It is Thanksgiving weekend, so that means the Arkansas state football playoffs are dwindling down. The upper three division each have 4 teams remaining while the lower divisions have an elite 8. It also means that football weather will be in vogue all across the state tonight. We hope that you take the time to go out and shiver some of those extra calories away at a playoff game near you.
7A Playoffs
The 7A playoffs have become, as expected by many, the 7A West Invitational. The only team remaining from the 7A Central is Russellville (traditionally a Western team).
Russellville @ Bentonville: Bentonville will continue to play fundamentally sound football and limit their turnovers. The Tigers are too much for the Cyclones. Prediction: Bentonville 20, Russellville 7.
Har-Ber @ FS Southside: The only teams Har-Ber has stumbled against are those from Ft. Smith. This one will be a close with Har-Ber finally moving past a team from the river valley. Prediction: Har-Ber 31, Southside 27
6A Playoffs
As you would expect, the 6A semi-finalists contain the "usual suspects" as well as a surprise team in Watson Chapel. These games should be very entertaining tonight.
Lake Hamilton @ West Memphis: Lake Hamilton has had a dominant offense all year, but their defense has struggled. West Memphis is the class of 6A, and they roll to the finals again. Prediction: West Memphis 52, Lake Hamilton 35
Watson Chapel @ El Dorado: Watson Chapel pulled off the shocker of the playoffs last week with a win over Pine Bluff. Watson Chapel keeps it close, but the Wildcats of El Dorado advance. Prediction: El Dorado 21, Watson Chapel 14
5A Playoffs
All four #1 seeds emerged from the early playoff rounds. The remaining teams all know how to put points on the board, so we should see some real slugfests in the 5A division tonight.
Pulaski Academy @ Greenwood: The last 2 meetings between these two teams have gone to the Bulldogs in high scoring playoff classics. PA's Bruins reverse those last outcomes with a score that will be eerily familiar. Prediction: PA 57, Greenwood 56.
West Helena @ Monticello: Monticello should be able to score and control the clock. However, West Helena will be too much for the Billies. Prediction: West Helena 42, Monticello 31.
4A Playoffs
Newport @ Heber Springs: Prediction -- Newport
PB Dollarway @ Nashville: Prediction -- Nashville
DeQueen @ Osceola: Prediction -- Osceola
Lonoke @ Shiloh Christian: Prediction -- Shiloh Christian
3A Playoffs
Lavaca @ Cedarville: Prediction -- Cedarville
Mayflower @ Charleston: Prediction -- Mayflower
Mansfield @ Lamar: Prediction -- Lamar
Fountain Lake @ Prescott: Prediction -- Fountain Lake
2A Playoffs
Carlisle @ Bigelow: Prediction -- Carlisle
Smackover @ Des Arc: Prediction -- Des Arc
Bearden @ East Poinsett County: Prediction -- Bearden
Strong @ Junction City: Prediction -- Junction City
Friday, November 28, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
2008 Round 2 Roundup
7A Playoffs
Har-Ber at Cabot - PREDICTION: Cabot 28, Har-Ber 24
ACTUAL SCORE: Har-Ber 21, Cabot 17
Cabot had the ball on Har-Ber's 5-yard line late in the game, but couldn't punch it in.
Catholic at Southside - PREDICTION: Southside 14, Catholic 7
ACTUAL SCORE: Southside 28, Catholic 17
The game was not this close. Southside led 28-3 late in the game.
Bryant at Bentonville - PREDICTION: Bentonville 28, Bryant 14
ACTUAL SCORE: Bentonville 34, Bryant 14
Bryant led 14-7 before Bentonville ran back a kickoff for a touchdown for a 14-14 halftime score. It was all Tigers in the 2nd half.
Northside at Russellville - PREDICTION: Northside 35, Russellville 14
ACTUAL SCORE: Russellville 12, Northside 7
Russellville's defense and it's nack for winning close games comes through again.
6A Playoffs
Texarkana at West Memphis - PREDICTION: West Memphis 42, Texarkana 14.
