Games to Watch: Week 0

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The beginning of the football season coincides with dreams of deep playoff runs, conference titles, and winning in War Memorial Stadium in December. The first week of the season pits some incredible non-conference match-ups like the annual Salt Bowl with Benton and Bryant or northeast powers Newport and Osceola, all contenders for their respective classifications.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4A Game of the Week</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Harding Academy v. Valley View (5A)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a match-up with two powerhouses going into the 2023 season, both programs are pushing for 2023 state title contention with SEC-caliber linebackers. Harding Academy can boast in one of the most recent Arkansas Razorback commits in [player_tooltip player_id='819089' first='Wyatt' last='Simmons'] and Valley View can lay claim to a future Missouri Tiger in [player_tooltip player_id='280305' first='Brian' last='Huff']. Both linebackers are exceptional in their own right and deserve individual game planning and scouting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following up on a state championship 2022 season, Harding Academy has one of the best quarterbacks in the 4A classification with junior [player_tooltip player_id='250016' first='Owen' last='Miller']. Learning and adapting to the exceptional culture Harding Academy is known for, Miller is continuing to progress through a proven system. Miller threw for 3,677 yards with 38 touchdowns and only 4 picks in 2022, while also acting as the Wildcat's second-leading rusher with 416 yards on the ground. Miller will also bring back his leading wideout from 2022, Kyler Hoover (82 rec, 1,206 yards, 19 touchdowns).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reigning 5A-East champions will have their work cut out for them as they have no easy task to begin this season. Valley View was beaten by Camden Fairview in the 5A state quarterfinals by a score of 26-21. On the offensive side, the Blazers will return senior quarterback Carson Turley (1,872 yards, 18 TDs, 6 INTs), who also led the team in rushing with 832 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Projected Winner: Harding Academy</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats are locked and loaded for a successful title defense this season and beating the defending 5A-East champion will only stoke the flames of the momentum this program has.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6A Game of the Week</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Benton v. Bryant (7A)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The annual Salt Bowl is always a lock for fans across the state to tune into with Benton and Bryant both anticipated to regularly make noise in both 7A and 6A. MaxPreps tabs this contest as a top-10 game across the entire state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryant is coming off of yet another state title in which the closest playoff contest was a 42-21 victory over Conway. The Hornets have what might be the best defensive backfield across the state with [player_tooltip player_id='337883' first='Drake' last='Fowler'], [player_tooltip player_id='752271' first='Bryson' last='Adamoh'], and Brendan Bennett leading the charge as seniors. [player_tooltip player_id='166998' first='Mytorian' last='Singleton'], [player_tooltip player_id='262854' first='James' last='Martin'], and [player_tooltip player_id='149602' first='Shawn' last='Rycraw'] are other notable names who provide Bryant with fireworks on the field. Bryant, unsurprisingly, will start the new season as favorites once again to hoist the hardware at the end of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benton was ousted in the state playoffs by the Greenwood Bulldogs 31-24, in a cutthroat game. The Panthers will have nationally recognized [player_tooltip player_id='149577' first='Braylen' last='Russell'] leading the way in 2023, the Arkansas Razorback commit will be looking to add a staple to his Panther career as one of the best to come through the program. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='187634' first='Peyton' last='McNeely'] will be another name to watch for the Panthers as they look to take down the 7A juggernaut.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Projected Winner: Bryant</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hornets have a program that is built unlike any other right now with the amount of stability and play-making abilities across both the offensive and defensive units. The Panthers will still rebound and push for a 1 or 2-loss season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">7A Game of the Week</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Little Rock Southwest @ Rogers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finishing 9-3 with a second-round exit to the eventual state champion Bryant Hornets, Rogers is locked and loaded for a highly anticipated 2023 season. The Mounties can boast one of, if not the best, receiving corp in the state of Arkansas with [player_tooltip player_id='193040' first='Graycen' last='Cash'] and [player_tooltip player_id='248892' first='Mabry' last='Verser'] leading the group. With a fourth-place finish in the 7A-West last season and a stout offensive unit, the Mounties are looking to challenge for the West crown and earn the 1 seed in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Little Rock Southwest is one of the more intriguing storylines