Hootens.com Arkansas Football Report

Week 13

Class 7A

  1. Bentonville (11-0)

  2. North Little Rock (10-1)

  3. Fayetteville (8-3)

  4. Fort Smith Southside (8-3)

  5. Springdale Har-Ber (7-5)

  6. Conway (8-3)

  7. West Memphis (8-4)

  8. Cabot (7-5)

  9. Rogers Heritage (7-4)

  10. Bryant (6-5)

  11. Little Rock Central (4-7)

  12. Rogers (6-5)

  13. Springdale (4-6)

  14. Fort Smith Northside (3-7)

  15. Van Buren (2-8)

  16. Little Rock Catholic (2-8)

WEEK 13 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)

PLAYOFF SEMIFINALS

Fayetteville (8) at North Little Rock. Defending state champ and preseason No. 1 Fayetteville looks for a third straight title game appearance. Fayetteville lost its first two games against out-of-state competition and Week 10 at Bentonville 24-17. The Purple Dogs played a tougher schedule than North LR and have three players committed to sign with the Arkansas Razorbacks. Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton says quarterback Austin Allen is better than his brother (current Hog backup QB Brandon Allen). Senior Brice Gahagans (5-10, 185; 4.7 speed), the school’s all-time leading rusher, played his best game last week. Linebacker Brooks Ellis and safety Alex Brignoni, the other UA commits, headline a defense with underrated linemen. Fayetteville’s starters held Conway to 77 yards in last Friday’s mercy-rule (38-3 midway third quarter) win over Conway. Conway coach Clint Ashcraft says Fayetteville’s defense “exposed us up front.”

“If there is a team that can stop North Little Rock’s running attack, it’s Fayetteville,” says Har-Ber coach Chris Wood. “Fayetteville has seen a lot of good running teams but not as much speed as North Little Rock.”

North LR makes its third semifinal appearance in four years under Coach Brad Bolding and goes for an 11-win season for the first time in school history. North LR has also never played in a state championship game but (North LR Ole Main) was awarded the 1972 title before big school playoffs were implemented. North LR is undefeated against Arkansas competition this fall, losing only at Longview, Texas 30-14. The Charging Wildcats run better than they pass and catch. University of Alabama recruit Altee Tenpenny (6-0, 215; 4.35 speed) gets 16 carries weekly, gaining 7.6 yards per tote for 1,328 yards this fall. Junior Juan Day (6-2, 210; 4.5 speed) rushes 99 yards weekly (8.8 yards per carry) and senior three-year starter Rodney Bryson (5-11, 190) has 524 yards (7.6 per carry) this season.

North LR’s athletic defensive front averages 270 pounds and must pressure Allen. North LR all-state safety Gary Vines (6-0, 185), a three-year starter, is on the Farm Bureau Awards Class 7A/6A Defensive Player of the Year watch list.

Fayetteville likely uses man coverage, hoping to force North LR to pass. Fayetteville sacked Conway’s QB six times last Friday.

FS Southside at BENTONVILLE (20): Southside makes its fifth straight semifinal appearance. The Rebels won at Bentonville 27-24 in the second round of the 2009 playoffs. Since then, Bentonville has made back-to-back state championship game appearances. Bentonville seniors Tearris Wallace (almost 4,500 career yards rushing) and linebacker Garrett Kaufman (220 tackles in two seasons) are on the Farm Bureau Awards watch list for Class 7A/6A Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively. Southside sustained three key injuries in last week’s 24-22 upset of Har-Ber, including leading receiver Austin Griffin (fractured pelvis) and noseguard Fred Holden (broken leg). Junior starting right guard Richie Savathrongxay (6-0, 285) is questionable. Elusive QB Isaac Jackson (6-3, 195), more than 1,977 yards offense and 27 TDs this fall, passed for three TDs last week but must find running lanes for the Rebels to have a chance at Bentonville. All-state fullback David Price (6-1, 240; 4.7 speed) leads the Rebels with 823 yards rushing.

