Arkansas high school football Week 9 instant analysis: 10 things to know (10/28/2023)

10 takeaways from Week 9 of Arkansas high school football

Here are 10 nuggets from Week 9 of Arkansas high school football. 

1, PA’s home winning streak no more 

Pulaski Academy hadn’t lost a home game since a playoff loss to Morrilton in 2013. However, the 10-year, 49-game win streak went down Friday night with a 58-33 loss to Greenwood. Greenwood looks to defend its 60-game home winning streak in a showdown against Little Rock Christian to end the regular season this week.

2. It’s finally Bryant/Conway week

Since Buck James resigned his post at Bryant in June amidst a five-straight state title run to take the head-coaching job at 7A-Central rival Conway, fans have been looking forward to the two teams locking up Week 10. Most were hoping the two teams would be undefeated in league play. They got their wish as both teams notched blowout wins Friday night to set up the undefeated showdown next week at Conway. The Hornets won 52-21 at home over North Little Rock and the Wampus Cats took a 49-6 win at Jonesboro.

3. Tracy Daniels new rushing leader at Russellville

Russellville has a new rushing leader. With 142 yards Friday night in a 40-14 blowout win over Lake Hamilton, Daniels now has 3,064 yards. The previous record of 3,009 was set by Tracy Stiger.

4. Booneville foreign exchange student kicker has big night

A few weeks ago, Booneville’s Juan Moreno, a Spanish foreign exchange student, just missed tying the school field goal record, missing a 50-yard boot. On Friday night in a 45-6 blowout over Lavaca, he hit a 46-yarder and was 6 for 6 on PATs. That kick is now the second-longest field goal in school history. 

5. Bentonville West’s Bryant Pratt coaches half that counts

Bentonville West head coach Bryan Pratt missed the first half of his team’s win at Fort Smith Southside on Friday night. Pratt was ejected last week, so he was forced to serve a one-half suspension this week.

His team led 7-3 at halftime, but the Wolverines poured it on in the second half to preserve the 24-21 win. Senior quarterback Dalton Rice passed for 216 yards and a score and ran for another. 

With the win, Bentonville West can clinch the No. 2 seed in the 7A-West with a victory over rival Bentonville next week.

6. Harding Academy Clinches conference title

The Wildcats clinched the 4A-2 Conference title with a decisive 41-14 win over Heber Springs on Friday night. The Panthers entered the game as a surprise unbeaten, but HA jumped on them early and is now 5-0 in league play. The Wildcats, who lost to Malvern in the 4A state title game a year ago, are one of the favorites to return to Little Rock this season.

7. Valley View in line for undefeated 5A-East Conference title

The Blazers crossed their final big hurdle of the regular season, beating rival Nettleton 43-26. Valley View hasn’t lost since a 55-40 setback against Class 4A Harding Academy.

Valley View knocked off Nettleton in a showdown last year but then lost 16-7 to Batesville to close the regular season. Valley View was still the No. 1 seed. Valley View plays Batesville next week hoping to clinch a perfect conference title. The Pioneers are reeling after losing to Brookland and rival Southside in back-to-back weeks.

8. Elkins’ defense pitches another shutout

In back-to-back weeks, the Elks have dominated what most people figured to be the 4A-1’s biggest challengers. Last week, it was a 38-0 win over Ozark and this week a 56-0 victory against Gentry. Both teams are known for scoring, and the Elkins defense completely shut them down. The rest of the state is now on notice that Elkins not only has one of the best offenses in 4A but its defense is also dominant. 

9. Cabot defense steps up

The Panthers stopped three Fort Smith Northside possessions in their territory without giving up a point and turned three turnovers into 17 points in a 31-7 win. Cabot also held FSN to just 12 yards rushing.

Cabot can clinch the No. 3 seed in the 7A-Central with a win at home against struggling North Little Rock next week.

10. Bigelow wins 2A-1 showdown

Bigelow needed some fourth-quarter heroics to knock off conference rival Conway Christian to clinch a conference title. Both teams entered the game undefeated in league play.

Rhett Neumeier hit Ryan Hobbs on a 95-yard touchdown to seal a 22-15 win. Bigelow led 7-2 at halftime. Hobbs added a 30-yard scoring run in the second half. 

--Nate Olson I nate@scorebooklive.com I @ndosports 

Photo by Tommy Land