WEEK 10 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by points spread)
Class 7A
North Little Rock (10-0)
Fayetteville (8-2)
Bryant (8-2)
Bentonville (7-3)
Conway (8-2)
Bentonville West (6-4)
FS Northside (6-4)
Springdale (7-3)
FS Southside (5-5)
LR Catholic (5-5)
Cabot (3-7)
Springdale Har-Ber (2-8)
Van Buren (4-6)
Rogers (3-6)
LR Central (1-8)
Rogers Heritage (0-10)
No. 13 Van Buren at NO. 7 FS NORTHSIDE (11): Rematch of a Week 2 matchup that Northside won 36-21. Northside senior QB Derrick Wise accounted for 337 yards and four TDs in the first meeting, including 14-of-16 passing for 190 yards. Northside, with all its starters available for the first time in several weeks, stopped rival FS Southside 23-13 last Friday. The solid Grizzly defense set up scores with two interceptions and held FS Southside to 93 yards in the second half. Northside starts six seniors on both sides of the ball and no sophomores. Northside standout offensive lineman Stevie Young (6-5, 310) also played most defensive snaps last week.
Van Buren trailed Northside just 17-14 midway through the second quarter in the first meeting but finished with only 15 yards rushing. Van Buren sophomore athlete Gary Phillips (6-0, 175) leads a group of talented skill players, but the Pointers will be without a defensive standout for three quarters this week due to his ejection in the second half of last Friday’s 35-24 loss to Springdale.
FS SOUTHSIDE (11) at Springdale High: Springdale’s seven wins are its most since finishing 14-0 in 2005. Springdale, playing without injured standout QB Grant Allen, rushed for 222 yards and three TDs in last week’s win at Van Buren 35-24. Springdale must slow Southside’s rushing attack (195 yards weekly) and dual-threat QB Taye Gatewood (172 yards passing weekly and 5.5 yards per carry). FS Southside lost to crosstown rival FS Northside (23-13) last week for the third consecutive season.
Rogers High at CONWAY (26): Conway creamed Rogers 41-14 in the first round last year. Rogers returns to the postseason because Springdale Har-Ber had to forfeit two conference games last week for using an ineligible player, including a Week 9 victory over Rogers (38-6).
LR Catholic at FAYETTEVILLE (28): LR Catholic clobbered LR Central 48-21 last Friday and returns to the playoffs after missing last season. Bentonville scored the winning TD with three minutes left to beat LR Catholic in the first round 38-31 in 2016. Healthy and hungry Fayetteville (326 yards passing and 160 yards rushing weekly) gears up for its second trip of the season to Bryant. Fayetteville senior QB Darius Bowers completes 71 percent of his passes for 315 yards weekly with 20 TDs and two interceptions this season.
Class 6A
Greenwood (9-1)
Benton (8-2)
West Memphis (10-0)
Marion (8-2)
Searcy (8-2)
Russellville (7-3)
Jonesboro (6-4)
El Dorado (5-5)
Pine Bluff (4-5-1)
Siloam Springs (5-5)
Lake Hamilton (5-5)
Sylvan Hills (3-7)
Sheridan (2-8)
Jacksonville (3-7)
LR Hall (1-9)
Mountain Home (0-10)
Greenwood, outright 6A-West Conference champions, receives a bye. The Bulldogs won their 11th league title under Coach Rick Jones (hired in 2004). Greenwood hosts the winner of the Siloam Springs-Searcy game.
Siloam Springs at SEARCY (6): Winner plays at Greenwood in the quarterfinals. Siloam Springs’ five wins are its most since 2014. The Panthers won seven games the past three years combined. Siloam led Russellville 10-0 in the second quarter last week but lost 30-16. Senior running back Kaiden Thrailkill ran for 137 yards and a TD and Spenser Pippin caught five passes for 73 yards. Searcy’s won eight regular-season games for the second straight year for the first time since 2000-2001. The Lions slipped Sylvan Hills last week 35-27 behind senior QB Peyton Wright’s 350 yards passing and five TDs. Junior Tanner Leonard collected eight passes for 172 yards and two scores. Senior middle linebacker Ben Donnell racked up 22 tackles and junior Hayden Miles collected 20 stops (three TFL).
