Top 25 Arkansas high school football rankings (10/10/2023)

This week's SBLive Arkansas Top 25 prep football rankings

An upset in the 7A-West caused some drastic movement, but the same 25 teams from Week 6 kept a spot in the rankings for Week 7. 

While it might seem that some squads have separated themselves - and there are certainly those who have - there is still a month remaining in the regular season, so expect many surprises. 

With more Top 25 matchups on the horizon this week, plus many quality conference headliners, there is plenty to follow, and you can keep up with all of the action at SBLive Arkansas or in the palm of your hand on the SBLive app. 

Here are the SBLive Arkansas Top 25 high school football rankings for Week 7.

1. Parkview (6-0) 

Parkview entered October hardly challenged in its previous three contests and that did not change against Hope as the Patriots rolled the Bobcats 56-6. Arkansas target Omarion Robinson returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown, while another Hog target, Jakore Smith, returned a fumble for a score and also blocked a punt. The Patriots have outscored their past four opponents 217-34

2. Bryant (5-1)

The five-time defending 7A state champions had a struggling Little Rock Central squad put away in the first quarter on the road to win their third consecutive contest. Southwest comes to Hornet Stadium this week for homecoming.

3. Conway (6-0)

The Conway offense took some time to get comfortable, but were rolling by the second quarter as they earned some redemption from last season in a 52-14 victory over Cabot. It would be hard to find a better QB-WR combo than Donovyn Omolo and Cris O’Neal as the duo put up yet another great combined performance. Omolo completed 27-of-36 passes for 284 yards and two scores, both of them to O’Neal who finished with 12 catches for 165 yards. Omolo added an additional 86 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

4. Greenwood (6-0)

The Bulldogs were on a bye. They travel to Lake Hamilton on Friday.

5. Bentonville (4-2)

Per the Arkansas Activities Association record book, the Tigers’ 84-0 rout over Rogers Heritage is tied for the fifth-most points scored by one team in a single game. The Tigers scored no less than 21 points in each of the first three quarters while sharing the ball around, and quarterback Carter Nye was nearly perfect, completing 8-of-9 passes for 203 yards and four touchdowns.

6. Fayetteville (6-0)

Quarterback Jack Lindsey is putting up some of the best numbers not only in Arkansas, but nationally, and he came through again in a 45-31 win over Fort Smith Southside, but the Purple Dog defense also deserves a lot of credit after forcing three turnovers. The matchup that everyone looks forward to goes down this weekend, as Fayetteville welcomes No. 5 Bentonville to Harmon Field.

7. Benton (5-1)

While they did outmatch Greene County Tech by a longshot, it is a fair question to ask whether or not anyone will be able to stop this Panther offense after surpassing 60 points for the second consecutive week, including 35 in the first quarter. With the starters playing only in the first half, sophomore sensation Drew Davis completed 14-of-16 passes for 349 yards and seven touchdowns, two of those scores to Elias Payne who had 108 yards on just three catches, while Arkansas commit Braylen Russell hauled in four catches for 89 yards and a score.

8. Shiloh Christian (5-1)

Star running back Bo Williams was slowed over the past few weeks with an injury, but had a strong performance in Friday’s 55-25 win over Harrison. Williams rushed 17 times for 128 yards and two scores to help the Saints’ win their third consecutive contest as they now switch their focus to a home matchup with Pea Ridge on Friday.

9. Little Rock Christian (5-1)

The Warriors had no issues during their road trip to Mountain Home, pitching their second shutout of the season in the 51-0 rout. Auburn commit Walker White completed 18-of-28 passes for 300 yards and three touchdowns, two of those scores to Tate Collins who hauled in seven catches for 158 yards on the evening. Of the 11 tackles for loss collected by the Warrior defense, Zach Jordan led everyone with four.

10. Pulaski Academy (5-1)

The Bruins are back on track following consecutive victories in which they outscored the opposition 95-27. In Friday’s win over Siloam Springs, quarterback Brandon Cobb compiled over 400 yards of offense, 376 through the air, and passed for five touchdowns, two of those scores to Andrew Fiser who finished with 11 catches for 174 yards.

11. West Memphis (5-1)

Last week’s upset win over Catholic was followed with a strong offensive showing in a 43-10 victory over El Dorado as the Blue Devils notched their fifth consecutive victory. They will be challenged in the final month of the regular season with Benton and Searcy still on the schedule, but that stretch begins on Friday with a quick trip to nearby rival No. 24 Marion.

12. Bentonville West (4-2)

The Wolverines had a pretty good start to the first half of the season, but still lacked a statement victory. That all changed thanks to a 25-point fourth quarter by the West offense that sealed a 31-25 win over previously undefeated Rogers. Harris Vinson rushed for a touchdown but did most of his damage through the air, finishing with 101 yards receiving and two scores from Dalton Rice, who completed 25-of-41 passes for 235 yards. Laynce Stroud returned an interception 64 yards for a score.

