It’s that time of the year, everyone. High school football games kicked off throughout the state of Arkansas Nov. 29 and there was plenty of great action taking place.
The No. 1 team in the Natural State remains Bryant then followed by Greenwood followed by Conway, which suffered their first loss of the season a few weeks ago, and then Little Rock Parkview.
Here’s the complete breakdown of Arkansas’ elite high school football teams, heading into the 2024 AAA state championships, as we see it.
Bryant’s Jordan Walker / Photo by Tommy Land
Senior quarterback Jordan Walker has been arguably the state’s top passer all season long, completing 108-of-180 passes for 2,145 yards, 36 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Onto the state final round for the Hornets.
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Greenwood junior quarterback Kane Archer. / Photo by Tommy Land
Nobody has played better under center in the state of Arkansas than Kane Archer of Greenwood. The quarterback has thrown for 3,559 yards, a ridiculous 54 touchdowns and just one mere interception. Archer might have an argument when it comes to Player of the Year, regardless of state.
Since a Sep. 20th loss to Lee’s Summit North, Bentonville has won nine straight games. The latest victory was an impressive 36-34 win over Conway (see below).
Parkview’s lone loss of the season is a 30-10 decision to No. 1 team in Bryant. The Patriots continued in the playoffs with a 44-14 win over Valley View last week.
Trey Harris ran for more than 100 yards Friday night in Conway’s win over Bentonville. / Photo by Ted McClenning
The Wampus Cats don’t drop too far in our rankings after what could be labeled a surprising, 36-34, loss to Bentonville.
This Pulaski Academy team’s only three losses have come against Bryant (twice) and Conway. Both of those clubs are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in these rankings. The Bruins season came to a close after a 41-7 loss to Bryant last week.
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Griffin Mason has proven himself as one of the state’s top running backs this season, carrying the rock 259 times for 1,626 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns. Now they will face off against No.2-ranked Greenwood on Saturday.
Another week and another Elks’ win to remain undefeated. Elkins rolled to a 45-31 victory over Malvern last week in the third round of the playoffs. Now they’ll take on Mills University Studies this week.
The Panthers offense has shown up all season long, but it would be its defense not being able to slow down Shiloh Christian last week. Benton’s season ended with a 45-32 loss.
It was an offensive explosion last week for Farmington when they upended Hot Springs Lakeside in a 59-55 thriller.
The Comets just keep winning and their latest victory was a 47-40 decision over Warren last week.
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The Badgers made their way back into the rankings after winning nine straight games, including two shutouts. Only two losses have come to Camden Fairview and Lake Hamilton.
Valley View’s season has come to a close after a 44-14 loss to Little Rock Parkview last week.
We leave Hot Springs Lakeside right where they’re at after a heartbreaking 59-55 loss to Farmington last week.
The Lions pulling off a 33-29 upset win over Prescott a few weeks ago vaulted them into our rankings last week. Bismarck finished the regular season at 10-0 and continued its winning ways last week with a 28-17 victory over Seminole.
The Southerners just keep on finding ways to win and did so once again last week in a 24-7 loss to Monticello.
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Dardanelle made its debut in the rankings a few weeks ago, but its season came to a close last Friday in a 35-27 loss to Arkadelphia. .
The Bombers ever since losing 37-13 to Shiloh Christian have responded with a five-game winning streak. Wins have come over Russellville, Siloam Springs, Lake Hamilton and Van Buren. Mountain Home’s win streak ended in a 42-0 loss to No. 2 Greenwood.
The Rockets suffered their first loss of the season against a very good Benton team, 42-0. Catholic season ended with a 42-14 loss to Mountain Home.
Tyson Bradden has done a nice job taking care of the football and producing plenty of points. The senior has thrown for over 1,400 yards and 20-plus touchdown passes this season. Robinson’s season ended with a 21-17 loss Lakeside.
Fayetteville is ranked No. 2 in the state in the latest SBLive/SI Top 25 Arkansas high school football rankings. / Photo by Justin Manning
The Bulldogs’ season ended with a 39-32 loss to Pulaski Academy.
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Rogers bounced back from a loss to Fayetteville a few weeks ago with three straight victories to end the regular season and into the playoffs.
Back to back losses to Greenwood and Mountain Home had us dropping Lake Hamilton down the ranks a bit. Lake Hamilton came up with a big win over Jonesboro, 41-27, to open the postseason. Lake Hamilton lost to Benton, 57-14.
