Arkansas
Arkansas high school football Top 25 rankings (9/2/2024)
We survived the first week of Arkansas high school football season. There were lighting delays, cancellations, surprises and thrillers. We got a little bit of everything in Week Zero. Eight of the teams in the Top 10 won last week. Five other ranked teams lost, but three of the four were either to ranked teams or teams that were in a higher classification.
Below is this week’s SBLive/High School on SI Arkansas Top 25.
- Little Rock Parkview(1-0)
The Patriots represented Arkansas well in defeating Melissa High School, one of Texas’s top Class 5A Division II teams on their home field.
Senior running back Monterrio Elston scored two rushing touchdowns to fuel the 27-20 Saturday night.
Elston, a Kansas State commit, rushed for a game-high 158 yards on 13 carries and scored on runs of 68 and 61 yards.
Parkview will be a favorite in every game they play the rest of the season, including next week’s home opener against Class 5A upstart Maumelle and the week after at home against 7A power Bryant.
2. Fayetteville (1-0)
The Bulldogs had little problem with Cabot, running past the Panthers 48-13. Senior transfer QB Garyt Odom passed for more than 300 yards in the road win. Fayetteville hits the road one more time this nonconference season to play Broken Arrow, Okla. in the Tulsa area this week.
3. Bryant (1-0)
Three Jordan Walker touchdown passes in the fourth quarter saved the Hornets in a 52-42 win vs. Saline County rival Beton in the Salt Bowl. Despite forcing seven turnovers, Bryant trailed 28-24 to start the fourth quarter, but Walker promptly connected with Kamauri Austin, on the first of two TD strikes, and Bryant never trailed again. The Hornets make the long trip to St. Louis this week to face Christian Brothers College. CBC, who played for a state title last fall, rolled past Sacred Heart-Griffin 45-0 last week.
4. Greenwood (1-0)
The Bulldogs flexed their offensive muscle in a 70-35 win at Bentonville West. Four-star junior QB recruit Kane Archer led the way completing 25-of-29 passes for 287 yards and 3 TDs. He also ran 11 times for 113 yards and a TD. Senior receiver Isaiah Arrington, who received a scholarship offer to Southeast Missouri State this summer, caught 9 passes for 142 yards and a TD. Junior running back Wesley Raggio ran 9 times for 142 yards and three scores.
Greenwood travels to River Valley Rival Fort Smith Northside Friday night where they will be the heavy favorite.
5. Conway (1-0)
The Wampus Cats officially welcomed senior transfer QB Grayson Wilson to the lineup with a 42-20 win at Jonesboro. Wilson, a University of Arkansas commit, was 9 of 13 passing for 229 yards and 2 touchdowns. The win was a nice tune-up for a big early showdown against No. 6 Bentonville at home this week.
6. Bentonville (0-1)
The inexperienced Tigers showed some resolve falling behind Oklahoma large-school power Union last week and eventually dropping a 42-35 overtime decision. We give Bentonville the grace of playing a tough out-of-state opponent and leave them at No. 6.
The Tigers don’t have time to hang their heads, as they travel to central Arkansas to play No. 5 Conway Friday night.
7. Pulaski Academy (1-0)
PA continued its dominance of Joe T. Robinson in a 35-21 season-opening win. It gets a bit tougher this week as the Bruins travel to Mississippi to face Magnolia State private-school power Madison-Ridgeland. PA knocked MRA off 45-43 with a last-second field goal last season. MRA is already 3-0 on the season with an early start to the season on Aug. 15.
8. Benton (0-1)
When the Panthers took a 28-24 lead on Bryant in the Salt Bowl game, things were promising. However, Benton, who coughed up seven turnovers, allowed Bryant to complete three TD passes and take control of the game. Benton made the final score 52-42 with a TD with no time left, but Bryant had control of the game after taking the lead. Benton has this week off and faces a struggling North Little Rock team in its home opener Sept. 13.
9. Shiloh Christian (1-0)
The Saints smoked Farmington 42-6 to avenge last season’s 31-28 loss which ended a 40-game conference winning streak. Shiloh travels to west Little Rock for the second time in as many years to face Little Rock Christian Friday night.
10. Harding Academy (0-0)
The Wildcats were idle last week. They kick off the 2024 season at Class 6A Marion, who barely hung on to beat Wynne in its opener.
11. Little Rock Christian
LRCA moves up a spot after edging El Dorado, 21-14 in the opener. The Warriors will have to play better to beat Shiloh Christian next week. The Saints invaded west Little Rock last year and won 43-22.
12. Bentonville West (0-1)
The Wolverines drop two notches after the lopsided loss to Greenwood. The Wolverines hope to rebound this week against Cabot, who took it on the chin to Fayetteville last week.
13. For Smith Southside (1-0)
The Mavericks came from behind to beat rival Northside, 34-27. Southside should remain undefeated aft this week as they play host to hapless Little Rock Central.
14. Wynne (1-0)
Class 5A Wynne proved it was improved after leading the Patriots 14-0 early and 20-14 at halftime. Marion did rally to win 34-28. They will have to play better to beat Harding Academy at home on Friday night.
15. Cabot (0-1)
A lighting delay and blowout made Cabot’s home opener unpleasant. They head Northwest Arkansas to play Bentonville West, who is also licking its wounds. This will be a welcome victory for whoever can secure it.
16. Mountain Home (1-0)
The Bombers started the season with a 43-21 drubbing of West Plains, Mo. The schedule gets a bit more difficult this week playing at rival Harrison, whose game with Branson, Mo. was canceled due to lightning after the Goblins took an early 7-3 lead.