Class 5A
Pulaski Academy (9-1)
LR Christian (9-1)
Texarkana (9-1)
Harrison (10-0)
LR McClellan (9-1)
Blytheville (5-5)
Morrilton (6-4)
Greenbrier (7-3)
LR Parkview (5-5)
Alma (5-5)
Wynne (6-4)
Camden Fairview (6-4)
HS Lakeside (5-5)
Valley View (7-3)
White Hall (5-4)
Nettleton (8-2)
Batesville (4-6)
Magnolia (6-4)
Forrest City (4-6)
Beebe (4-6)
Watson Chapel (3-6-1)
Vilonia (3-6)
Farmington (4-6)
Maumelle (4-6)
Paragould (1-9)
Greene County Tech (3-7)
Clarksville (2-8)
Huntsville (2-8)
Hot Springs (1-9)
De Queen (1-9)
Hope (1-9)
LR Fair (1-9)
Alma at PULASKI ACADEMY (25): This is the first meeting between traditional power Alma and current powerhouse Pulaski Academy (four consecutive state championships). Bruin junior QB Braden Bratcher passed for 458 yards and seven TDs in last week’s 63-21 win at White Hall. Alma rebounded last week from consecutive conference losses with a 37-point win at Huntsville. Alma will try to control the clock with its physical running attack and senior Keegan Rosebeary, who has more than 700 yards this year. Alma has won at least one playoff game six straight seasons (lost to HS Lakeside in the first round 2011).
White Hall at HARRISON (27): Undefeated Harrison outscores opponents by an average of 43-8. Junior QB Ben Johnson has passed for 1,296 yards and 17 TDs this year with just one interception, while junior Gabe Huskey paces Class 5A rushers with 1,595 yards and 24 TDs. White Hall senior QB Josh Looney has passed for more than 1,600 yards. White Hall hasn’t won a playoff game since beating Forrest City 35-19 in the first round 2012.
Class 4A
Shiloh Christian (9-1)
Joe T. Robinson (8-2)
Warren (8-1)
Ozark (8-2)
Dumas (9-1)
Rivercrest (9-1)
Nashville (8-2)
Arkadelphia (5-5)
Stuttgart (9-1)
Bauxite (8-2)
Mena (7-3)
Trumann (7-3)
Hamburg (7-3)
Helena (8-2)
Heber Springs (6-4)
Dardanelle (8-2)
Pea Ridge (7-3)
Lincoln (8-2)
Gosnell (6-4)
Pottsville (5-5)
Elkins (7-3)
Prairie Grove (5-5)
Lonoke (5-5)
CAC (5-5)
Southside Batesville (6-4)
Fountain Lake (6-4)
Jonesboro Westside (7-3)
Star City (4-6)
Pocahontas (4-6)
Gentry (3-7)
Harmony Grove Haskell (5-5)
Bald Knob (4-6)
Crossett (2-8)
De Witt (4-6)
Ashdown (3-7)
Berryville (4-6)
Riverview (2-8)
Brookland (2-8)
Dover (2-8)
Gravette (1-9)
Waldron (2-8)
Cave City (1-9)
Highland (1-9)
Subiaco Academy (1-9)
Monticello (0-10)
Malvern (0-10)
Mills (0-10)
Green Forest (1-9)
PRAIRIE GROVE (1) at Lonoke: This is a rematch from 2014, when Prairie Grove beat Lonoke 41-24 in the first round. Prairie Grove has 10 playoff wins in the past four years, while Lonoke hasn’t won a playoff game since 2013, which is the last time the Jackrabbits hosted a playoff game. Prairie Grove senior Garrett Heltemes ran in four TDs in last week’s wild 59-48 loss at Lincoln. Lonoke junior Davonta Adams has rushed for 767 yards and seven TDs this year, while senior QB Braidon Bryant has thrown for 694 yards and four TDs and ran for 589 yards and nine TDs.
