The light at the end of the tunnel for the 2024 softball season is beginning to peak through as a huge week full of top matchups is on deck across all classifications.
6A No. 1 Bryant hosting 5A No. 1 Sheridan headlines the must-watch games, while there are also a few in-class Top 3 matchups. 4A features No. 2 Gentry hosting No. 1 Pea Ridge, No. 1 Atkins heading down to No. 3 Mayflower in 3A, plus 1A features top-ranked Taylor going for the regular season sweep over No. 3 Bradley.
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NOTE: While performance and head-to-head matchups do play a substantial role, overall strength of schedule factors heavily in where each team is ranked.
6A
1. Bryant (19-2)
2. Rogers (20-2)
3. Bentonville (17-5)
4. Springdale Har-Ber (17-5)
5. Cabot (16-4)
6. Conway (10-6-1)
7. Bentonville West (13-11)
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Fayetteville, Rogers Heritage
5A
1. Sheridan (19-0)
2. Maumelle (16-3-1)
3. Greenwood (15-3)
4. Benton (11-5)
5. Greenbrier (13-5)
6. Lake Hamilton (8-6)
7. Beebe (14-3)
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Arkansas High, Greene County Tech
4A
1. Pea Ridge (17-4)
2. Gentry (15-4)
3. Farmington (14-3)
4. Gravette (11-7)
5. Bauxite (14-6)
6. Monticello (15-0)
7. Malvern (10-4)
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Nashville, Pottsville
3A
1. Atkins (15-3)
2. Hackett (17-3)
3. Mayflower (15-4)
4. Booneville (18-7)
5. Lincoln (17-8)
6. Baptist Prep (9-9)
7. Harding Academy (12-2)
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: DeWitt, Lamar
2A
1. Riverside (17-0)
2. Mansfield (12-1)
3. Magnet Cove (15-5)
4. Quitman (16-6)
5. Woodlawn (14-5)
6. Cutter-Morning Star (12-2)
7. Mount Vernon-Enola (8-2)
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Des Arc, Lavaca
1A
1. Taylor (14-2)
2. Concord (14-1)
3. Bradley (13-6)
4. Shirley (9-5)
5. Viola (10-4)
6. Calico Rock (6-6)
7. Midland (11-9)
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Marked Tree, West Side (Greers Ferry)
Kyle Sutherland is a journalist and podcast host (Arkansas Preps Weekly) for The Natural State Sports Network. His written work has been featured in outlets including the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Best of Arkansas Sports and Hooten’s Arkansas Football. He is also the color commentator for 103.7 The Buzz’s high school football Game of the Week. Email Kyle at kyle@naturalstatesports.com.