I will not argue with anyone for calling me a cheat for writing a predictions column after the playoffs have already started.
But I will proceed anyway, armed with the excuse that over a dozen of the top teams received first-round byes. Even if I fail miserably, my predictions will be no worse than the political pundits who whiffed badly on the presidential election.
CLASS 7A
Let's begin with the 7A-West Conference, which was down this year -- it has to be when a start-up program void of seniors won three games and earned a home playoff game.
I'm not accepting the argument that 10-0 North Little Rock is the best team in the state. We've seen this act before where North Little Rock failed in postseason play, and teams from the 7A-West take turns winning state championships.
So, let's review our choices. Bentonville beat Fayetteville, which beat Springdale Har-Ber, which beat Bentonville.
I'll take Fayetteville, based primarily on the way it shut down Har-Ber on its home field.
RICK'S PICK Fayetteville
CLASS 6A
Two things would usually happen when I lived in south Arkansas and spent Saturdays at the race track in Hot Springs. I'd pick some long shots to win and go home broke, with only the $5 I stashed in the trunk of my car for gas money to get home.
My long shot this year is Russellville (9-1), which last won a state championship in 1933. I'm eyeing the red and black Cyclones for the same reason my sister Rhonda hit on 108-1 longshot Rockamundo at the Arkansas Derby in 1993.
I like their colors.
RICK'S PICK Russellville
CLASS 5A
The champion in 5A likely emerged on Friday when Wynne turned a 14-14 tie at halftime into a 50-21 rout over Morrilton.
Don't be fooled by Morrilton's 5-6 record. The Devil Dogs scrambled just to get into the playoffs after they were forced to forfeit four games for using an ineligible player. The Yellowjackets are still undefeated and shouting "all we do is Wynne, Wynne, Wynne" all the way to Little Rock.
That's a rap song, right? By some guy named DJ something or other.
Maybe not.
RICK'S PICK Wynne
CLASS 4A
This is an area where teams from Northwest Arkansas could do quite well. Prairie Grove is 10-0 after reaching the state finals last year and Pea Ridge, Shiloh Christian and Gravette each won first-round games.
Still, Nashville and Warren are each 10-0, and together they own several state championship trophies. Pea Ridge plays this week at Nashville, who has the best playoff record (79-29) of any playoff team since 1968.
I like tradition, especially when it's backed by speed and talent.
RICK'S PICKS Nashville
CLASS 3A
How about those Elkins Elks, who are easily one of the surprises in the state?
Elkins (9-2) tied for the conference championship, then beat Jessieville 55-21 for its first playoff victory since 2006. That's the fun part.
The tough part comes this week when Elkins has to play at Glenn Rose (9-1). Good luck to the Elks, but I long ago hitched my wagon to Charleston (10-0), which is a title contender again after falling to 7-5 last year.
Coach Greg Kendrick said before the season that last year's performance was unacceptable, and the Tigers are primed again for another playoff run. That's bad news for the rest of the teams in 3A.
RICK'S PICK Charleston
CLASS 2A
I can't think of the Class 2A playoffs without thinking of Kenneth Dixon.
I was at Mountainburg in 2011 when Dixon led Strong to a playoff victory over the Dragons in one of the best games I've ever covered. Football fans can still see Dixon on Sundays in the backfield for the Baltimore Ravens.
Somewhere, there's another standout athlete at a tiny school in Arkansas that most college coaches will overlook. He may be at England (10-0), which is 23-1 the last two years.
RICK'S PICK England. The one in Lonoke County.
Sports on 11/13/2016