Class 7A
North Little Rock (10-0)
Bryant (9-1)
Bentonville High (8-2)
Bentonville West (9-1)
Fayetteville (6-4)
Springdale Har-Ber (7-3)
Conway (7-3)
Springdale High (6-4)
Cabot (5-5)
Little Rock Catholic (4-6)
Rogers High (5-5)
Fort Smith Northside (3-7)
Fort Smith Southside (3-7)
Little Rock Central (2-8)
Rogers Heritage (1-9)
Van Buren (0-10)
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 8 Springdale High at NO. 9 CABOT (1): These schools have played memorable playoff games in the past, including the 2000 semifinals when Cabot completed a pass in overtime to beat the Bulldogs and end legendary Coach Jarrell Williams’ career. Cabot won its last state championship the following week, beating Coach Barry Lunney’s Fort Smith Southside Rebels 28-21. Neither team is a state title contender this year, but both feature outstanding defensive linemen. Springdale’s Isaiah Nichols (6-4, 275) and Cabot’s Dayonte Roberts (6-2, 280) can dominate. Nichols, who plays hard every snap with long arms and athleticism, committed June 21 to Arkansas. Roberts has missed several games this season but can be a force at noseguard. Roberts has college scholarship offers from Arkansas State and other Sun Belt Conference schools. Cabot’s legendary coach Mike Malham seeks his 297th career victory. The Panthers, 2-3 at home this season, score 27.2 points and allow 23.5 points weekly. Cabot looks to limit Springdale’s number of possessions. The Panthers allowed Bryant just 5 possessions Week 8. Springdale coach Zak Clark, a former Fayetteville High QB who signed with Arkansas before setting records at the University of Central Arkansas, is considered one of the state’s top offensive minds. Clark inherited a once-proud program in 2015 after its first winless season in school history. Clark’s teams have steadily progressed, winning twice in 2015, four games last season and six this year. The balanced Bulldogs (201 yards passing, 168 yards rushing weekly) score 32.8 points per Friday but allow 32.6.
FS Southside at FAYETTEVILLE (17): Purple Dogs poised for another playoff run, riding a five-game win streak under postseason-proven Coach Billy Dawson. A first-round win gets Fayetteville a rematch with Bryant next week. Bryant won Week 2 at Fayetteville 38-37 in overtime. FS Southside (3-7) stumbles into playoffs with wins against teams that finished with a 7-23 combined record. The Mavericks were manhandled by rival FS Northside 35-13 last Friday. Talented Southside QB Taye Gatewood directs a unit scoring 31.7 points weekly. Southside’s porous defense allows 38 points per Friday.
FS Northside at SPRINGDALE HAR-BER (18): Perhaps preseason-favorite Har-Ber has regained its focus and can challenge No. 1 North LR next Friday. Har-Ber ended a three-game losing skid by beating West conference cellar-dwellers Van Buren and Rogers Heritage by a combined 82-0 the past two Fridays. Northside played its best of the season in last week’s 35-13 win at rival FS Southside. Northside junior QB Derrick Wise, a much better runner than passer, completed all nine of his passes for 102 yards, and the Grizzlies didn’t commit a turnover.
Rogers High at CONWAY (10): Conway has advanced past the first round four of the past five seasons but no further. Conway won in the first round at Rogers 35-20 last November and beat the Mounties 42-6 in the first round in 2012. Conway lost at home for the first time this season last week when Bryant held the Wampus Cats to 7-of-15 passing for 76 yards. Conway senior running back Michael George averages eight yards per carry and 178 yards weekly, helping the Wampus Cats outscore opponents 37.4-21.2. Rogers makes the playoffs as the West conference No. 6 seed with victories over winless Van Buren 24-17 and Rogers Heritage (1-9) 43-33. The Mounties lost league games to Bentonville, Fayetteville and Har-Ber by an average score of 55-11.