Class 6A

  1. Greenwood (12-0)

  2. Pine Bluff (11-1)

  3. Jonesboro (9-2)

  4. El Dorado (9-3)

  5. Lake Hamilton (7-5)

  6. Searcy (6-6)

  7. LR Parkview (4-8)

  8. Sheridan (4-7)

  9. Benton (4-8)

  10. Russellville (6-5)

  11. Texarkana (2-9)

  12. Marion (2-9)

  13. Mountain Home (1-10)

  14. Siloam Springs (1-10)

  15. LR Hall (0-10)

  16. LR Fair (0-11)

WEEK 13 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)

PLAYOFF SEMIFINALS

El Dorado at GREENWOOD (7) El Dorado won five state titles from 1924-1958 and have claimed the past three 6A crowns under coach Scott Reed (63-14 at El Dorado). The Wildcats have won four straight games since a 21-6 loss to Pine Bluff, scoring 41 points per contest. Senior quarterback Lucas Reed has passed for more than 2,100 yards and 25 touchdowns this fall. Senior running back Josh Brock has more than 1,100 yards and 13 TDs. Senior RB Marque Burris has rushed for 335 yards and five TDs over the past three weeks.

Greenwood, which won its first state title in 2000, has won five championships since coach Rick Jones (105-16 at Greenwood) took over in 2004. The Bulldogs carry a 36-game win streak and average 48 points weekly. Junior QB Jabe Burgess has completed 181 of 247 passes (73 percent) for 2,511 yards and 31 TDs this fall. Senior playmaker Drew Morgan paces Greenwood with 69 catches for 958 yards and 12 TDs. Senior linebacker Saul Palmer and Junior safety Taylor Hasley lead on defense.

Jonesboro at PINE BLUFF (4): Jonesboro eliminated 7A/6A South members Texarkana and Lake Hamilton by combined 97-41 the past two weeks. The Hurricane start six seniors on offense, including running back Martin Stafford who has rushed for 1,871 yards and 26 TDs this fall. Pine Bluff claimed its first league title since 2008 with marquee wins over Bryant (24-21) and El Dorado (21-6). Senior QB Rickey Clements generated 254 yards and two TDs against El Dorado. The Zebras have beaten Sheridan, LR Hall and Benton (twice) over the past month. Comparing scores: North Little Rock defeated Jonesboro 27-20 three weeks after beating Pine Bluff 47-10.

Class 5A

  1. Pulaski Academy (10-2)

  2. Camden Fairview (12-0)

  3. Wynne (11-0)

  4. Batesville (9-3)

  5. Greenbrier (11-1)

  6. White Hall (9-2)

  7. Morrilton (8-3)

  8. Alma (7-5)

  9. Vilonia (6-4)

  10. Mills (7-4)

  11. HS Lakeside (6-5)

  12. Watson Chapel (6-5)

  13. Jacksonville (6-5)

  14. Sylvan Hills (5-6)

  15. Forrest City (6-5)

  16. Hot Springs (5-5)

  17. Hope (4-6)

  18. Shiloh Christian (4-6)

  19. Beebe (3-8)

  20. LR McClellan (3-7)

  21. Nettleton (4-6)

  22. LR Christian (3-5)

  23. Greene County Tech (3-7)

  24. Paragould (3-7)

  25. Harrison (2-8)

  26. Blytheville (3-7)

  27. Huntsville (3-7)

  28. De Queen (2-8)

  29. West Helena (2-8)

  30. Clarksville (1-9)

  31. Magnolia (0-10)

  32. North Pulaski (1-8)

WEEK 13 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)

PLAYOFF SEMIFINALS

CAMDEN FAIRVIEW (6) at Wynne: These traditional powers meet for the first time. Camden Fairview returns to the semifinals for the fifth time in six years, and the Cardinals have played for state championships two of the past three years. Undefeated Camden Fairview outscores opponents by 37 points per game, but the Cardinals beat Watson Chapel by a touchdown in Week 10 and Alma by two TDs a week ago. Junior quarterback Matthew Ollison has completed 120 of 168 passes for 2,089 yards and 29 TDs this season, while senior Jamie Smith paces the Cardinal rushing attack with 1,313 yards and 13 TDs. Opponents struggle to cover the Cardinal offensive weapons. Versatile senior Jerry Moorehead (161 yards rushing and, eight TDs, 46 catches for 781 yards and 12 scores), junior Deion Holliman (342 yards rushing and six TDs, 31 catches for 549 yards and eight TDs) and junior Braxton Hoof (43 catches, 785 yards and 12 TDs) make plays on the perimeter. Senior tackle Mckinze James (119 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 11 sacks) and senior linebacker Aaron Wynn (149 tackles and 20 tackles for loss) rally an aggressive defense. “I’ve watched them on film, trying to find a weakness and haven’t found one,” Wynne coach Chris Hill said.

