Today's Matchups
Class 7A
Tonight’s Schedule
Class 7A
Bryant vs. Benton (War Memorial Stadium)
Pine Bluff at Cabot
Springdale High at Conway
LR Catholic at Sylvan Hills
Rogers Heritage at LR Central
Greenwood at FS Northside
FS Southside at Springdale Har-Ber
Maumelle at North Little Rock
Kansas City (Mo.) Rockhurst at Bentonville High
Bentonville West at Pryor, Okla.
Blue Springs, Mo. at Fayetteville
Siloam Springs at Rogers High
Class 6A
LR Mills at Jacksonville
LR Fair at LR Hall
Marion at Wynne
Mountain Home at Harrison
Valley View at Searcy
Forrest City at West Memphis
Camden Fairview at El Dorado
Lake Hamilton at Hot Springs
Sheridan at LR McClellan
Morrilton at Russellville
Class 5A
Greenbrier at Beebe
Pulaski Academy vs. Sand Springs (Okla.) Page
Osceola at Blytheville
Greene County Tech at Vilonia
Nettleton at Pocahontas
Rivercrest at Paragould
Mena at De Queen
Nashville at Hope
Magnolia at Crossett
Dollarway at Watson Chapel
White Hall at Dumas
Lamar at Clarksville
Farmington at Prairie Grove
Class 4A
Booneville at Pea Ridge
Gentry at Lavaca
Ozark at Gravette
Green Forest at Huntsville
Westville, Okla. at Lincoln
Shiloh Christian at Elkins
Decatur at Berryville
Heber Springs at Clinton
Carlisle at Lonoke
Earle at Helena-West Helena Central
Riverview at DeWitt
Cedar Ridge at Brookland
Batesville Southside at Cave City
Newport at Gosnell
Harrisburg at Cross County
Harding Academy at Highland
Jonesboro Westside at Manila
Trumann at Hoxie
Dover at Atkins
Fountain Lake at Pottsville
Subiaco Academy at Brinkley
Waldron at Mansfield
Greenland at West Fork
Stuttgart at Arkadelphia
Malvern at Glen Rose
Bastrop (La.) Beekman at Crossett
Ashdown at Monticello
Prescott at Star City
Class 3A
Melbourne at Corning
Marshall at Hector
Mountain View at Salem
Yellville-Summit at Paris
Bald Knob at Des Arc
Barton at Marvell
LR Episcopal Collegiate at Conway Christian
Quitman at Rose Bud
Piggott at Hazen
KIPP Blytheville at Walnut Ridge
Cedarville at Mountainburg
Perryville at Bigelow
Spring Hill at Bismarck
Centerpoint at Murfreesboro
Gurdon at Lafayette County
Smackover at Haskell Harmony Grove
Dierks at Horatio
Mountain Pine at Jessieville
Hampton at Drew Central
Fordyce at Rison
Mineral Springs at Fouke
Foreman at Genoa Central
Mountain Pine at Jessieville
Junction City at Bearden
Lake Village at Hermitage
Smackover at Camden Harmony Grove
Class 2A
Western Yell County at Midland
Woodlawn at Johnson County Westside
Palestine-Wheatley at Rector
Mount Ida at Magazine
Monroe (La.) St. Frederick at Poyen
Augusta at East Poinsett County
Marked Tree at Clarendon
Hackett at Pocola, Okla.
Magnet Cove at Parkers Chapel
Bentonville West at Pryor, Okla.
Tiger Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Season opener for both teams.
ON THE AIR KAMO-FM 94.3.
BETWEEN THE LINES It's the inaugural game for the Wolverines, which opened its campus this fall. ... West came away with a 31-12 decision over Poteau, Okla., in a Thursday scrimmage at Wolverine Stadium -- the only varsity game played on West's campus this year. ... Sophomore QB Will Jarrett completed 18 of 22 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns and added TD runs of 41 and 6 runs. ... Junior LB Sebastian Caniglia recovered a fumble, had a QB sack and had a key fourth-down stop. ... The Tigers, under second-year head coach Jeramy Branchcomb, finished 4-7 last year and suffered a first-round playoff loss to Skiatook. ... Pryor returns nine defensive starters from last year's team and are led by linebacker Christian Campbell.