ACTUAL SCORE: West Memphis 33, Texarkana 7
West Memphis took a 14-7 halftime lead, but never let it get close in the 2nd half to end Texarkana's hope for a three-peat.
Jacksonville at Lake Hamilton - PREDICTION: Lake Hamilton 49, Jacksonville 13
ACTUAL SCORE: Lake Hamilton 41, Jacksonville 0
Lake Hamilton did one point better in the second half turning their 20-0 halftime margin into a 41-0 victory.
Watson Chapel at Pine Bluff - PREDICTION: Pine Bluff 49, Watson Chapel 7
ACTUAL SCORE: Watson Chapel 18, Pine Bluff
Turning a 48-0 week 5 loss into a 3-point playoff win is shocking to say the least. Great job by Coach Shelton and his staff.
El Dorado at Jonesboro - PREDICTION: El Dorado 28, Jonesboro 27
ACTUAL SCORE: El Dorado 54, Jonesboro 23
El Dorado dominated from start to finish and extended a 40-7 halftime lead to 54-15 to envoke the sportsmanship rule.
5A Playoffs
Magnolia at Monticello - PREDICTION: Monticello 35, Magnolia 21
ACTUAL SCORE: Monticello 35, Magnolia 16
Magnolia led 16-14 before Monticello took a 21-16 halftime lead and scored the only two touchdowns of the second half.
Siloam Springs at West Helena - PREDICTION: West Helena 63, Siloam Springs 21
ACTUAL SCORE: West Helena 38, Siloam Springs 14
Siloam was able to score early and stave off West Helena for most of the first quarter. However, their 7-0 lead dissipated and then disappeared early in the 2nd quarter and the Cougars would take a 20-7 halftime lead before extending it to 38-7 in the 4th.
Batesville at Greenwood - PREDICTION: Batesville 28, Greenwood 27
ACTUAL SCORE: Greenwood 24, Batesville 20
The game lived up to its billing as the game of the week. Greenwood drove down with a little over two minutes left to take the lead. Batesville ran out of time as they had driven to Greenwood's 35 before heaving one last hope to the endzone as time expired.
Beebe at Pulaski Academy - PREDICTION: PA 42, Beebe 21
ACTUAL SCORE: PA 63, Beebe 21
Pulaski Academy scored on all eight possessions and ran back a fumble for a touchdown. The Bruins led 42-7 at half to envoke the mercy rule for the entire second half. Beebe had almost 400 yards of offense in the loss but turned the ball over 5 times (4 fumbles).
4A Playoffs
PREDICTIONS:
Nashville
Dollarway
Heber Springs
Gravette
Shiloh
Warren
Osceola
DeQueen
ACTUAL:
Nashville 63, Stuttgart 35
Dollarway 38, Gosnell 36
Heber Springs 29, West Fork 24
Newport 17, Gravette 0
Shiloh 84, Clarksville 14
Lonoke 45, Warren 24
Osceola 34, Booneville 21
DeQueen 41, Dumas 26
3A Playoffs
PREDICTIONS:
Prescott
Fountain Lake
Perryville
Lavaca
Charleston
Glen Rose
Hoxie
Atkins
ACTUAL:
Prescott 41, Harding Academy 14
Fountain Lake 55, Harrisburg 20
Cedarville 15, Perryville 9
Lavaca 49, Earle 32
Charleston 42, Magnet Cove 19
Mayflower 15, Glen Rose 14
Lamar 16, Hoxie 7
Mansfield 42, Atkins 32
2A Playoffs
PREDICTIONS:
Junction City
Strong
Woodlawn
Carlisle
Des Arc
Mount Ida
Hazen
Bearden
ACTUAL SCORES:
Junction 39, Dierks 0
Strong 18, Marked Tree 14
Bigelow 30, Woodlawn 25
Carlisle 51, Cross County 21
Des Arc 50, Marvell 12
Smackover 22, Mt. Ida 20
EPC 22, Hazen o
Bearden 48, Murfreesboro 6
Har-Ber at Cabot - PREDICTION: Cabot 28, Har-Ber 24
ACTUAL SCORE: Har-Ber 21, Cabot 17
Cabot had the ball on Har-Ber's 5-yard line late in the game, but couldn't punch it in.