Wynne returns to the semifinals for the first time since losing to Pulaski Academy 43-42 in 2006. The Yellowjackets advanced to the semifinals six times between 1999-2006, winning it all in 2001 and 2004. Wynne has beaten Watson Chapel and Morrilton by a combined 74-27 the past two weeks. Yellowjacket senior Josh Selvy returned from a sprained MCL last week (missed two games), rushing for more than 100 yards and hauling in a 50-yard TD pass. He also plays cornerback and safety. “Selvy is the fastest and maybe best player we’ve gone against this year,” Camden Fairview coach Buck James said. “Our secondary must play well, because they move him around to create mismatches. He’s the guy that can rip your head off, score from anywhere at any time. We’ve got to have our eyes on him all the time.”

Wynne junior QB Reed Wingo (three TD passes) and sophomore QB Ross Trail (TD run) were instrumental in last week’s 39-20 win over Morrilton. Sophomore DeAndre McGill anchors Wynne’s defensive front, while Franklin Settles (14 tackles against Morrilton) improves as he adjusts to inside linebacker. Senior outside linebacker Jamie Cartillar intercepted a pass and knocked another down last week.

Batesville at PULASKI ACADEMY (21): This is the first meeting between these schools. Batesville returns to the semifinals for the fifth time in the past 10 years. The Pioneers finished as state runners-up last season, but four returning starters transferred in the off-season. The Pioneers have won eight of their past nine games since losing at Class 6A Jonesboro 31-17 in Week 3 (also lost at Springdale 35-0 in the opener). Batesville controlled the clock and ran the ball effectively (361 yards rushing) in last week’s 17-point win at previously unbeaten Greenbrier, and they’ll employ a similar tactic this week at Pulaski Academy.

Senior Phillip Archuleta ran 29 times for 196 yards last week. “We aren’t going to change anything,” Batesville coach Dave King said. “If this were a seven-on-seven game, they would beat us. We’ve got to get pressure on the quarterback and not let them have all day to choose a receiver.” Senior tackle Drew Moore, senior noseguard Luis Guzman and junior Brett Bell, a converted linebacker/end, provide Batesville a speedy defensive front. Senior flanker/defensive back Athan Dockery broke his ankle against Greenbrier and won’t play after undergoing surgery on Saturday. The Pioneers may alternate three players to fill Dockery’s roles. “That’s a big blow because he did so many things,” King said. “He was the fastest kid on the team and our top receiver.”

Pulaski Academy outscores opponents 29 points a game. The Bruins trailed Vilonia and White Hall late in the first quarter each of the past two weeks before applying the 35-point sportsmanship rule in the third quarter. “They feed off of momentum,” King said. “They’ll score, get an onside kick and score again. They’ve won a bunch of games by those turn of events. It’s just a mental blow. We know you can’t always stop them, so we have to be ready to recover an onside kick when they score.”

Bruin senior quarterback Lawson Vassar completes 338 of 468 passes (72 percent) for 4,755 yards and 54 TDs this fall. Senior receiver and UCA commit L.J. Wallace has 120 catches for 1,757 yards and 24 scores, while tight end and Arkansas commit Hunter Henry has more than 1,300 yards and 15 scores. Wallace caught 12 passes for 228 yards in the first half of last week’s 77-35 point win over White Hall.

Class 4A

  1. Stuttgart (10-1)

  2. Nashville (10-2)

  3. Highland (12-0)

  4. Prairie Grove (11-0)

  5. Warren (9-3)

  6. Ozark (10-2)

  7. Booneville (8-3)

  8. Heber Springs (7-4)

  9. Dollarway (10-2)

  10. Malvern (9-3)

  11. Pottsville (10-2)

  12. Pea Ridge (10-2)

  13. Dardanelle (9-3)

  14. CAC (7-4)

  15. Newport (8-4)

  16. Mena (6-6)

  17. Arkadelphia (9-2)

  18. Farmington (7-4)

  19. Lonoke (6-5)

  20. Valley View (7-4)

  21. Star City (8-3)

  22. Hamburg (6-5)

  23. Monticello (5-6)

  24. Gosnell (5-6)

  25. Gravette (4-7)

  26. Maumelle (4-7)

  27. Pocahontas (7-4)

  28. Crossett (4-7)

  29. Arkansas Baptist (3-7-1)

  30. Dumas (3-7)

  31. Lincoln (5-5)

  32. Ashdown (3-7)

  33. Bauxite (2-8)

  34. Southside Batesville (4-5-1)

  35. Jonesboro Westside (4-6)

  36. Subiaco Academy (4-6)

  37. Clinton (2-8)

  38. Cave City (2-7-1)

  39. Pulaski Robinson (2-8)

  40. Dover (1-9)

  41. Gentry (2-8)

  42. DeWitt (1-9)

  43. Berryville (1-8)

  44. Brookland (3-6)

  45. Lake Village (1-9)

  46. Trumann (0-10)

  47. Waldron (0-10)

  48. Marianna (0-9)

WEEK 13 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)