13. Rogers (4-2)

Point blank, the past two weeks have not been kind to the Mounties. A heartbreaking first loss of the season to Fayetteville preceded another defeat to Bentonville West, despite heading into the fourth quarter with a 17-6 lead. A favorable road matchup at Springdale looms Friday and it is crucial that Rogers rebounds to avoid falling even further back in the 7A-West standings, along with gaining some momentum for the final stretch of the regular season.

14. Fort Smith Southside (3-3)

Not to make excuses, but it would be difficult to find a more challenging slate than what the Mavericks were up against during three straight losses that included Rogers, Bentonville and Fayetteville, all of whom were ranked in the Top 7. While there are some concerns on defense, the Mavericks are extremely battle tested at this point and should get back in the win column on the road against Rogers Heritage on Friday.

15. Catholic (4-2)

An improved Sheridan team gave them all they wanted, but the Rockets got things rolling during the second half to win 28-14. Quarterback Jackson England completed 20-of-26 passes for 260 yards, along with an additional 60 yards rushing and four scores, while Cooper Nannen added 113 yards on the ground and Cody Fogleman led all Catholic receivers with 8 receptions for 136 yards.

16. Hot Springs (5-1)

A 39-0 win over De Queen was the first shutout pitched by the Trojans defense this year. Quarterback Matt Contreras compiled 111 yards of offense (87 passing, 24 rushing) with four total touchdowns, while T.J. Brogdon continued his tear, ripping off a 54-yard punt return for a score as well as a 40-yard touchdown reception.

17. Cabot (3-3)

The Panthers hung in for as long as they could, but a red hot Conway offense was just too much to overcome. Cabot’s record looks worse than it really is, as the three defeats have come at the hands of two Top 6 SBLive Arkansas Power 25 squads, as well as a very good Ruston (La.) team.

18. Mills (6-1)

Mills won last season’s matchup against Pine Bluff on an extra point in overtime and emerged victorious this time around in similar fashion. With the game tied at 21 in the second overtime, the Comets connected on a 20-yard field goal to solidify the victory.

19. Joe T. Robinson (5-1)

As expected, the Senators had themselves a knock down, drag out fight with Maumelle and came out on top 48-38 in a back-and-forth matchup. Arkansas target Quentin Murphy was unstoppable running the football, finishing with 197 yards and a score on just 16 carries, including a 65-yard scamper to the end zone, while Nick Abrams added 151 total yards of offense and Michael King intercepted two passes.

20. Pine Bluff (5-2)

The Z’s were handed their first loss of the season in a 5A-Central defeat to Mills in double overtime after the Comets connected on a 20-yard chip shot. They will make the short trip to White Hall this week with hopes of getting a new win streak started.

21. Malvern (4-2)

Ashdown trailed by only a touchdown after one quarter, but the Leopards created separation by halftime with a 24-0 lead that eventually resulted in a 38-8 win. The dynamic duo of Mountain West commits did what they do once again as Jalen Dupree (Colorado State) rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns, while Dyelon Caradine (Air Force) hauled in eight catches for 71 yards with a score, as well as nipped an interception on defense.

22. Harding Academy (6-0)

Another week, another big performance by the Wildcats. They took down Bald Knob 42-14 on the road, led by quarterback Owen Miller who completed 16-of-22 passes for 225 yards with three touchdowns, while adding another 100 yards and a score on the ground. Kyler Hoover hauled in eight catches for 75 yards and a touchdown.

23. Warren (6-0)

Despite a slow start, the Lumberjacks scored 49 points for the second straight week, except this time around the defense allowed hardly anything in a lopsided victory over Dumas. Neeyo Harding led on defense with four sacks, while freshman quarterback Jackson Denton completed 14-of-24 passes for three touchdowns. Also, Trey Jackson eclipsed 100 yards on the ground.

24. Marion (5-1)

The Patriots were looking for an answer following a blowout loss to Benton and they found it in their 56-35 win over Searcy. Quarterback Ashton Gray played out of his mind, compiling over 400 yards of offense and an incredible seven total touchdowns. The schedule does not get any easier with a road trip to rival and No. 11 West Memphis on Friday.

25. Valley View (5-1)

The Blazers had a 14-0 lead through three quarters in a defensive battle with Wynne, but the offense turned it up a notch in the fourth quarter, putting up 21 points in the 35-3 win. Carson Turley threw two touchdown passes, both to T.J. Starks who finished with six receptions for 102 yards. The Valley View defense recorded 12 tackles for loss, led by Ja’marion Davis’ six.

–Kyle Sutherland | @k_sutherlandAR 

Photo by Tommy Land