TODAY’S GAMES

Springdale Har-Ber’s Hunter Wood (2) pushes off Fayetteville cornerback Jay Burns on Oct. 20 during a game in Fayetteville.
Springdale Har-Ber’s Hunter Wood (2) pushes off Fayetteville cornerback Jay Burns on Oct. 20 during a game in Fayetteville.

Class 7A

FS Northside at Springdale Har-Ber

Wildcat Stadium

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Northside 3-7; Har-Ber 7-3

ON THE AIR The game is live-streamed on the Springdale Public Schools website.

BETWEEN THE LINES Fort Smith Northside earned a must-win 35-13 victory over crosstown rival Fort Smith Southside last week to get in the playoffs. Har-Ber posted its second straight shutout in a 48-0 win against Rogers Heritage. … Northside is led by junior QB Derrick Wise, who ran for 101 yards and passed for 100 in last week’s win. … Har-Ber, after a rough patch that saw the Wildcats drop three straight games, have turned it around and posted back-to-back shutout wins. … Last week sophomores Hunter Wood and Blaise Wittschen split time at quarterback. … Senior RB Payton Copher leads the Wildcats in rushing with 605 yards and 5 TDs. … Wood is Har-Ber’s leading receiver with 34 receptions for 461 yards. … LB Miller Herndon leads Har-Ber in tackles with 60 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. … Blake Wade and Alejandro Ramirez each have 4 sacks. … Blaze Brothers and Tevin Eckwood each have three interceptions.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Northside — QB Derrick Wise (Jr., 5-10, 188), LB Tagee Patrick (Sr., 6-2, 205), DE Raytel Rone (Jr., 6-2, 235). Har-Ber — LB Miller Herndon (Jr., 6-1, 205), RB Payton Copher (Sr., 6-0, 185), Alejandro Ramirez (Sr., 5-8, 175), DB Tevin Eckwood (Sr., 6-0, 145), DB Blaze Brothers (Sr., 5-8, 175).

HOOTEN’S RANKINGS Northside is No. 12 in Class 7A; Har-Ber is No. 6

HOOTEN’S LINE Har-Ber by 18

OUR TAKE Har-Ber 35, Northside 7

— CHIP SOUZA • @NWAChip

FS Southside at Fayetteville

Harmon Field

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Southside 3-7, Fayetteville 6-4

ON THE AIR Fayetteville — NASH-FM 94.3, Fayetteville Public Schools live-stream

BETWEEN THE LINES Fayetteville has won the last six meetings in the series and the previous two by a combined score of 123-35. The Purple’Dogs’ last loss to Southside came in 2010. … In the modern playoff era, since 1968, Southside ranks 11th in playoff games played (78) and 10th in wins (57). … Fayetteville has won seven consecutive playoff games since falling to Bentonville in the 2014 state title game. … Coach Billy Dawson’s club finished the regular season with the No. 3 offense and No. 2 defense in the 7A-West in terms of yardage per game. … QB Darius Bowers tied West’s Will Jarrett for the league lead in TD passes with 28 and was second in passing yards (2,821). WRs Kris Mulinga (79) and Cody Gray (75) finished 1-2 in catches in the 7A-West. The two combined for 2,120 receiving yards and 20 TDs in the regular season. … Southside QB Taye Gatewood has thrown for 2,630 yards and 22 touchdowns while also rushing for 653 yards and 16 scores. WR Tyrese Solomon is Gatewood’s go-to receiver. … With a win, Fayetteville earns a Week 2 rematch at Bryant next week.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Fayetteville — QB Darius Bowers (Jr., 6-2, 190), WR Kris Mulinga (Sr., 6-2, 180), WR Cody Gray (Sr., 6-0, 170), DE Dotson Schaefer (Sr., 6-4, 240), FS Will Litzinger (Sr., 6-1, 180). Southside — QB Taye Gatewood (Jr., 6-0, 170), WR Tyrese Solomon (Jr., 5-10, 170), RB/LB Ricardo Savoy (Jr., 5-9, 160), DB DeeDee Smith (Jr., 6-0, 150), Kham Belcher (Sr., 5-8, 165).