TOP HALF OF THE BRACKET

OZARK (6) at Booneville: These traditional rivals play for the 75th time (Booneville leads the series 46-24-4). Ozark and its 26 seniors beat Booneville 27-6 in this year’s opener. The teams also met twice in the same season in 1987 when Ozark won 27-8 in the regular season and 6-0 in the playoffs. The Hillbillies only losses this year where to Prairie Grove 30-6 in Week 4 and at Pea Ridge 14-7 in Week 7. Versatile senior QB Jonathon McKenzie ran for 98 yards and a TD and passed for 94 yards and a score in last week’s 33-12 win over Mena. Senior Toby Richard, who missed two months with a separated shoulder, caught four passes for 87 yards and a TD and ran 52 yards for a score, while junior running back Bubba Elder ran for 81 yards and two TDs. Senior linebacker Ethan Hawkins paces Ozark with 130 tackles, while outside linebacker Brandon Brokeshoulder has almost 100 stops.

Booneville’s stout rushing attack and stingy defense fuel its run to the quarterfinals. Junior linebacker Damon May paces Booneville with 79 tackles, but junior lineman Dalton Gray impresses opponents with his tenacity. Gray has 55 tackles (44 solos) and five sacks this fall. Gray drove a defender 10 yards off the ball on Jacob Jones’ 25-yard TD run in last week’s 41-20 win over Newport. Booneville junior QB Cody Harrel has rushed for almost 1,200 yards this fall. “It’s the same ole Booneville and Ozark,” Ozark coach Jeremie Burns said. “There’ll be no surprises because we know each other so well. It’ll come down to execution.”

Heber Springs at HIGHLAND (10): These are former conference rivals (in the former 2AAA from 1998-2005), with Highland winning all eight contests. Highland returns to the quarterfinals for the first time since losing at eventual state champion McGehee 19-14 in 1999. Rebel coach Spencer Hill preached practice on Thanksgiving during the off-season, reminding the players every day. The Rebels whipped Dollarway 34-24 last week. Senior cornerback Michael Copeland intercepted three passes and returned a fumble 47 yards for a score last week. Senior QB Sterling Stowers has rushed for almost 1,600 yards and 24 TDs and passed for almost 1,600 yards and 22 scores this season, while senior running back Jordan Brewer has rushed for 1,293 yards and 17 TDs. “Stowers is a runner and thrower, but they have some different weapons offensively. They can hurt you in a lot of ways,” Heber Springs coach Steve Janski said.

Heber Springs returns to the quarterfinals for the first time since going consecutively from 2008-2009. The Panthers finished fourth in the 2-4A this fall, losing to top seeds Stuttgart, Dollarway and Newport by an average of 43-17. But the improved Panthers won at Star City 33-7 and Pea Ridge 42-21 in the playoffs. They trailed Pea Ridge 21-6 at halftime last week before shifting receiver Clint Ligon to running back. Ligon ran eight times for 117 yards and caught four passes for 88 yards in the second half. Ligon (more than 1,000 total yards this fall) lines up at QB, running back and receiver. Ligon and fellow seniors Derrik Fisher and Ethan Bly stepped up as leaders over the past two months. Bly, an inside linebacker, broke his leg early in the season and didn’t return to full strength until Week 8. Junior QB Michael Kramer has passed for almost 1,600 yards and 14 TDs this fall.

BOTTOM HALF OF THE BRACKET

Warren at STUTTGART (8): A battle of conference champs. Warren has never lost to Stuttgart with Bo Hembree as coach, beating the Ricebirds 28-13 and 35-31 in the regular season in 2004 and 2005, then winning 35-0 in the 2006 semifinals and 46-37 in the second round of the playoffs in 2007. But Stuttgart physically dominated Warren in a preseason scrimmage. The Ricebirds won the 2-4A title this fall with a defense surrendering less than 12 points weekly. Stuttgart jumped on Dardanelle 40-0 in the second quarter last week, coasting to a 54-0 decision. Stuttgart senior QB Dontrell Brown has passed for 1,200 yards and 12 TDs this fall.