Lincoln at HAMBURG (6): Lincoln returns to the playoffs for the fifth time in school history and first since 2015. Wolf senior Sterling Morphis caught four TD passes from QB Caleb Lloyd in last week’s 59-48 win over Prairie Grove. Lloyd also ran in three TDs. Hamburg must regroup after consecutive losses to Warren and Dumas by a combined 72-22. The Lions trailed Dumas 30-0 in the half a week ago. Hamburg senior QB Jonathan Kelley has passed for 1,608 yards and 16 TDs this year with one interception, while senior first-year player Jalen Wilson has 40 catches for 710 yards and 12 TDs.
Helena at PEA RIDGE (3): Pea Ridge struggled to stop Shiloh Christian’s diverse attack last week (gave up 437 yards). Senior Carson Rhine has been the primary QB the past four weeks, completing 68 percent of his passes with three TDs, and he averages 5.1 yards per carry. Helena has won three straight games, capped by last week’s impressive 60-36 victory at previous No. 1 Warren. Senior QB Armonie Calhoun ran for 200 yards and three TDs at Warren. Calhoun has 1,496 yards and 19 TDs this year.
Star City at SHILOH CHRISTIAN (24): Shiloh Christian won the 4A-1 this year, its first conference title since 2010. Senior Jaret Russ scored six TDs in last week’s 36-point win at Pea Ridge, and he’s scored 15 TDs this fall (10 rushing, five receiving). The Saints outgained Pea Ridge 437-160 yards. Star City advances to the playoffs to the first time since 20015 after last week’s nine-point win over Crossett. Bulldog junior Adam Fonville scored the clinching TD on a fake punt. Star City has surrendered just 18 points the past two games.
Gentry at MENA (17): Gentry gets in the playoffs for second straight year after last week’s 26-0 win at Gravette. Junior QB Brandon Atwood has passed for 1,378 yards and 12 TDs this year. Senior playmaker Peyton Wright averages 18 yards per carry and has 55 catches for 531 yards and five TDs. Mena secured the No. 2 seed with last week’s 14-point win over Dardanelle. Bearcat sophomore QB Max Montgomery passed for 1,806 yards and 17 TDs this year, while sophomore tight end Mason Brotherton could turn into a Division I recruit. Brotherton has 10 catches in the past two games for 251 yards, including five receptions for 111 yards against Dardanelle.
Elkins at NASHVILLE (11): Elkins makes a five-hour bus ride to Howard County. The surprising Elks led Ozark 12-6 at halftime last week, but couldn’t slow the Hillbillies running attack in the second half. Elkins junior QB Quinn McClain has passed for 2,293 yards and 25 TDs this year, with senior Chad Graham catching 55 passes for 909 yards and 14 TDs. Nashville earned the No. 2 seed with last week’s overtime win at Bauxite. Senior QB Tristen Jamison split snaps most of the year, but has emerged as a threat on the power-read plays in the past month. Jamison passed for 177 yards and two TDS at Bauxite. Nashville junior Carmillias Morrison has rushed for 876 yards and seven TDs this year, while sophomore Keyshawn Stewart has 906 yards and 11 TDs. Junior linebacker Devonte Witherspoon, a first-year player, paces the D with more than 100 tackles.
Class 3A
Booneville (10-0)
Smackover (9-1)
Osceola (9-1)
Clinton (10-0)
Prescott (9-1)
Glen Rose (9-1)
Newport (8-2)
Mayflower (9-1)
Rison (10-0)
Harding Academy (7-3)
Lamar (8-2)
Danville (7-3)
C. Harmony Grove (7-3)
Walnut Ridge (8-2)
Charleston (6-4)
Atkins (7-3)
McGehee (7-3)
Melbourne (7-3)
Mansfield (7-3)
Piggott (6-4)
Centerpoint (6-4)
Barton (4-5)
Greenland (6-4)
Hoxie (5-5)
Baptist Prep (4-5-1)
Harrisburg (4-6)
Cedarville (4-6)
Yellville-Summit (4-6)
Jessieville (4-6)
Lake Village (6-4)
Palestine-Wheatley (4-5)
Fouke (4-6)
Dollarway (3-7)
Mountain View (2-7)
Perryville (2-8)
Manila (3-7)
Drew Central (1-8)
West Fork (1-9)
Bismarck (2-8)
Horatio (3-7)
Genoa Central (1-9)
Marshall (1-9)
Corning (0-10)
Paris (0-10)
Two Rivers (0-10)
Cedar Ridge (1-4)
Rose Bud (0-3)
No. 15 Charleston at NO. 4 CLINTON (3): This is the first meeting of the schools.
