CLASS 6A
Marion at Greenwood
Smith-Robinson Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Marion 4-7; Greenwood 12-0.
ON THE AIR The game will be live-streamed on GreenwoodDogPound.com.
BETWEEN THE LINES Marion jumped to a 17-0 lead after a quarter and coasted past Van Buren 55-34 last week. ... The Patriots are in the state semifinals for the second time in school history and the second No. 6 seed to advance to the 6A semifinals. ... Senior running back Brandon Mackey rushed for 348 yards and four touchdowns and also added a receiving touchdown in the Patriots' win. ... Greenwood sophomore QB Hunter Houston came in after starter L.D. Richmond was injured to throw for 182 yards and four touchdowns in the Bulldogs' 49-13 win over Mountain Home last week. ... Greenwood will be looking to reach their fifth state championship game in the last six years. ... Running back Hunter Wilkinson was also big, rushing for 137 yards and scoring four touchdowns (3 rushing, 1 receiving).
PLAYERS TO WATCH Marion RB Brandon Mackey (Sr., 5-10, 170), QB Deadrick Cail (Sr., 6-1, 195), WR Tajiri Ellis (Sr., 5-10, 165), , . Greenwood, QB L.D. Richmond (Sr., 6-1, 165), RB Hunter Wilkinson (Sr., 5-11, 190), WR Caden Brown (Sr., 5-5, 145), WR Peyton Carter (Sr., 6-4, 205), DE Jordan Hanna6-2, 205), DB Jayden Jasna (Sr., 5-10, 160).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Marion is No. 9 in Class 6A; Greenwood is No. 1.
HOOTEN'S LINE Greenwood by 32
OUR TAKE Greenwood 45, Marion 14
-- Paul Boyd • @NWAPaulB
CLASS 5A
White Hall at Harrison
F.S. Garrison Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS White Hall 8-4; Harrison 10-1
ON THE AIR Live stream available at www.harrisongoblins.com
BETWEEN THE LINES The last time these two teams met, Harrison rolled to a 49-7 win during a first-round playoff game in 2018. ... White Hall RB Zaire Green has almost 1,700 yards and 17 TDs this season, including 193 yards and two TDs in last week's win over Batesville. ... WR Kam Robinson paces the Bulldogs with 52 receptions for 735 yards and 10 TDs and has a team-high 4 interceptions. ... FS Braylon Johnson leads the team with 90 tackles, followed by LBs Rodrico Bowens with 75 and TK Walker with 72. ... Harrison QB Cole Keylon is expected to play despite an injury late in the first half last week. ... Noah Moix has scored TDs on 13 of his team-high 25 receptions this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH White Hall, RB Zaire Green (Jr., ), WR Kam Robinson (Sr., 5-11, 180), FS Braylon Johnson (Jr., 5-9, 175), LB Rodrico Bowens (Jr., 5-8, 180), LB/CB TK Walker (Jr., 5-8, 170). Harrison, QB Cole Keylon (Sr., 6-0, 194), RB/LB Jordin Welch (Sr., 5-9, 175), WR/PK Noah Moix (Sr., 5-9, 130), FS/QB Beck Jones (So., 5-9, 175), LB Brody Gilliam (Jr., 5-10, 175).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS White Hall is No. 6 in Class 5A; Harrison is No. 5.
HOOTEN'S LINE Harrison by 2.
OUR TAKE Harrison 28, White Hall 14
-- Henry Apple • @NWAHenry
CLASS 4A
Prairie Grove at Rivercrest
Rivercrest Stadium, Wilson
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Prairie Grove 10-1; Rivercrest 10-0
ON THE AIR Live stream is available at pgtc.com
BETWEEN THE LINES The two teams share a common opponent in Blytheville. Prairie Grove defeated Blytheville 59-34 last week, thanks to a 28-point outburst in the fourth quarter, while Rivercrest earned a 45-21 victory over the Chickasaws in the regular-season finale. ... Both Foster Layman and John Grant surpassed the 100-yard mark rushing for Prairie Grove last week, but Grant could be out after suffering a leg injury during the game. ... Rivercrest QB Kam Turner is a dangerous threat with 2,687 yards and 34 TDs passing and 1,230 yards and 16 TDs rushing. He also caught a 73-yard TD pass in a game against Jonesboro Westside, and he's the team's second-leading tackler with 57, including 11 tackles for loss
PLAYERS TO WATCH Prairie Grove, FB Foster Layman (Sr., 5-10, 190), QB Knox Laird (Sr., 5-11, 180), DL Gunter Caudle (Sr., 6-2, 230), LB Carter Scates (Sr., 5-8, 180). Rivercrest, QB/DB Kam Turner (Sr., 5-11, 165), RB Keshawn Scott (Sr., 5-9, 164), LB Mike Sharp (Jr., 6-2, 170), DE Brandyn Brownlee (Jr., 6-0, 165).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Prairie Grove is No. 6 in Class 4A. Rivercrest is No. 5.