Warren advances to the quarterfinals for the first time since losing to Nashville by 10 points in third round in 2007. Warren junior QB Drake Jones has passed for 1,508 yards and 15 TDs this fall, while sophomore Justin Gorman has passed for 1,084 yards and 12 scores. Sophomore Kilay Cox caught the game-winning 52-yard TD pass against Malvern last week, and Cox has rushed for 1,536 yards and 20 TDs this fall.

NASHVILLE (11) at Prairie Grove: These teams play for the fourth time (all in the past decade), with Nashville winning the past two 49-12 in the second round in 2009 and 49-14 in the 2006 quarterfinals. Prairie Grove stunned the Scrappers 23-12 in the second round in 2003, the final game at Nashville for former coach Billy Laird.

Prairie Grove advances to the quarterfinals for the first time since losing at Nashville in 2006. The undefeated Tigers won the 1-4A title this season, their first league title since 2005. Prairie Grove gave up just 29 points in its opening 10 games, but Pottsville scored 28 points a week ago. The Apaches led Prairie Grove 28-12 in the third quarter, before Prairie Grove rallied and made a key fourth-down stop in the final three minutes. Senior running back Weston Bartholomew ran 18 times for 127 yards and three touchdowns last week, including the game-winner with a minute left. The Tigers shutout seven opponents this year and held Lincoln to a safety. Only two Prairie Grove defensive starters weigh more than 200 pounds. “They are explosive offensively, very athletic and experienced,” Nashville coach Billy Dawson said. “I like to watch them play, because they take care of business every week. They are very physical.”

Nashville outscores its opponents 28 points weekly. The Scrappers won eight straight games since losing to Arkadelphia 56-42 in Week 4. Coach Billy Dawson links the improvement to Nashville’s offensive line. “We talk about our skill kids all the time,” Dawson said. “But our line has grown up.” Seniors Jalen Whitmore (5-11, 290), a three-year starter, and Juan Quintero (5-10, 215) hold the tackle slots, while senior Cayden Conrad (5-10, 225) plays center. Senior Colton Whisenhunt (6-0, 255) and junior Cameron Alexander (6-3, 300) man the guard positions. Alexander has 26 pancake blocks, and Whisenhunt 10. Senior quarterback Joel Hendry thrives behind the massive offensive line, completing 193 of 297 passes (65 percent) for 3,325 yards and 44 touchdowns, with just eight interceptions. Senior JaKaree Gaines has rushed 120 times for 1,192 yards and 14 TDs and caught 22 passes for 301 yards and two scores this fall. Seniors Lavonte Thomas (45 catches, 932 yards and 16 TDs), Donyell King (43 catches, 757 yards and 10 TDs) and TeSean Green (40 receptions, 581 yards and eight TDs) provide threats on the perimeter.

Senior linebacker Jacolby Crow paces Nashville with 92 tackles and five sacks, while linebacker Kyle Lawrence has 59 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Junior end Treveon Muldrow (52 tackles, two sacks) and junior tackle Tyler Parker (56 tackles, 7.5 sacks) control the defensive front.

Nashville is 19-2 in playoffs under Billy Dawson, with the only losses in quarterfinals to eventual state finalist Dollarway 16-12 in 2008 and at eventual state champion Shiloh Christian 51-49 in 2009.

