Following Utah last week, Arkansas is one of several states set to begin the high school football season with a schedule that gets underway Aug. 20. As things stand, the postseason is set to begin Nov. 1 with championship games scheduled for Dec. 6-12.
Arkansas is one of 35 states planning to play football this fall. Fifteen others plus the District of Columbia have moved their respective seasons to 2021.
In Arkansas, a total of seven games are set to kick off this weekend with 72 more next weekend.
In advance of season openers, here's a look at what you need to know about Arkansas football in 2020.
Top 5 Games
Robinson (Little Rock) at
Pulaski Academy (Little Rock), Aug. 27
Benton at
Bryant, Aug. 28
Pulaski Academy at
Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock), Oct. 23
Bryant at
North Little Rock, Oct. 30
Bentonville West (Centerton) at
Bentonville, Nov. 6
Top 5 Teams
1. Bryant
2. North Little Rock
3. Robinson
4. Bentonville
5. Pulaski Academy
Defending Champions
7A: Bryant
6A:
Searcy5A: Pulaski Academy
4A: Robinson
3A:
Harding Academy (Searcy)2A:
FordyceTop 5 Recruits
1.
Dreyden Norwood, CB,
Northside (Fort Smith), (No. 273 nationally by 247Sports)
2.
Terry Wells, OT,
Wynne, (433)
3.
Tyas Martin, DT,
Jacksonville, (635)
4.
Marco Avant, LB,
Jonesboro, (808)
5.
Cole Joyce, ILB, Bentonville, (840)
Returning Stat Leaders
Passing
Caden Sipe, Harding Academy, 234-329, 3,868 yards, 59 touchdowns
Austin Ledbetter, Bryant, 184-297, 3,126 yards, 40 touchdowns
Buddy Gaston, Robinson, 180-297, 2,980 yards, 44 touchdowns
Rushing
Landon Stone,
Magnet Cove (Malvern, Ark.), 266 carries, 2,757 yards, 30 TDs
Hunter Smith, Robinson, 190 carries, 1,922 yards, 19 touchdowns
Receiving
Ty Dugger, Harding Academy, 93 catches, 1,506 yards, 22 touchdowns
Kreed Stubbs,
Atkins, 62 catches, 1,413 yards, 24 touchdowns
Austin Ledbetter threw 40 touchdown passes as a junior in leading Bryant to the Class 7A state title.
Photo by Richey Miller
