CLASS 3A FEARLESS FORECAST

[BarclayAlmanac]

Over the next week, we'll take a look at each conference and with the help of RPS determine who will win the conference championship and who will contend:

3A-1
PROJECTED CHAMPION: Greenland
CONTENDERS: West Fork, Elkins, Green Forest
KEY GAME(S): Oct. 23 Elkins at West Fork, Oct. 30 Greenland at Elkins, Nov. 6 West Fork at Greenland
FEARLESS FORECAST: Greenland hasn't won an outright conference title since 1966, but this could be the year for the Pirates. Their fortunes will likely come down to the final two weeks of the regular season. West Fork, Elkins and Green Forest will take their shots at Greenland. The Pirates return a solid offensive punch of quarterback Cole Self and running back Alex Sisemore. West Fork will be a prime threat to Greenland. The Tigers also return a solid offensive tandem of quarterback Colton Wise and running back Brayden Burnett. Mountain View returns the top running back in the conference in Josh Burns, who ran for 2,187 yards and 23 touchdowns, including five 200-yard games. Burns, though, is just one of four returning offensive starters. "There is a lot of experience returning in the conference this year with not a lot of coaching turnover," Yellville-Summit head coach Tommy Brit said. "It will be very competitive."

3A-2
PROJECTED CHAMPION: Harding Academy
CONTENDERS: none
KEY GAME(S): none
FEARLESS FORECAST: The Wildcats are primed to win their seventh straight outright conference championship and 25th outright championship in all since winning their first one since 1953. Harding Academy returns quarterback Alex Francis, who threw for 2,996 and 31 touchdowns, including a 400-yard game and three more 300-yard games. If the Wildcats do receive a challenge it will be from Bald Knob or Marianna Lee, but it's unlikely. "Harding Academy, Bald Knob and Lee County should compete for top three spots," Perryville head coach Ed Baker said. "Any of the other five can compete for playoff sports if they stay healthy and catch a few breaks."

3A-3
PROJECTED CHAMPION: Rivercrest
CONTENDERS:  Hoxie, Osceola, Melbourne
KEY GAME(S): Oct. 2 Melbourne at Hoxie, Oct. 9 Hoxie at Rivercrest, Oct. 16 Hoxie at Osceola, Oct. 23 Melbourne at Osceola, Oct. 30 Melbourne at Rivercrest, Nov. 6 Osceola at Rivercrest
FEARLESS FORECAST:Rivercrest is the favorite to win the conference especially with a favorable schedule, which has home games against two of the contenders to close out the regular season. Cecil Langston is one of the top running backs in the state. He ran for 1,885 yards and 17 touchdowns last year, including four 200-yard games. Hoxie, which won or shared the last two league titles, moves James Johnson to quarterback. "Big, physical offensive line," veteran Hoxie head coach Tom Sears said. "Return skill guys who have played in big games the last two years. Big key will be the transition of James Johnson from W.R. to Q.B. He had a great spring and early summer." Hoxie has returning kicker Casey Middlecoft, who booted school record 75 of 81 extra points last year. "The conference should be very competitive," Sears said. "Most teams lost a lot of seniors. Teams at the bottom part of the conference have improved, making each week very important."

3A-4
PROJECTED CHAMPION: Charleston
CONTENDERS: Lamar
KEY GAME(S): Oct. 16 Charleston at Lamar
FEARLESS FORECAST: Until proven otherwise, the Tigers are the favorite. Charleston is riding a 29-game win streak which includes two straight state championships. Lost, though, were eight three-year starters on offense so the scoring prowess will be down. Charleston returns three offensive linemen and solid running back Wade Gerlick, who will also lead the defense at linebacker. Jackson Rowland takes over at quarterback after the departure of Ty Storey. Lamar will be a major challenger to dethrone Charleston. Dusty Wilkins returns at running back after rushing for 460 yards and seven touchdowns. Tackle Blake Dyballa, guard Corey Adams, center Dillon Lovell and tackle Jamico Chenault all return on the offensive line. "We hope to be a power running team that has the ability to pass to keep the defense honest," Lamar head coach Josh Jones said. Booneville suffered big graduation losses but will still have a say in the conference. Danville could be a sleeper. "This will be a very tight and physical conference," Paris head coach Marc Tucker said.

3A-5
PROJECTED CHAMPION: Prescott
CONTENDERS: none
KEY GAME(S): Oct. 2 Prescott at LR Episcopal
FEARLESS FORECAST: Prescott is the heavy, heavy favorite. Trevor Pipkin returns at quarterback after throwing for 3,215 yards and 44 touchdowns. Prescott lost its top rusher and receiver, but receiver Brandon Walker caught 53 passes for 581 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago. Episcopal with all-purpose athlete Allie Freeman IV is the only team capable of catching Prescott, and the two meet on October 2 at Episcopal. Freeman has 226 career receptions for 4,182 yards and 43 touchdowns. Haskell Harmony Grove also has a major offensive threat returning in running back Jon Johnson, who ran for 1,919 and 20 touchdowns before being injured in the regular-season finale. "Prescott is the clear front runner," Bismarck head coach Lewis Jolly said. "Harmony Grove could be in the hunt for the No. 2 spot if Johnson has the same type of year as last and can remain healthy. Episcopal will have skill numbers, and health will be the only thing outside of Prescott to threaten them. Look for Glen Rose to bounce back as well as an improved Jessieville team."