Class 3A

  1. Glen Rose (11-1)

  2. Harding Academy (11-0)

  3. McGehee (10-1)

  4. Fountain Lake (10-2)

  5. Prescott (10-2)

  6. Charleston (9-2)

  7. Paris (10-2)

  8. Barton (10-2)

  9. C. Harmony Grove (7-4-1)

  10. Fordyce (8-4)

  11. Smackover (7-4)

  12. Rivercrest (9-3)

  13. Lamar (8-4)

  14. Riverview (6-4)

  15. Mayflower (6-6)

  16. Greenland (8-3)

  17. Osceola (8-4)

  18. Earle (7-5)

  19. Hoxie (6-4)

  20. Episcopal (4-7)

  21. Rose Bud (4-5)

  22. Cedarville (5-6)

  23. Mansfield (4-6)

  24. Horatio (7-4)

  25. Jessieville (7-4)

  26. Yellville-Summit (6-4)

  27. Lavaca (2-8)

  28. Danville (2-8)

  29. Bald Knob (3-7)

  30. Atkins (5-5)

  31. Green Forest (4-6)

  32. West Fork (3-7)

  33. Centerpoint (3-8)

  34. Piggott (3-7)

  35. B. Harmony Grove (4-6)

  36. Elkins (2-8)

  37. Harrisburg (2-6-1)

  38. Corning (3-7)

  39. Fouke (3-7)

  40. Two Rivers (3-7)

  41. Mountain View (1-8)

  42. Melbourne (3-6)

  43. Genoa Central (3-7)

  44. Manila (1-9)

  45. Perryville (1-9)

  46. Bismarck (0-10)

  47. Drew Central (0-9)

WEEK 13 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)

TOP HALF OF THE BRACKET

GLEN ROSE (14) at Charleston: Glen Rose beat Camden Harmony Grove 35-0 last week, outgaining the Hornets 436-131. The Beavers forced four turnovers, including two interceptions by senior DB Tyler Lewis. Charleston generated 523 total yards in a 44-37 win over Fordyce. Harmony Grove beat Fordyce 48-43 a month ago. Glen Rose senior QB and Farm Bureau Awards watch list player Collin Hunter has passed for 2,100 yards and 22 TDs this season. Sophomore RB Carlos Burton paces the Beavers with 144 carries for 1,668 yards (11.6 ypc) and 22 scores. Senior RB Dillon Coney has rushed for 542 yards and 10 TDs. Junior Kyle Petersen leads Glen Rose with 29 catches for 512 yards and three scores. Senior receiver Hunter Bredensteiner averages 23 yards per catch. Charleston sophomore QB Ty Storey has completed 296 of 446 passes (66 percent) for 4,022 yards and 45 TDs. Five Tigers have more than 30 catches, including junior Chance Shelby’s team-high 74 for 1,174 yards and 17 TDs. Senior RB/LB Josh Moore (1,056 all-purpose yards and 10 TDs) averages 9.7 yards per touch and leads Charleston with 115 tackles.

Charleston has won two state titles (2008 and 2011) since Glen Rose won it all in 2007.

PRESCOTT (28) at Greenland: Prescott has defeated 2-3A members Episcopal and Mayflower by an average of 41 points to advance to the quarterfinals for the third time in four years. The Curley Wolves own a 52-18 playoff record. Senior playmaker L.J. Martin caught two TD passes and returned two interceptions for scores in last week’s 69-24 win over Mayflower. Martin has 26 catches for 640 yards and 13 TDs this year. Senior QB Trevor Rucker has completed 138 of 233 passes (59 percent) for 2,303 yards and 28 TDs. Greenland has won 26 games over the past three seasons, including a 41-23 triumph over Prescott in the first round of the 2010 playoffs. The Pirates claimed their first conference title this fall since 2005, losing once in league play to Green Forest (29-26). Greenland beat Centerpoint (27-20) and Osceola (28-14) to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in school history. The Pirates forced seven turnovers last week against Osceola. Junior tailback Calvin Giddens has rushed 50 times for 332 yards and two TDs the past two weeks.

BOTTOM HALF OF THE BRACKET

HARDING ACADEMY (7) at McGehee: Harding Academy has won 50 playoff games in school history, one more than McGehee (49-14 playoff record). Both teams have a combined 11 state titles (Harding Academy four, McGehee seven).

Harding Academy has lost six straight road playoff games since winning the 2002 Class 2A state title (29-26 over Danville). Senior quarterback and Farm Bureau Awards watch list player Will Francis has completed 211 of 283 passes (75 percent) for 3,046 yards and 32 touchdowns this fall with four interceptions. Francis has passed for 7,305 yards and 75 TDs in his career. Junior Kohl Blickenstaff paces the Wildcats this year with 46 catches for 790 yards and 11 TDs. Junior running back Trevor Smith leads Harding Academy with 99 carries for 522 yards and eight TDs. Junior Trey Davis (830 total yards, 21 TDs) averages 9.3 yards per play. Senior Hunter Gentry has caught a team-high 13 passes for 213 yards and a TD the past two weeks. “They’re extremely talented,” McGehee coach Marcus Haddock says. “We’ll have to cover the entire field.”