PLAYERS TO WATCH West RB/LB Sebastian Canigila (Jr., 6-0, 185); Jackson Prince QB Will Jarrett (So., 5-10, 150); WR/DB Stefan Banda (Jr., 5-9, 160); WR/DB Jason Gloeckler (Jr., 5-11, 150); OL Anthony Boettner (Jr., 6-2, 240); OL Michael Toney (Jr., 6-2, 305); WR Jadon Jackson (So., 6-0, 165). Pryor, FB/LB Christian Campbell (Sr., 6-1, 220); OL Michael Lansaw (Sr., 6-2, 240); OL Nevin Henson (Jr., 6-0, 265).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS West is No. 16 in Class 7A.
HOOTEN'S LINE West by 7.
OUR TAKE Bentonville West 34, Pryor, Okla. 21.
-- HENRY APPLE • @NWAHENRY
Little Rock Central at Rogers Heritage
Gates Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Season opener for both teams.
ON THE AIR KHEL-FM-97.3
BETWEEN THE LINES The Tony Travis era begins becoming just the second football oach since Heritage came into existence. ... The War Eagles went 0-10 a year ago, after forfeiting a season-opening win at Olathe (Kan.) North because they used an ineligible player. ... Heritage won a two-quarter varsity scrimmage against former 7A-West Conference foe Fort Smith Northside two weeks ago as the War Eagles scored with 15 seconds left. ... The Tigers will likely play three different quarterbacks and coach Ellis "Scooter" Register said he's not sure which one will start Friday ... Junior Donald Richardson, who also plays some receiver, directed two scoring drives in a scrimmage last week against Benton. ... Junior QB Josh Howard started at Episcopal Collegiate last season and transferred to Central, after throwing for 2,683 yards and 32 TDs.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Heritage, QB Trey Kitterman (Jr., 6-1, 226), TE/DE Mason Gray (Sr., 6-2, 243), DB Tae Dixon (Sr., 5-10, 160), OL Jerry Pollock (Sr., 6-1, 274), RB Dylan Qualls (Jr., 6-0, 191), WR Roberto Palacios (Sr., 6-0, 187). Little Rock Central, QB Josh Cole (Sr., 6-3, 200), QB Josh Howard (Jr., 6-2, 180), QB Donald Richardson (Jr., 6-0, 175), RB Oscar Adaway III (Soph., 5-10, 200), Andre Bradley (Jr., 5-3, 175), LB Terryl Humphrey (Sr., 5-8, 175), LB Jaylean Harrell (Sr., 5-9, 175).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Central is No. 12 in Class 7A; Heritage is No. 15.
HOOTEN'S LINE Central by 1.
OUR TAKE Rogers Heritage 21, Little Rock Central 17
-- PAUL BOYD • @NWAPAULSiloam Springs at Rogers High
Whitey Smith Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Season opener for both teams.
ON THE AIR KURM AM-790.
BETWEEN THE LINES The Mike Loyd era begins. ... Loyd, who guided Grove, Okla., to a 5-4 season last year, was hired in the spring succeeding Shawn Flannigan, who resigned after six seasons. ... Senior Max Horton will play quarterback as the Mounties switch from the flexbone to the spread. ... The Panthers defeated Rogers 18-6 to open the 2015 season at Panther Stadium in Siloam Springs. ... Siloam Springs held the Mounties to 78 total yards in last year's game, including 39 on the final drive where the Mounties score to end the Panthers' shutout bid. ... Senior Luke Lampton takes over at quarterback for the Panthers, following in the footsteps of his older brother Chris Lampton, who started at QB for Siloam Springs in 2013 and 2014.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Siloam Springs QB Luke Lampton (Sr., 5-10, 190), WR/CB J.D. Horn (Sr., 5-10, 161), OL Tallon Nation (Sr., 6-3, 263), DL James Boyd (Sr. 6-4, 211), LB Kalen Seftner (Sr. 6-0, 204). Rogers, RB/DB Jeb Brain (Sr., 5-11, 173), QB Max Horton (Sr., 6-2, 208), RB/WR Grayson Lee (Sr., 5-11, 192), DL Phillip Necessary (Sr., 6-0, 215), LB Aron Jones (Jr., 6-1, 222), WR Jake Benninghoff (Sr., 6-3, 190).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Rogers is No. 14 in Class 7A; Siloam Springs is No. 12 in 6A.
HOOTEN'S LINE Siloam Springs by 4.
