Things have gone topsy turvy in the first 3 weeks of conference play.

Greenbrier undefeated in conference and putting up 40 points per game…. Pulaski Academy got the Sportsmanship Rule enacted on them… Mountain Home has the top QB in the conference… wait wait wait. Oh, there it is, Greenwood and Little Rock Christian are at the top, everything is where it should be.

This has been a very interesting year for High School Football in Arkansas. Mountain Home came out firing and has one of the top offenses in the 6A, granted they did not gain much against Greenwood’s defense, but they did take Lake Hamilton and Russellville to the wire. Things are moving along nicely for the Bombers. This week the Bombers welcome Little Rock Christian to North Central Arkansas and their Auburn commit QB Walker White. Which is a perfect segue into, Little Rock Christian did something that has not happened in quite some time. Mercy ruled Pulaski Academy last week in a 55-13 win. It for sure overshadows the 43-22 loss they experienced at the hands of 5A West competitor Shiloh Christian. The Warriors sit at 4-1 going into tonight’s matchup against Mountain Home.

Speaking of Pulaski Academy, they are still the Bruins that we know. One bad night will for sure grab the headlines but let’s look at what has affected them. The would be returning Senior duo Kel Busby and Kenny Jordan did not happen. Kel Busby was injured in the spring and Kenny Jordan moved to Tennessee. For what it is worth, I believed Kenny Jordan was a very underrated running back in the 6A last year. He was going up against Arkansas Commit Braylen Russell out of Benton and the talented upstart Ronny Anokye from Little Rock Christian. Back to Pulaski, Quarterback Brandon Cobb has done a masterful job stepping up in that roll passing for 964 yards and 9 TD’s. I feel this is a blip on the PA record and it will come down to the last two weeks when Greenwood has to face Pulaski Academy and Little Rock Christian in consecutive games.

Greenwood, the defense is as advertised at the beginning of the season, and they have been taking care of business every week since the season started. Sure, there have been some injuries, but it is interesting to look at the stats for the Quarterbacks and if they combined all the stats Greenwood would have the top QB in yardage. Let’s not let that stuff overshadow what Brayedan Davis has done in the backfield for the Bulldogs. 83 carries for 664 yards and 13 Touchdowns, 8 of which came in the last two weeks. Defensively between the 11 interceptions and the QB sacks opposing teams have found it tough to gain yards. Greenwood has 17 sacks on the season with 11 of those coming from Junior Cash Archer.

Greenwood’s opponent this week Greenbrier is sitting at 3-1 overall averaging 44 points a game. For a team that went 2-8 last year and was picked 5th in conference by Hooten’s things are on the upswing for the Panthers. Statistically they are looking extremely well with 1157 yards through the air and 742 yards on the ground. Sophomore Running Back Enoch Assan is the rushing leader with 276 yards on the season. After Greenwood, the Panthers face Lake Hamilton, Russellville, Pulaski Academy, Little Rock Christian, and then Mountain Home. If they drop Greenwood and the two Private School teams, then win the others they could very well be sitting in the 4th seed spot for the playoffs after finishing 8th last year.

Lake Hamilton has had some close games this season and are 3-2 overall and 2-1 in conference heading into this week against Van Buren. After going 8-2 in the regular season in 2022 and predicted to finish 4th in the 6A West, the Wolves are looking at continuing to show they are force to be reckoned with. Games against Greenbrier, Greenwood, and Pulaski Academy loom on the horizon and could surprise any three of those teams. Van Buren came out hot against Alma putting up 51 points in the Battle of the Bone, ever since? Well, it’s the other teams putting up 50 points. Senior QB Bryce Perkins has thrown for 950 yards on 151 attempts with 86 completions and 10 Touchdowns. If Van Buren is to have a shot at post season play it has to start this Friday with a win.

