Expected order of finish in class 3A

With the Arkansas high school football season just weeks away, the SBLive team is taking a look at each class's conferences. We'll be predicting the rankings in each league. In this episode, we're diving into Class 3A.

3A-1

1. Booneville

2. Mansfield

3. Charleston

4. West Fork

5. Lavaca

6. Hackett

7. Greenland

8. Cedarville

Why Booneville?

The defending Class 3A champions lose several key players from last season, including star Dax Goff, but with a core group of regulars returning on both sides, the Bearcats are aiming for a repeat. Perennial contenders always have the goal of claiming the state title and this year will be no different, but 3A-1 will be a tough one to navigate with a rejuvenated Mansfield and rival Charleston in the mix at the top and other teams improving.

3A-2

1.Salem

2. The Mayflower

3. Melbourne

4. Quitman

5. Atkins

6. Mountain view

7. Yellville Summit

8. Episcopal Ordination

Why Salem?

Salem is the logical choice after winning 11 games last fall for the first time in over 10 years. The Greyhounds will have to replace some key players but can rely on an experienced defense. The toughest conference game is at Mayflower in Week 9. The Eagles could win the league title as they are moving up from 4A, but the Greyhounds have a slight experience advantage.

3A-3

1. River ridge

2. Newport

3. Walnut comb

4. Hoxie

5. Osceola

6. Manila

7. Harrisburg

8. Piggott

Why Rivercrest?

Walnut Ridge is a popular choice because it has a returning group of veterans. Rivercrest was second in Class 4A last season and now moves down a class because it has some returning stars, including veteran quarterback Cavonta Washington, who accounted for more than 2,300 yards of offense last year. Newport will be a challenge after running back Kiandre Barker, who committed to Penn State, transferred there this summer. This league will be very competitive, and games with these three teams will be highly anticipated, and Hoxie and Osceola won't go quietly either. Rivercrest gets the nod, with successful head coach Johnny Fleming leading the way.

3A-4

1. Perryville

2. Glen Rose

3. Jessieville

4. Paris

5. Magnet Cove

6. Schneider Morgenstern

7. Danville

8. Two Rivers

Why Perryville?

It's hard not to recommend Glen Rose given the tradition, but the Beavers are inexperienced and the Mustangs could be on the verge of something special, returning 16 starters from a team that finished 8-4 last season. Connor Frith is one of the state's most complete football players, constructing the offense at quarterback and guarding the defense at safety, where he intercepted 12 passes last year. Glen Rose at Perryville on Oct. 18 will be a great game.

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3A-7

1. Prescott

2. Bismarck

3. Harmony Grove, OH

4. Center

5. Overlap

6. Fouke

7. Parker's Chapel

8. Horatio

Why Prescott?

The reigning runners-up are back at full strength and should be back in Little Rock in December, but the league schedule could be a bit more challenging than last season. If some of these teams can actually take a loss at the hands of the highly talented Curley Wolves, who have signed Decari Prater to quarterback Tulsa, they could make a splash in the playoffs, as teams like Bismarck and Camden Harmony Grove Ouachita County have talented, experienced teams.

3A-8

1. Fordyce

2. McGhee

3. Dumas

4. Barton

5. Rison

6. Centrally drawn

7. Palestine-Wheatley

8. Seedorf

Why Fordyce?

Some will choose McGehee because the Owls are being relegated to 3A after some big success in 4A. McGehee, however, is coming off an uncharacteristically poor year at 5-5 and returns only 10 starters from that club. Fordyce, on the other hand, returns a veteran club whose team won one playoff game and lost 7-6 to Prescott in the second round of the playoffs. The Redbugs were 6-6 but are making a bigger jump this year under veteran coach Tim Rodgers, whose teams have won two state titles at the school. The Fordyce-McGehee game will be played in the final week of the regular season at Fordyce and will likely be for the league title.

— Nate Olson | [email protected] | @ndosports