HOOTEN'S LINE Rivercrest by 6.
OUR TAKE Rivercrest 40, Prairie Grove 28
-- Henry Apple • @NWAHenry
Elkins at Nashville
Scrapper Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Elkins 8-2; Nashville 8-2.
ON THE AIR None.
BETWEEN THE LINES The Elks rolled over Bald Knob last week with a big effort from Trevor Shumate, who was injured in the second half and did not return. The senior had a rushing and receiving touchdown and booted a 47-yard field goal in the win. ... QB Kain Johnson threw for 140 yards in two touchdowns in last week's win for Elkins. ... Nashville QB Ty Gordon has thrown for 1,309 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Scrappers this season and has also rushed for 611 yards and 10 TDs.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Elkins, QB Kain Johnson (Sr., 5-11, 175), WR Trevor Shumate (Sr., 6-2, 195) RB Cody Drummond (Sr., 5-11, 170). Nashville (QB Ty Gordon (Sr., 6-0, 200), WR Dontrelle Robinson (Sr., 5-7, 165).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Elkins is No. 8 in Class 4A; Nashville is No. 4.
HOOTEN'S LINE Nashville by 13.
OUR TAKE Nashville 42, Elkins 28.
-- Paul Boyd • @NWAPaulB
Malvern at Shiloh Christian
Champions Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Malvern 7-5; Shiloh Christian 10-1
ON THE AIR The game will be live-streamed at shilohsaints.org.
BETWEEN THE LINES Two high-powered offenses will collide in a quarterfinal playoff game that could feature a ton of fireworks. ... Malvern is led by sophomore QB Cedric Simmons (157-227 2,168 passing; 138-760 rushing, 25 combined TDs. ... Shiloh Christian sophomore QB Eli Wisdom (113-181 1,721 passing; 105-1,091 rushing, 36 TDs) is equally impressive. ... Keep an eye on Malvern DE Tre'Sean Morman, who has 16 tackles for loss.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Malvern, QB Cedric Simmons (So., 5-10, 165), RB Jacobe Hart (Sr., 5-7, 160), WR Dante Reed (Sr., 5-9, 147), LB Marquez Johnson (Jr., 5-10, 160). Shiloh Christian, QB Eli Wisdom (So., 6-0, 175), RB Cam Wiedemann (Sr., 5-11, 175), DB Ben Baker (Jr., 5-8, 160), WR Cooper Hutchinson (Jr., 6-0, 180).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Malvern is No. 13 in Class 4A; Shiloh Christian is No. 1.
HOOTEN'S LINE Shiloh Christian by 10
OUR TAKE Shiloh Christian 38, Malvern 35
-- Chip Souza • @NWACHIP
Pocahontas at Ozark
Hillbilly Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Pocahontas 10-2; Ozark 8-3
ON THE AIR None
BETWEEN THE LINES Pocahontas brings an explosive offense into the game, while Ozark's defense has been impressive. ... Pocahontas QB Dawson Chester (129-196 1,776 passing; 92-518 rushing, 23 total TDs) will get all the Hillbillies' attention, as will RB Connor Baker (176-1,303, 19 TDs. ... Ozark QB Harper Faulkenberry is a gifted runner (179-1,289 rushing, 21 TDs) who can also be effective in the pass game. ... Ozark LBs Keystan Durning (108 tackles) and Ryker Martin (90 tackles, 14.0 TFL, 6.0 sacks) lead the Hillbillies' defense.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Pocahontas, QB Dawson Chester (Sr., 5-10, 180), RB Connor Baker (So., 5-11, 181), WR Michael Martens (Sr., 6-0, 160), LB Zavior Taylor (Sr., 6-1, 180). Ozark, QB Harper Faulkenberry (Sr., 5-11, 180), RB Eli Massingale (So., 5-11, 180), WR Payten Durning (Jr., 5-9, 151), LB Keystan Durning (Sr., 6-1, 175), LB Ryker Martin (Jr., 5-8, 158).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Pocahontas is No. 10 in Class 4A; Ozark is No. 7
HOOTEN'S LINE Ozark by 7
OUR TAKE Ozark 28, Pocahontas 21
-- Chip Souza • @NWACHIP
CLASS 3A
Glen Rose at Charleston
Alumni Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Glen Rose 9-2; Charleston 9-2
ON THE AIR None