Catholic at Southside - PREDICTION: Southside 14, Catholic 7
ACTUAL SCORE: Southside 28, Catholic 17
The game was not this close. Southside led 28-3 late in the game.
Bryant at Bentonville - PREDICTION: Bentonville 28, Bryant 14
ACTUAL SCORE: Bentonville 34, Bryant 14
Bryant led 14-7 before Bentonville ran back a kickoff for a touchdown for a 14-14 halftime score. It was all Tigers in the 2nd half.
Northside at Russellville - PREDICTION: Northside 35, Russellville 14
ACTUAL SCORE: Russellville 12, Northside 7
Russellville's defense and it's nack for winning close games comes through again.
6A Playoffs
Texarkana at West Memphis - PREDICTION: West Memphis 42, Texarkana 14.
ACTUAL SCORE: West Memphis 33, Texarkana 7
West Memphis took a 14-7 halftime lead, but never let it get close in the 2nd half to end Texarkana's hope for a three-peat.
Jacksonville at Lake Hamilton - PREDICTION: Lake Hamilton 49, Jacksonville 13
ACTUAL SCORE: Lake Hamilton 41, Jacksonville 0
Lake Hamilton did one point better in the second half turning their 20-0 halftime margin into a 41-0 victory.
Watson Chapel at Pine Bluff - PREDICTION: Pine Bluff 49, Watson Chapel 7
ACTUAL SCORE: Watson Chapel 18, Pine Bluff
Turning a 48-0 week 5 loss into a 3-point playoff win is shocking to say the least. Great job by Coach Shelton and his staff.
El Dorado at Jonesboro - PREDICTION: El Dorado 28, Jonesboro 27
ACTUAL SCORE: El Dorado 54, Jonesboro 23
El Dorado dominated from start to finish and extended a 40-7 halftime lead to 54-15 to envoke the sportsmanship rule.
5A Playoffs
Magnolia at Monticello - PREDICTION: Monticello 35, Magnolia 21
ACTUAL SCORE: Monticello 35, Magnolia 16
Magnolia led 16-14 before Monticello took a 21-16 halftime lead and scored the only two touchdowns of the second half.
Siloam Springs at West Helena - PREDICTION: West Helena 63, Siloam Springs 21
ACTUAL SCORE: West Helena 38, Siloam Springs 14
Siloam was able to score early and stave off West Helena for most of the first quarter. However, their 7-0 lead dissipated and then disappeared early in the 2nd quarter and the Cougars would take a 20-7 halftime lead before extending it to 38-7 in the 4th.
Batesville at Greenwood - PREDICTION: Batesville 28, Greenwood 27
ACTUAL SCORE: Greenwood 24, Batesville 20
The game lived up to its billing as the game of the week. Greenwood drove down with a little over two minutes left to take the lead. Batesville ran out of time as they had driven to Greenwood's 35 before heaving one last hope to the endzone as time expired.
Beebe at Pulaski Academy - PREDICTION: PA 42, Beebe 21
ACTUAL SCORE: PA 63, Beebe 21
Pulaski Academy scored on all eight possessions and ran back a fumble for a touchdown. The Bruins led 42-7 at half to envoke the mercy rule for the entire second half. Beebe had almost 400 yards of offense in the loss but turned the ball over 5 times (4 fumbles).
