Could this be the last Stone Cold Lock Of The Week for the 2023 season? I sure hope not, it has been an absolutely fun ride trying to pick winners every week. Proudly being wrong the last two weeks when it came to Mansfield. A small part of me thought a deep run in the Playoffs would not be in the cards for the Tigers, but here we are!
RNN Stone Cold Lock Of The Week
All three local teams
How could I pick just one, two teams going for a shot to play in War Memorial. One team making their 4th consecutive trip to the big game, playing another conference foe. Let’s start with the State Championship game.
Little Rock Christian vs Greenwood
The Bulldogs have been rolling all season being tested early in Week 0 against Stillwater, who is playing for the Oklahoma 6AII State Championship this weekend as well. They handled every team in their path with ease until Week 9 and Week 10 against Pulaski Academy and Little Rock Christian. Currently the team is averaging 52 points a game, giving up an average of 16 points. In last weeks Semi-Final game it was highlighted by one-handed catches from Grant Karnes and L.J. Robins, an interception returned for a Touchdown by Brady Mackey, and then an onside kick recovery taken in for a Touchdown by Karnes. The Warriors of Little Rock Christian defeated Benton 42-35 in the Semi-Finals to reach War Memorial. In the Week 10 meeting between the Warriors and the Bulldogs, Greenwood got the victory in convincing fashion 56-39. Auburn commit Walker White had an uncharacteristic game throwing three interceptions. While it is cliche to say it is tough to beat the same team twice, since 2004 for Greenwood that has occurred 18 times. Pending the results of the Friday’s State Championship game, Greenwood is 31-4 when playing the same team twice. Should be a close one on Markham.
Glen Rose @ Booneville
When the 3A bracket was released these two teams have been on a collision course on their side of the Playoffs. Glen Rose and Booneville share identical 11-2 overall records and won their conference in convincing fashion. The one common opponent they share was Lavaca, with Booneville beating the Golden Arrows 45-6 in conference play and Glen Rose ending their season in the Playoff with a 51-0 win. The Bearcats are looking to get their second consecutive trip to Little Rock, while Glen Rose is looking to be the spoiler. Bearcat stadium should be rocking Friday night, fans need to fill that stadium up.
Mansfield @ Prescott
When picking a bracket in March Madness it is customary to pick a Cinderella story to make it to the Elite 8 or Final Four shocking the Basketball community. I’m not sure who would have picked Mansfield to be in the Class 3A Final Four but they need to swing by and get a lottery ticket. We know the Mansfield story from inside and out. Came out fast in the first part of the season, had a close loss against Charleston, got handled by Booneville, then….. went on a roll. Here we are, one game away from playing for a State Championship and just as it has been the last two weeks Mansfield is on the road going against what is supposed to be a superior opponent. So, once again here I am faced with a dilemma. Believe in the Tigers and pick them or pick the Curly Wolves and be proven wrong by this years feel-good story YET AGAIN. Well, look back up at who is in bold and see what I picked.
