Arkansas High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams - September 24
There are no significant changes in the Arkansas On3 Massey Ratings top 25 list as of Sept. 24. The teams that have dominated Arkansas high school football, especially those among the 100 best squads nationwide, continue to hold the top spots.
Meanwhile, the competitiveness of high school football in ‘The Natural State’ is highlighted by the fact that only four of the top ten teams remain undefeated. Here’s how the state’s best teams rank among their rivals before another slate of games happens over the weekend.
The On3 Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.
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1. Bryant
Previous: No. 1
The Hornets remain the top team in Arkansas after earning a 30-10 victory over Parkview. Jordan Walker threw for 149 yards and three touchdowns, while Daniel Anderson had 98 rushing yards and a touchdown. The nation’s 32nd-best team has defeated its first three opponents by an average margin of 23.6 points. That number looks more impressive, considering they defeated top 10 teams. Therefore, their Sept. 27 match against unranked Little Rock Central should be a walk in the park.
2. Greenwood
Previous: No. 2
The Bulldogs have Arkansas high school football’s best offense after scoring 184 points in three games. In their 56-19 win over Har-Ber, Kane Archer lit up the stat sheet with 358 passing yards and six touchdowns. Four of those scoring throws went to Champ Davis, who dominated the Wildcats with 138 receiving yards. However, after going through easier opponents to start the season, Greenwood will face a real test during a Sept. 27 road game versus tenth-ranked Shiloh Christian.
3. Conway
Previous: No. 3
Limiting Marion to seven points gave the Wampus Cats their third victory in as many games. While the Patriots scored first, Conway scored 49 unanswered points to keep their unblemished record. As they have outscored their first three opponents 146-49, the 79th-best team in the nation returns to action after a one-week break, facing Little Rock Southwest on the 27th.
4. Pulaski Academy
Previous: No. 4
None of the Bruins’ first three opponents have stopped their explosive offense, which scored 127 combined points against Madison-Ridgeland Academy and West Monroe. In the high-scoring affair versus the Rebels, Brandon Cobb completed six touchdown passes out of 346 yards and added two more touchdowns out of 103 rushing yards. Ja’vion Walker also had a big game, finishing with 114 rushing yards and a touchdown. Pulaski Academy can continue its undefeated streak against North Little Rock on the 27th.
5. Parkview Magnet
Previous: No. 5
The Patriots suffered their first setback this season, losing by 20 points to top-ranked Bryant. Massey Ratings predicted the game to be close, but Parkview Magnet mustered only ten points. However, despite giving up 30 points to the Hornets, Parkview’s defense still ranks second among Arkansas high school football teams. The Patriots can rediscover their winning ways against Hot Springs on Thursday, Sept. 26.
6. Fayetteville
Previous: No. 6
The Bulldogs remain in the top ten despite that one-point loss to Texas High. They scored a season-high 54 points but couldn’t seal the victory. While they are not undefeated anymore, Massey Ratings still have them with the sixth-best offense and fifth-best defense in Arkansas. Fayetteville players should hold their chin high because they’re off to work again, facing Bentonville West on Sept. 27.
7. Benton
Previous: No. 7
The Panthers have back-to-back wins after beating Harding Academy by 42 points. Benton scored a season-high 63 points from 391 total yards on offense and dominated the Harding Academy secondary with 281 passing yards. Likewise, averaging 50 points per game makes Benton the fifth-best offense in Arkansas. The Panthers can extend their winning streak to three games against Jonesboro on Friday.
8. Bentonville
Previous: No. 8
While the Tigers are still looking for their first victory this season, they remain among the top ten Arkansas high school football teams because they have the most brutal schedule strength. In their last game against Missouri’s top-ranked team, Lee’s Summit North, Bentonville trailed by only two points after three quarters. However, the Broncos scored 20 fourth-quarter points to drop the Tigers to 0-3. Bentonville might finally scratch the win column against Har-Ber on the 27th.
9. Little Rock Christian Academy
Previous: No. 9
The Warriors returned to the win column after a 48-7 victory over West Memphis. They’ve scored at least 40 points in consecutive games, including their loss to Shiloh Christian. The Warriors could improve their spot in the rankings by defeating 12th-ranked Cabot on Sept. 27.
10. Shiloh Christian
Previous: No. 10
After winning their first two games, the Saints suffered a 38-14 defeat against Lincoln Christian. Shiloh Christian couldn’t stop the Bulldogs from scoring three touchdowns on offense and giving away two interception return touchdowns. They must do better than that performance if they are to upset second-ranked Greenwood on Sept. 27.
Teams 11-25 in the latest Arkansas High School Football Rankings
11. Rogers
12. Cabot
13. Elkins
14. Southside
15. Little Rock Catholic
16. Joe T. Robinson
17. Valley View
18. Mountain Home
19. Marion
20. Lake Hamilton
21. Camden Fairview
22. El Dorado
23. Springdale
24. Morrilton
25. Greenbrier