4A Playoffs
PREDICTIONS:
Nashville
Dollarway
Heber Springs
Gravette
Shiloh
Warren
Osceola
DeQueen
ACTUAL:
Nashville 63, Stuttgart 35
Dollarway 38, Gosnell 36
Heber Springs 29, West Fork 24
Newport 17, Gravette 0
Shiloh 84, Clarksville 14
Lonoke 45, Warren 24
Osceola 34, Booneville 21
DeQueen 41, Dumas 26
3A Playoffs
PREDICTIONS:
Prescott
Fountain Lake
Perryville
Lavaca
Charleston
Glen Rose
Hoxie
Atkins
ACTUAL:
Prescott 41, Harding Academy 14
Fountain Lake 55, Harrisburg 20
Cedarville 15, Perryville 9
Lavaca 49, Earle 32
Charleston 42, Magnet Cove 19
Mayflower 15, Glen Rose 14
Lamar 16, Hoxie 7
Mansfield 42, Atkins 32
2A Playoffs
PREDICTIONS:
Junction City
Strong
Woodlawn
Carlisle
Des Arc
Mount Ida
Hazen
Bearden
ACTUAL SCORES:
Junction 39, Dierks 0
Strong 18, Marked Tree 14
Bigelow 30, Woodlawn 25
Carlisle 51, Cross County 21
Des Arc 50, Marvell 12
Smackover 22, Mt. Ida 20
EPC 22, Hazen o
Bearden 48, Murfreesboro 6
Friday, November 21, 2008
2008 Playoffs - Round 2
7A Playoffs
Har-Ber at Cabot - Cabot has had one of its best seasons since 2001 and have high hopes to make a bid for the state title in three weeks. Har-Ber is having another great season suffering only two losses to the Ft. Smith School District. We like Cabot in this game, but I'm not sure their defense is ready to stop Har-Ber's spread attack. PREDICTION: Cabot 28, Har-Ber 24
Catholic at Southside - This is a rematch of week 1 in which the Rebels took down the Rockets, 22-14. We expect another good game this week as both teams look to be playing their best football. PREDICTION: Southside 14, Catholic 7
Bryant at Bentonville - Bryant shocked the state last week by defeating Springdale with a fourth-string quarterback. We believe this will be a good game, but Bentonville will be too much for the Hornets. PREDICTION: Bentonville 28, Bryant 14
Northside at Russellville - Northside may have one of the best offenses in 7A as they will matchup against a stout Cyclone defense. Russellville knows what its like to play in tight games as 5 of their 9 wins have been by a touchdown or less. Northside will not let this one get that close. PREDICTION: Northside 35, Russellville 14
6A Playoffs
Texarkana at West Memphis - The two-time defending champion is coming to what looks like the class of 6A, West Memphis. The last two years this would have been a great game, but we don't think so this year. PREDICTION: West Memphis 42, Texarkana 14.
Jacksonville at Lake Hamilton - Lake Hamilton has been known to give up a lot of points on occasion; however, they can score a lot of points as well. This one should be over early. PREDICTION: Lake Hamilton 49, Jacksonville 13
Watson Chapel at Pine Bluff - Pine Bluff won the earlier meeting between these conference foes, 48-0. This one should be closer. PREDICTION: Pine Bluff 49, Watson Chapel 7
El Dorado at Jonesboro - Jonesboro is much improved under first year head coach Randy Coleman. El Dorado has big wins this season over Texarkana and Pine Bluff, but just squeaked out a one-point decision over Marion last week. PREDICTION: El Dorado 28, Jonesboro 27
5A Playoffs
Magnolia at Monticello - After early conference losses to Pulaski Academy and Lakeside, Magnolia has reeled off six straight including an overtime win over Central Arkansas Christian last week. Monticello rolled through the 5A SE undefeated and thumped Wynne last week. We like for Magnolia to keep it close until the end. PREDICTION: Monticello 35, Magnolia 21
Siloam Springs at West Helena - Siloam Springs just thought they saw speed last year at Camden-Fairview. Unfortunately for them, they'll have to travel almost six hours to see what may be the overall fastest team ever in Arkansas high school football. PREDICTION: West Helena 63, Siloam Springs 21
Batesville at Greenwood - This will probably be the best game to watch as it pits two of the best head coaches in the state against each other, Rick Jones of Greenwood and Dave King of Batesville. We really like Batesville's defense against the least potent offense that Rick Jones has had as the leader Bulldogs. However, Batesville is going to have to put up some big numbers on the offensive side of the ball to come our of Smith Robinson Stadium with a ticket to the third round. PREDICTION: Batesville 28, Greenwood 27
Beebe at Pulaski Academy - Contrasting styles would be an understatement. Beebe's Dead-T versus Pulaski Academy's one-back and no-back spread. The result of this game hinges on Bruin defense's ability to not allow Beebe to have long drives and get a couple of early stops. PA's going to score, but will they be able to get the ball enough? We say yes. PREDICTION: PA 42, Beebe 21