in 2023. The Gryphons have talent across the gridiron this season with running backs [player_tooltip player_id='392403' first='Jabron' last='Lewis'] and Luther Tucker, alpha linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='352887' first='Derrick' last='Murdock'], defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='281548' first='Kevon' last='Jones'], and a host of others. Southwest is bound to improve off of their 2022 season and push for a playoff spot out of the central conference with the abundance of play-makers on both sides of the ball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Projected Winner: Rogers</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rogers' offensive prowess is too much for most teams in the state to account for with multiple receivers able to lead the way. Rogers runs to a first-week victory while Southwest will continue to gain form throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3A Game of the Week</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Osceola v. Newport</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of these programs fell just short last season of making it to Little Rock to compete for a state title. Newport, finishing second in their conference was defeated by eventual champion, Charleston, in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Osceola also made a trip to the quarterfinals before they fell victim to a traditional powerhouse in Booneville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Osceola did lose their senior quarterback, Torian Bell Jr., to graduation the Seminoles have their leading receiver suiting up again for his senior season with [player_tooltip player_id='196848' first='Keenan' last='Jackson'] (42 rec, 725 yards, 11 TDs). While losing the majority of their production at quarterback and running back, Jackson will be leaned on early in the season to help establish consistency for this offensive unit. Defensively, junior Jeremiah Jacobs was the leading tackler for Osceola with 119 stops as a sophomore and MJ Washington ranked third on the team with 48 tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newport will bring back a host of play-makers, including multiple freshmen who have already shown the talent and aspiration to draw collegiate attention. [player_tooltip player_id='231812' first='Aamonii' last='Wren'], BJ Elston, and [player_tooltip player_id='221291' first='Demetric' last='Denton'] are all names to monitor for the Greyhounds this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Projected Winner: Newport</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newport has completely retooled from their successful season last year and will look to take the conference crown after finishing 2nd behind Melbourne in 2022. Newport has the early looks of a team that is primed to win a large amount of games and play well into November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5A Game of the Week</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Alma v. Van Buren (6A)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both Alma and Van Buren missed the playoffs last season but brought back notable talent to improve on last year's seasons. Van Buren will host numerous talented underclassmen but will be led by senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='155329' first='Bryce' last='Perkins'] who has had respectable seasons in the past, Perkins is looking to bring a solid offensive unit back to relevancy this season with junior [player_tooltip player_id='1854035' first='Jayden' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='637665' first='Trenton' last='Cooley'] leading the receiving corp. [player_tooltip player_id='525562' first='Ethan' last='Hurst'] will start the season as an anchor for the Pointers and a stable presence for running back [player_tooltip player_id='323925' first='Cameron' last='Keller'] to run behind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alma (6-4, 3-4 in 5A West in 2022) was just a couple of wins from competing in the 5A state playoffs in 2022. With junior defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='612846' first='Cash' last='Farris'] providing a staple force for the defensive unit, the Airdales will have a solid unit to not get beat deep with. [player_tooltip player_id='393056' first='Drake' last='Stogsdill'], [player_tooltip player_id='393057' first='Jacob' last='Moore'], and [player_tooltip player_id='739573' first='Jackson' last='Daily'] are names to watch for Alma in the season opener of potential impact players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Projected Winner: Van Buren</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though Van Buren is primarily young across the board they have an abundance of talent, especially on the offensive side led by a tenured quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2A Game of the Week</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dierks v. Fouke</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two teams that consistently push for conference crowns, both fell in the first round of playoff competition in 2022. Dierks will be returning stud offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='746042' first='Kason' last='Jewell'] who as a junior gave the Outlaws a solid player in the trenches to set the tone for the offensive unit as a whole. Look for this game to be as closely contested as last season's 29-27 Dierks victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Projected Winner: Dierks</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->