Top performers in Week 0 of Arkansas high school football

Several of the top standouts from the opening week of the 2024 regular season

Monterrio Elston (right) of Parkview celebrates with a teammate following a touchdown. / Photo by Robbie Rakestraw

Listed below are some of the best performances in Week Zero of the 2024 Arkansas high school football season (Aug. 29-31).

If you know of a top performer we should include, please let us know in the comments.

TOP FOOTBALL PERFORMERS IN WEEK 0

Hayden Williford, QB, Van Buren

The sophomore threw for 263 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Pointers’ 37-27 win over Alma.

Arkansas high school football Week 0 instant analysis: 10 things to know

Cameron Keller, RB, Van Buren

The senior rushed for 112 yards, including the go-ahead touchdown in the Pointers’ road win.

Trenton Cooley, WR, Van Buren

The senior tallied 100 receiving yards and score two touchdowns in the Pointers’ win.

Griffin Mason, RB, Shiloh Christian

The junior ran 11 times for 142 yards and four touchdowns, and also threw a 70-yard touchdown pass, in the Saints’ 47-6 win over Farmington.

Chris Ficklin, RB, Bentonville

The junior ran 20 times for 116 yards with three touchdowns, while also hauling in a TD pass, in the Tigers’ 42-35 OT loss to Tulsa (Okla.) Union.

Blake Forsgren, QB, Fort Smith Southside

The junior completed 15-of-24 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns in the Mavericks’ 34-27 win over crosstown rival Fort Smith Northside.

Wilson Key, WR, Fort Smith Southside

The junior hauled in three touchdown passes in the Mavericks’ win over Fort Smith Northside.

Kane Archer, QB, Greenwood

The junior threw for three TDs and ran for another in the Bulldogs’ 70-35 win over Bentonville West.

Wesley Raggio, RB, Greenwood

The junior ran for three TDs in the Bulldogs’ opening-game win.

Ben Napier, QB, Elkins

The junior completed 21-of-28 passes for 293 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for a TD, in the Elks’ 52-14 win over Miami (Okla.).

Quae Walden, RB, Elkins

The senior ran 14 times for 96 yards and four touchdowns in the Elks’ win.

Landon Martin, WR, Elkins

The senior caught eight passes for 136 yards to help the Elks prevail.

Pucci Townsend, WR/DB, Elkins

The senior caught 9 passes for 106 yards, and also had an interception.

Garyt Odom, QB, Fayetteville

The senior completed 17-of-25 passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for 53 yards and another score, in the Bulldogs’ 48-13 win over Cabot.

Jaison DeLamar, WR, Fayetteville

The senior caught seven passes for 173 yards and two TDs in the Bulldogs’ 48-13 win over Cabot.

Christian Battles, RB, Fayetteville

The senior ran seven times for 90 yards and three TDs in the Bulldogs’ 48-13 win over Cabot.

Jeff Regan, QB, Rogers

The junior ran for three touchdowns and threw for another, in the Mounties’ 43-0 win over North Little Rock.

Dax McMellon, QB, Sheridan

The junior completed 21-of-36 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns in the Yellow Jackets’ 44-20 win over White Hall.

Payton Steritt, WR, Sheridan

The senior caught eight passes for 125 yards and a TD in his team’s win.

Zay Stephens, RB, Sheridan

The sophomore rushed 12 times for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns, while catching 3 passes for 86 yards and another TD.

Jacob Henry, RB, Maumelle

The junior ran for 155 yards on 10 carries and scored two TDs in the Hornets’ 36-0 win over Sylvan Hills.

Andrew Bjork, QB, Maumelle

The junior completed 6-of-11 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 78 yards on nine carries and a touchdown, for the Hornets.

Jalen Smith, RB, Marion

The senior amassed 225 total yards and totaled five touchdowns in the Patriots’ 54-28 victory over Wynne.

Trey Johnson, RB, Helena-West Helena

The senior had nine carries for 130 yards and three touchdowns in the Cougars’ 42-18 win over Watson Chapel.

K.J. Gilcreast, QB, Helena-West Helena

The freshman completed 6-of-12 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown in the Cougars’ win.

Jackson Ward, RB, Little Rock Christian

The junior rushed for 161 yards and two touchdowns in the Warriors’ 21-14 win over El Dorado.

Brandon Cobb, QB, Pulaski Academy

The senior completed 37-of-52 passes for 475 yards and five touchdowns in the Bruins’ 35-21 win over Joe T. Robinson.

Grady Ohman, RB, Hot Springs Lakeside

The senior ran for four touchdowns in the Rams’ 34-29 win over Lake Hamilton.

Justin Ross, QB, Dewitt

The senior completed 11-for-18 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown in the Dragons’ 31-7 win over Central Arkansas Christian.

Gabe Holmes, RB, Gravette

The senior accounted for four touchdowns in the Lions’ 26-6 win over Pea Ridge.

Maddox Berry, QB, Morrilton

The junior threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns in the Devil Dogs’ 35-30 win over Russellville.

Kiandrea Barker, RB, Newport

The senior rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns in the Greyhounds’ 48-30 win over Marked Tree.

Kenyon Carter, QB, Marked Tree

The senior had 171 passing yards and three touchdowns in the Indians’ loss to Newport.

Curtis Goodrich, RB, Searcy

The junior rushed for 4 touchdowns in the Lions’ 42-18 win over Batesville.

Jordan Walker, QB, Bryant

The Hornets' quarterback completed 15-of-22 passes for 287 yards and five TDs and also added 54 yards rushing as Bryant outlasted Benton, 52-42, to win the Salt Bowl in Little Rock.

Karter Ratliff, WR, Bryant

Ratliff caught five passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns in the Hornets' Salt Bowl win.

Monterrio Elston, WR/RB, LR Parkview

Elston rushed for 158 yards on 13 carries and had TD runs covering 68 and 61 yards, in the Patriots’ 27-20 win at Melissa (Texas) on Saturday night.

Omarion Robinson, WR/S, LR Parkview

Robinson returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown and also caught three passes for 46 yards for the Patriots.

- Steve Andrews | @SBLiveARK