4A Playoffs
Nashville
Dollarway
Heber Springs
Gravette
Shiloh
Warren
Osceola
DeQueen
3A Playoffs
Prescott
Fountain Lake
Perryville
Lavaca
Charleston
Glen Rose
Hoxie
Atkins
2A Playoffs
Junction City
Strong
Woodlawn
Carlisle
Des Arc
Mount Ida
Hazen
Bearden
Har-Ber at Cabot - Cabot has had one of its best seasons since 2001 and have high hopes to make a bid for the state title in three weeks. Har-Ber is having another great season suffering only two losses to the Ft. Smith School District. We like Cabot in this game, but I'm not sure their defense is ready to stop Har-Ber's spread attack. PREDICTION: Cabot 28, Har-Ber 24
Catholic at Southside - This is a rematch of week 1 in which the Rebels took down the Rockets, 22-14. We expect another good game this week as both teams look to be playing their best football. PREDICTION: Southside 14, Catholic 7
Bryant at Bentonville - Bryant shocked the state last week by defeating Springdale with a fourth-string quarterback. We believe this will be a good game, but Bentonville will be too much for the Hornets. PREDICTION: Bentonville 28, Bryant 14
Northside at Russellville - Northside may have one of the best offenses in 7A as they will matchup against a stout Cyclone defense. Russellville knows what its like to play in tight games as 5 of their 9 wins have been by a touchdown or less. Northside will not let this one get that close. PREDICTION: Northside 35, Russellville 14
6A Playoffs
Texarkana at West Memphis - The two-time defending champion is coming to what looks like the class of 6A, West Memphis. The last two years this would have been a great game, but we don't think so this year. PREDICTION: West Memphis 42, Texarkana 14.
Jacksonville at Lake Hamilton - Lake Hamilton has been known to give up a lot of points on occasion; however, they can score a lot of points as well. This one should be over early. PREDICTION: Lake Hamilton 49, Jacksonville 13
Watson Chapel at Pine Bluff - Pine Bluff won the earlier meeting between these conference foes, 48-0. This one should be closer. PREDICTION: Pine Bluff 49, Watson Chapel 7
El Dorado at Jonesboro - Jonesboro is much improved under first year head coach Randy Coleman. El Dorado has big wins this season over Texarkana and Pine Bluff, but just squeaked out a one-point decision over Marion last week. PREDICTION: El Dorado 28, Jonesboro 27
5A Playoffs
Magnolia at Monticello - After early conference losses to Pulaski Academy and Lakeside, Magnolia has reeled off six straight including an overtime win over Central Arkansas Christian last week. Monticello rolled through the 5A SE undefeated and thumped Wynne last week. We like for Magnolia to keep it close until the end. PREDICTION: Monticello 35, Magnolia 21
Siloam Springs at West Helena - Siloam Springs just thought they saw speed last year at Camden-Fairview. Unfortunately for them, they'll have to travel almost six hours to see what may be the overall fastest team ever in Arkansas high school football. PREDICTION: West Helena 63, Siloam Springs 21
Batesville at Greenwood - This will probably be the best game to watch as it pits two of the best head coaches in the state against each other, Rick Jones of Greenwood and Dave King of Batesville. We really like Batesville's defense against the least potent offense that Rick Jones has had as the leader Bulldogs. However, Batesville is going to have to put up some big numbers on the offensive side of the ball to come our of Smith Robinson Stadium with a ticket to the third round. PREDICTION: Batesville 28, Greenwood 27
Beebe at Pulaski Academy - Contrasting styles would be an understatement. Beebe's Dead-T versus Pulaski Academy's one-back and no-back spread. The result of this game hinges on Bruin defense's ability to not allow Beebe to have long drives and get a couple of early stops. PA's going to score, but will they be able to get the ball enough? We say yes. PREDICTION: PA 42, Beebe 21
4A Playoffs
Nashville
Dollarway
Heber Springs
Gravette
Shiloh
Warren
Osceola
DeQueen
3A Playoffs
Prescott
Fountain Lake
Perryville
Lavaca
Charleston
Glen Rose
Hoxie
Atkins
2A Playoffs
Junction City
Strong
Woodlawn
Carlisle
Des Arc
Mount Ida
Hazen
Bearden
Friday, November 14, 2008
2008 Playoffs - Round 1
Today we are previewing the 1st round of the state playoffs for the top 3 classifications. There will be plenty of excitement to go around, but half the teams will be preparing for basketball season come Saturday morning.
