10 games to watch in Arkansas high school football in Week 4
This week's slate is probably the best across the board so far as we near the midway point of the season. Five SBLive Arkansas Top 25 matchups are on the horizon, along with plenty of other headliners in the smaller classifications. Everything matters from this point on as conference play is fully underway.
Here are 10 games to watch in Arkansas high school football for Week 4.
Note: Rankings are based on the SBLive Arkansas Top 25.
Earle (2-1) @ Des Arc (2-1)
Since 2018, Des Arc has dominated this series winning each of the past five contests, but it is a new year and anything can happen in the 2A-2 as the Eagles proved in 2022 winning the league. Led by Vanderbilt commit Joseph McVay, the Bulldogs played up in each of their non-conference contests that started with a loss to 3A Salem, who is currently 4-0, followed by wins over 4A West Helena and 3A Drew Central. Des Arc got off to a very hot start, defeating 2A defending state champion Hazen 36-34 in overtime that ended the Hornets' 14-game win streak. That was followed by a 26-12 win over 4A Bald Knob before Carlisle handed the Eagles their first loss 27-20 last Friday.
No. 6 Fayetteville (3-0) @ No. 20 Bentonville West (2-1)
Both should be fully rested coming off of bye weeks and hope to start off 7A-West play 1-0 in a series that is currently tied 3-3 all-time. Fayetteville is again one of the state's top offenses averaging 52 points per game behind quarterback and Minnesota commit Drake Lindsey, while three of Lindsey's top targets have over 100 yards. Bentonville West, led by senior quarterback Dalton Rice who was thrust into the role over the summer, has not defeated the Purple Dogs since 2019 and are just a three-point loss to Cabot away from being unbeaten.
No. 13 Hot Springs (3-0) @ No. 1 Parkview (3-0) - (Thursday, War Memorial Stadium)
Parkview went undefeated against its 5A competition last season, but Hot Springs only trailed by five before the Patriots scored late in the fourth to escape 33-21 on the road. The top-ranked Patriots are currently on a state-leading 14-game win streak and have been firing on all cylinders led by quarterback and Central Arkansas commit Eric McGehee, along with multiple other top college prospects including Omarion Robinson and Monterrio Elston. Hot Springs keeps making strides under head coach Darrell Burnett, while skill players Perry Jones (237 rush yards, two scores) and TJ Brogden (312 receiving yards, 4 scores) have starred offensively. Each defense has been impressive as Parkview is allowing 21 points per contest against all 7A competition, while the Trojans are surrendering 15.
Mayflower (3-0) @ Pottsville (3-1)
The winner of this contest will take sole possession of the top spot in the 4A-4. Mayflower is off to its first 3-0 start since 2018 after defeating league foe Clinton last Friday on a long pass from Frankie Fennell to Sean Graaf. The high-flying Eagles' offense is averaging 41 points per contest, while the flexbone attack of the Apaches is putting up 28 each game. Pottsville, who has already notched two conference wins, handed it to the Eagles 44-14 in last year's matchup so expect the visiting team to have a little more added motivation.
No. 7 Rogers (3-0) @ No. 11 Fort Smith Southside (3-0)
2023 7A-West play is in its infancy, but this is a crucial contest for each squad not only because one will remain undefeated, but it will give a leg up to secure an early spot, for now, in the top half of the league standings. Southside has immensely improved under fourth year coach Kim Dameron and have been as good as any team at running the football, averaging 364 yards per contest and 11.7 yards per carry. Senior Amari Tucker (595 yards, 9 touchdowns) has led the way along with Isaac Gregory (339 yards, 3 touchdowns). Rogers is off to a 3-0 start for the second consecutive season, led by quarterback Dane Williams who has passed for 567 yards and five touchdowns while leading the talented Mounties offense to 45 yards per contest.
