10 Arkansas high school football games to watch in Week 8 (10/18/2023)
Here are 10 games to watch in Arkansas high school football for Week 8.
Note: Rankings are based on the SBLive Arkansas Top 25.
Booneville (5-2) @ Charleston (4-3)
You would be hard-pressed to find two 3A schools that played stiffer competition during the nonconference slate than these two and, as expected, have proven to once again be the top contenders in the 3A-1. Charleston swept the Bearcats last season, the first time 42-14 over a short-handed Booneville squad, then proved to be too much again in the 3A finals by a nearly identical 41-12 result. Booneville last won this game in 2019 and hopes that its current dominance through the past four conference games continues in which they have outscored the opposition 169-25, while Charleston is also riding a four-game win streak of its own. Booneville brings more experience to the table, led by the backfield of Harding University commit Dax Goff and Rylen Ray, while the young Tigers are led by seasoned three-year starter Reese Merechka, whom Charleston got back during the Mansfield game on October 6.
No. 2 Bryant (6-1) @ No. 16 Cabot (4-3)
Cabot gave Bryant as tough of a game that the Hornets faced in 2022, but the Panthers were unable to complete the upset on the road. This year, excluding a one-point loss to now top-ranked Parkview, Bryant has continued to handle its business, while Cabot has won the games it is supposed to but struggled against ranked competition. In four victories, Cabot outscored opponents 113-44, as the opposition has outscored them 123-52 in the three defeats, while Bryant has handled its past four opponents. In Friday's 59-33 win over Little Rock Southwest, Bryant relied on a bevy of young talent, headlined by junior Myron Thrash and sophomore Zekeriah Kertis-Jones, who combined for 337 yards on the ground and six touchdowns. The Hornets currently sit in a tie for first place in the 7A-Central with No. 3 Conway, while Cabot is a game and a half behind them in second.
No. 7 Bentonville (4-3) @ No. 12 Rogers (5-2)
In a sense, this contest is a bit of a gut check for both Bentonville and Rogers as both have experienced some recent trials. Rogers rebounded from a frustrating two-game skid with a win over a struggling Springdale squad last week, while Bentonville just took one on the chin to arch rival Fayetteville, their second loss to the Purple Dogs in the past three seasons. The Tigers are tied for second place in the 7A-West standings, a game behind Fayetteville, while the Mounties are two back tied for third. Bentonville starting quarterback Carter Nye left the Fayetteville game with an injury in the third quarter and his status is unknown for Friday. Whether it is Nye or sophomore Cole Slepecki as the signal caller, they will need to continue relying on Arkansas receiver commit C.J. Brown, who had another big game against Fayetteville and has hauled in 33 catches for 734 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year. Rogers quarterback Dane Williams has led a potent Rogers offense as well that averages 43 points per game.
Elkins (7-0) @ Ozark (6-1)
It has been said many times throughout this season that everyone in the 4A-1 is chasing Elkins and so far that has been true. The Elks' offense, led by Central Missouri commit Slade "Dizzy" Dean (1,607 passing yards, 24 touchdowns) and Da'Shawn Chairs (781 rushing, 16 total touchdowns), has averaged 56 points per game and scored no less than 41 in every contest. However, you also have to give the Hillbillies a lot of credit, especially considering they're expected by some to take a step back after graduating multiple key players, but junior Koby Wilbanks (1,917 total yards, 23 touchdowns) has been one who has really shined. Since falling to Booneville on September 1, Ozark has won five straight, all by considerable margins, but this Elks squad will be the toughest the Hillbillies have seen thus far. A victory for Elkins will all but seal the 4A-1 championship.
Heber Springs (4-2) @ Stuttgart (5-2)
It has been a little bit since Heber Springs has had much to be excited about on the gridiron. However, head coach Van Paschal has always been known to be a man of his word and he has followed through on providing a "shot in the arm" for a Panthers team that desperately needed it. Following back-to-back losses to start the season, Heber has won its past four by a combined score of 177-21, including two shutouts, and are tied for first with Harding Academy in the 4A-2 standings. In the Panthers' way is Stuttgart, who sits a game behind the Panthers. The young Ricebirds' only losses are to ranked opponents Warren and Harding Academy, but are coming off of a 38-0 shutout win over Cave City. Freshman Cain Price, the son of Stuttgart head coach Josh Price, was moved up to the varsity squad this season and completed 11-of-14 passes for 260 yards and five touchdowns in one half of play last week against the Cavemen.