7A:
With the first two seeds from the conferences taking a BYE, there are four games with matchups between the 4 and 5 seeds and the 3 and 6 seeds.
4W Har-Ber versus 5C North Little Rock may be a better game than many think. Har-Ber is known as an offensive team, but have really stepped it up on defense the last two weeks by surrendering 13 points combined to Fayetteville and Bentonville. North Little Rock can play some defense, but have been anemic at times this year with the football. Look for them to keep it close, but for Har-Ber to come away with a two touchdown advantage. PREDICTION: Har-Ber 21, North Little Rock 7
3C Catholic versus 6W Fayetteville is probably the most intriguing matchup in 7A. Coming out of the shute, Fayetteville looked like they may be the team to beat after their 2-0 start. However, four straight losses and a 5-5 record shows how vulnerable this team can be. Catholic is 0-2 versus West teams this year, but those losses were by a touchdown or less to the Fort Smith schools. PREDICTION: Catholic 24, Fayetteville 20
4W Springdale versus 5C Bryant will probably not be a game you would want to go see. It's not that Springdale is that great, but moreso that Bryant is lost. They've salvaged a season to this point that was lost when their senior quarterback tore his ACL in the spring. Unfortunately, that's not the only bad news Bryant has had to deal with this year. PREDICTION: Springdale 35, Bryant 7.
3W Northside versus 6C Van Buren is a rematch of a 37-34 Northside victory in week 2. We don't think it will be that close this time. PREDICTION: Northside 38, Van Buren 14.
6A:
One seeds West Memphis and Pine Bluff and two seeds Jonesboro and Lake Hamilton have byes into the second round.
Parkview at Arkansas High
Parkview just won't go away. This is a game that you just feel like Texarkana will be able to control, but who isn't impressed with Coach Hardiman and the Patriots this year? We're going with the upset against our better senses. PREDICTION: Parkview 20, Texarkana 14
Sheridan at Jacksonville
Sheridan has problems with speed. Jacksoville has that. PREDICTION: Jacksonville 40, Sheridan 7.
Watson Chapel at Mountain Home
Watson Chapel may be the better team, but they may not have any legs after their trip to Mountain Hope. I do think they will get them back by halftime and win. PREDICTION: Watson Chapel 28, Mountain Home 21.
Marion at El Dorado
El Dorado tied for 1st place but received the 3-seed. That's okay, though, because Marion may be just as good as a BYE for them. PREDICTION: El Dorado 37, Marion 6.
5A
Two games jump out at us as good first round matchups: Central Arkansas Christian at Magnolia and Alma at Pulaski Academy.
3W CAC at 2SW Magnolia
These two teams have been heading in opposite directions in recent weeks. After at huge win at Harrison, CAC has dropped two of four with those two wins being a battle against non-playoff teams Vilonia and Morrilton. After losing their first two conference games, Magnolia has been rolling with five straight including a convincing victory over Little Rock Christian. PREDICTION: Magnolia 28, CAC 14
4W Alma at 1SW PA
Alma was 5 yards away from a conference championship. Instead, they are traveling to PA with a 4-seed. PA has the number one offense in the nation, and will once again be tested by a West team. Last time PA played a West opponent in the first round, Siloam Springs. PA had the mercy rule by half. Despite what others think, we don't think this will be close. PREDICTION: PA 49, Alma 14.
Other Predictions:
Monticello 42, Wynne 13
West Helena 62, Sylvan Hills 28
Siloam Springs 14, Little Rock Christian 13
Greenwood 27, Camden Fairview 7
Batesville 35, White Hall 0
Beebe 28, Blytheville 20
4A to 2A Predictions. * Marks our game of the week.
