mansfield 28

-- Rick Fires • @NWARick

Sports on 10/18/2019

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