SBLive 6A Arkansas Power Rankings: No. 1 Greenwood and No. 2 Lake Hamilton clash before playoffs

The two unbeatens square off this week in what could be a 6A championship preview.

Every week during the 2020 football season, SBLive Arkansas will rank the top high school football teams in every classification.

Here are the 6A rankings as compiled by SBLive reporters Connor Morrissette and Lance Smith.

1. Greenwood (9-0)

It might or might not be a championship preview, but either way, No. 1 Greenwood at No. 2 Lake Hamilton will feature the top two teams of the regular season in 6A. One will finish the regular season undefeated as the favorite to win it all, and the other will enter the playoffs with a chip on its shoulder.

Greenwood struggled to pull away from Van Buren last week, but the Bulldogs eventually got it done with a three-score margin. They've played the hardest schedule in the division and are still unbeaten — and a win this week would mean a mental edge over arguably their two biggest threats.

2. Lake Hamilton (8-0)

While Greenwood has been our top-ranked 6A team for practically the entire season, a win for Lake Hamilton this week could flip the order. The Wolves don't have two wins over 7A playoff teams (Har-Ber, Bentonville West) like Greenwood does, but they could enter the postseason having beaten Benton and Greenwood. Whatever the outcome this week, outside of a major blowout loss, Lake Hamilton will have to like its chances entering the playoffs.

3. Benton (5-4)

Benton will enter the playoffs having lost against both teams ranked above it, but both of those games were competitive. Make no mistake: The Panthers are another contender to win it all. But they need to take care of business this week to build momentum and finish above .500, and their opponent, Van Buren, is far more dangerous than its 3-6 record implies.

4. Parkview (6-1)

While Parkview dropped its only game with one of the above teams — a 30-20 loss against Benton — that's its only loss of the season. And last week's 37-0 blowout against Siloam Springs was among its best wins. This week's home game against formidable Mountain Home provides another great opportunity for a statement victory before the playoffs.

5. Sylvan Hills (6-3)

With a 17-16 victory over Jonesboro last week, Sylvan Hills has quietly rode a four-game win streak into our top five. In that stretch, it's also knocked off West Memphis, Sheridan and El Dorado. The Bears finish their regular season against another 6A playoff threat, Searcy (4-5).

HONORABLE MENTION 

Searcy, Jonesboro, Van Buren, Pine Bluff, Mountain Home