Week 1 Action starts this week, here is a look around the area.
Week 0 is done and gone, frankly I miss the time when Week 0 was reserved for special match-ups and the Hooten’s Kickoff Classic. Now we have schools starting a week earlier and getting a bye week before conference play or in the case of Greenwood, in the middle of conference play.
Last week we saw teams putting up big points in their openers, some teams waited patiently for Week 1 to start.
Projected Winners in Bold
Ross’ Game of the Week.
Hackett @ POCOLA
Ok, so looking at local match-ups, Greenwood vs Northside has been quite the battle of recent years. But… The Hackett Hornets traveling to Pocola has the makings of being the game to watch. I know, what about Booneville against Ozark in Ozark, well I have reasons that I will explain in a bit. 53 points against Centerpoint and having the offensive weapons Hackett has against the large defense Pocola has makes this the Stone Cold Lock of the Week. Pocola is coming off a loss to Heavener last Thursday and there is quite a bit of hype with this Indians team. Coach Jason Parker spent time with State Powerhouse teams Bixby, Oklahoma and Greenwood in the off-season to fine tune the program and schemes. Pocola magic happens in this one and they come out on top.
The Rest
GREENWOOD @ Northside
The last few meetings between these two Sebastian County teams have created some spectacular finishes. 2021 at Northside the Grizzlies were able to halt Greenwood’s passing attack and control the game by keeping it on the ground and snap Greenwood’s 16 game win streak. 2022 it looked as if the Grizzlies were going to make it two in a row by taking to the air and jumping out early. A revitalized Greenwood defense in the 2nd half and then Freshman QB Kane Archer subbing in for Hunter Houston provided one of the most spectacular finishes in Bulldog Football history. A recovered onside by Evan Williams then an improbable Hail Mary from Archer to Grant Karnes completed the game. This year Kane Archer returns with an army of receivers and a stout veteran defense. Northside is coming off a heartbreaking loss to Southside in the Battle of Rogers. Do not expect the Grizzlies to go quiet into the night as this will be at the historic Mayo-Thompson Field where Northside has gotten the better of Greenwood in the last two meetings there. That is the game this writer will be at
ELKINS @ Charleston
Offense…. The Dizzy Dean led Elkins Elks travel to Charleston in one of two 1-4A vs 1-3A matchups. Backed by probably one of the most underrated running backs in the 2024 class Da’Shawn Chairs, the Elks blanked a very talented Pottsville 51-0 in Week 0. Charleston is looking to replace the Farm Bureau Class 3A Player of the Year Brandon Scott, amongst others like the Ketter brothers Bryton and Brevyn. All-State running back Reese Merechka returns for the Tigers on a team that graduated 15 seniors in the Spring. This years Charleston team may be young in spots, but time will tell under the Friday Night lights. Elkins may have just a little too much fire power offensively for Charleston. RNN Photographer Ronni Tate Young will have great action shots from this game.
BOONEVILLE @ Ozark
In the second 1-4A vs 1-3A matchup, we have Booneville traveling to Ozark. A few weeks ago Booneville almost pulled off beating 5A West member Dardenelle and their Super-Sophomores Creed Vega and Rod Chaten in a Preseason Scrimmage that came down to the last series. Booneville has a two headed monster at running back between 2,000 yard rusher Dax Goff and Rylen Ray. Behind a veteran lineman of Matt O’Barr and Lance Sims and newcomer Sam Hicks, Booneville may, excuse the pun, run away with this one. Ozark did handle a 5A-West team of their own in Week 0, beating Clarksville 35-7.
Paris @ MANSFIELD
This maybe the first meeting of Class 3A teams Paris and Mansfield if the upward trajectory of Paris holds true they may cross paths in the Playoffs. It seems as in the games above the offense is the highlight to talk about, in Mansfield’s case the three names the fans will definitely hear a lot about on Friday night will be QB Cole Kindle, Tyler Turnipseed, and Daniel Burton. Once you think you have stopped one Burton there are three more to try and stop on offense and defense. The Tigers put up 56 points on the Magazine Rattlers last week. It is going to be an interesting night for Paris coach Jeff Weaver. While a young team, the Eagles are leaning on that talent and it showed in perfect fashion as Paris took care of Waldron 32-14 in Week 0. This game will possibly have double coverage as Paris sports writer Jim Best and Mansfield sports writer Adam Hecox will be covering the game.
LAMAR @ Waldron
The past few season have not been to kind to the Waldron Bulldogs. New Head Coach Cain White is trying to implement a program at Waldron and faces another tough hurdle from Lamar. The Warriors shutout Huntsville in week 0 35-0. Lamar returns a lot of starters from the 9-3 2022 season where eventual State Champion Malvern knocked them out of the playoffs. Last week Waldron fell to 0-1 at the hands of Paris by a score of 32-14.
Magazine @ LAVACA
Magazine has had a tough two weeks, facing Paris in the AAA Benefit Game and then having to play Mansfield in week 0. Mansfield dominated on both sides of the ball against Magazine winning 56-0. Lavaca enjoyed the extra week of practice in what should be another tough game for Magazine. According to Hooten’s, Lavaca brings back team speed and were 6-0 before injuries wreaked havoc on the team. Very interested to see if the Golden Arrows can back up that fast start in 2022 and finish high in a tough conference against Booneville, Charleston, and Mansfield.
DANVILLE @ Mountainburg
Sept 12th is a day that will be etched in the memory of residents of the town near the center of Yell County. On that day it was announced that Danville was cancelling the rest of the 2022 season due to injuries and numbers. The fans, parents, and student-athletes of the Danville, have waited 352 days for this moment, the return of Little John football. On Friday night they travel to Crawford County in the shadow of the Ozark Mountains to see if the Little Johns can slay the Dragons of Mountainburg. Danville brings back improved numbers and Mountainburg is bringing back 90% of it’s offense from 2022.