McGehee eliminated Earle 55-48 last week to reach the quarterfinals for the second straight season. The Owls missed the playoffs seven times in the 2000s after winning back-to-back state titles in 1998-99. Senior QB Maurice Hudson has generated 928 yards and 16 TDs this year. Junior tailback David Shepard leads McGehee with 138 carries for 1,113 yards (8.1 yards per carry) and 12 TDs. Senior fullback and Farm Bureau Awards watch list player Steven King has 117 carries for 857 yards (7.3 ypc) and 15 scores. Senior TB Roger Blackmon (619 total yards, six TDs) averages 12.1 yards per play. Junior end Davondrick Lison leads McGehee with 62.5 tackles (25.5 for loss). King has 51 tackles and a team-high eight sacks at defensive tackle.

Paris at FOUNTAIN LAKE (16): Paris eliminated Barton 37-23 last week to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 1994. The Eagles feature 17 seniors who have won a school-record 27 games over the past three years. Senior RB Justin Estala leads Paris this fall with 84 carries for 1,005 yards (12 ypc) and eight TDs. Senior FB Casey Dishongh has 118 carries for 800 yards (6.8 ypc) and 10 scores. Seniors Payton McClure and Kyeran Hurley have rushed for close to 1,000 yards combined. Senior LB Ryan Spencer paces the Eagles with 128 tackles (34 for loss). Senior guard/defensive end Brandon Bradley is playing well on both sides of the ball. Paris has won seven playoff games in school history. Fountain Lake (17-9 playoff record) has won 16 playoff games since coach Tommy Gilleran (82-39-1 at Fountain Lake) took over in 2003. The Cobras have advanced to the semifinals four straight years. Fountain Lake beat Green Forest and Rivercrest by a combined 106-25 the past two weeks. Senior WB/DB Andrew Barber paces the Cobras on both sides with 91 carries for 1,109 yards (12.2 ypc) and 16 TDs and 115 tackles. Senior FB Mackenzie Ross has 404 carries for 2,864 yards (7.1 ypc) and 39 TDs in his career, including 919 yards and 14 scores this year. Fountain Lake’s defensive linemen have recorded 12 sacks, including five by senior end Ronnie Waggoner. The Cobras carries a plus-19 turnover ratio.

Class 2A

  1. Junction City (11-1)

  2. Bearden (10-2)

  3. Salem (11-0)

  4. Gurdon (9-2)

  5. Carlisle (10-1)

  6. Magnet Cove (11-1)

  7. Walnut Ridge (9-2)

  8. Murfreesboro (8-3)

  9. Mineral Springs (8-3)

  10. E. Poinsett County (10-2)

  11. Strong (6-5)

  12. Rison (7-4)

  13. Bigelow (9-1)

  14. Conway Christian (8-3)

  15. Norphlet (6-5)

  16. Dierks (8-4)

  17. Hazen (9-2)

  18. Hackett (9-2)

  19. England (7-4)

  20. McCrory (6-4)

  21. Des Arc (6-5)

  22. Mountainburg (8-3)

  23. Parkers Chapel (4-5)

  24. Foreman (5-6)

  25. Mount Ida (6-5)

  26. Marked Tree (3-7)

  27. Pal.Wheatley (4-6)

  28. Augusta (3-7)

  29. Cross County (3-6-1)

  30. Cutter M Star (4-6)

  31. Poyen (3-9)

  32. Hector (6-5)

  33. J.C. Westside (4-6)

  34. Decatur (6-5)

  35. Hampton (2-6)

  36. Magazine (3-6)

  37. Quitman (4-6)

  38. Brinkley (3-9)

  39. Clarendon (1-9)

  40. Spring Hill (1-10)

  41. Woodlawn (0-9)

  42. Union Christian (2-8)

  43. Mountain Pine (0-10)

  44. Cedar Ridge (0-10)

  45. Hermitage (2-8)

  46. Western Yell County (1-9)

  47. Marvell (0-10)

  48. Hartford (0-10)

  49. Lafayette County (0-10)

WEEK 13 PREDICTIONS (favored team in ALL CAPS followed by point spread)

