Game’s of the Week: Week 1
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With an unorthodox way to label the season, high school football was unleashed last Friday night in Arkansas during week 0. Here are the results from last week’s highlighted contest. Harding Academy 55 @ Valley View 40 Benton 6 v. Bryant 35…
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Continue ReadingWith an unorthodox way to label the season, high school football was unleashed last Friday night in Arkansas during week 0. Here are the results from last week’s highlighted contest.
Harding Academy 55 @ Valley View 40
Benton 6 v. Bryant 35
Little Rock Southwest 12 @ Rogers 63
Osceola 14 @ Newport 42
Alma 28 @ Van Buren 51
Dierks 28 @ Fouke 40
Week 0 Projection Record 5-1
* All rankings below are from Prep Redzone’s Week 1 Power Rankings
7A Game of the Week
No. 4 Conway @ No. 5 Bentonville
Bentonville got off to a spotless start in week 0 by beating Broken Arrow (OK) 47-0 in Oklahoma. Heading into the 2023 season the Tigers were a team to watch out of the west and the tune-up in week 0 further drove that point home. However, week 1 brings a test in the Conway Wampus Cats that enter the year with immense expectations following the hiring of Buck James from Bryant. James, one of the more decorated coaches in Arkansas high school football, will look to shut down the Bentonville passing attack that includes the likes of quarterback Carter Nye Carter Nye 6'1" | QB Bentonville | 2024 State AR , CJ Brown CJ Brown 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Bentonville | 2024 State AR , Luke Coon Luke Coon 6'1" | 160 lbs | WR Bentonville | 2024 State AR , and others.
Conway coming off of week 0 fresh and ready to begin the 2023 campaign with Donovyn Omolo Donovyn Omolo 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Conway | 2024 State AR at the helm of the offense and Ben Chandler leading the defensive unit. Both of these teams are threats to make a deep run in the playoffs, but this week 1 litmus test will provide both with plenty of answers going forward.
Prediction: Bentonville
Bentonville’s passing attack will keep them in it with a Buck James led offense, but Conway won’t be able to match scores with the offensively powered Tigers.
4A Game of the Week
No. 3 (5A) Little Rock Mills @ No. 5 Rivercrest
With an impressive week 0 offensive showing against the Blytheville Chickasaws, Little Rock Mills looks like a passing machine to begin the season. Achilles Ringo, one of the top quarterbacks in 5A, led the Comets offensively with 327 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. Akyell Madison Akyell Madison 6'2" | 150 lbs | QB Watson Chapel | 2024 State AR was on the other end of seven of those attempts racked up 172 yards and converted the only two touchdown passes.
Rivercrest hosted Manila last Friday and waltzed out with a 46-6 drumming. The Colts will have their work cut out for them this week with the Comets. Senior Koby Turner led the attack offensively with 79 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.
Prediction: Little Rock Mills
5A Game of the Week
No. 4 Shiloh @ No. 2 (6A) Little Rock Christian
Two name-brand powerhouses with great anticipations, match up in what should be a game full of fireworks. Shiloh will have play-makers Carter Holman Carter Holman 5'10" | 160 lbs | WR Shiloh Christian | 2024 State AR , Dalton Carnes Dalton Carnes 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR Shiloh Christian | 2025 State AR , Bo Williams Bo Williams 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Shiloh Christian | 2024 State AR , and Carter Henley Carter Henley 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB Shiloh Christian | 2025 State AR , among others to lean on in their opening contest
In an impressive week 1 rout of Little Rock Central, Little Rock Christian cracked the 60-point threshold while also holding Central to 0 points. The Warriors have the pieces to compete for an undefeated season and a 6A state title, especially with efficient performances from running backs Jackson Ward (112 rushing yards, 1 TD) and Ronny Anokye Ronny Anokye RB Little Rock Christian | 2025 State AR (91 rushing yards, 1 TD). All the while having one of the nation’s best talents at quarterback, Walker White Walker White 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Little Rock Christian | 2024 State AR .
Prediction: Little Rock Christian
Little Rock Christian’s balanced attack on the offensive side of the ball is a force many teams won’t be able to replicate in order to light up the score board against the Warriors
3A Game of the Week
No. 4 (4A) Elkins @ No. 3 Charleston
Picking up where they left off in 2022, Elkins ran roughshod through Pottsville with a 51-0 shutout. The Elks were well known throughout the state last season for producing offensive fireworks and it looks to be the same in 2023. Quarterback Dizzy Dean Dizzy Dean QB Elkins | 2024 State AR had a near-perfect outing, going 15-17 in passing with 203 yards and 2 touchdowns. Junior Landon Martin Landon Martin 6'0" | 200 lbs | WR Elkins | 2025 AR led the Elks passing attack with 8 receptions, 133 yards, and 2 receiving scores. Senior running back ran 11 times for 134 and 3 rushing scores.
Prediction: Elkins
Elkins is a stacked unit that is looking to have another undefeated conference season, as well as, regular season as a whole.
2A Game of the Week
No. 2 Hazen @ No. 5 Des Arc
Two bitter rivals in 2A take to the gridiron Friday night. Des Arc had their bye during week 0, while Hazen continued their undefeated streak from last season against Marianna, winning 60-0.
Prediction: Hazen
6A Game of the Week
No. 8 (5A) Camden Fairview @ No. 6 El Dorado
Camden Fairview began their season last week with an impressive 43-27 victory over Arkadelphia. The Cardinals leaned on the rushing attack with Jaden Porchia heavily, he accounted for 21 rushes and 93 yards. In the passing attack, Darrell Atkins Jr. threw for 216 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Atkins hooked up with his leading wideout Jaylen Goodwin six times through the air for 115 yards and one score. Defensively, Jabauree Lockhart led the charge with 11 tackles, including 8 solos. Senior Matt Davis and junior Travion Weaver accounted for an interception a piece for the Cardinals.
El Dorado was on bye during week 0 but will boast a loaded unit on the field in week 1. Quarterback Mitchell Polk Mitchell Polk 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB El Dorado | 2026 State AR will be able to spin it with the best in 6A this season.
Prediction: El Dorado