Stone Cold Lock Of The Week: Week 6

It is week six of the 2025 season, and there have already been several exciting games. Charleston and Mansfield made a compelling case for an instant classic. The highlights on Hooten’s Arkansas Football of the plays and the hits are worth a watch. There are four weeks left in the regular season with some big games on the horizon in the 3A-1 and more in the 6A West. 7A West is heating up with Bentonville West traveling to Rogers. Dardanelle continues to roll in 4A, while in 5A there is going to be a large collision course for the top 10 teams.

Before the picks and snark, the use of specific kids’ names to spread vitriol and distain towards a team is absolutely disgusting as adults. Life is too short and too precious to care where a kid went to school before putting on a show and beating a fan’s favorite High School team. Hate a team because they have been the town’s rival, by all means go for it. Dislike a coach because of his style of play, weird, but okay. Do not be the person to hit send on a comment on social media or a forum thinking your cute or funny. Several area schools have benefited from transfers from one particular school, and it is great. Each week our team captures these student athletes and we can all be proud of them for making a difference. From Spiro, OK to Booneville to Elkins to Mansfield, be proud, be excited and cheer on your favorite team on Friday nights.

Stone Cold Lock Of The Week

Bentonville West vs Rogers

Okay, before you start sending comments, hear me out. This week the matchups in the 3A-1 and 6A West locally are uncharacteristically kind of bland. But! This matchup decides who will challenge for a conference championship against Bentonville. Both teams knocked off Fayetteville, and their college bound roster. West just did it more convincingly than Rogers’ 1-point win. This is a remarkably similar situation to the 3A-1 in that three teams could be conference champion with the seasons they are having. I would like to think as football fans we want to see great games like Charleston vs Mansfield. West’s only blemish on their record is an early loss to Greenwood, but they have rolled over every team since. This is on the heels of the 4-8 season last year. The Mounties of Rogers High School sit undefeated on the season.

The Rest (In absolutely no order)

Mansfield vs Lavaca

This is the start of back-to-back games for Lavaca against the top teams in the 3A-1. Next week there is a trip down Hwy 22 to Charleston. While the Golden Arrows sit at 4-1 on the season, is that enough mojo going in, to upset the undefeated Mansfield Tigers. Simiarly to Greenwood last week against Russellville, this could be a trap game after a big win over Charleston. Mansfield will shake off the doubt quickly and get back to what they know.

Waldron vs Pottsville

Waldron gets to play last week’s opponent Dardanelle’s neighbor Pottsville. Over the last four games the Bulldog defense has given up an average of 51 points. While the Apaches did lose a talented Senior class, they sit 4-2 on the season with a loss to Charleston and Clinton.

Greenland vs Booneville

The buzz on social media is the return of Brock May to his Alma Mater Booneville. Greenland got Senior QB Cooper Ridenoure back to beat Cedarville 35-0 last week. Booneville is Booneville though and handled Hackett 42-12. The question is, when do the Bearcats grab another gear and pull away from the Pirates.

Siloam Springs vs Greenwood

It is Homecoming night in Greenwood as the Bulldogs go for the 73^rd consecutive home win and their 32^nd consecutive win since 2023. The Bulldogs are 37-9-1 against the Panthers, with Siloam’s last win being in 2010. Against Russellville, the defense started fast getting a Safety and held the Cyclones to thirteen points. Last year QB Kane Archer tied a school record of seven passing touchdowns against Siloam Springs. Chasing Coatney: Archer is 1,837 yards away from breaking the career yards total with five games left in the regular season and a playoff run on the horizon.

Shiloh Christian vs Fort Smith Southside

Shiloh survived a scare from the Mountain Home Bombers to stamp their status as the #2 team in the 6A West. Fort Smith Southside sent Lake Hamilton back to Pearcy, AR with a 49-44 loss. In last year’s meeting, the Mavericks got out early on the Saints, but mistakes plagued the squad, allowing the powerful Shiloh team to win 38-20. That was the only previous meeting between the teams. While Southside is much improved this year, a strong running game for the Mavericks will keep them close to Shiloh.

Charleston vs Hackett

If there was a team to feel for, it would have either been Lavaca or Hackett depending on the result of the Charleston – Mansfield game. Either team was going to get the full brunt of being a rebound game, unfortunately for Hackett they host Charleston. The Tigers will get bounce back in this one.

Mt. Ida vs Magazine

The most intriguing story line in the 2025 season must be the Magazine Rattlers. They are 4-1 rolling into this home game against Mt Ida. Last week the Rattlers beat Mountainburg 16-14, but they also lost to a 1-4 Bigelow in the first week of conference play. Mt. Ida put up forty-two points over the defending Class 2A State Champion Conway Christian last week. This will be a true test for Magazine.

West Fork vs Cedarville

0-5 West Fork travels 1-4 Cedarville. No snark. No silly comment. Just an intriguing matchup between 3A-1 teams.

Paris vs Perryville

Glen Rose and Paris are the only teams in conference without a loss that continues into next week with Paris making the trip to Perryville. Paris took on Cutter Morning Star in last week’s action and beat those Eagles 38-7 with Senior Jayden Carter returning a punt 83 yards and 9 tackles on the night.