Rex Nelson: Arkansas High School Playoffs Continue – Rankings

 

Rex Nelson Archive PageOne week down in the Arkansas high school football playoffs.

What do we know?

In Class 7A, we know that two-time defending state champion Fayetteville (which had started the season 8-0) proved to be a pretender rather than a contender, losing its final three games. Cabot, Bentonville, North Little Rock and Conway all have the talent necessary to win the title. We do know there will be a team from central Arkansas in the title game this year.

In Class 6A, it’s still Greenwood and everyone else. It’s the Year of the Bulldog.

In Class 5A, Pulaski Academy overcame a big deficit against Watson Chapel on Friday night. PA is still the favorite to win a state championship but Camden Fairview, Batesville, Morrilton, Hope and Alma all have the talent to upset the Bruins.

In Class 4A, Arkadelphia shows no signs of slowing down, but a quarterfinal game at Warren could determine the state championship. The Lumberjacks know how to win in the playoffs.

In Class 3A, there are at least six teams — Charleston, Harding Academy, Glen Rose, Hoxie, Smackover and Barton — capable of winning it all.

In Class 2A, Junction City remains the favorite with East Poinsett County, Dierks, Gurdon, Carlisle, Des Arc and Bearden all having the ability to get hot at just the right time.

(For the complete brackets for Round 2 of the Arkansas High School Football Playoffs, click here.)

Here are the rankings:

Overall

1. Greenwood

2. Cabot

3. Bentonville

4. Pulaski Academy

5. North Little Rock

Class 7A

1. Cabot

2. Bentonville

3. North Little Rock

Class 6A

1. Greenwood

2. Pine Bluff

3. Lake Hamilton

Class 5A

1. Pulaski Academy

2. Camden Fairview

3. Batesville

Class 4A

1. Arkadelphia

2. Booneville

3. Pine Bluff Dollarway

Class 3A

1. Charleston

2. Harding Academy

3. Glen Rose

Class 2A

1. Junction City

2. East Poinsett County

3. Dierks

For the complete overall rankings and rankings for each classification’s top five from Rex, click here.

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