4A PREDICTIONS
Stuttgart
Gosnell
Heber Springs
Newport
Gravette
Clarksville
Warren
Malvern*
Dumas
DeQueen
3A PREDICTIONS
Harding Academy
Harrisburg
Barton*
Earle
Lafayette County
Green Forest
Glen Rose
Lamar
Arkansas Baptist
Rison
2A PREDICTIONS
Dierks
Strong
Marked Tree
Bigelow
Woodlawn
Cross County
Carlisle
Union Christian
Mount Ida
Mineral Springs*
EPC
Hazen
Bearden
Mountain Pine
7A:
With the first two seeds from the conferences taking a BYE, there are four games with matchups between the 4 and 5 seeds and the 3 and 6 seeds.
4W Har-Ber versus 5C North Little Rock may be a better game than many think. Har-Ber is known as an offensive team, but have really stepped it up on defense the last two weeks by surrendering 13 points combined to Fayetteville and Bentonville. North Little Rock can play some defense, but have been anemic at times this year with the football. Look for them to keep it close, but for Har-Ber to come away with a two touchdown advantage. PREDICTION: Har-Ber 21, North Little Rock 7
3C Catholic versus 6W Fayetteville is probably the most intriguing matchup in 7A. Coming out of the shute, Fayetteville looked like they may be the team to beat after their 2-0 start. However, four straight losses and a 5-5 record shows how vulnerable this team can be. Catholic is 0-2 versus West teams this year, but those losses were by a touchdown or less to the Fort Smith schools. PREDICTION: Catholic 24, Fayetteville 20
4W Springdale versus 5C Bryant will probably not be a game you would want to go see. It's not that Springdale is that great, but moreso that Bryant is lost. They've salvaged a season to this point that was lost when their senior quarterback tore his ACL in the spring. Unfortunately, that's not the only bad news Bryant has had to deal with this year. PREDICTION: Springdale 35, Bryant 7.
3W Northside versus 6C Van Buren is a rematch of a 37-34 Northside victory in week 2. We don't think it will be that close this time. PREDICTION: Northside 38, Van Buren 14.
6A:
One seeds West Memphis and Pine Bluff and two seeds Jonesboro and Lake Hamilton have byes into the second round.
Parkview at Arkansas High
Parkview just won't go away. This is a game that you just feel like Texarkana will be able to control, but who isn't impressed with Coach Hardiman and the Patriots this year? We're going with the upset against our better senses. PREDICTION: Parkview 20, Texarkana 14
Sheridan at Jacksonville
Sheridan has problems with speed. Jacksoville has that. PREDICTION: Jacksonville 40, Sheridan 7.
Watson Chapel at Mountain Home
Watson Chapel may be the better team, but they may not have any legs after their trip to Mountain Hope. I do think they will get them back by halftime and win. PREDICTION: Watson Chapel 28, Mountain Home 21.
Marion at El Dorado
El Dorado tied for 1st place but received the 3-seed. That's okay, though, because Marion may be just as good as a BYE for them. PREDICTION: El Dorado 37, Marion 6.
5A
Two games jump out at us as good first round matchups: Central Arkansas Christian at Magnolia and Alma at Pulaski Academy.
3W CAC at 2SW Magnolia
These two teams have been heading in opposite directions in recent weeks. After at huge win at Harrison, CAC has dropped two of four with those two wins being a battle against non-playoff teams Vilonia and Morrilton. After losing their first two conference games, Magnolia has been rolling with five straight including a convincing victory over Little Rock Christian. PREDICTION: Magnolia 28, CAC 14
4W Alma at 1SW PA
Alma was 5 yards away from a conference championship. Instead, they are traveling to PA with a 4-seed. PA has the number one offense in the nation, and will once again be tested by a West team. Last time PA played a West opponent in the first round, Siloam Springs. PA had the mercy rule by half. Despite what others think, we don't think this will be close. PREDICTION: PA 49, Alma 14.
