RNN Sports Stone Cold Lock Of The Week: Week 1

Predicting games, well there is not a science to it. A lot of it is luck and last week Adam Hecox and I, our luck ran out. The only games we picked 100% correct were Greenwood vs Bentonville West and Arkansas vs UAPB. Guest picker, Greenwood Mayor Doug Kinslow went 7-2 in games picked, we went an embarrassing 3-6. Like any good team, that was last week and we are here again to pick who we think will win under the Friday Night Lights and one game on Saturday in Stillwater.

This week’s guest is Magazine Mayor Joshua Scott. We would like to say thank you to Mayor Scott for participating and we hope he out picks Greenwood Mayor Doug Kinslow.

STONE COLD LOCK OF THE WEEK

Fort Smith Northside vs Greenwood

Last week we tabbed Northside to take home the Battle of Rogers Ave trophy. Heck, they even had a flyover during the Anthem. Those Grizzlies do it big time. Just like this week’s voting of the 5News Yarnell’s Sweetest Play of the Week runoff vote, they jumped out to a big league then lost. This team is a sleeping giant once that switch flips for them. Greenwood last week put up basketball numbers, beating the Wolverines of Bentonville West 70-35. Northside has talent, they will score points, but they will have to stop the Greenwood offense. It was 2021 when Northside found a way to stop Greenwood, could there be a repeat this year?

The Others

Ozark vs Booneville

This one almost became the game of the week, but that Sebastian County rivalry of the big schools is tough to pass up. Booneville surprised two of us with a win of perennial 4A playoff contender Poteau, Ok. Can the Bearcats keep rolling against the Hillbillies? Both teams are projected to finish top in their conference, unfortunately one of them will be taking a loss this Friday. One thing for sure is it will be a rowdy crowd in Booneville.

Charleston vs Pottsville

Last week the Charleston Tigers got another week of prep before they head to Pope County to take on Pottsville. The Apaches traveled to Heber Springs in Week 0 action and came away with a 17-14 victory. Pottsville has a talented senior class that could be trouble for Charleston.

Waldron vs Mansfield

There were two surprises in last week’s picks, Fort Smith Southside beating Northside, and then Waldron beating Paris in Overtime. As a student of the sport of High School Football, and writing this column for the past year, I cannot tell you how great it is to see Waldron pull that one out. While I do have ties to the Paris football program and want to see them have success. Seeing a team that has struggled to find their footing and have positives happen, was just a tad bit better. Sadly, the Bulldogs revelry is short lived, as they travel up Highway 71 to meet the Mansfield Tigers. The Tigers are going to be hungry after a 4-point loss to Bismarck in Week 0

Lamar vs Magazine

Coming off a 14-0 loss to Cedarville, the Rattlers look to bounce back against Lamar. The Warriors played Huntsville last week and beat the Eagles convincingly 49-12. The bounce back may have to wait a week for the Rattlers.

Paris vs Lavaca

I would not have pictured these two teams to be 0-1 this week. Surely thought Lavaca would take care of Dover as would Paris over Waldron, but here we are. The bonus is both were close losses and should provide some excitement this Friday as both teams look to break into the win’s column. Once Paris gets through this week, Booneville awaits in Week 2.

Cedarville vs Mountainburg

While Greenwood and Northside are battling for Sebastian County bragging rights, Cedarville and Mountainburg are going for Crawford County bragging rights. Cedarville enters the game 1-0 after defeating Magazine 14-0. Mountainburg was off last week.

The Razorbacks

Arkansas vs Oklahoma State

Two hours fifty-six minutes. Just over 184 miles mostly on Hwy 412. That is how long the Hogs will travel to take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys. It is only twelve more minutes than they had to travel last week to beat UA-Pine Bluff 70-0, in the stadium everyone loves trash talk. I am excited for this game to have a true test to see how much the Hogs have improved from last season. I would love to say that last week was an indication but that seemed more like a scrimmage, a very lopsided scrimmage.