Arkansas high school football Top 25 rankings (11/28/2023)
The 2023 season is quickly expiring and four state champions (five counting 8-Man) will be crowned at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock this weekend.
Central Arkansas - mainly Bryant - has owned Class 7A since 2017, but that will change on Saturday as bitter rivals No. 2 Fayetteville and No. 4 Bentonville square off for it all in the state's highest classification. They last played in the state final in 2014.
In Class 6A it is not a rematch of the 2022 state final, but No. 3 Greenwood and No. 8 Little Rock Christian did face off in Week 10. The Bulldogs won that one convincingly, 56-39, to claim the 6A-West championship.
Top-ranked Parkview has hardly been challenged by in-class competition, but No. 7 Shiloh Christian played them tough last December and if Friday night proved anything it is that the Saints should not be taken lightly.
Finally, No. 15 Harding Academy will travel to No. 21 Elkins for a Class 4A semifinal showdown that rounds out the Top 25 matchups.
See all times for the state championship games here.
Here are the SBLive Arkansas Top 25 high school football rankings for Week 14.
1. Parkview (13-0)
The defending state champions punched their ticket back to the state finals with a 42-13 win over 5A-South foe Camden Fairview, the second victory over the Cardinals in the past three weeks. In the last 11 contests, the Patriots have scored at least 35 points in a game and allowed no more than 14.
2. Fayetteville (12-0)
The Purple Dogs are one victory away from completing possibly the best season in school history following a standout defensive performance against Conway. The offense did not have one of its standard breakout nights, but senior University of Minnesota commit Drake Lindsey did reach 51 passing touchdowns on the year. In order to accomplish the ultimate goal, Fayetteville will have to get past bitter rival and No. 4 Bentonville, a squad they defeated 42-21 back on Oct. 13.
3. Greenwood (12-0)
The Bulldogs imposed their will on Pulaski Academy for their third win over the Bruins in the past calendar year and a right to play in their fourth consecutive state title game. It would be hard to find a more dominant player over the past month and a half in Arkansas than sophomore quarterback Kane Archer, who completed 20-of-25 passes for 206 yards and scored six touchdowns, while Grant Karnes and LJ Robins each hauled in highlight-worthy touchdowns.
4. Bentonville (9-3)
Of all the success Bentonville has had throughout the 21st century, the lopsided win over Bryant may have been the most fulfilling when you consider how last year ended at the hands of the Hornets, as well as all the Tigers have endured this season. A dominant third quarter powered the victory, led by senior quarterback Carter Nye who threw four touchdowns on the evening. Luke Coon hauled in three of those while finishing with 104 yards, while Arkansas commit CJ Brown compiled 107 receiving yards and a score.
5. Bryant (10-2)
All great things must come to an end, as they say, and that was the case for the Hornets following a tough home loss to Bentonville, ending their hope for six consecutive Class 7A state championships. Another decorated senior class departs for the Hornets, a group that helped win 34 games, three conference championships and two state titles.
6. Conway (10-2)
The Wampus Cats suffered their second heartbreaking finish in the past three seasons at Harmon Field as they were not able to capitalize during the final drive on the road against Fayetteville. In the first season under Buck James, Conway reached the state semifinals for the fourth consecutive season.
7. Shiloh Christian (11-2)
Do not ever count out Shiloh Christian - especially in the postseason. Trailing 35-19 at halftime, the Saints did not flinch once. They came out of the locker room and stormed back to win 49-41, punching their ticket to the state finals for the fifth straight season. Senior running back Bo Williams lives for the bright lights and he shined while compiling 350 total yards of offense and five touchdowns.
8. Little Rock Christian (10-2)
For the first time since 2020, the Warriors are back in the state finals following a triumphant finish over Benton. Little Rock Christian took the lead for good with 2:30 to play and fended off a resilient Panther rally by recovering a fumble with a minute and a half remaining. Auburn commit Walker White completed 20-of-33 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for two more scores. Cade Bowman hauled in nine of those passes for 146 yards and a score.
9. Benton (10-2)
The ending to last season was hard enough to stomach, but the Panthers took another punch to the gut when they fumbled while driving inside their own territory in an attempt to at the very least tie the game and send to overtime. It was a bitter end to a memorable year in which the Panthers won 10 consecutive games sandwiched between two defeats.
10. Bentonville West (8-4)
Season concluded with a 63-46 loss to No. 6 Conway in the 7A quarterfinals.
11. Rogers (8-4)
Season concluded with a 56-32 loss to No. 5 Bryant in the 7A quarterfinals.
12. Fort Smith Southside (7-5)
Season concluded with a 30-24 loss to No. 2 Fayetteville in the 7A quarterfinals.
13. Pulaski Academy (10-3)
The Bruins' impressive decade-long streak in the state finals, as well as their drive for five consecutive state championships, came to a humbling end at the hands of Greenwood. However, in a season played without your anticipated top quarterback, running back and wide receiver, there is something to be said for finishing as one of the final four teams in your respective class.
14. Cabot (7-5)
Season concluded with a 42-14 loss to No. 4 Bentonville in the 7A quarterfinals.
15. Harding Academy (13-0)
The Wildcats have rolled through their schedule and did so again against Ashdown in the 4A quarterfinals, 42-14. Against Ashdown, quarterback Owen Miller completed 18-of-19 passes for 270 yards and five touchdowns in the first half, three of which were hauled in by Endy McGalliard.
16. Marion (8-3)
Season concluded with a 27-26 loss to No. 13 Pulaski Academy in the 6A quarterfinals.
17. Camden Fairview (8-5)
It was an admirable run for the Cardinals earning their second consecutive trip to the state semifinals, but defending 5A state champion and top-ranked Parkview was too big of a hurdle for them to overcome. They end the year as the lowest seed to in Class 5A to advance the furthest.
18. Valley View (10-2)
Season concluded with a 42-30 loss to No. 7 Shiloh Christian in the 5A quarterfinals.
19. Pine Bluff (10-3)
All signs were pointing to the Z's earning their first trip to the state finals since 2017 as they held a 35-19 lead over Shiloh Christian at halftime. However, the Saints came out of halftime ready to go and outscored Pine Bluff 30-6 to escape with the 49-41 victory, leaving the crowd at Jordan Stadium stunned.
20. Hot Springs Lakeside (8-4)
Season concluded with a 41-28 loss to No. 19 Pine Bluff in the 5A quarterfinals.
21. Elkins (13-0)
Locked in a tight one after a quarter, the Elks' high-powered offense got rolling and reeled off 35 unanswered points and the defense held a CAC offense that averaged 49 points per game to just 15. Senior running back Da' Shawn Chairs was exceptional, reaching 250 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, while Dizzy Dean added 358 total yards and passed for two scores. The win advanced Elkins to its first semifinal appearance since 1993.
22. Warren (13-0)
A four-touchdown first half performance by freshman quarterback Jackson Denton and lockdown defense led to a complete performance by the 'Jacks in their 45-7 drubbing of Ozark to clinch a spot in the 4A semifinals. Warren will take on Rivercrest, a squad they fell to three seasons ago in the same game, with a state finals trip on the line. Denton finished 11-of-13 for 247 yards and three his touchdowns went to as many different receivers.
23. Southside (Batesville (10-2)
Season concluded with a 47-30 loss to No. 17 Camden Fairview in the 5A quarterfinals.
24. Greenbrier (6-6)
Season concluded with a 62-21 loss to No. 9 Benton in the 6A quarterfinals.
25. Mills (9-3)
Season concluded with a 35-6 loss to No. 1 Parkview in the 5A quarterfinals.
-- Kyle Sutherland