BETWEEN THE LINES Charleston started the season 1-2, but has ripped off 8 straight wins behind sophomore QB Brandon Scott (107-153 1,515 passing; 123-707 rushing, 33 total TDs). ... There are three Ketter brothers on the Charleston team, and all three contribute significantly. Senior Breckon Ketter has rushed for 9 TDs; twin sophomores Brevyn and Brighton are also key players. ... Glen Rose ran over West Fork last week as RB Heath Ballance gained 150 yards and scored a pair of TDs. ... Charleston DB Garrett Rudd has 4 interceptions.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Glen Rose, RB Heath Ballance (Fr., 5-9, 165), WR Noah Wright (Sr., 5-10, 170), DB Taggart Haynes (Jr., 5-11, 140). Charleston, QB Brandon Scott (So., 6-0, 175), RB/LB Breckon Ketter (Sr., 5-11, 180), WR/DB Dalton Curtis (Sr., 6-0, 195), LB Ransom Merechka (Jr., 5-10, 165).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Glen Rose is No. 8 in Class 3A; Charleston is No. 7
HOOTEN'S LINE Charleston by 13
OUR TAKE Charleston 38, Glen Rose 27
-- Chip Souza • @NWACHIP
Osceola at Booneville
Bearcat Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Osceola 5-4. Booneville 9-2
BETWEEN THE LINES The teams meet for the first time since 2018 when Booneville beat Osceola 35-0 in the championship game in Class 3A. ... Two of Osceola's four losses were by less than seven points. ... Osceola is led by QB Dontavion Littleton, who leads the team in passing (1,467 yards with 15 TDs) and rushing (576 yards with 13 scores). ... Booneville has a balanced run-oriented offense directed by junior quarterback Randon Ray, who ran for 142 yards and three touchdowns past week on only 13 carries.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Osceola, QB Dontavion Littleton (Jr., 6-1, 195), RB A.J. Harris (Jr., 6-2, 230), LB Chris Littleton (Sr., 6-0, 225), OL Kendre Oliver (Sr., 6-2, 245), WR DeAnthony Poole (Sr., 6-1, 200). Booneville, QB/LB Randon Ray (Jr., 5-8, 155), RB Ty Goff (Sr., 5-10, 160), RB/LB Ethan Woolridge (Sr., 5-9, 155), RB/LB Colton Ritchie (Sr., 5-10, 154), OL/DL Cole Boersma (Sr., 5-10, 210).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Booneville is No. 5 in Class 3A. Osceola is No. 13
HOOTEN'S LINE Booneville by 27
OUR TAKE Booneville 42, Osceola 28
-- Rick Fires • @NWARick
Greenland at Paris
Eagle Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Greenland 9-2; Paris 10-1.
BETWEEN THE LINES Greenland has won seven consecutive since losing to Charleston on Sept. 25. ... Greenland opened playoffs with a 49-7 victory over Perryville last week. Jett Dennis rushed for 187 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries. Dennis also caught a touchdown pass from Gabe Wilson, who's thrown for 1,504 yards and 14 touchdowns. .... Wilson has also gained 624 yards in the run game behind Dennis, who's rushed for 2,082 yards and 22 touchdowns. .... Quarterback Chase Watts accounted for three touchdowns last week when Paris outscored Salem 40-32 in a playoff game. .... Paris started 8-0 this year for the first time since the 1950s... Paris seniors played on teams that went 3-7 as juniors and 0-10 as sophomores in the first season for head coach Tyler Clark.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Greenland, QB Gabe Wilson (Sr., 6-2, 220), RB Jett Dennis (Sr., 5-10, 170), DL J.J. Hollingsworth (Jr., 6-3, 245), DL Trenton Napier (Sr., 5-10, 185), WR Hunter Gaither (Sr., 5-11, 165). Paris, QB Chase Watts (Jr., 5-10, 140), RB/LB Ely Fore (Sr., 5-11, 180), WR/CB Keller Keen (Jr., 5-7, 155), OL/DL Ryan Post (Jr., 6-3, 270), OL/DL Adam Chandler (Sr., 6-3, 255), TE/DL Jude Simmons (Jr., 6-2, 170).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Paris is No. 9 in Class 3A. Greenland is No. 12.
HOOTEN'S LINE Paris by 13
OUR TAKE Greenland 35, Paris 28
-- Rick Fires • @NWARick