Class 6A
Greenwood (10-0)
El Dorado (9-1)
Pine Bluff (9-1)
West Memphis (9-1)
Searcy (8-2)
Benton (6-4)
Texarkana (5-5)
Lake Hamilton (5-5)
Marion (5-5)
Russellville (5-5)
Jonesboro (5-5)
Jacksonville (3-7)
Siloam Springs (2-8)
Mountain Home (1-9)
Sheridan (0-10)
LR Hall (1-9)
Class 5A
Pulaski Academy (10-0)
LR Christian (9-1)
Batesville (7-3)
LR McClellan (7-3)
Wynne (9-1)
Nettleton (9-1)
Alma (6-4)
Greenbrier (7-3)
Harrison (7-3)
Morrilton (7-3)
Watson Chapel (8-2)
Valley View (6-4)
Sylvan Hills (6-4)
HS Lakeside (6-4)
White Hall (6-4)
Camden Fairview (4-6)
LR Parkview (4-6)
De Queen (5-5)
Farmington (4-6)
Maumelle (5-5)
Beebe (4-6)
Blytheville (3-7)
Magnolia (3-7)
Forrest City (3-7)
Vilonia (1-9)
Greene Co. Tech (3-7)
Mills (2-8)
Hot Springs (1-9)
Paragould (1-9)
Clarksville (1-9)
Hope (0-10)
LR Fair (0-10)
White Hall at ALMA (4): White Hall beat Alma 28-26 in the first round in 2009, and Alma won 9-0 in the first round in 2000. The Airedales shared the 5A West title this season but could’ve won it outright before last week’s 35-31 loss to Maumelle. Alma senior QB Garrison Jensen has rushed for 835 yards and 14 TDs this year, and passed for 2,097 yards and 23 TDs. White Hall eked into the playoffs with last week’s 18-point win at De Queen. The Bulldogs may have a speed advantage with senior QB Ollie Reddick (4.5 speed), who has rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season.
HARRISON (2) at HS Lakeside: This is the first playoff meeting between these programs. Harrison must endure a four-hour bus ride. The Goblins tied for the 5A West title, and HS Lakeside finished second in the 5A South. Harrison puts up 440 yards weekly, showcasing sophomore standout running back Gabe Huskey (222 carries, 1,677 yards and 24 TDs). Senior QB Noah Ditmanson has passed for 1,389 yards and 13 TDs this season and rushed for 745 yards and nine TDs. HS Lakeside outscores opponents 34-30, and the Rams average 382 yards weekly. Senior running back Dupree Swanson injured his ankle Week 9 against Watson Chapel and played sparingly in last week’s 28-point win at Hot Springs. Swanson has 234 carries for 1,676 yards and 27 TDs this season, while classmate Michael James has 108 carries for 832 yards and eight TDs.
Class 4A
Warren (9-1)
Joe T. Robinson (9-1)
Arkadelphia (9-1)
Pea Ridge (9-1)
Prairie Grove (9-1)
Booneville (9-1)
Nashville (7-3)
Ozark (8-2)
Gosnell (7-3)
Southside Batesville (9-1)
Dardanelle (7-3)
Stuttgart (7-3)
Ashdown (7-3)
Trumann (9-1)
Heber Springs (7-3)
Gravette (6-4)
Shiloh Christian (7-3)
Pottsville (6-4)
Riverview (7-3)
Dumas (7-3)
Jonesboro Westside (7-3)
Hamburg (5-5)
Monticello (5-5)
Helena (6-4)
Bauxite (4-6)
Malvern (3-7)
Pocahontas (5-5)
Waldron (5-5)
Highland (3-7)
Gentry (5-5)
Crossett (3-7)
Star City (4-6)
Fountain Lake (4-6)
Dover (5-5)
Brookland (5-5)
Mena (3-7)
Lonoke (3-7)
Lincoln (3-7)
Harrisburg (3-7)
DeWitt (2-8)
CAC (1-9)
Huntsville (1-9)
Dollarway (0-9)
Berryville (1-9)
Subiaco Academy (2-8)
West Fork (0-10)
Cave City (0-10)
Baptist Prep (0-10)
No. 17 Shiloh Christian at NO. 12 STUTTGART (2): This is the first meeting between these teams. Shiloh Christian finished fourth in the 4A-1 this fall, and a five-point loss to Gravette Week 9 kept it from winning the league title. The Saints’ other two losses were to Class 5A No. 2 LR Christian and Prairie Grove, who went a combined 18-2. First-year quarterback Landon Brown has passed for more than 2,200 yards and 22 TDs this season, and rushed for more than 200 yards and four TDs. Brown is dangerous keeping the ball on bootlegs. He passed for 140 yards and ran for 57 in last week’s three-point win over previously unbeaten Pea Ridge. Junior Jaret Russ has rushed for almost 700 yards and 11 TDs. Shiloh Christian’s improved defense carries it more in 2017 than it has in other years. The Saints held Pea Ridge’s rushing attack to 79 yards, and they intercepted a pass. “They run well, and I don’t know if we can score much on them,” Stuttgart coach Josh Price says. “They can tackle in the secondary and will make us drive the ball.”
