SBLive Arkansas Power 25 high school football rankings for Week 9

This week's Arkansas prep football Top 25 rankings

By Kyle Sutherland | Photo by Jimmy Jones 

There were not many changes in the Power 25 following an exciting Week 8, headlined by a thrilling finish in Little Rock as well as a very physical contest between No. 1 and No. 2 in Saline County. With just two weeks left in the regular season, there are many key matchups you will not want to miss as teams make their final push for conference championships and playoff positions. 

Here are the SBLive Arkansas Power 25 high school football rankings for Week 9.

1. Bryant (7-0)

In a great one at Everett Field, it came down to the final two minutes when Bryson Adamoh snagged an interception on fourth down and Jordan Walker connected with Cason Trickey three plays later to ultimately earn a huge 24-10 victory over No. 2 Cabot. The Hornets head to North Little Rock this week.

2. Cabot (6-2)

The Panthers struck first on the road against top-ranked Bryant and hung with the Hornets throughout the contest but could not complete the upset. With that close loss, as well as a last-second defeat to Ruston (La.) who is currently 7-1, the Panthers remain at No. 2 also boasting a convincing victory over No. 3 Conway. They are back at home against Fort Smith Northside on Friday.

3. Conway (7-1)

The Wampus Cats traveled to historic Quigley Stadium to take on a struggling Little Rock Central squad and took care of business with ease, scoring all their points in the first half as they earned their third shutout of the year 49-0. Senior night looms at John McConnell Stadium against Jonesboro.

4. Pulaski Academy (8-0)

They have had to work out some very minor kinks in the move up to Class 6A, but nonetheless the Bruins are firing on all cylinders averaging 53 points per game. In another dominant win over Greenbrier, Kel Busby completed 31-of-38 passes for 344 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Kenny Jordan added 189 yards and a score on the ground. PA heads to the River Valley on Friday for a monumental showdown with No. 6 Greenwood.

5. Bentonville (7-1)

Following back-to-back wins over Top 10 opponents, the Tigers leap into the Top 5 currently rolling on a six-game win streak and in control of the 7A-West. Carter Nye had another brilliant night passing the ball connecting on 17-of-20 passes for 280 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Illinois State commit Josh Ficklin gashed yet another defense rushing 12 times for 173 yards, and touchdowns from 74 and 59 yards out. Bentonville heads to Springdale this week.

6. Greenwood (7-1)

In what was described as a trap game by some, Russellville came in on a four-game win streak and gave the Bulldogs all they wanted, but Greenwood ultimately escaped 42-21 in another all-around solid performance. Hunter Houston was excellent, completing 34-of-48 passes for 416 yards and 5 total touchdowns, while three receivers eclipsed over 100 yards led by Grant Karnes’ 11 catches for 141 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Bulldogs have been a second half team during parts of the season, but will need to get off to a fast start as No. 3 Pulaski Academy comes to town this week for what should decide the 6A-West.

7. Catholic (8-0)

The Rockets earned their best start in school history completing a dominant 42-6 win over struggling Jacksonville. Dominic Keeton paced the ground attack rushing 11 times for 167 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Same Sanders only passed for 55 yards but made it count completing all five of his passes and a score. They are back on the road against El Dorado this week.

8. Bentonville West (6-2)

The Wolverines’ offense seems to get better each week and this time was no different as they hung 63 points on Rogers Heritage, the most they have put up all season. Jake Casey threw for 403 yards and 5 touchdowns, Dalton Rice added two more, and Nick Bell led all receivers with 156 yards, while Ty Durham and Jaxson Brust each had over 100 yards and 2 scores. West is back at home against Fort Smith Southside Friday for senior night.

9. Fayetteville (5-3)

It was a brand-new week coming off a tough one-point loss to arch rival Bentonville as the Purple Dogs were able to rebound and defeat Springdale 35-6 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. In what has become a consistent trend, Drake Lindsey put together another notable outing completing 27-of-37 passes for 276 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Kaylon Morris hauled in 12 of those for 145 yards and 2 scores. The Purple Dogs host Rogers Heritage on Friday.

10. Joe T. Robinson (7-1)

In possibly the most thrilling finish of Week 8, the Senators used a rushing attack by committee for the second game in a row led by quarterback Quentin Murphy’s 97 yards and two scores. However, it was the defense who made the final statement, holding strong and denying Mills a late two-point conversion to escape with a 29-28 victory. Robinson is in the lead for the 5A-Central crown and hosts White Hall at Charlie George Stadium on Friday.

11. Rogers (6-2)

A 28-7 deficit at the conclusion of the first quarter in favor of Bentonville was too much for the Mounties to overcome and they were dealt a lopsided defeat in their second loss in three weeks. Quarterback Dane Williams had another strong performance through the air passing for 253 yards, but the Mounties were held to just 49 yards on the ground. They look to get back on track in the final home game of the year against Har-Ber.