HOOTEN’S RANKINGS Fayetteville is No. 5 in Class 7A; Southside is No. 13

HOOTEN’S LINE Fayetteville by 17

OUR TAKE Fayetteville 45, Southside 20

— SCOTTIE BORDELON • @NWAScottie

Rogers High at Conway

John McConnell Stadium

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Rogers High 5-5; Conway 7-3

ON THE AIR Rogers High— KURM-AM 790

BETWEEN THE LINES A rematch of last year’s first-round matchup won by Conway 35-20 in McConnell Stadium. … The Mounties make their second straight playoff appearance under coach Mike Loyd. … Senior Colin McWhorter leads the Mounties in both rushing and receiving. … McWhorter has 69 receptions for 752 yards and 2 TDs, along with 344 rushing yards and 5 TDs. … Sophomore quarterback Hunter Loyd has thrown for 1,955 yards and 11 TDs, while completing 55 percent of his passes. .. The Wampus Cats lost for the first time at home last week to Bryant to earn the No. 3 seed out of the Central. … Seniors Andrew Hreha and Michael George form a nice 1-2 punch offensively for the Wampus Cats. … Hreha has thrown for 1,610 yards and 15 TDs. … George, who had a big game against Rogers last year, has ran for 1,781 yards and 22 TDs this season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Rogers — QB Hunter Loyd (So., 6-3, 195), RB Colin McWhorter (Sr., 5-9, 170), WR/DB Andrew McGlynn (Sr., 6-4, 190) , DL/RB Aaron Jones (Sr., 6-1, 235), OL Dusty Schureman (Sr., 6-2, 243). Conway — QB Andrew Hreha (Sr., 6-2, 200), RB Michael George (Sr., 5-8, 185), RB/CB Brennan Clark (Sr., 5-8 185), LB Garett Fusilier (Sr., 5-10, 212), Zach Freedle (Sr., 6-0, 225).

HOOTEN’S RANKINGS Rogers High is No. 11 in Class 7A; Conway is No. 7

HOOTEN’S LINE Conway by 10

OUR TAKE Conway 35, Rogers 17

— Paul Boyd • @NWAPaul

Springdale High at Cabot

Panthers Stadium

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Springdale 6-4;. Cabot 5-5

ON THE AIR The game is live-streamed at Springdale Public Schools website.

BETWEEN THE LINES Cabot averages 27.2 points and allows 23.5 points per game. … The Panthers use the Dead-T offense under coach Mike Malham, who is 296-132-4 in his long career as head coach. …Cabot finished fourth in the 7A-Central following a 38-21 loss to North Little Rock. Quarterback Tommy Oaks rushed for 139 yards in the game and completed three passes, including one that went for a 51-yard touchdown…. The Panthers beat both Fort Smith Northside and Fort Smith Southside and only lost 17-10 to Bryant, the No. 2 seed in the 7A-Central. … Springdale is guaranteed a winning season after beating Rogers High 40-23 in Week 10. … Quarterback Layne Hutchins threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns in the game for the Bulldogs, who led 40-0 in the third quarter. … Hutchins has thrown for 1,581 yards and 16 touchdowns on the season. … The Bulldogs are led in rushing by junior Garrett Vaughan, who has 551 yards and 11 touchdowns despite missing four games in the backfield because of an injured hand. … Springdale was eliminated 45-14 by Bryant in the first round of the playoffs last season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Springdale — QB Layne Hutchins (Sr., 5-11, 185), QB Will Mueller (Jr., 6-1, 190), RB Garrett Vaughan (Jr., 5-9, 165), WR Kamond Robinson (Sr., 5-10, 165), DL Isaiah Nichols (Sr., 6-4, 275), DB Jajuan Boyd (So., 5-10, 145). Cabot — QB Tommy Oaks (Jr., 5-11, 190), TE John Wiens (Sr., 6-3, 195), DB Justin Nabors (Sr., 5-10, 155), NG Dayonte Roberts (Jr., 6-2, 280).