3A-6
PROJECTED CHAMPION: Smackover
CONTENDERS: Fordyce, McGehee
KEY GAME(S): Oct. 16 Fordyce at Smackover, Oct. 30 McGehee at Smackover, Nov. 6 Fordyce at McGehee
FEARLESS FORECAST: Smackover was the Class 3A runner-up last year and had Charleston on the ropes before an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty kept a drive alive for the Tigers, who scored on the drive and went on to a 33-26 win. Smackover returns seven on defense and two on offense. McGehee returns the entire offensive backfield in its Wing-T attack. Running back Ty Grant ran for 640 yards and while Daniel Pace rushed for 513 yards. "Several skilled players return on offense," McGehee head coach Marcus Haddock said. "Large numbers of offensive linemen to challenge each other for four spots on the line." Fordyce returns seven on offense, including quarterback Ross Rogers, who passed for 1,593 yards and 12 touchdowns, and running back Jakeymas Gates, who ran for 1,121 yards and 20 scores. "Gates is our running back and we will ride him as long as we can," Fordyce head coach Timothy Rogers said. "He is our offense." While Fordyce and McGehee may put up a fight, Smackover is definitely the favorite especially based on a favorable schedule. The Buckaroos host both Fordyce and McGehee. "Smackover is loaded," Rodgers said.

[Proud Buckaroo]

You have "EPC" on there with prescott. It's actually ECS.

[BarclayAlmanac]

thanks.

[macadoshis]

That looks pretty good.  I agree. Until someone knocks Charleston off the top of the mountain, they are the Kings of the Hill.

[beach bum]

I really like 3A as well.... Surprised to not see Booneville even listed as a contender in the 4-3A just because its Booneville. I thought the 1-3A would be like the 2-4A and have about 6 teams listed in total & a bit of a shocker that Greenland is projected over West Fork. Great work as always!

[OLDSCHOOL82]

Booneville does best when they are out of the picture in pre season.  With 0 experience in the backfield it's easy to expect a mediocre year.  With a large, experienced line, you surprise folks!  Almost game time!!

[macadoshis]

Booneville does best when they are out of the picture in pre season.  With 0 experience in the backfield it's easy to expect a mediocre year.  With a large, experienced line, you surprise folks!  Almost game time!!

Bonneville will always be a team to be reckoned with in my book.  I saw that Jr high team last season.  They have some athletes moving up this year for sure.

[The Ref]

Over the next week, we'll take a look at each conference and with the help of RPS determine who will win the conference championship and who will contend:


3A-2
PROJECTED CHAMPION: Harding Academy
CONTENDERS: none
KEY GAME(S): none
FEARLESS FORECAST: The Wildcats are primed to win their seventh straight outright conference championship and 25th outright championship in all since winning their first one since 1953. Harding Academy returns quarterback Alex Francis, who threw for 2,996 and 31 touchdowns, including a 400-yard game and three more 300-yard games. If the Wildcats do receive a challenge it will be from Bald Knob, with returning quarterback Grant Glaze, or Marianna Lee, but it's unlikely. "Harding Academy, Bald Knob and Lee County should compete for top three spots," Perryville head coach Ed Baker said. "Any of the other five can compete for playoff sports if they stay healthy and catch a few breaks."


Glaze graduated

[OLDSCHOOL82]

Booneville does best when they are out of the picture in pre season.  With 0 experience in the backfield it's easy to expect a mediocre year.  With a large, experienced line, you surprise folks!  Almost game time!!

Bonneville will always be a team to be reckoned with in my book.  I saw that Jr high team last season.  They have some athletes moving up this year for sure.

Thanks for the props. The bulk of last years Jr high team were 8th graders.  There are a couple sophmores that will have a chance to play and contribute on the sr high team this year though.

[beaverfan007]

Watch out for Glen rose seems they get overlooked

[Proud Buckaroo]

Watch out for Glen rose seems they get overlooked

I don't think so.. You lost 41-21 to Malvern. You mercy ruled a struggling Bauxite team.. We will see after conference starts.

[BigLion10]

Naw just realistic for them

[biglion1985]

Even though I don't think they will win it I think a lot of teams in our conference is overlooking MANILA just sayin but good luck to every team out there

[SR30]

Ok buckaroo what excuse will you give now? After a thrashing of Gurdon last week and a beat down of Haskell Harmony Grove last night holding their 1900yd rusher from last year to 9yds it seems to me the Beavers are more legit than people give them credit for. And trust me that game with malvern was a lot closer than the score indicated

[Coltfan2005]

HHG was over rated by everyone.

[beaverfan007]

Malvern won 41-21 but they forced two turn overs when they had too and they was up 28-21"when they scored last two tds

[WPWells]

Speak English please.

[Proud Buckaroo]

After 6 weeks. I think this is still pretty accurate.

[Fox32]

Speak English please.

What he's speaking is referred to as "Ainglesh" in these here parts lol