12. Parkview (6-2)

The Patriots put together one of their best complete offensive performances of the season in a 42-28 victory over Magnolia led by the rushing duo of Darien Bennett and Cameron Settles who each had over 100 yards and combined for three scores. Quarterback Eric McGehee completed 11-of-13 passes for 217 yards and 2 scores, mostly to his favorite target of the night, Monterrio Elston, who hauled in 7 passes for 161 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Parkview hosts Hot Springs Lakeside at War Memorial Stadium this week.

13. Arkadelphia (7-0)

It was Week 1 against Hot Springs the last time Arkadelphia was truly challenged, but Ashdown gave the Badgers all they wanted in the first half before Donovan Whitten and Co. pulled away late in the third quarter to win 41-12. Whitten compiled over 200 yards of offense and 6 total touchdowns, while the Badger defense also buckled down forcing four turnovers. After a bye this week, Arkadelphia heads to Malvern for a huge matchup that should decide the 4A-7.

14. Lake Hamilton (7-1)

Coming off a week of rest after getting shutout by Greenwood in Week 7, the Wolves return home to host a tough Russellville squad as they look to rebound.

15. Little Rock Christian (6-2)

Van Buren gave the Warriors a bit of a scare early on, but Little Rock Christian’s defense stepped up and the offense got rolling to trample the Pointers 47-14. Sophomore Ronnie Anokye (158 yards, touchdown) and Walker White (66 yards, touchdown) paced the ground attack, while White also had 186 yards and 3 scores through the air. The Warriors travel to Greenbrier this week.

16. Camden Fairview (7-1)

The Cardinals are rolling at the right time coming off two-straight shutouts by a combined 98-0 score over struggling De Queen and Hope but face the toughest two-game stretch of their season in the final two regular-season contests, starting with a road trip to No. 23 Hot Springs this week. You can catch the game live on 103.7 The Buzz with coverage beginning at 6:45 PM.

17. Shiloh Christian (7-1)

It was a battle against Farmington, but the Saints pulled away from the Cardinals with the game tied early in the fourth quarter to win 51-30. Eli Wisdom had another dominant performance compiling over 400 yards of offense and 5 touchdowns, while also reaching a career milestone as just the second player in state history to rush for over 3,000 yards and pass for over 5,000 in a career. Bodie Neal hauled in 9 passes for 164 yards and a score while also eclipsing 1,000 yards on the year, and Bo Williams had another huge night with 291 all-purpose yards and two scores. The Saints head to Prairie Grove Friday.

18. Benton (6-2)

Searcy kept it close early, but the Panthers busted the game wide open in the second quarter and kept scoring while pitching a shutout in the second half. Benton scored over 60 points for the second game in a row. Braylen Russell ran wild carrying 26 times for 276 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Walter Hicks returned an interception 91 yards for a score. The Panthers head back home for a crucial matchup against West Memphis on Friday.

19. Mills (7-1)

A gutsy call by Cortez Lee to go for two and a possible win fell short with 28 seconds remaining in what was a strong performance overall by the Comets. A 5A-Central two-seed is likely the best-case scenario for Mills, but there is still plenty to play for as they have the first of two games on the road to finish the regular season against a sneaky Morrilton squad on Friday.

20. Nettleton (7-1)

The Raiders remained in the hunt for a 5A-East crown following a 34-20 win over Forrest City and look to take a massive step against No. 22 Valley View, who is in first place, on the road this week. Against Forrest City, junior Curtez Smith led the offense with 156 total yards and 3 touchdowns, while senior Blake Brown compiled 13 total tackles and forced a fumble.

21. Harding Academy (7-0)

Another solid offensive performance that featured a 37-point first half, along with a shutout through the first three quarters, propelled the Wildcats to a 44-6 victory over Rivercrest as they stayed unbeaten. Sophomore quarterback Owen Miller completed 10-of-15 passes for 228 yards and 4 scores, all in the first half. Two road games remain to close the regular season beginning with Heber Springs this week.

22. Valley View (7-1)

Despite a couple of close calls in the past three weeks, the Blazers currently control their own destiny as they sit at the top of the 5A-East standings. The duo of Carson Turley and Slade Caldwell propelled the Valley View offense to a close win over Southside Batesville last Friday and look to do it again as No. 20 Nettleton comes to town this week with hopes of spoiling the Blazers’ senior night.

23. Hot Springs (6-2)

The Trojans have played well enough this season to be undefeated, but nonetheless are still in a great position as they continue their quest for the 5A-South title against No. 16 Camden Fairview at home this week. They are on a four-game win streak, most recently crushing Arkansas High 55-15 last Friday.

24. Wynne (6-2)

After being hit hard late in the week with news of head coach Van Paschal’s suspension, the Yellowjackets overcame immense adversity and took down Paragould 35-7 on the road and currently sit tied for second place in the 5A-East. They are back at home for senior night in a favorable matchup against Forrest City this week.

25. Farmington (5-3)

They hung tough for just over three quarters, but the offensive power of Shiloh Christian was too much to overcome for the Cardinals as they surrendered 21 unanswered points in the final ten minutes falling 51-30. Their final two games will be at home, starting with Pea Ridge on Friday.