10 games to watch in Arkansas high school football in Week 7

By Kyle Sutherland | Photo by Braeden Botts 

The second week in October means the beginning of a four-game stretch with multiple matchups that will eventually decide conference champions and playoff seedings. 

Six of the games to watch this week feature teams ranked in the Power 25, including a Top 10 matchup in both Class 6A and 7A, while one conference from 5A has two very important contests, and one of the state’s most intense rivalries from 3A will likely end up being for a conference title for the first time in more than a decade.

Here are 10 games to watch in Arkansas high school football for Week 7. 

Beebe (4-3) vs. Robinson (5-1)

The Central Arkansas Game of the Week features No. 12 Joe T. Robinson, who is a half game behind Mills for the top spot in the 5A-Central. Maumelle gave the Senators all they wanted last Friday, but Robinson has cruised through conference play other than that. Beebe has lost two in a row, including a 17-14 upset defeat to Vilonia last Friday, following a 4-1 start and crucially needs a victory to stay in the playoff race.

Blytheville (5-1) vs. Gosnell (5-1)

Blytheville will put its 3-0 conference record on the line against Gosnell at home, as the Pirates are needing to earn a victory to keep pace for the top two spots in the 4A-3. Gosnell rebounded from a Week 4 lopsided loss at the hands of Pocahontas, escaping Trumann last Friday. Blytheville is currently tied with Pocahontas for the top spot in the league and is off to its best start since 2008.

Clarendon (4-2) vs. Des Arc (3-2)

Two regular state title contenders are hoping to maintain consistency in the 2A-2. Clarendon started the season 2-0 before falling to East Poinsett County and Hector by three combined points but rebounded nicely winning back-to-back games. On the other hand, Des Arc could not have had a worse start to the season getting outscored 94-0 in the first two games before reeling off three-straight wins, including last week’s crucial 38-14 victory over Marked Tree.

Fayetteville (4-2) vs. Bentonville (5-1)

The premier matchup in Class 7A and the SBLive Northwest Arkansas Game of the Week, bitter rivals faceoff in what typically results in a conference title for the victor. No. 8 Fayetteville is looking to earn back-to-back victories over the sixth-ranked Tigers for the first time since 2004-05, while Bentonville is seeking revenge and looking to win its fifth game in a row. The Purple Dogs are the more battle-tested team thus far, but everything is thrown out the window when these two compete.

Fordyce (5-2) vs. Rison (5-0)

The 71st meeting for one of Arkansas’s best rivalries, Fordyce hosts Rison in what will be the first conference game between the two programs since 2011. Overall, the Redbugs have continued to adjust nicely after moving up to Class 3A, while the Wildcats are undefeated and off to their best start since 2018 - the last time they defeated Fordyce. Coverage of this game and the SBLive Halftime Show can be heard on 103.7 The Buzz.

Greenwood (5-1) vs. Lake Hamilton (7-0)

It was a popular opinion coming into the 2022 season that the 6A-West would be one of the premier conferences in the state. Along with Pulaski Academy, the fifth-ranked Bulldogs and seventh-ranked Wolves have helped the league live up to that hype as they are both currently undefeated against in-state competition. Will Greenwood’s time off to rest be to their benefit, or will Lake Hamilton’s consistency of playing for seven straight weeks help them notch a massive road win?

Hot Springs (4-2) vs. Magnolia (5-1)

With Camden Fairview and Parkview currently in control of the 5A-South, this is a crucial matchup for both teams to not fall further back. Hot Springs’ only loss in league play is to Parkview, while No. 21 Magnolia is coming off its first defeat of the season. Will the Panthers put last week behind them and get back to their winning ways, or will the Trojans earn their first signature win of the season?

Ozark (4-2) vs. Gentry (6-0)

The 4A-1 conference has not been talked about a whole lot this season outside of Northwest Arkansas. These two squads, along with Elkins, have quietly been successful, especially Gentry who is off to a 6-0 start for the second year in a row. Ozark began the year 1-2, falling in back-to-back games to Booneville and Charleston, but have since reeled off three-straight victories and have outscored those opponents 156-50.

Southside Batesville (4-2) vs. Nettleton (5-1)

This is one of two games that will help calm some of the madness that is currently the top half 5A-East. The winner will secure at the very least a share of the third spot, while the loser will fall into the bottom half and take a step back in the playoff race. No. 24 Nettleton is a last-second loss to Batesville away from being undefeated in league play, while Southside regrouped from a September 30 loss to Wynne and defeated Brookland last Friday.

Wynne (4-2) vs. Batesville (5-1)

The other key matchup in the 5A-East, No. 22 Batesville is red hot on a four-game win streak and tied for the league’s top spot. Though far from out of the conference race, a Wynne loss would pin their backs against the wall further coming off an overtime loss to Valley View.