RNN Sports Stone Cold Lock Of The Week: Playoffs Round 2

Last week we got to see the 6A West show the 6A East who the big dogs were. Hackett took an early exit against Bismarck, but Bismarck playing 3A Region 1 talent goes into Round 2 against Charleston. Booneville took care of Drew Central. Lavaca met the Glen Rose steam roller. So… who do we have this week.

RNN Sports Lock Of The Week

Bismarck @ Charleston

On paper the two teams look to be almost even, and this might be one of the best games to watch in this round in all classifications. If there is something Charleston knows how to do, it is rise-up in November to have a practice on Thanksgiving. The Tigers are welcoming the Lions into Alumni Field on Friday, and it will be a shootout between the two number 2 seeds from their respective conferences. Coach Ricky May will have the Tigers ready, but I do not think it will be enough.

The Rest

Mansfield @ Hoxie

Saw some video on Hoxie, I looked at their conference and I want to be on the fence about this. One Fearless Friday writer wrote about my co-picker Adam Hecox “Adam Hecox probably gonna write an article that rivals the Geneva Convention and amend the constitution talking about how there is a conspiracy about how Mansfield should’ve won but everything under the sun stopped it from happening.” Well thank you Fooseball4EVER. Let’s me know you’ve been reading the Resident News, and I guess this truly makes us big time now. WooHoo. If the size and athleticism of Hoxie doesn’t do Mansfield in it will definitely be the 4 hour 13 minute drive. Dang isn’t the playoff’s fun.

Osceola @ Booneville

The Seminoles are coming to Booneville for the second year in a row, albeit a week earlier than last year. Osceola’s 1-6 road record does not bode well on top of a nearly 5-hour bus ride. The Bearcats end another team’s season this week with a very possible day after Thanksgiving game against Camden Harmony Grove at Camden looming.

Lincoln @ Ozark

I picked Lincoln and Ozark as the Lock of the Week several weeks ago. The Hillbillies made a mockery of the pick by beating Lincoln 44-7 on very windy October 6th. I’m sorry Lincoln, Ozark puts a stop to your Play-off run this week.

Mountain Home @ Greenwood

Bomber magic in the 1st round of the 6A Playoffs is the real deal. Last week Mountain Home defeated Little Rock Catholic at War Memorial, their announcer than exclaimed “Greenwood! We are coming to town next week!” Love the spirit, and Mountain Home is for sure building on something great there. Just wish they did not have a tough 2nd round opponent from their own conference. This will be the 3rd time in the 2nd round The Bombers meet Greenwood since 2020. In 2022 they met Pulaski Academy and pushed the Bruins. Of note, the 6A West conference went 4-0 in the first round leaving just Marion and Benton to defend the honor of the 6A East. Marion takes on Pulaski Academy and Benton has Greenbrier. The bye week has been kind to Greenwood with players coming back. As with any team at this point, Greenwood will not look the same as they did against Mountain Home the first time around. The Greenwood defense, which was rock solid against the Bombers on September 8th, has given up an average of 30 points in 3 games against Russellville, Pulaski Academy, and Little Rock Christian. Although, the Bulldogs are averaging almost 57 points per game in the same 3 games.

The Other

Fort Smith Southside @ Fayetteville

In Southside’s best season since a 6-6 run in 2018 and a 8-5 record in 2015, the Mavericks head up I-49 to Fayetteville. In Week 6, Southside hosted the Bulldogs and put up a fight losing 45-31. Fayetteville is coming off a bye week and their first undefeated regular season in quite sometime. I feel Fayetteville has the tools to send the Mavericks back down the hill with a loss and are looking at a possible game against the Conway Wampus Cats, if Conway gets past Bentonville West.