No. 19 Mills (6-1) @ No. 20 Joe T. Robinson (6-1)
A crucial stop on a two-point conversion sealed a 29-28 win, and essentially the 5A-Central championship, for Robinson last season. As if that is not its own storyline, the Comets will be short-handed due to 12 players serving a suspension, most notably Arkansas commit Charlie Collins, as a result of the incident with Pine Bluff on October 6. With its full roster, the Comets have been one of the more devastating offensive units in the state, averaging 481 total yards and 36 points per contest. Wide receiver Akyell Madison has been one of the biggest surprises statewide with 47 catches for 916 yards and eight touchdowns. The Senators have won six consecutive contests while utilizing a 'by committee' rushing attack formula that has produced over 1,500 yards. Arkansas target Quentin Murphy (586 yards, five touchdowns), Nick Abrams (418 yards, 9 touchdowns) and Jordan Thomas (423 yards, 3 touchdowns) have led the way.
Monticello (5-2) @ Warren (7-0)
Warren is currently in the driver's seat of the 4A-8 race, but has been challenged in its pas three contests and it does not get easier with a scrappy Billies squad coming to town. DeWitt led the Lumberjacks last week, before Warren got some momentum going and won 39-23 powered by strong performances from Trey Jackson (221 rushing yards, touchdown) and Antonio Jordan (123 receiving yards, two touchdowns). The Billies are led by seniors Brooks Bowman (1,300 passing yards, 16 touchdowns), Jontavion Lambert (713 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns) and Ja'Quayvius Rhodes (503 yards, 5 touchdowns). Monticello got off to a slow 1-2 start, but have since turned the tide and won four consecutive games as they now look to take down the Lumberjacks for the first time since 2020.
Mayflower (5-2) @ Bauxite (4-3)
The 4A-4 conference is quite a fiasco as there is currently a four-way tie for second place with the Eagles and Miners being two of those teams. Mayflower is led by senior quarterback Frankie Fennell, who is in his first full season as the team's starting quarterback after converting from running back last year. The Eagles dropped back-to-back contests to close out September following a 3-0 start, but have a new win streak going after taking down Lamar and Bauxite. The injury bug has affected the Miners, but they have hung tough as winners of three of the past four games. Arkansas commit Marcus Wimberly is one who has battled injuries, but is as dangerous as any player in the state when on the field and healthy. The winner will be in safe position for a Top 3 spot heading into Week 9, while the one who comes up short will face a long road in order to reach the postseason. Coverage for the game can be heard on 103.7 The Buzz starting at 6:45 p.m.
Pottsville (5-3) @ Clinton (5-2)
Some of what is at stake as it relates to 4A-4 standings in the Mayflower/Bauxite matchup is relevant to this game. Pottsville is currently in a tie for first-place with Central Arkansas Christian (the Mustangs own the head-to-head tiebreaker), while Clinton is in the aforementioned four-way tie for second. Yellowjackets' star running back/linebacker Zane Widener had a record-setting night in Clinton's 53-50 win over Central Arkansas Christian last Friday, eclipsing 400 yards rushing and seven total touchdowns. Clinton hopes to ride that momentum and win its second consecutive game, while the Apaches are trying to snap a two-game skid in which they lost to that same CAC team by a single point and then dropped last week's game to Lamar.
No. 25 Valley View (7-1) @ Southside (Batesville) (7-0)
While anything can happen over the new few weeks, this will likely decide the 5A-East champion between these two highly successful offenses. Southside knew it needed to make a statement against Nettleton and the Southerners came through with a 42-17 rout after getting themselves in an early 10-0 hole. Valley View, the defending 5A-East champion, currently rides a six-game win streak and has only allowed as many points in the past two contests. Quarterback Carson Turley has been asked to do a lot for the Blazers and has been more than willing, as he has totaled 1,827 yards of offense to go with 20 touchdowns. Southside's stable of running backs have gotten the majority of the pub, and rightfully so, but quarterback Savion Hall has been the X factor. Hall lit it up last Friday against Nettleton, compiling 227 yards of offense and four total touchdowns.
--Kyle Sutherland | @k_sutherlandAR
Photo by Tommy Land