TOP HALF OF BRACKET

Magnet Cove at BEARDEN (5): Bearden beat Magnet Cove 30-12 in the 1997 quarterfinals. Takia Parham (6-3, 295) was Bearden's stopper on the defensive front in 1997. His son is current sophomore receiver Clint Parham (two TD receptions last week), and senior NG Darwin Parham (5-10, 190) is related. Darwin Parham leads the down linemen with more than 80 stops, including 11 last week in an 18-14 win over Gurdon. Bearden senior linebacker B.J. Ross has almost 100 tackles, including 15 against Gurdon. Bearden sophomore QB Jamond Young, who has alternated with junior Javeaz Sledge (foot), led Bearden on two second-half scoring drives last week. On the game-winning drive, Young executed like a veteran by running for first downs twice and completing three passes, including a 6-yard TD with a minute to go. Magnet Cove has won 11 straight since a 32-13 opening loss at Parkers Chapel. Magnet Cove crushed Conway Christian 54-29 last week in a rematch of a regular season game that Magnet Cove won 42-39. Magnet Cove senior WR/CB Austin Stringfellow has intercepted four passes last week, which led to three Panther TDs. Stringfellow has intercepted 13 passes this fall for a fundamentally sound defense that has held nine opponents to 14 points or less.

Mineral Springs at CARLISLE (2): Mineral Springs crushed Poyen 48-8 last week but senior RB Rashad Williams was ejected and is not expected to play this week. Carlisle knocked East Poinsett County out of the playoffs for the third year in a row last week, winning at Lepanto 37-26. This games features a potential head-to-head matchup of Sonic Super Team linemen: Mineral Springs senior DT Derrick Muldrow (6-2, 315) vs. Carlisle senior OT Clayton Fields (6-2, 285). Muldrow, who lived in the Poyen backfield last week, has recorded 126 tackles, 33 TFL and seven sacks. Fields routinely grades well at tackle, one of the better offensive linemen during Coach Scott Waymire's seven seasons at Carlisle. Field and a strong O line paved the way for multiple big plays last week at EPC, including a long pass play on third-and-long from senior QB Chris Hart to junior Austin Reed that set up a short TD. Junior RB Deron Ricks (6-0, 225) has rushed for more 1,200 yards this season. Carlisle finished as state runner-up to Strong a year ago. Common opponent: Carlisle defeated England 30-14 three weeks ago; Mineral Springs defeated England 54-6 two weeks ago.

BOTTOM HALF OF BRACKET

JUNCTION CITY (6) at Salem: Top-ranked Junction City has not lost since Week 1 when it fell at Class 3A Earle 14-7 in a downpour. The Dragons allow just 126 yards and 4.3 points per game, posting seven shutouts in its last eight contests. Senior LBs Hayden Smith (97 stops) and Will Houston (76) pace the Dragons in tackles. Sophomore tackle Tyler Mason (6-3, 285) has collected 66 tackles, including six tackles for loss. Sophomore end Jamario Bell (66 tackles, four sacks) and Robert Armstrong have played well. Junction City's 22 interceptions are the second most in school history. Senior QB Shaq Hunter has passed for 1,198 yards and 21 TDs with just four interceptions, while sophomore Jaqwis Dancy has rushed for a team-high 1.367 yards and 14 TDs. Salem counters with an offense that averages 443 yards and 38.5 yards per game, triggered by junior QB Dillon Turner (1,192 passing yards and 15 TDs). Junior J.J. Gray (1,098 rushing yards) averages 6.6 yards per carry. An aggressive defensive front features junior NG Augustus Freeman (33 tackles) an senior DT Hunter Medling (55 tackles). Salem allowed 200 yards last week to Bigelow, including less than 50 in the second half. Three-time all-league LB David Tarpley (61 tackles) will not play after being ejected from last week's 46-13 win over Bigelow.

WALNUT RIDGE (2) at Murfreesboro: No. 7 Walnut Ridge, with 13 seniors, continued its mastery of the 8-2A last week by whipping Strong 32-16. Walnut Ridge knocked off Rison 62-40 in the first round. Athletic and gritty senior QB Zach Crisler has completed 58 percent of his passes this year for more than 1,500 yards. Senior WR Hunter Flippo leads the Bobcats with more than 500 receiving yards. Senior LB Rowdy Ditto paces Walnut Ridge with more than 80 tackles. Senior All-3-2A playmaker Eric Wilcoxson executes flawlessly. Murfreesboro counters with a bend-but-don't-break defense paced by senior linebacker Kyle Tuberville and freshman LB Daniel Robinson. The Rattlers have not lost a turnover the past two weeks after intercepting seven passes Week 10 at Dierks. Senior QB Peter Saygnaphay (SAY-uh-pie) has completed 55 percent of his passes for 1,707 yards and 23 TDs with four interceptions. He has rushed 222 times for 1,801 yards (8 ypc) and 19 TDs.

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