17. Lake Hamilton (0-1)
For the second straight season, Hot Springs Lakeside stung their city rivals. This time, the Wolves fell 34-29. Lake Hamilton entertains struggling Little Rock Southwest this week hoping to even its record.
18. Jonesboro (0-1)
There is no shame in losing to Conway and JHS hung in for a while. The Hurricane welcome another ranked team to Cooksey-Johns Stadium. This week it is Joe T. Robinson.
19. Little Rock Catholic (1-0)
The Rockets came from behind to beat Class 5A Arkansas High 20-15 last week. They are off this week and host Nolan Catholic (Texas) High School at 2 p.m. Saturday Sept. 14.
20. Maumelle (1-0)
The Hornets looked strong blanking Sylvan Hills 36-0. They face a stiff test this week hosting Little Rock Parkview. This game will be a good barometer of how much improved they are from last season.
21. Joe T. Robinson (0-1)
The Senators fought hard in a loss at PA. They face another challenge playing up in class on the road against Jonesboro. These nonconference games will only make Robinson better in the 5A-Central Conference.
22. Valley View (1-0)
The Blazers scored on two turnovers and set up another TD with a turnover in a dominant 42-14 blowout of Poplar Bluff, Mo. The Blazers return home to face Searcy. The Lions routed Batesville 42-18.
23. Pine Bluff (0-1)
The Zebras lost a neutral site game to Millwood (Oklahoma City, Okla.), 14-0, at DeSoto, Texas. Pine Bluff hosts Kibmall (Dallas) Saturday.
24. Warren (0-1)
The Lumberjacks lost a hard-fought game to Class 5A Greenbriar, 41-34. Warren plays host to White Hall, who lost at Sheridan last week, Friday night.
25. Prescott (1-0)
The Curley Wolves rolled over Crossett, 53-10. They play Salem in a 3A showdown Thursday night at Hendrix College at Conway.
Bismarck, Ark. (KATV) — If your idea of a perfect summer getaway includes a clear lake, plenty of elbow room and enough activities to keep the whole family busy for days, DeGray Lake might be calling your name.
In the run-up to America’s 250th birthday, DeGray Lake is being highlighted as Arkansas’ only resort state park — a place designed to be a one-stop vacation spot where guests can settle in and stay put.
“We are Arkansas’s only resort state park, and with that, we have enough to keep a guest and their family busy for really a whole week,” a park representative said.
The park’s setup is meant to keep everything in one place, from the lodge and pool to the restaurant and swim beach. Visitors can also find trails, four stables, golf, disc golf, fling golf and interpretive programs held every day during the summertime.
“So really, the whole package is designed so that people, they would never leave, never need to leave the park while they’re here on vacation, they can be here all week,” the representative said. “We’ve got your food, we’ve got your lodging, we’ve got plenty to keep you busy and having a good time. That’s what makes us Arkansas’s only resort state park.”
Water sports are a big summertime draw, and the park also offers a range of ways to stay overnight — whether you want comfort, something in-between, or a more traditional camping experience.
“If you like getting in the outdoors, but you don’t like staying in the outdoors, you can come stay in our comfy lot,” the representative said, noting the lodge has 96 rooms. For a “step up from camping,” the park also has three yurts available, described as a more glamorous option with bunk beds, a sky dome and a door that locks. Campsites are also available, ranging from RV hookups to simple tent sites.
For anglers and lake lovers, the park representative said the fishing is great and the water is clear, with options that include line fishing, spear fishing and scuba diving.
“It’s a beautiful lake,” the representative said. “We’re nestled right here in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains.”
The park is described as a little off the beaten path — but that’s part of the charm.
“I tell people all the time it’s kind of like the best kept secret, because you look out there at that lake, not too busy,” the representative said.
For more information on planning a visit, click here.
LITTLE ROCK, AR (KATV) — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has joined a new national artificial intelligence initiative that launched Thursday, June 25.
RAISE US, started by former Governor Eric Holcomb of Indiana and Gina Raimondo, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce is a nonpartisan national organization that will partner with governors, employers, workers and training organizations to help the workforce transition to an AI economy.
“As artificial intelligence transforms America’s economy, we have one clear message: technology should empower people, not replace them. By leveraging our Arkansas LAUNCH initiative, and with the resources and expertise provided by RAISE US, Arkansas will turn that mission into reality. We want the Natural State to be a leader on education, workforce training, and up-skilling, and this new partnership gives us the tools we need to build a model for the entire nation.”
The organization will design and pilot incentives to retrain workers, new approaches to support job transitions, and training models tied to employer demand.
RAISE US launches with more than two dozen American companies and philanthropies and initial state partnerships in Connecticut, Maryland and Utah.
“America has a technology strategy for leading the global AI competition. It does not yet have a people strategy — and we cannot lead without one,” Raimondo, who will serve as CEO of RAISE US, said.
“If we build the best AI systems in the world and leave millions of Americans behind, we won’t have won anything; we’ll have automated our own decline. I believe AI will create new jobs and industries over time, but the transition could be disruptive, and it’s already underway. We shouldn’t fearmonger, but we can’t pretend our training and worker support systems are ready either. It’s time for innovative and practical solutions. This moment demands ambition, urgency, and creativity. We’ve assembled the country’s top companies, best economists, and bipartisan governors at a scale rarely seen — all to advance new ideas and incentives, pilot them with governors and business, and scale what works.”
Governor Sanders is partnering with RAISE US to support Arkansas LAUNCH, an AI-powered career navigation platform that connects students and jobseekers to personalized learning and employer-linked career pathways.
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