Other Predictions:
Monticello 42, Wynne 13
West Helena 62, Sylvan Hills 28
Siloam Springs 14, Little Rock Christian 13
Greenwood 27, Camden Fairview 7
Batesville 35, White Hall 0
Beebe 28, Blytheville 20
4A to 2A Predictions. * Marks our game of the week.
4A PREDICTIONS
Stuttgart
Gosnell
Heber Springs
Newport
Gravette
Clarksville
Warren
Malvern*
Dumas
DeQueen
3A PREDICTIONS
Harding Academy
Harrisburg
Barton*
Earle
Lafayette County
Green Forest
Glen Rose
Lamar
Arkansas Baptist
Rison
2A PREDICTIONS
Dierks
Strong
Marked Tree
Bigelow
Woodlawn
Cross County
Carlisle
Union Christian
Mount Ida
Mineral Springs*
EPC
Hazen
Bearden
Mountain Pine
Friday, November 7, 2008
2008 - Week 10 Shootouts
Week 10 in an Arkansas high school football season is always a strange time. We feel like the teams that are playing tonight divide fairly equally into three categories.
Here are some games that we don't think you want to miss if you can make it out tonight (the rankings below are the Hootens.com Rankings for Week 10):
- For the top 1/3 of the teams, it is a final dressed rehearsal for a playoff run that they hope will end in a state title. These are the team that have those top one or two playoff seeds locked up.
- For the middle 1/3 of the teams, this week is stressful because they are either fighting for their playoff life or trying avoid the top seeds in their first playoff round by improving their place in the bracket. If you attend one these games, these teams tend to play with lots of emotion as their senior struggle to extend their careers by at least one more week.
- The bottom 1/3 of the teams usually have nothing on the line except pride in how the senior leaders will be sent out. The seniors will remember this moment because most (>90%) will play competitive football for the last time tonight. Again, emotions run high in these games simply because the career ends in just 48 short minutes of game clock.
Here are some games that we don't think you want to miss if you can make it out tonight (the rankings below are the Hootens.com Rankings for Week 10):
- #1 Bentonville @ #4 Har-Ber. Bentonville is trying to remain the lone remaining unbeaten in the 7A classification. This will be a 7A West slugfest.
- #2 FS Northside @ #3 FS Southside. This year's "Battle of Rogers Avenue" could be another classic in this high spirited rivalry.
- Springdale @ Rogers. The loser in this 7A West battle will watch the playoffs while cleaning and storing the equipment until next summer.
- #6 Russellville @ #5 Cabot. The winner of this showdown will have the #1 seed from the 7A Central
- #1 West Helena @ #3 Batesville. The winner claims the 5A East conference crown and a coveted #1 seed in the playoffs.
- Green County Tech @ Paragould. A GCT win puts the Eagles in the playoffs and avenges a Week 1 drubbing. A Paragould win would be bittersweet because the season would be over, but it would prevent their rivals from a historic playoff berth.
- Little Rock Christian @ #2 Pulaski Academy. The winner takes home the 5A Southwest and a #1 playoff seed. LRC is also fighting to avoid a #3 playoff seed that happens if they lose (Magnolia defeated Hope last night).
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
2008 - Week 9 Look Back
We wanted to look back to see how the three games we chose ended up going last Friday night.
- Har-Ber looked more and more like a team that can make a deep run into the playoffs as they defeated Fayetteville 28-7. Since the first game of the season when Fayetteville looked dominant, they have not found a rhythm that you would expect from a title contender.
- It looks like Greenwood really is hitting playoff form as they defeated CAC 31-17. The question for the Bulldogs starting the year was how to replace Tyler Wilson at QB. As the playoffs approach, it looks like they have at least found some offensive spark.
- The Mena-Waldron contest was a high scoring affair. The Bearcats pulled out a 41-28 victory over the visitors from Waldron. This is likely the last mention of either of these two on this site until this spring when we find if they will be playing in any 7-on-7 leagues or tournaments.
- Arkansas Baptist 41, Bauxite 40
- Bald Knob 40, Marianna Lee 38
- DeQueen 49, Arkadelphia 35
- McCrory 50, Rector 36
- Pulaski Academy 56, Hope 42
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