HOOTEN’S RANKINGS Springdale is No. 8 in Class 7A; Cabot is No. 9

HOOTEN’S LINE Cabot by 1

OUR TAKE Springdale 28, Cabot 21

— Rick Fires • @NWARick

Class 4A

Shiloh Christian at Stuttgart

Moseley Stadium

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Shiloh Christian 7-3; Stuttgart 7-3

ON THE AIR Live-streamed at shilohchristianfootball.com

BETWEEN THE LINES Shiloh Christian handed Pea Ridge its first loss of the season in Week 10 after the Saints lost the previous week at Gravette. … Jaret Russ rushed for 117 yards and the Saints won the game 17-14 after a 28-yard field goal by Pat Williams with 3:59 to play. … Senior QB Landon Brown has thrown for 2,101 yards passing and 21 touchdowns with 11 interceptions… Shiloh Christian averages 36 points and allows 16.3 points per game. … Stuttgart averages 31.2 points and allows 18 points per game. … The Ricebirds enter postseason play on a roll with six consecutive victories following a 38-7 victory over Central Arkansas Christian in Week 10. … Stuttgart started 1-3 on the season with losses to Arkadelphia, Warren, and Southside Batesville and a win over DeWitt. … Stuttgart finished 8-4 last season after losing 24-14 to Warren in the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Shiloh Christian — QB Landon Brown (Sr., 6-0, 190), WR Jake Nelson (Sr., 5-11, 175), WR Blake Thompson (Jr., 5-11, 185), RB Jaret Russ (Jr., 5-9, 170). Stuttgart — DE David Walker (Jr., 6-2, 200), RB Derrick Amos (Jr., 5-8, 180), WR David Graham (Jr., 6-4, 175), DB Dontranelle Robinson (Sr., 6-2, 170), LB Donta White (Sr., 6-0, 185).

HOOTEN’S RANKINGS Shiloh Christian is No. 17 in Class 4A; Stuttgart is No. 12

HOOTEN’S LINE Stuttgart by 2

OUR TAKE Stuttgart 35, Shiloh Christian 28

— Rick Fires • @NWARick

Gentry at Batesville Southside

Southerner Stadium

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Gentry 5-5; Batesville Southside 9-1

ON THE AIR None.

BETWEEN THE LINES Gentry travels to Batesville Southside, which is hosting its first playoff game in school history. The Southerners won their first playoff game ever a year ago when they beat Booneville in the first round. … The Pioneers are led by senior quarterback Jon Faulkenberry, who has thrown for 1,733 yards and 15 TDs, while rushing for 1,151 yards and 19 TDs. … Junior Peyton Wright is Faulkenberry’s favorite target with 65 catches for 814 yards and 7 TDs to go with 51 tackles and 2 interceptions on defense. … Junior quarterback Koby Rich has thrown for 1,619 yards and 22 TDs for Southside. … Juniors Caden Huskey and Brayden Duncan, along with senior Dawson Blevins have sparked the Southerners. … Duncan has 996 all-purpose yards, followed by 886 for Blevins and 783 for Huskey. … Huskey also leads the team with 107 tackles (67 solos), while Cook has five interceptions.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Gentry — QB Jon Faulkenberry (Sr., 6-1, 190), FB/MLB Myles McFerron (Sr, 5-10, 1750), WR/SS Peyton Wright (Jr., 5-10, 160), LB Matthew Nance (Sr., 5-10, 180), OLB Tanner Christie (Sr., 5-11, 175). Batesville Southside — QB Koby Rich (Jr., 6-2, 165), RB Brayden Duncan (Jr., 5-8, 165), RB/SS Caden Huskey (Jr., 6-1, 194), WR/CB Dawson Blevins (Sr., 5-11, 160), DL Michael Dunne (Jr., 5-9, 178),

HOOTEN’S RANKINGS Gentry is No. 30 in Class 4A; Batesville Southside is No. 10

HOOTEN’S LINE Southside by 11

OUR TAKE Batesville Southside 28, Gentry 17

— Paul Boyd • @NWAPaul

Heber Springs at Gravette

Lion Stadium

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Heber Springs 7-3; Gravette 6-4

ON THE AIR None.