Charleston, which just completed its worst regular season since finishing 5-4 in 1987, has won at least one playoff game every year since 1995. However, the Tigers enter the playoffs on a two-game winning streak after thrashing 8-2 Lamar last week. “That was our best game this year, by far,” Charleston coach Greg Kendrick says. “We may have been better in certain areas of other games, but as far as defense, offense and kicking game, we had it all going against Lamar.” Junior QB Brayden Ross has started every game since Week 6 and completes 62 percent of his passes for 1,057 yards and 10 TDs with four interceptions. He’s added 186 rushing yards and three scores and racked up 41 tackles. Junior Tanner Jones (team-high 99 tackles and six for loss) and sophomore Breckon Ketter (87 stops, three TFL) lead a defense that allowed just 15.7 PPG in league play, holding four opponents to one TD or less.
Clinton seniors have been a part of 30 victories, the most of any class in school history. Clinton has won 23 straight regular-season games and 25 of 27 outings since 2016. The Yellow Jackets last year advanced to the second quarterfinal in school history, losing in the final seconds at Class 3A runners-up Junction City. The Yellow Jackets are led by senior Sky Davidson, who leads the team in rushing yards (747 on 9.8 YPC), rushing TDs (12), tackles (64), tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (4). Junior QB Weston Amos (completes 63 percent of his passes for 683 yards and 12 TDs) triggers Clinton’s Wing T attack, which rushed for 2,873 yards this season (8 YPC) and 43 scores. The Yellow Jacket defense allowed 12 points in their final four games.
Clinton will be bigger than Charleston in the trenches but the Tigers’ Spread will test the Clinton secondary, which allowed 226 passing yards in a 49-27 Week 4 win at Harding Academy and 353 through the air Week 5 to Melbourne.
MELBOURNE (2) at Mansfield: Winner hosts Fouke or travels to Osceola in Round Two. Mansfield makes its first playoff appearance since 2011. The Red Tigers snapped a three-game losing skid in last week’s 49-13 victory over winless Paris. Junior-heavy Mansfield is led by QB Ethan Stovall and playmakers Tyler Holmes and Layton Howard. Junior Jaicy Griffin and sophomore Randall Claude pace the Mansfield defense with 65 stops apiece. Melbourne enters postseason play on a three-game winning streak and last week shutout Class 2A East Poinsett County 34-0. Junior Noah McSpadden sparked the Bearkatz offense in the second half of the year and sophomore Eli Harrell has emerged as a player in the secondary.
Atkins at LAMAR (1): Atkins hosts Greenland and travels to Harding Academy should it win. Lamar hosts a second-round game if it wins. Atkins beat Lamar the past two seasons by a combined 37 points. Lamar lost its final two regular-season games by a combined 46 points. Atkins snapped a three-game losing skid with a 42-0 win last week against Two Rivers when six Red Devils scored TDs.
Greenland at HARDING ACADEMY (7): Greenland enters with momentum after winning its final three games by a combined 96 points. The Pirates’ best win is a Week 4 25-12 conquest over Charleston. Senior QB Levi Vaughn completes 63 percent of his passes for more than 1,600 yards and 12 TDs. Junior receiver Zaylen Bryant has caught 50 passes this year for almost 800 yards and six scores. Greenland’s top seven tacklers are underclassmen, led by sophomore Gabe Wilson (68 stops this year). Harding Academy struggled last week against man coverage of Class 2A Hampton in a 37-28 loss, but the Wildcats have won at least one playoff game for 14 consecutive seasons.
