Two thrilling finishes and two lopsided ones were the results in the opening round of the 8-man playoffs.
The top four seeds all advanced and need one more victory to punch their ticket to the state championship game at War Memorial Stadium on Dec. 5.
South 1-seed Strong will host North 2-seed Cedar Ridge, while South 2-seed Brinkley heads to North 1-seed Midland.
TOP PERFORMERS
Jayce Adams, Midland
Adams rushed for 170 yards and 2 touchdowns in Midland’s 60-14 win over Marvell.
Austin Avery, Rector
Avery logged 8 total tackles, including 2 for loss, and recorded a safety in Rector’s 30-26 loss to Brinkley. He also rushed for 82 yards.
Aaron Bozeman, Midland
Bozeman collected 9 total tackles, recovered a fumble and nabbed an interception in Midland’s 60-14 win over Marvell.
Casey Brezee, Brinkley
Brezee logged 10 total tackles, including 2 for loss, in Brinkley’s 30-26 win over Rector.
Lawson Bruce, Cedar Ridge
Bruce collected 14 total tackles and recovered a fumble in Cedar Ridge’s 52-44 win over Woodlawn. He also hauled in 4 catches for 58 yards and 2 scores.
Grayson Bryant, Rector
Bryant compiled over 100 yards of offense, plus collected 9 total tackles, including 1 for loss, and forced a fumble in Rector’s 30-26 loss to Brinkley.
Bentley Bullington, Cedar Ridge
Bullington recorded 13 total tackles, plus hauled in 4 catches for 43 yards, in Cedar Ridge’s 52-44 win over Woodlawn.
Keithen Dunn, Cedar Ridge
Dunn logged 11 total tackles in Cedar Ridge’s 52-44 win over Woodlawn.
Jonas Elms, Cedar Ridge
Elms hauled in 9 catches for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns in Cedar Ridge’s 52-44 win over Woodlawn.
Lawson Green, Rector
Green collected 10 total tackles, including 1 for loss, and recovered a fumble in Rector’s 30-26 loss to Brinkley.
Waylon Haynes, Rector
Haynes collected 8 total tackles, including 2.5 for loss, plus forced and recovered a fumble in Rector’s 30-26 loss to Brinkley.
Wesley Horton, Cedar Ridge
Horton led the Timberwolves with 18 total tackles in Cedar Ridge’s 52-44 win over Woodlawn.
Keithan James, Brinkley
James hauled in 4 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown in Brinkley’s 30-26 win over Rector. James also logged 9 total tackles, including 4 for loss, plus forced a fumble and nabbed an interception.
Aiden Jones, Cedar Ridge
Jones completed 20 of 30 passes for 270 yards and 4 touchdowns in Cedar Ridge’s 52-44 win over Woodlawn. He also logged 5 tackles and recovered a fumble on defense.
Dalton Lamar, Rector
Lamar led the Cougars with 10 total tackles including 3.5 sacks, and blocked a punt in Rector’s 30-26 loss to Brinkley.
Aiden McAdams, Midland
McAdams led the Mustangs with 17 total tackles in Midland’s 60-14 win over Marvell.
Germyren McHenry, Strong
McHenry rushed for 243 yards and 2 touchdowns in Strong’s 52-6 win over South Side Bee Branch.
Kaiden McHenry, Strong
McHenry rushed for 257 yards and 5 touchdowns in Strong’s 52-6 win over South Side Bee Branch.
RJ Medford, Brinkley
Medford collected 101 total tackles and recovered a fumble in Brinkley’s 30-26 win over Rector.
Jamarion Mitchell, Strong
Mitchell led the Bulldogs with 11 total tackles, including a sack, in Strong’s 52-6 win over South Side Bee Branch.
Chase Rascoe, Midland
Rascoe rushed for 131 yards and 2 touchdowns in Midland’s 60-14 win over Marvell.
Garrett Weatherford, Woodlawn
Weatherford rushed for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns in Woodlawn’s 52-44 loss to Cedar Ridge. Weatherford also caught a 54-yard touchdown and returned a kickoff 60 yards for a score.
Christian Williams, Brinkley
Williams compiled 318 yards of offense (148 passing, 170 rushing) and 4 touchdowns’ in Brinkley’s 30-26 win over Rector.
Xhaden Williams, Strong
Williams collected 10 total tackles in Strong’s 52-6 win over South Side Bee Branch.
Brayden York, Midland
York rushed for 230 yards and 3 touchdowns in Midland’s 60-14 win over Marvell. York also returned an interception for a touchdown on defense.
RANKINGS
*Based on Hooten’s Arkansas Football’s Week 12 rankings.
Top 12 Sanctioned
1. Strong (6-0)
2. Midland (10-0)
3. Cedar Ridge (9-1)
4. Brinkley (8-2)
5. Rector (4-4)
6. Woodlawn (6-4)
7. South Side Bee Branch (4-4)
8. Marvell (4-6)
9. Augusta (1-6)
10. Dermott (2-6)
11. Hermitage (0-8)
12. Guy-Perkins (1-7)
Cover photo of Strong’s Kaiden McHenry by Penny Chandler/ El Dorado News-Times
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.