BETWEEN THE LINES The only time these two teams have met in the playoffs was a second-round game in 2009, with Heber Springs rolling to a 42-7 win. … Heber Springs brings a five-game winning streak into this first-round matchup. … The Panthers have a solid defense and it’s playing well heading into this game by allowing just 40 points over the past four games. … QB Adam Martin leads the offense with more than 1,500 passing yards. … RB Blaze Nelson keys the running game with more than 700 yards and 10 TDs. … Gravette is hosting a first-round playoff game for the first time since 2010 after earning the No. 3 seed in the 4A-1, and its the Lions’ first home playoff game since a 2011 game against Pine Bluff Dollarway … RB Austin O’Brien has put together a monster season for the Lions with 1,952 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns. … QB Tajae White has improved game-by-game and is a dangerous runner with more than 800 yards and 9 TDs. … Gravette’s defense is solid, led by linebacker Kenton Tajchman, who has recorded 119 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Heber Springs — QB Adam Martin (So., 5-10, 175), RB Blaze Nelson (Jr., 5-10, 174), TE Chris Hart (Sr., 6-1, 185) WR Jacob Bremmon (Sr., 6-0, 190). Gravette — RB Austin O’Brien (Sr., 6-0, 190), QB Tajae White (Jr., 5-8, 145), WR Brady Moorman (Sr., 5-7, 150), DL Bailey Soule’ (Sr., 6-2, 250), LB Kenton Tajchman (Sr., 5-8, 225).

HOOTEN’S RANKINGS Heber Springs is No. 15 in Class 4A; Gravette is No. 15

HOOTEN’S LINE Gravette by 7

OUR TAKE Gravette 27, Heber Springs 21

— HENRY APPLE • @NWAHenry

Pottsville at Prairie Grove

Tiger Stadium

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Pottsville 6-4; Prairie Grove 9-1

ON THE AIR The game is live-streamed at pgtelco.com/prairie grove.

BETWEEN THE LINES Pottsville comes into the game having won four of its last five games, including a 37-6 win against West Fork last week. Prairie Grove blasted Lincoln 56-25 last week. … Pottsville is a run-oriented team, led by RB Kade England, who has more than 900 yards. … The Tigers have made three straight deep playoff runs. … QB John David Elder leads the offense. … Senior RB Anthony Johnson leads the team in rushing and scored three touchdowns last week. … Prairie Grove’s defense is solid, led by LB Dustin Burton, who has 61 tackles.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Pottsville — RB Kade England (Jr., 5-10, 184), QB Greyson Stevens (Sr., 6-2, 170), LB Emiliano Torres (So., 5-9, 185), LB Spencer Bradley (Jr., 6-0, 195). Prairie Grove — QB John David Elder (Sr., 6-2, 160), RB Anthony Johnson (Sr., 5-9, 190), LB Dustin Burton (Sr., 6-0, 215), WR/DB Stone Bryant (Sr., 5-11, 165), WR/DB Colin Bryant (Sr., 6-0, 172), DL Demarkus Cooper (Sr., 6-1, 247).

HOOTEN’S RANKINGS Pottsville is No. 18 in Class 4A; Prairie Grove is No. 5

HOOTEN’S LINE Prairie Grove by 14

OUR TAKE Prairie Grove 34, Pottsville 13

— CHIP SOUZA • @NWAChip

Waldron at Pea Ridge

Blackhawk Stadium

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Waldron 5-5; Pea Ridge 9-1

ON THE AIR None.

