7-4A Week 9

[hawgfan15]

Did I say week 7 was crazy? Well week 8 tops that easily. The game of the week was a surprise to most as #6 Nashville dominated #9 Mena by a score of 35-0 with 30 seconds left in the game. Malvern reminded everyone of why they were a preseason favorite to win the conference. Their convincing win over #7 Fountain Lake has put them in position to play for the conference championship the final two weeks. The surprise of the night was Ashdown defeating #4 Arkadelphia. This was the first conference win for the Panthers and gave them life for the final playoff spot. The only game that seemed to go as planned was Bauxite winning big over Waldron.

Game of the Week

#6 Malvern (6-2, 4-1) @ #3 Nashville (7-1, 4-1)

The Leopards are back in the mix for a conference championship once again. A convincing win over Fountain Lake has placed them back in the spotlight of 7-4A. Nashville took care of business early against Mena. Holding Mena to 6 yards of offense in the first half and without a first down until the 3rd quarter. This should be a great game Friday night with the conference championship on the line. Both teams are starting to play their best football and the only advantage I see in this one is home field.

Nashville 35

Malvern 21


Mena (6-2, 3-2) @ Fountain Lake (5-2-1, 3-2)

The Bearcats were stunned at home Friday night. This was their second loss in a row to quality conference opponents. The good news is that Jackson Daughtery will be back this week after his one game suspension. Fountain Lake was gashed by the Malvern offense Friday night giving up 49 points. They are looking to bounce back this week at home against another good team. I think this is a pretty good match up for both teams. Mena knows all about the Wing T offense coming from 4-4A. From a size and speed comparison both teams are fairly equal. This game will go a long way in playoff seeding.

Mena 35

Fountain Lake 33


Bauxite (4-4, 2-3) @ #8 Arkadelphia (6-2, 3-2)

The Miners had little trouble with Waldron Friday night. If they are going to make the playoffs they will have to beat Arkadelphia this week. Arkadelphia is still in shock after losing on the road to Ashdown. The Badgers were in great position to claim at least a share of the conference title. There is no way they lose back to back games right?

Arkadelphia 42

Bauxite 14


Ashdown (3-5, 1-4) @ Waldron (0-8, 0-5)

The Panthers showed some life this week as they knocked off #4 Arkadelphia. It has never been a question of talent for Ashdown but they just couldn't put it all together early in the season. Waldron's best shot at a conference win this season was last week. The Bulldogs are going to have to wait another year to snap their winless streak. Ashdown should win this one easily and with still a shot at the final playoff spot I think they will be focused.

Ashdown 49

Waldron 7


Playoff Seeding

Nashville
          Win vs Arkadelphia     (38-21) +13
          Loss vs Fountain Lake (32-29)
          Win vs Waldron          (54-7)  +13
          Win vs Ashdown         (31-15) +13
          Win vs Mena              (35-7)  +13

Total: 52 points

Games Remaining:
                         vs Malvern
                         @ Bauxite


Malvern
           Win vs Bauxite            (41-17) +13
           Loss vs Mena              (36-22)
           Win vs Ashdown          (41-17) +13
           Win vs Waldron           (41-7)   +13
           Win vs Fountain Lake    (49-24) +13

Total: 52 points

Games Remaining:
                         @ Nashville
                         vs Arkadelphia

Mena
          Win vs Ashdown          (55-34) +13
          Win vs Malvern            (36-22) +13
          Win vs Bauxite             (42-14) +13
          Loss vs Arkadelphia      (40-28)
          Loss vs Nashville          (35-7)

Total: 39 points

Games Remaining:
                         @ Fountain Lake
                         vs Waldron

Arkadelphia
           Loss vs Nashville        (38-21)
           Win vs Waldron          (42-0)  +13
           Win vs Fountain Lake  (48-42) +6
           Win vs Mena              (40-28) +12
           Loss vs Ashdown        (35-33)

Total: 31 points
Games Remaining:
                         vs Bauxite
                         @ Malvern

Fountain Lake
           Win vs Waldron           (35-13) +13
           Win vs Nashville          ( 32-29) +3
           Loss vs Arkadelphia      (48-42)
           Win vs Bauxite             (35-30) +5
           Loss vs Malvern            (49-24)

Total: 21 points
Games Remaining:
                         vs Mena
                         @ Ashdown


Ashdown's only hope to make the playoffs:

Fountain Lake loses at home to Mena and Ashdown wins at Waldron in Week 9
Then Ashdown beats Fountain Lake at home in week 10

Bauxite's only hope to make the playoffs:

Bauxite wins at  Arkadelphia in Week 9
Arkadelphia loses at Malvern in Week 10


Conference Standings

1. Nashville       (4-1)
   Malvern         (4-1)
3. Arkadelphia   (3-2)
   Mena            (3-2)
   Fountain Lake (3-2)
6. Bauxite         (2-3)
7. Ashdown       (1-4)
8. Waldron        (0-5)

My Projected Finish

1. Nashville      (6-1)
2. Mena           (5-2)
3. Malvern        (5-2)
4. Arkadelphia   (4-3)
5. Fountain Lake (4-3)
6. Bauxite         (2-5)
7. Ashdown       (2-5)
8. Waldron        (0-8)

Feel free to post your predictions, thoughts, and insight on all of these games.


     

[FBfan79]

Good assessment..  Not that it matters but FL is not coming off of back to back losses.

[hawgfan15]

Good assessment..  Not that it matters but FL is not coming off of back to back losses.

You are right, I was thinking the Arkadelphia game was two weeks ago. Can't believe I forgot about Waldron lol I will correct that, thanks.