Stuttgart shared the 4A-2 title after winning six straight games. The Ricebirds simplified schemes and moved players around after losing Week 4 at Southside Batesville 21-7. The Ricebird D held four league opponents to one TD or less. Junior end David Walker has 20 tackles for loss, four sacks, five pass break-ups and one interception. The Ricebirds move Walker around so opponents can’t key on him. Junior Jon Hoskins bolstered the defense after sliding from middle linebacker to end in Week 5. Senior Arion White moved to middle linebacker in Week 5 and leads the team in tackles for the second straight season. Stuttgart’s defense has scored multiple TDs the past two weeks: junior cornerback Tyion Berry returned an interception 40 yards for a TD in last week’s 31-point win over CAC, while junior Glen Bradford returned a fumble for a TD. Senior safety Dantranell Robinson(70-yard interception) and inside linebacker Kirk Hughes (20-yard interception) each returned interceptions for TDs two weeks ago against Lonoke. Senior offensive linemen Reece Stephens and Logan Erstine anchor the offensive line. Stuttgart turned the ball over four times in the past six weeks.
Heber Springs at GRAVETTE (7): Gravette sealed the No. 3 seed and a home playoff game with four straight wins, including a Week 9 five-point decision over Shiloh Christian. The Lions average 376 yards per game, with 290 rushing. Senior running back Austin O’Brien has 226 carries for 1,952 yards and 21 TDs and has nine catches for 198 yards and three TDs. Heber Springs tied for the 2-4A title this year, winning five straight since losing at Stuttgart by 13 points Week 5. The Panthers beat playoff teams Southside Batesville, Riverview and Helena the past three weeks by a combined 61-34. Heber Springs senior receiver Jacob Bremmon has 32 receptions for 666 yards and six TDs. Sophomore QB Adam Martin ran for all three TDs in last week’s 21-6 win at Helena.
Crossett at OZARK (16): Crossett slips in as the No. 5 seed after last week’s 11-point win over Star City, and the Eagles get a four-hour bus ride to Ozark. Senior S’quan Duke ran for a pair of TDs against Star City. Crossett averages 202 yards 13 ppg. Duke battled injuries and didn’t play until Week 8, gaining 128 yards and three TDs. Ozark averages 37 points and 391 yards per game. Junior QB Dawson Dietz has completed 95 of 161 passes (59 percent) for 1,689 yards and 16 TDs, while sophomore Daniel Woolsey has 108 carries for 589 yards and 13 TDs.
Pottsville at PRAIRIE GROVE (14): A battle of teams with similar styles. Run-first Pottsville averages 251 yards rushing weekly. The Apaches whipped winless West Fork 37-6 a week ago, intercepting three passes in the first half. Prairie Grove shares the league title, its third straight, and the only loss this season was at No. 1 seed Pea Ridge a month ago. Tiger senior Anthony Johnson ran for three TDs and caught a TD pass in last week’s 31-point triumph over Lincoln.
Waldron at PEA RIDGE (27): Waldron returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2003. The Bulldogs rush for 264 yards weekly, with senior Trey Williams dashing 138 times for 1,115 yards and 14 TDs. Pea Ridge lost to Shiloh Christian 17-14 last week, its first setback of the season. The Blackhawks missed a potential tying field goal in the final seconds. Senior Hayden Holtgrewe caught nine passes for 134 yards and a TD. Holtgrewe had nine tackles at safety, while linebacker Tristin Brewer had 16 stops and one sack.
Gentry at SOUTHSIDE BATESVILLE (11): Southside Batesville hosts its first-ever playoff game, just a year after upending Booneville 21-13 in the first round, its only playoff win in school history. The Southerners average 411 yards per game. Junior Brayden Duncan paces them with 113 carries for 768 yards and five TDs, while senior receiver Dawson Cook has 28 receptions for 381 yards and four TDs. Gentry standout QB Jon Faulkenberry has passed for 1,733 yards and 15 TDs, and has 142 carries for 1,151 yards and 19 TDs.
