Vote: Who should be SBLive Arkansas' team of the week? (9/11/2023)
Here are the candidates for SBLive’s Arkansas High School Team of the Week.
Read through the nominees and cast your vote. Voting will conclude Sunday, September 17, at 11:59 p.m.
Augusta Red Devils football
This once highly successful program essentially had no choice but to cancel the final two games of the regular season last year. However, the Red Devils were able to compile a team for the 2023 season and earned their first victory since 2021 in a basketball-esk finish, 66-58 over Rose Bud.
Baptist Prep Eagles volleyball
The 10th-ranked Lady Eagles swept a solid Mayflower squad 3-0 in conference play, and also took down Nettleton, No. 3 Benton, and finally No. 13 Shiloh Christian in the finals to win the LRCA Classic.
Bentonville Tigers boys cross country
The Tigers scored 23 points to take first place and win the team title at the MileSplit Denton Guyer Invitational on September 9. Four of five runners finished in the Top 10, led by James American Horse who was fourth, followed by Eli Seavey (sixth), Matthew Shelly (seventh) and Payton Brack (ninth), along with Owen Kelley who was eleventh.
Bentonville Tigers girls cross country
Bentonville edged Plano (Texas) West, compiling 46 points to clinch first place for the team title at the MileSplit Denton Guyer Invitational on September 9. Three runners placed in the Top 15 with Haley Loewe leading the way finishing second, followed by Devyn O'Daniel (seventh) and Everly O'Daniel (thirteenth).
Brookland Bearcats volleyball
The defending 4A state champions may have been nominated as the Team of the Week recently, but they have remained undefeated against a against a very tough slate and took down Valley View 3-1 last week, the Lady Bearcats' second victory over the Lady Blazers this year. They also swept Trumann in their most recent matchup last Thursday.
Dermott Rams football
Those Rams took a giant step forward in the current state of the football program, earning a decisive 40-8 victory over Cedar Ridge last Friday. The win gave the program its first taste of victory since 2010 (they did not field a team from 2011-20 and went winless in 2022).
Des Arc Eagles football
Not many expected for the Eagles to be the early favorite in Class 2A, but they have made their case through two games. After defeating defending state champion Hazen in overtime during the season opener, Des Arc conquered Class 4A Bald Knob last Friday.
Fort Smith Southside Mavericks volleyball
The top-ranked Lady Mavericks are living up to being No. 1. They are 8-0 through September 10 and most recently knocked off No. 6 Bentonville and No. 7 Springdale Har-Ber. Including those two wins, Southside has defeated three Top 15 squads in the past two weeks.
Magnet Cove Panthers football
The Panthers have been one of the surprise teams thus far in Class 3A in the first year under Dean Adams, and swept the three-game non-conference slate heading into a bye week. Last Friday's 76 points against Baptist Prep were the eighth most in all-time in a single game.
Parkview Patriots football
They came close to doing it last season, but the Patriots got the job done this time around and notched a huge road win over Bryant, ending a 54-game in-state win streak. Effective defensive adjustments, along with a strong rushing attack that combined for 270 yards, led by junior Monterrio Elston’s 13 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown, were the difference.
Pulaski Academy Bruins girls tennis
The Lady Bruins began last week by knocking off Maumelle 6-0, then tied North Little Rock 2-2 and Parkview 1-1, then finished strong by defeating Beebe 5-0. Allie Thomas headlined the singles matchups, winning 8-6 against Beebe and 8-2 against Maumelle, while the duo of Abby Minton and Faith Chi took three of their doubles matches.
Valley View Blazers boys cross Country
It was a great week across the board for Valley View cross country, as the boys got past Jonesboro Westside to claim the team title of the A-State PEM XC Kickoff. It was all Blazers that finished in the Top 3 individually, starting with Reece Smith, followed by Parker Byron and Cole Chadwick.
Valley View Blazers girls cross country
The Lady Blazers recently won the girls division of the Blazer Arvest Bank Invitational and followed that up by claiming the team title of the A-State PEM XC Kickoff last week . Aubrey Minton and Emma Jarrett finished in the Top 3 for the Lady Blazers.