OUR TAKE Rogers High 28, Siloam Springs 24
-- PAUL BOYD • @NWAPAUL
Fort Smith Southside at Springdale Har-Ber
Wildcat Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Season opener for both teams
ON THE AIR 92.1 FM
BETWEEN THE LINES Springdale Har-Ber and Fort Smith Southside met in the 2015 7A state semifinals with the Wildcats running away with a 37-7 win. Har-Ber won the season series 2-0 in 2015, winning by a combined 68 points. ... Har-Ber defeated North Little Rock, 6-3, in a hard-fought benefit game last Thursday. ... Wildcats QBs Aaron Henington and Payton Copher completed just two passes combined, but Har-Ber found some success on ground behind Copher and RB Logan Collins. Collins rushed for a team-best 49 yards on 13 carries and Copher picked up 32 yards on the ground and two big first downs ... Har-Ber forced a pair of turnover on downs, one at the goalline, as well as two interceptions defensively. ... Coach Chris Wood begins his 11th season with the Wildcats and holds an 81-39 record through 10 seasons. ... Alejandro Ramirez (6-2, 310) stars on the defensive line for the Wildcats.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Har-Ber QB Aaron Henington (Sr., 6-0, 175); QB Payton Copher (Jr., 6-0, 180); WR/DB Trey Smith (Sr., 5-8, 160); RB Logan Collins (Jr., 5-10, 185); OL Damon Nelson (Sr., 6-3, 330); LB Oliver Nasilai (Jr., 6-2, 236); DB Blaze Brothers (Jr., 5-9, 160). Southside QB Graves Schmidly (Sr., 6-1, 180); RB Paker Dixon (Sr., 5-8, 160); DL Hunter Moreton (Sr., 6-1, 275), DB Prine Rhoden (Sr., 5-11, 180).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Har-Ber is No. 2 in Class 7A; Southside is No. 4 in Class 7A.
HOOTEN'S LINE Har-Ber by 1.
OUR TAKE Springdale Har-Ber 21, Fort Smith Southside 14
-- SCOTTIE BORDELON • @NWASCOTTIE
Springdale High at Conway
John McConnell Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Season opener for both teams
ON THE AIR KAMO 94.3 FM
BETWEEN THE LINES Springdale High hopes to avenge last season's first round playoff lost to the Wampus Cats with a big road win. Conway won last season's lone matchup, 42-7... Springdale knocked off class 4A Shiloh Christian in a pre-season benefit game last week, 20-7, in the varsity portion. ... The Bulldogs will be working in junior quarterback Layne Hutchins following the departure of Jack Lindsey, now on the University of Arkansas 105-man roster. ... Kyler Williams returns for his senior season after leading the 7A-West in catches as a junior. Williams caught four passes for 99 yards and a touchdown against Shiloh Christian. ... For Conway, its leading rusher (McCall Dail), receiver (Marquise Pleasant) and leading tackler (Donald Joshua) all return from a 6-6 2015 season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Springdale QB Layne Hutchins (Jr., 6-0, 180); WR Kyler Williams (Sr., 5-9, 165); RB Erick Mendez (Sr., 5-7, 180); WR/DB Jayden Minchew (Sr., 6-1, 175); LB Mason Hutchins (Jr., 6-0, 217); WR Trevor Browning (Jr., 5-10, 180); Conway RB McCall Dail (Sr., 5-9, 180); WR Marquise Pleasant (Sr., 5-11, 170); DE Donald Joshua (Sr., 5-11, 220); LB Logan Camp (Sr., 5-10, 184), FS Will Kennedy (Sr., 5-9, 165).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Conway is No. 9 in Class 7A; Springdale is No. 11 in Class 7A.
HOOTEN'S LINE Conway by 11.
OUR TAKE Conway 28, Springdale High 14.
-- SCOTTIE BORDELON • @NWASCOTTIE
Blue Springs, Mo. at Fayetteville
Harmon Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Blue Springs Wildcats 2-0; Fayetteville Bulldogs 0-0.