Baptist Prep at BOONEVILLE (35): Should Baptist Prep win it’s on the road next week regardless. Booneville hosts the winner of Lake Village-Walnut Ridge if it wins. Baptist Prep returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2015 under first-year coach Zach Welchman. The Eagles expect to return their leading rusher (junior Hunter Teaster), receiver (junior Jax Coleman) and exciting sophomores Mitchell Leavitt and Grant Jones (two interceptions apiece this year) in 2019. Booneville allows 12.2 PPG this year, and has had just one game decided by fewer than 21 points, a 28-26 Week 2 win at Class 4A Pottsville. Junior QB Evan Schlinker’s 13th TD pass last week in a 47-12 win at Cedarville is a new school record.
Class 2A
Foreman (9-1)
Hazen (9-0)
Junction City (7-2)
Conway Christian (8-2)
Gurdon (8-2)
Mount Ida (8-2)
Des Arc (7-3)
Hampton (6-2)
Fordyce (5-5)
Salem (8-1)
Mineral Springs (8-2)
Earle (7-3)
Mountain Pine (7-3)
Hector (7-3)
Mountainburg (7-2)
England (4-6)
Magnet Cove (5-5)
Quitman (6-4)
E. Poinsett County (6-4)
Poyen (6-4)
Magazine (5-4)
Hackett (4-4)
McCrory (5-4)
Rector (5-4)
Lavaca (4-5)
Bearden (3-6)
Bigelow (4-6)
Carlisle (4-5-1)
Parkers Chapel (2-7)
Clarendon (3-6)
Dierks (3-7)
Murfreesboro (3-7)
Marianna (2-7)
Brinkley (2-8)
Strong (1-9)
Midland (2-7)
Marked Tree (1-8)
J.C. Westside (2-8)
W. Yell County (2-7)
Cross County (3-7)
Lafayette County (1-9)
Spring Hill (1-8)
Cutter M. Star (1-9)
Marvell (0-10)
CARLISLE (2) at Magazine: Teams are similar in running styles. Magazine features the 4-2A’s top running back in junior Caleb Hyatt (1,100 yards), while sophomore Kobe Faughn paces the Rattlers with 112 tackles. Senior JaSean Harper and junior Davarious Allen lead Carlisle in rushing. Those two combined for 132 yards on 26 carries last week in a 36-20 loss to No. 12 Earle.
Parkers Chapel at MOUNTAINBURG (8): Hector provided PC with a fresh blueprint for beating Mountainburg (26-22) a week ago by limiting big plays and effectively passing (10 of 15 for 148 yards) the football. PC dual-threat junior QB Caleb Jacobs is capable, and he has a big-play receiver in senior Amari Bell (6-5, 160). But PC gave up plenty of big plays last week and 351 rushing yards to Junction City. Mountainburg senior run-pass QB Ethan Gregory has accounted for more than 1,200 yards the fall.
Hackett at MOUNTAIN PINE (15): No. 13 Mountain Pine deploys big-play weapons in junior QB Collin Smith (789 rushing, 1,191 passing yards, 30 TDs), senior RB Eli Browning (1,021 rushing yards) and senior WR Josh Walpole (19.4 yards per catch). Hackett counters with dual-threat senior QB Brady Hester and senior receiver Paces McBride, but senior tailback Cooper Shipman is doubtful with an injury. Mountain Pine last won a playoff game in 2009.
Lavaca at CONWAY CHRISTIAN (18): Conway Christian was rarely challenged this fall after its non-conference losses to Class 4A Bauxite (49-12) and Class 3A Clinton (55-21). It jumped to its routine 35-0 halftime lead last week over Bigelow and played reserves in the second half. Senior QB Jacob Wood completed five of six passes for 129 yards and three TDs in the first half. Lavaca played a JV game last week, losing to the Lamar JV 35-27. Lavaca senior QB Tyler Armistead (760 rushing yards) paces a running attack that averages 5.6 yards per carry.