BETWEEN THE LINES Waldron was blasted by Dardanelle last week 42-6. Pea Ridge saw its 9-game winning streak end in a 17-14 loss to Shiloh Christian. … The Bulldogs are making their first playoff appearance since 2003. … QB Trey Williams is a dual-threat. Williams is 18 of 45 passing for 302 yards and 7 TDs, and has rushed for 1,115 yards and 14 TDs. … Linebacker Joel Cagle has been solid defensively and leads the team with 97 tackles. … Blackhawks QB Jakota Sainsbury is 128 of 196 passing for 1,796 yards and 19 TDs. … RB Drew Winn has rushed for 1,771 yards on 195 carries (9.0 yards per carry) and 25 TDs. … The Blackhawks have two star receivers in Jordan Witcher (49-652, 8 TDs) and Hayden Holtgrewe (56-919, 9 TDs). … Junioor LB Tristin Brewer has recorded 115 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Waldron — QB Trey Williams (Sr., 6-2, 175), LB/RB Jarrod Star (Sr., 5-9, 183), DB Levi Hayden (Jr., 5-10, 150), LB Joel Cagle (Sr., 5-9, 195). Pea Ridge — QB Jakota Sainsbury (Sr., 5-11, 180), RB Drew Winn (Sr., 6-0, 180). WR/DB Hayden Holtgrewe (Sr., 6-1, 170), LB Robby Pickthall (Sr., 6-0, 192), WR Jordan Witcher (Sr., 6-2, 180).

HOOTEN’S RANKINGS Waldron is No. 28 in Class 4A; Pea Ridge is No. 4

HOOTEN’S LINE Pea Ridge by 27

OUR TAKE Pea Ridge 48, Waldron 14

— CHIP SOUZA • @NWAChip

Class 3A

Fordyce at Elkins

John Bunch Field

KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Fordyce 5-5; Elkins 8-2

ON THE AIR None

BETWEEN THE LINES The two teams have never met in the playoffs. … Fordyce enters postseason play having lost three of its last four games. … The Redbugs start two freshmen on offense — quarterback Jaheim Brown and running back Quartney Shelton. Brown has thrown 551 yards and three TDs and run for 274 yards and 10 TDs, while Shelton had 816 yards on the ground and four TDs. … Fordyce is run-heavy, averaging 255 yards per game on the ground to only 55 yards per game through the air. … The Redbugs defense has forced 22 turnovers, but defensive end Billy Ferrell is questionable after an ankle injury last week … Elkins, the No. 2 seed from the 3A-1 Conference, has won its last three games with an average of 47.3 points per game. … Elks sophomore QB Quinn McClain has thrown for 2,329 yards and 28 touchdowns, including a six-TD performance against Greenland. … Junior TB Chance Jones needs 92 yards to reach the 1,000-yard mark in rushing, and he has 16 touchdowns. … Senior SS Layne Evans leads Elkins’ defense with 80 tackles, while junior defensive tackle Logan Shoffit has a team-high 12 tackles for loss.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Fordyce — QB Jaheim Brown (Fr., 6-0, 185), RB Quartey Shelton (Fr., 5-9, 175), LB Wanja Morris (Jr., 5-10, 185), CB Tray Hudson (So., 5-7, 145), DE Keyoun Jacobs (Sr., 6-2, 180). Elkins — QB Quinn McClain (So., 6-2 180), RB Chance Jones (Jr., 6-2 180), WR/DB Layne Evans (Sr., 5-10 155), WR/DB Chad Graham (Jr., 5-9 150), LB J.J. Miller (Sr., 6-0 210).

HOOTEN’S RANKINGS Fordyce is No. 19 in Class 3A; Elkins is No. 11

HOOTEN’S LINE Elkins by 3

OUR TAKE Elkins 41, Fordyce 22

— HENRY APPLE • @NWAHenry

Upcoming Events