Class 3A
Junction City (10-0)
Charleston (10-0)
Prescott (9-1)
Glen Rose (9-1)
Mayflower (10-0)
Clinton (10-0)
Rivercrest (8-2)
McGehee (8-2)
Barton (9-1)
Osceola (8-2)
Elkins (8-2)
Melbourne (8-2)
Atkins (8-2)
H. Grove Haskell (7-3)
Hoxie (6-4)
Harding Academy (6-4)
Smackover (6-4)
Newport (7-3)
Fordyce (5-5)
Fouke (6-4)
Piggott (7-3)
Horatio (5-5)
Bald Knob (5-5)
Perryville (7-3)
Centerpoint (6-4)
Greenland (5-5)
Lamar (5-5)
Jessieville (4-6)
Cedar Ridge (5-5)
Paris (4-6)
Yellville-Summit (4-6)
Gurdon (4-6)
Walnut Ridge (3-7)
Rose Bud (4-6)
Mountain View (3-7)
Cedarville (3-7)
Mansfield (2-8)
Manila (2-8)
Lake Village (1-8)
Episcopal (1-9)
Genoa Central (3-7)
Drew Central (2-8)
Bismarck (2-8)
Green Forest (2-8)
Marshall (0-10)
Marianna (1-9)
Corning (0-10)
Two Rivers (0-10)
No. 19 Fordyce at NO. 11 ELKINS (3): Fordyce lost three of its last four games, one year after finishing 10-2 with a 7-0 mark in the 6-3A. The Redbugs are led by freshman quarterback Jaheim Brown (551 passing yards and three touchdowns), freshman running back Quartey Shelton (816 rushing yards and four TDs) and junior Wanya Morris (340 yards and three TDs). Fordyce has forced 22 turnovers this year but may play this game without top recruit Billy Ferrell (56 tackles, six for loss and two sacks), who hurt his ankle last week. Fordyce’s young secondary (starts three sophomores) will be tested by Elkins sophomore QB Quinn McClain (2,329 yards and 28 TDs with six interceptions), who triggers the highest-scoring offense in the 1-3A (40 PPG). Junior Chance Jones ran for 908 yards and 16 TDs while senior Layne Evans captured 47 passes for 807 yards and 10 TDs (both team-highs) and junior Chad Graham snatched 41 passes for 780 yards and a team-best 12 TDs. The youth of Fordyce and potential absence of Ferrell could swing this game to Elkins.
Mountain View at CHARLESTON (24): Winner hosts winner of Paris-Barton game. Mountain View is 0-7 against playoff teams this year. Mountain View (1-11 all time in playoffs) expects to return its leading passer (junior Gunner Willis) and rusher (junior Derek Burns) in 2018. Charleston finished 10-0 for the fourth time in five years under Coach Greg Kendrick (59-6 at school). Charleston ousted Mountain View in the first round of the 2015 playoffs, and the Tigers repeat that performance this week.
Paris at BARTON (17): Winner plays at winner of Mountain View-Charleston. Paris lost its last six games against playoff qualifiers this year following a Week 1 win at Yellville-Summit. Barton’s nine wins this year is more than the combined seven it posted in 2015-2016. Paris boasts plenty of team speed, but Barton’s flexbone offense is difficult to prepare for in one week.
Lamar at SMACKOVER (14): Winner plays at 2-3A champion Mayflower. Lamar notched its first win over a playoff team last week 48-20 at Paris. Lamar expects to return leading passer Ike Pelts (412 yards and four TDs) and second- and third-leading rushers Jacob Parmenter (594 yards and 11 TDs) and Jonathan Mayes (487 yards and six TDs) and top tackler Bryr Bruton (51 tackles) in 2018. Smackover allowed 144 of its 235 points to Class 3A playoff teams Harding Academy, Junction City and McGehee. The 36 points by Junction City was the Dragons’ lowest-scoring game of the year.
Class 2A
Mount Ida (10-0)
C. Harmony Grove (7-3)
Rison (9-1)
McCrory (7-1)
Hampton (7-3)
Earle (8-1)
Conway Christian (9-1)
Foreman (8-1)
Hazen (7-2)
Danville (8-1)
Bearden (6-4)
Parkers Chapel (6-4)
Magnet Cove (6-4)
Hector (8-2)
Mountainburg (8-1)
Mountain Pine (7-3)
Palestine-Wheatley (7-2)
Marked Tree (7-2)
E. Poinsett County (7-3)
Hackett (6-3)
Strong (5-5)
Clarendon (4-5)
Cross County (4-6)
Des Arc (4-5)
Mineral Springs (4-6)
England (5-5)
Poyen (3-7)
Salem (4-5)
Lavaca (4-6)
Magazine (5-5)
Spring Hill (4-6)
Lafayette County (2-8)
Quitman (2-8)
Cutter M. Star (3-7)
Carlisle (2-7)
W. Yell County (3-6)
J.C. Westside (3-6)
Dierks (1-9)
Murfreesboro (0-10)
Marvell (1-7)
Bigelow (1-9)
Rector (1-7)
Midland (1-8)
Woodlawn (1-9)
Brinkley (0-8)
Decatur (0-9)
Hermitage (0-9)