Please be aware Class 6A in Missouri is similar to Class 7A in Arkansas.
That means Springdale Har-Ber and Jefferson City will be on equal terms when the teams meet tonight at Wildcat Stadium. Har-Ber (1-0) is ranked No. 2 in Arkansas' largest classification while Jefferson City (3-0) is ranked No. 3 in Missouri's largest classification.
Jefferson City is home of the Blue Jays, who are 12th all-time on the high school list with 71 consecutive victories from 1958-1966. That's 10 more than Har-Ber has won since starting varsity football in 2006. But don't expect the Wildcats to be intimidated.
Har-Ber routinely challenges the region's elite and the Wildcats blasted Kansas City (Mo.) Rockhurst 49-21 last season while finishing as the state runner-up in Class 7A with an 11-2 record.
Har-Ber is off to a good start again after pounding Fort Smith Southside 47-0 it its season-opener. That's impressive even when considering Jefferson City has outscored opponents 169-19 in three games.
Bragging rights are always at stake when top teams from neighboring states meet in non-conference play. Jefferson City is 7-3 against teams from Northwest Arkansas, including 2-2 against defending 7A champion Fayetteville.
The Blue Jays receive their first road test tonight after whipping teams who are a combined 0-9 in Missouri. I'll take Har-Ber at home in the marquee match of the night in Northwest Arkansas.
RICK'S PICK Springdale Har-Ber
Other games involving teams from Northwest Arkansas (selections are capitalized).
CLASS 7A/6A
Springdale at ALMA
FAYETTEVILLE at Bryant
Rogers at CLAREMORE, OKLA.
GREENWOOD at Fort Smith Southside
Bentonville West at LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL
Rogers Heritage at RUSSELLVILLE
HARRISON at Siloam Springs
CLASS 5A
FARMINGTON at Huntsville
CLASS 4A
SHILOH CHRISTIAN at Little Rock Christian
Berryville at CLINTON
WALDRON at Cedarville
GENTRY at Decatur
LINCOLN at Keys, Okla.
Green Forest at PEA RIDGE
PRAIRIE GROVE at Vian, Okla.
Elkins at WEST FORK
CLASS 3A
Mountainburg at HACKETT
LAST WEEK 10-5 (66 percent)
Sports on 09/09/2016