Rounding out the conference is Siloam Springs and Russellville. after watching Siloam Springs play at Greenwood on Sept 15th, they showed they could run the ball efficiently. It looks like the ball has not bounced their way this season. This Friday they face Russellville at Russellville. Last year Russellville lost three straight then went on a four-game win streak, had Greenwood’s number for a half before Greenwood pulled away. This year the Cyclones have dropped four in a row. They had Pulaski down for a bit as well. Could they win the next three and give Greenwood heck again, I guess we will see.

Does it get any better than Friday Nights in the Fall

Adam and I went 100% correct last week. I missed on the game of the week though, I should have picked that Rogers vs FS Southside, that one went down to the wire. So what do we have this week… a lot of teams are about to get into the meat and potatoes of their conference schedule. Mansfield vs Everybody looms on the horizon, several media outlets have the Tigers just outside their Class 3A top 10 waiting to see how the next three weeks shake out for them. If they get past Charleston next week, the October 13th matchup between Booneville and Mansfield will be huge.

RNN Sports Stone Cold Lock Of The Week

Greenbrier @ Greenwood

In all my days of being around High School football, I never thought Greenbrier visiting Greenwood would be the Lock of the Week. But…. here we are. I will dive deeper into the chaos that is now the 6A West or just 6A in general in another article, but gosh golly is this a weird season already. Unless you’ve been living off the grid or just not caring what Greenwood is doing they have been amassing points at a crazy pace. As Randy Rainwater pointed out on the Ortho-Arkansas Post Game show Friday night, “2nd string or 3rd string QB doesn’t matter Greenwood gets it done.” Out scoring their opponents 54-12 in enroute to a 5-0 record. Greenbrier has been putting in work as well out scoring their opponents 44-23. The Panthers sit at 2-0 in conference and got to enjoy a bye week last Friday. Greenbrier’s lone loss on the 3-1 season is to Farmington who has since been bitten by the injury bug. The Panthers are much better than they were last year when they were toe to toe with Greenwood 28-21 at Halftime.

The Rest

Mansfield @ Greenland

Mansfield is absolutely rolling right now with an explosive offense and a very tough defense. Greenland fell into a Tiger trap last week and was rolled 51-9 by Charleston. This set of Tigers will do the same if not worse Friday night. Mansfield has not let a team get to 10 points in any of its 4 games, and that does not look to change this week.

Charleston @ Cedarville

The Charleston ship looks to be righted as they head into this weeks matchup against the Pirates. Cedarville is struggling to put points on the board this season and will not get any easier with the visiting Tigers. Charleston’s schedule heats up just on the other side of this week and they will start with a home game against Mansfield.

Booneville @ West Fork

Booneville handled Hackett last week to get conference win number 1 of the 2023 season. West Fork is searching for that first conference win, just like the Razorbacks the West Fork Tigers are on the toughest part of their schedule. Mansfield last week, Booneville this week, then a trip to Lavaca. Gosh golly that is a tough conference schedule. the Bearcats make the trip up I49 and set the cruise control in this one.

Lavaca @ Hackett

I picked Lavaca, Adam picked Hackett. Truth be told….. I still think Lavaca is a dangerous sleeper in the 3A Region 1. Just have to wait for the last three games to see just how dangerous they can be. Hackett is sitting at 2-2 and coming off a 46-14 loss to Boonville. If their current win loss pattern holds true they could be celebrating Friday night. But, I think the Golden Arrows are on target and take down the Hornets.

Magazine @ JC Westside

The Rattlers have a good shot at snake biting the Rebels and coming away with the win this week. This could be just what Magazine needs as they head down the stretch of the 2A Region 1 conference.

Bismarck @ Paris

The Paris defense will have their work cut out for them as they host the Bismarck Lions. Since a week 0 loss to Prescott, the Lions have been mauling everyone in their path averaging 45 points per game while only giving up 9 points. For Paris this may seem like deja vu from last weeks game against Glen Rose.

