Week Five Prime Time Players

The second week of conference play was an eye-opening one across the state of Arkansas. In this article, we are going to highlight several prospects that had impressive weeks on the gridiron. The first week of October is when you start to see the intensity cranked up a notch and that was clear on Friday night this week. Here are several players that lit it up on Friday night this week.   [player_tooltip player_id='212211' first='Will' last='Carter']-Wide Receiver-Benton-5'11” 167-Pounds-2026   The Natural State is blessed with plenty of talented wide receivers across the state. [player_tooltip player_id='212211' first='Will' last='Carter'] is a prospect that always seems to be open on the field for the Benton Panthers. On Friday night, Carter made the most of each reception that he caught. Carter had 4 receptions for 81 yards and 3 touchdowns on the night for the Panthers. I expect him to have a strong remainder of the season and look out for him in the playoffs as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='401183' first='Catavion' last='Taylor']-Wide Receiver-Fayetteville-6'2” 174-Pounds-2026   One wide receiver that is having a breakout season is [player_tooltip player_id='401183' first='Catavion' last='Taylor']. He does an excellent job of getting open for his quarterback. Taylor has a nice mix of route running and speed that he uses effectively to get open. Against Rogers, Taylor was on the receiving end of 6 passes for 119 yards and 1 touchdown. The Fayetteville wide receiver continues to raise the bar each week and is a player to watch out for this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='323923' first='Cameron' last='Keller']-Running Back-Van Buren-6'0” 190-Pounds-2025   Over the past few years, [player_tooltip player_id='323923' first='Cameron' last='Keller'] has proven to be a running back that can easily gash opposing defenses on a regular basis. This week, Keller had an impressive performance for the Pointers. He exploded for 216 yards and 1 touchdown against Siloam Springs. Keller is a running back that just gets stronger as the game progresses. Keller is a player to watch as we enter the home stretch of the season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1553871' first='Ryder' last='Ingle']-Linebacker-Lonoke-5'11” 180-Pounds-2027   The Lonoke linebacker had a big night on both sides of the ball this week. Ingle did a nice job of getting to the ball carrier all night against Bald Knob. On the defensive side of the ball, Ingle racked up 10 tackles and 1 tackle for loss on the night. Meanwhile, he proved to be a battering ram on the offensive side of the ball. Ingle rushed for 37 yards and 1 touchdown on 3 carries. Ingle is a prospect to watch out for the next couple of years.   Gus Smith-Running Back-Central Arkansas Christian-5'9” 160-Pounds-2027   Gus Smith is using the 2024 season to explode on to the scene. The talented Central Arkansas Christian running back was a threat to take it the distance each time he touched the ball on Friday night. Smith does a great job of picking out the correct rushing lane. On Friday, Smith rushed for 172 yards and 3 touchdowns. Meanwhile, he had 9 tackles on the defensive side of the ball. Smith is a prospect to watch out for over the next few seasons.   [player_tooltip player_id='221273' first='Jordan' last='Walker']-Quarterback-Bryant-6'1” 210-Pounds-2025   Over the past three seasons, [player_tooltip player_id='221273' first='Jordan' last='Walker'] has been one of the most dynamic playmakers at the quarterback position in the state. On Friday night, he did a great job of showcasing his accuracy. Walker went 13 of 15 for 239 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air. Meanwhile, he terrorized the opposing defense on the ground as well. Walker had 4 carries for 39 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. He is a player to watch as the playoffs draw closer.   [player_tooltip player_id='1398187' first='Drew' last='Gartman']-Quarterback-Valley View-6'2” 150-Pounds-2025   The Valley View signal caller had an impressive showing on Friday night. Gartman was effective throwing the ball as well as running the ball. He struck for 236 yards through the air. Meanwhile, Gartman churned out 207 yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground. He is in midseason form and a player to watch out for as conference play heats. Gartman is a prospect to watch out for as the playoffs draw near.   [player_tooltip player_id='1152116' first='Owen' last='McLaughlin']-Running Back-Southside-5'8” 180-Pounds-2026   [player_tooltip player_id='1152116' first='Owen' last='McLaughlin'] has multiple ways of carving up an opposing defense. He does an excellent job of shaking off tackles and picking up big chunks of yards. McLaughlin rushed 5 times for 121 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground. He also converted multiple two-point conversions against Cave City on Friday night. McLaughlin is a player to watch out for over the next two seasons.   [player_tooltip player_id='594778' first='Slade' last='Norwood']-Quarterback-Greenland-6'1” 170-Pounds-2027   The Greenland signal caller continues to light up opposing defenses each Friday night he steps on the field. Norwood threw the ball with accuracy on Friday night. He was 16 of 26 for 338 yards and 4 touchdowns. He knows when to extend the play and how much time he has in the pocket. Norwood is setting the stage to close out the season in strong fashion. He is a player to watch out for over the next two seasons for the Pirates.   [player_tooltip player_id='1195565' first='Isaiah' last='Stephens']-Running Back-Sheridan-5'8” 163-Pounds-2027   [player_tooltip player_id='1195565' first='Isaiah' last='Stephens'] is one of the most dynamic running backs in the state of Arkansas. He is a player that can take over a game at the running back position. Meanwhile, he has the ability to catch passes and create big plays in the passing game. On Friday night, Stephens rushed 13 times for 166 yards and 2 touchdowns. Meanwhile, he caught 11 passes for 80 yards and 1 touchdown. Stephens is a player to watch over the next few years.   Hayden Wiliford-Quarterback-Van Buren-6'0” 145-Pounds-2027   The Van Buren Pointers were clicking on all cylinders this week. Wiliford was accurate to all areas of the field. He threw for 4 touchdown passes and 223 yards through the air. Meanwhile, he gained 15 yards on the ground and found the end zone 1 time. Wiliford is a player to watch out for over the next couple of seasons for the Pointers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1152342' first='Marshaun' last='Wiley']-Running Back-Maumelle-5'6” 160-Pounds-2026   [player_tooltip player_id='1152342' first='Marshaun' last='Wiley'] is an explosive player for the Maumelle Hornets. He can take I the distance from anywhere on the field. Wiley rushed 10 times for 62 yards and 1 touchdown on Friday night. Meanwhile, he did plenty of damage in the air as well. He caught 3 passes for 37 yards and 1 touchdown. He is a player to watch out for as the season starts to wind down.

The second week of conference play was an eye-opening one across the state of Arkansas. In this article, we are going to highlight several prospects that had impressive weeks on the gridiron. The first week of October is when you start to see the intensity cranked up a notch and that was clear on Friday night this week. Here are several players that lit it up on Friday night this week.