No. 8 Pulaski Academy (3-0) @ No. 10 Little Rock Christian (3-1)
Despite Pulaski Academy handily winning the past five matchups, this still remains one of the premier statewide rivalries. LRCA kept it close last season until about midway through the second quarter, but Auburn commit Walker White and the Warriors are on a mission to flip the script, as well as put a complete game together. PA, the defending Class 6A champions, has been somewhat of a surprise team, not because of the 3-0 start, but how the Bruins have gotten there. They started the opening game with Patton Whicker, an all-state safety, at quarterback due to a thumb injury to Brandon Cobb, while top wide receiver John Mark Charette has also missed the past two games due to injury.
Searcy (3-0) @ No. 12 Catholic (2-1)
Catholic, along with Benton, are the two many think of when contenders are brought up in the 6A-East, but Searcy has quietly started 3-0 for the first time since 2019. Lions senior quarterback Tyler Strickland has impressed thus far, completing 65% of his passes for 629 yards with six touchdowns and has distributed the ball well, as three of his receivers already have over 10 receptions and 100-plus yards. On the other side, Rockets signal caller Jackson England was exceptional in the loss to Benton last week, passing for nearly 500 yards and six touchdowns, much of that production to all-state receiver and Air Force baseball commit, Brooks Ward, for the defending 6A-East champions. With Searcy averaging 48 points per contest and the Rockets putting up 72 points in the past two games, a combined score over 100+ is not out of the question.
Southside Batesville (3-0) @ Forrest City (1-3)
It may not seem enticing in a publication, but hear us out. Southside has taken care of business and is 3-0 for the first time since 2017, but will be taking on a hungry and physical Forrest City squad who plans to spoil the Southerners' unblemished record. Ask any of the four opposing coaches (five counting benefit game) about how the Mustangs played against their squad, and win or loss they will likely tell you Forrest City should not be taken lightly as two of their losses were to Top 20 opponents. The Southerners will certainly be a tough task, though, as they continue to excel in Kenny Simpson's unique Gun T offense, currently averaging 8.5 yards per carry with over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns. Seth Case, Savian Hall, Louis Calhoun and Gabe Witt all have eclipsed over 200 yards rushing, while Witt leads the team with 468 and seven touchdowns. Southside's defense is surrendering just 12 points per game and have seven players with 25 or more tackles, led by Andrew Plummer with 45.
No. LR 16 Southwest (1-2) @ No. 3 Conway (3-0)
The Gryphons had a bumpy nonconference slate, but fourth-year head coach and four-time state champion Daryl Patton expected some trials with so many new players and the installation of a new offense. Now with a fresh slate, they expect to go into John McDonnell Stadium and compete with the red-hot Wampus Cats, who have been arguably the state's most impressive offense thus far under new coach Buck James that is averaging 47 points per game. The Donovyn Omolo-to-Cris O'Neal combination has been unstoppable as Omolo is closing in on 1,000 passing yards with 16 total touchdowns and completing 64% of his passes. Southwest showed in a 48-6 win over Rogers Heritage what it can be and hopes to put a complete game together to show they are ready to compete with the state's best.
White Hall (3-1) @ No. 14 Mills (4-0)
A grieving, but valiant, White Hall squad has looked good through four games and has the opportunity to put themselves at the top of the 5A-Central with a victory. Air Force commit Jayden Smith ranks second in the state per stats recorded with 794 yards and eight touchdowns averaging 10.2 yards per carry, while the Bulldogs' defense is led by Marshon Jordan who has collected 45 tackles, tied for fifth in the state. In their way is undefeated Mills, who boasts one of the state's top offenses regardless of classification that averages 42 points per game, led by Achillies Ringo who ranks first in Arkansas with 1,406 yards and 13 touchdowns to zero interceptions, while his top target, Aykell Madison, who fourth in the state with 553 receiving yards and six touchdowns. The Comet defense has allowed just eight points in the past two games and Arkansas commit Charlie Collins has thrived on that side with a team-leading 38 tackles, 16 for loss, and five sacks.
--Kyle Sutherland
Photo of Little Rock Christian head coach Eric Cohu by Jimmy Jones