ON THE AIR-KQSM 92.1 FM
BETWEEN THE LINES Blue Springs, Mo. won its season opener, 57-43, against Lee's Summit, Mo. in a game played over two days as the contest was delayed due to lightning. ... The Wildcats defeated Lee's Summit West, Mo., 21-20, last week, but lost talented junior tailback Jaylen Ivey to a two-week suspension when Ivey kicked a Lee's Summit West player near the end of the game. ... Ivy rushed for 386 yards and seven touchdowns in the season opener. ... Lineman Daniel Parker Jr. is a Missouri commit for Blue Springs and quarterback Chase Donohoe is the son of Blue Springs coach Kelly Donohoe. ... The Wildcats finished just 6-6 in 2015, but have won five Missouri state championships -- most recently in 2013. ... Fayetteville begins the Bill Blankenship era with high expectations as the defending class 7A champions and the preseason No. 1 team in Class 7A. ... The Bulldogs have the only returning starting quarterback in the 7A-West conference in all-state selection and Wake Forest commit Taylor Powell, and Powell has plenty of options in passing game with Barrett Banister, Brennan Lewis and Cody Gray expected to be among his top targets. On defense, Fayetteville has a tough front line led by Alabama commit Akial Byers and notable speed in the back seven, with an experienced secondary featuring twins Blake and Trey Coulter.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Blue Springs, QB Chase Donohoe (Jr., 5-11, 170), OT/DE Daniel Parker, Jr. (Jr., 6-3, 270), LB Casey Still (Sr., 5-11, 180); Fayetteville, QB Taylor Powell (Sr., 6-2, 200), WR Barrett Banister (Sr., 6-0, 180), LB Nick Scalise (Sr., 6-1, 185), CB Blake Coulter (Sr. 6-0, 180), CB Trey Coulter (Sr., 6-1, 170).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Fayetteville is No. 1 in Class 7A.
HOOTEN'S LINE Fayetteville by 7.
OUR TAKE Fayetteville 38, Blue Springs 21
-- VERNON TARVER • @NWAVERNON
Class 5A
Farmington at Prairie Grove
Tiger Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Season opener for both teams
ON THE AIR-www.pgtigersonline.com
BETWEEN THE LINES Farmington has won six of the past 10 meetings in the series, including a 28-12 victory last season. ... The Cardinals return just four starters on offense and must replace all-conference quarterback Brice Waggle and all-state running back Justice Hobbs. ... Farmington will lean on a more experienced defense, led by senior end Justin Clark up from and senior safety Kelton Price in the secondary. ... Prairie Grove reached the Class 4A state finals last year, but replaces 11 total starters from a 13-2 team. ... Zeke Laird attempted just 12 passes in a backup role at quarterback for the Tigers last year and takes over as the starter this season. ... Prairie Grove has a strong group in the Wing-T backfield, with Reed Orr, Anthony Johnson and Kyle Orr each rushing for more than 300 yards in 2015.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Farmington, RB Caleb Williams (Jr., 5-9, 175), WR Trenton McChristian (Sr., 5-6, 140), OT Tanner Barnes (Sr., 6-1, 220), DE Justin Clark (Sr., 6-1, 220), S Kelton Price (Sr., 5-9, 170); Prairie Grove, QB Zeke Laird (Sr., 5-11, 180), HB/S Anthony Johnson (Jr., 5-9, 180), OT/DE Jack Stone (Sr., 6-5, 230), WR/DB Issac Disney (Sr., 6-0, 150).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Farmington is No. 25 in Class 5A. Prairie Grove is No. 13 in Class 4A.
HOOTEN'S LINE Farmington by 1.
OUR TAKE Prairie Grove 20, Farmington 13
-- VERNON TARVER • @NWAVERNON
Class 4A
Booneville at Pea Ridge
Blackhawk Stadium
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Season opener for both teams.
ON THE AIR None
BETWEEN THE LINES When this game was scheduled, it was supposed to be a homecoming of sorts for then Pea Ridge Tony Travis, a former Bearcat standout. Now Travis is the head coach at Rogers Heritage, but this game is a great matchup. ... Booneville is coming off a 4-7 season, but won the 4A state title in 2013. ... Pea Ridge advanced to the 4A state semifinals last season and returns 10 offensive starters, led by RB Zaine Holley (5-8, 180), who rushed for 1,652 yards and 26 TDs last fall. ... Caleb Draper rushed for 1,204 yards and scored 14 TDs for Booneville last season. ... Pea Ridge first-year coach Stephen Neal said the Blackhawks won't deviate from the power run offense that the team has employed successfully the last several seasons.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Booneville QB Hayden Fellell (Sr., 5-6, 140), RB Caleb Draper (Sr., 5-9, 195), C Sammy Haynes (So., 5-9, 230). Pea Ridge, QB Jakota Sainsbury (Jr., 5-11, 170), RB Drew Winn (Jr., 5-10, 170), TE Britton Caudill (Sr., 6-3, 215).
HOOTEN'S RANKINGS Booneville is No. 19 in Class 4A. Pea Ridge is No. 9.
HOOTEN'S LINE Pea Ridge by 10.
OUR TAKE Pea Ridge 28, Booneville 14
-- CHIP SOUZA • @NWACHIP
Sports on 09/02/2016