Green Forest @ Ozark

Ozark has a tough three game stretch coming up against Lincoln, Gentry, and Elkins. But first the 2-2 Green Forest Tigers. The Tigers dropped a tough loss last week against Lincoln 30-29. Ozark dropped 50 points on Berryville last week and the only blemish on the Hillbilly record is Booneville in week 1. Ozark pulls past Green Forest in this one and gets right back to work to prepare for the next three weeks.

Waldron @ Malvern

Malvern… well they are really good this year and only have taken losses from a team in Texas and another in Mississippi. Hoping Waldron finishes the season strong and ready to build on what they have started.

The Others

Fort Smith Southside @ Bentonville

Ok ok I see you Southside. Took a talented Rogers Mounties team to the wire and dropped a heartbreaker. I want to see the Mavericks have a great showing against Bentonville. Although after I saw that Bentonville put up 73 points against Springdale Har-Ber….. whew. I think the Tigers get the better of the Mavericks in this one.

Little Rock Central @ Fort Smith Northside

Two historic teams in the State of Arkansas. 40 State Championships, numerous NFL stars, two historic stadiums, and two identical 2023 records. One of these two are going to win their first game of 2023. Northside is on a 4 game skid that I cannot remember seeing from the school, they need this win. This could be a fun game to watch.

On Tuesday night the 7th Grade and 8th Grade Bulldogs beat Van Buren Northridge

In the opener on Tuesday night the 7th Grade Bulldogs wanted to show the Van Buren Northridge Pointers they could replicate what the Varsity team could do. The Bulldogs won 32-14 improving their record to 5-0 on the season.

Then it was 8th Grades turn.

Van Buren would strike first taking up most of the 1st quarter to go ahead 7-0 with 1:56 in the 1st. The Bulldogs would stall out on their first drive turning the ball over on downs deep in Van Buren territory. The Pointers ran out the rest of the 1st quarter clock.

Van Buren would not be able to capitalize and are forced to punt. The Bulldogs march down and Jubal Parks takes it in for the touchdown. A penalty on the field goal brought the Bulldogs closer and they opted for the 2-point conversion and get it. 8-7 with 5:04 left in the half. Both teams would stall out and trade the ball, Van Buren punted three times, while Greenwood fumbled and was intercepted. Halftime score sitting at 8-7

Opening the 2nd half the Bulldogs took to the ground and Gunnar Flannery gets it in for the Touchdown. Field Goal was good with 4:32 left in the third. Van Buren was facing 4th down when a high snap on the punt had the Bulldogs starting from the Pointer 18 yard line. Drake Little would find an open hole and punch it in, the point after was good, Bulldogs on top 22-7 with :56 left in the third. The Pointers would not go quiet into the night, a catch over the middle was taken in for the touch down, 2 point conversion would fail making it 22-13 with :16 left in the third.

Greenwood ran out the clock and started marching towards the end zone in the 4th quarter. Dabin Gaines’ pass to a leaping Braxton Canada was good for the touchdown, point after was good. 29-13 with 5:25 in the 4th. That is where the score remained as time ran out.

“That was one of our toughest opponents last year in this grade was the Northridge part of Van Buren.” Head Junior High Coach Luke Hales said after the victory, “We were excited about it, we knew it was going to be a big one and it was.”

“Defense did awesome, this group is fun. They play hard, they play fast, they play physical.” said Coach Hales.

With the win 8th Grade moves to 5-0 on the season.

Looking at all the Bulldog Football teams:

Varsity: 5-0 – The Bulldogs host Greenbrier on Friday

JV: 1-0 – JV is off until October 9th

9th: 3-1 – 9th Grade plays Sallisaw at Sallisaw on Thursday Sept. 26th then at Harrison Oct. 5th

8th: 5-0 – 8th Grade will play Harrison at home on Monday Oct 2nd

7th: 5-0 – 7th Grade will play Harrison at Harrison on October 5th.