SBLive Arkansas Top 25 boys soccer rankings (May 1)

By George Mitchell 

This is it.

The final week before the state soccer tournaments begin May 11. Some make-up games might be played in the final week to make up the ones washed out this past week. 

Springdale Har-Ber makes the jump from sixth in the rankings. Greenwood enters the rankings after a couple of solid weeks, while Mountain Home drops from the list.

1. Conway (15-2)

The Wampus Cats have three games this week and could still finish undefeated in the 6A-Central with a league title and a first-round bye for the tournament to show for it.

2. Russellville (17-2-2)

The Cyclones wrap up the regular season with Harrison and Van Buren at home this week. Russellville finishes with the 5A-West title and the No. 1 seed for the tournament.

3. Bentonville (12-3-1)

The Tigers dropped a 3-1 decision to Rogers early last week but bounced back to defeat Northside. The team could still finish with the 6A-West title but faces Fayetteville on May 5.

4. Fayetteville (11-2-3)

The Bulldogs will get a first-round bye as they finish second in the 6A-West. The team has to contend with Fort Smith Southside, who is playing hot right now, and No. 3 Bentonville.

5. Springdale (7-2-1)

The Bulldogs can wrap up the No. 3 spot for the playoffs this week.

6. Springdale Har-Ber (3-2-2)

The Wildcats defeated Rogers Heritage but have three 6A-West games remaining this week. The team is fifth in the league but could drop from the playoff contention before the week ends.

7. Rogers (8-5-3)

The Mounties held off Bentonville but turned around and dropped a game to Springdale. Rogers advances to the state tournament and is likely to be the No. 4 seed.

8. Fort Smith Northside (7-6-1)

One year removed from being in the state title game, the Grizzlies will miss it this season. Northside has lost three of its past four games and faces No. 5 Springdale in the season finale.

9. Rogers Heritage (7-5)

The War Eagles dropped two games last week and are likely to miss the playoffs this season.

10. De Queen (12-2)

The Leopards face the No. 4 seed from the 4A-North in the first round of the state tournament on May 11 at 7 p.m.

11. LR Catholic (10-4-4)

The Rockets found a little momentum and will need it with No. 1 Conway and Central (2-11-2) left on the schedule this week. Catholic could finish as high as No. 2 in the 6A-Central or drop to No. 3 behind Bryant.

12. LR Christian Academy (12-2-2)

The Warriors have won eight of the past 10 games to set up their showdown with No. 22 Pulaski Academy on Tuesday. The winner gets the league title and the No. 1 seed for the tournament.

13. Van Buren (9-4-3)

The Pointers have won six of its last seven games, including a rematch win over Harrison. The squad has No. 2 Russellville for the final game of the regular season.

14. Bentonville West (8-8-4)

The Wolverines have lost five of its last six games, including a 2-1 loss to Southside last week. West will miss the playoffs this season.

15. Hot Springs (10-3-4)

The Trojans dispatched El Dorado last week and dropped them from postseason contention. Hot Springs also tied Lake Hamilton. The Trojans will need to win one of its two games against White Hall this week to hold onto their No. 3 spot in the 5A-South for the tournament.

16. Lake Hamilton (11-3-4)

The Wolves tied their last three games and now trail Lakeside in the 5A-South standings. With El Dorado remaining on the schedule, Lake Hamilton needs to win out to get a chance to reclaim the league title.

17. Clarksville (10-2-1)

The Panthers finish 4A-West play with a game against Dardanelle on Monday. Clarksville claims the league title and the No. 1 seed for the state tournament.

18. Brookland (15-2-1)

It’s seven consecutive wins for the Bearcats, with Batesville Southside (4-12-1) and Wynne (1-16) remaining on the schedule. Brookland wins the 4A-North title and the No. 1 seed for the state tournament.

19. Joe T. Robinson (12-1-4)

The Senators dropped a 1-0 decision to Brookland and will wrap up the No. 2 seed for the Class 4A state tournament.

20. Searcy (15-2-1)

The Lions keep rolling and now have won nine straight games. Searcy needs one more 5A-East win to secure the league title and the top seed for the state tournament.

21. Lakeside (12-2-2)

The Rams will be the No. 2 seed if No. 16 Lake Hamilton wins its final two games. Lakeside has a pair of non-conference games this week to prepare for the state tournament.

22. Pulaski Academy (12-0-2)

The Bruins tied Vilonia before rolling past Parkview 5-0. Tuesday’s game with No. 12 Little Rock Christian will determine who will get the No. 1 seed and the league title for the 5A-Central.

23. Bryant (10-4-5)

The Hornets found some of that momentum they were looking for but will face North Little Rock and No. 1 Conway to finish out the regular season. Bryant is likely to have the No. 3 seed for the state tournament and face host Southside in the first round.

24. Harding Academy (9-3-2)

The Wildcats won both games this week to hold onto the No. 3 spot in the 4A-North. Harding Academy will need to win two of its next three games, including a rematch with Lisa Academy West (6-5-1), to keep its spot for next week’s tournament.

25. Greenwood (9-7-2)

The Bulldogs have found a new life by winning the games they needed and are now fourth in the 5A-West. The team has Alma (6-6-2) and Greenbrier (1-14) remaining, and one more win will secure the No. 4 seed. Two Greenwood wins, and two losses by Harrison could vault the Bulldogs to the No. 3 spot.

On the outside: Cabot, Green Forest, Dardanelle, Benton