Yes, the Wolverines have eight losses to their name this season, but were able to pickup an impressive 38-22 victory over Little Rock Christian last week. Bentonville West lost to Bentonville last week, 53-28.
Putting together a very tough regular season schedule had paid off for the Panthers. Cabot’s season ended with a 43-0 loss to Bryant.
Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school football news.
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— Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveark
Dylan Sherman is a business reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He is based in Northwest Arkansas and focuses on Tyson Foods Inc. and the transportation industry. A graduate of the University of Missouri, he has been with the newspaper since 2023.
The Arkansas Court of Appeals released opinions Wednesday. The court’s ruling and the names of the cases are reprinted here. The full opinions and other court proceedings, including per curiam decisions, orders and submissions, can be found on the internet at arcourts.gov.
PROCEEDINGS OF Jan. 7, 2026
CHIEF JUDGE N. MARK KLAPPENBACH
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CR-23-821. Kenneth Steward v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Gladwin and Brown, JJ., agree.
JUDGE ROBERT J. GLADWIN
CR-25-24. Bryce Anderson v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Virden and Harrison, JJ., agree.
JUDGE CASEY R. TUCKER
CV-24-537. Flywheel Energy Production, LLC v. Van Buren County, Arkansas; and Van Buren County Judge Dale James, in His Official Capacity as Van Buren County Judge, from Van Buren County Circuit Court. Reversed and dismissed. Abramson and Harrison, JJ., agree.
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JUDGE WENDY SCHOLTENS WOOD
CV-24-209. LRS South, LLC v. Benton County Solid Waste Management District and the Benton County Solid Waste Management District Board, from Benton County Circuit Court. Reversed and remanded. Hixson and Murphy, JJ., agree.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas continued its offseason roster work by adding a transfer defensive back and securing a future offensive line piece from Texas, addressing both immediate depth and long-term development.
The Razorbacks announced the signing of Georgia State defensive back Tyler Scott, a transfer with multiple years of eligibility remaining, while also landing Carey Clayton, an offensive lineman from Southlake Carroll High School, as part of the 2026 recruiting class.
Scott joins the Hogs after spending the 2025 season at Georgia State, where he appeared in two games and recorded four tackles. He arrives in Fayetteville with three years of eligibility remaining, giving Arkansas flexibility in how he’s developed and used in the secondary.
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Before his time at Georgia State, Scott spent two seasons at Auburn. One of those seasons was cut short due to an ACL injury, limiting his opportunity to contribute on the field.
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The Razorbacks now provide him with a chance to reset and compete in a defensive back room that continues to evolve.
At 6 feet tall, Scott adds experience to a secondary that has seen significant turnover through the transfer portal. His addition gives the Hogs another option at defensive back as the staff works through spring and fall evaluations.
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Clayton strengthens 2026 offensive line class
Arkansas also added a future piece up front with the commitment of Carey Clayton, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound offensive lineman from Southlake Carroll, one of Texas’ most consistent high school programs.
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Clayton helped Southlake Carroll complete an undefeated regular season last fall and reach the state semifinals. He enters college football as a consensus three-star prospect, ranked among the top offensive line recruits in Texas.
In addition to Arkansas, Clayton held offers from Air Force, Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic, UAB and UTEP. He ultimately chose the Razorbacks, becoming the 16th commitment in the Hogs’ 2026 recruiting class.
Clayton is ranked around No. 251 nationally and No. 141 in Texas. While not among the highest-rated prospects in the class, his high school experience and physical development make him a long-term project for Arkansas’ offensive line.
Hogs continue roster building
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The additions of Scott and Clayton reflect the Hogs’ continued focus on roster balance. Scott becomes the 23rd transfer portal addition this offseason, reinforcing a secondary that has emphasized competition and depth.
Clayton’s commitment adds to a growing 2026 class that prioritizes size and developmental upside, particularly along the offensive line.
Arkansas has steadily worked to build future depth in the trenches while supplementing current needs through the portal.
While neither move is designed to generate immediate headlines, both fit into a broader plan aimed at improving roster stability.
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Scott offers experience and flexibility in the defensive backfield, while Clayton provides a long-term option at a position that often requires patience.
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As the Razorbacks move through the offseason, these additions help establish depth at key positions and give the coaching staff more options heading into the coming seasons.
Key takeaways
Arkansas added Georgia State transfer defensive back Tyler Scott, who brings experience and remaining eligibility to the secondary.
The Razorbacks signed 2026 Texas offensive lineman Carey Clayton, adding size and long-term depth up front.
The Hogs continue balancing immediate roster needs with long-term development through recruiting and the portal.
