Area teams head to football playoffs

By Chris Vines, White River Now

3A Playoffs

Salem vs. Fouke

Undefeated Salem (10-0) enters the postseason as the clear favorite to repeat as the Class 3A state champion. The Greyhounds will host Fouke (6-4) in the opening round, where the Panthers will look to pull off what would be the biggest first-round upset in the classification.

Salem dominated throughout the regular season, facing challenges only twice — a 20-14 win over Atkins and a 12-7 victory over Mayflower, both playoff teams. Mansfield, Mayflower, and Bismarck are viewed as potential deep-run contenders, but Salem holds home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, where it has been extremely tough to beat.

Newport vs. Melbourne

Newport (8-2) and Melbourne (6-4) meet in one of the more compelling first-round matchups, with the winner likely headed to Salem in the second round. The Greyhounds hold home-field advantage and a 3-1 all-time series lead over the Bearkats.

Newport enters the postseason on a five-game winning streak. Melbourne is 3-2 in its last five, with losses to playoff teams Mayflower and Atkins.

Broadcast: The game will air on Outlaw 106.5, with Kenny Pitts on the call beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Also listen online at WhiteRiverNow.com and through the free White River Now mobile app, available at your app store. Plus enable Outlaw 106.5 to listen through your Alexa smart speaker

4A Playoffs

Southside vs. Huntsville

Southside (9-1) returns to Stewart Field on Friday night to host Huntsville (4-6) after completing one of the best regular seasons in school history. The Southerners’ only loss came to undefeated No. 1 seed Gosnell — a game Southside led inside the final four minutes.

Huntsville has struggled down the stretch, dropping three of its last five by a combined 123-16. The winner advances to face the Elkins–Forrest City winner.

Broadcast: The game will air live on YourFM 99.5 with Chris Vines and Tyson Franks at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Also listen online at WhiteRiverNow.com and through the free White River Now mobile app, available at your app store. Plus enable YourFM 99.5 to listen through your Alexa smart speaker

Highland vs. Arkadelphia

Highland (5-5) hits the road to face Arkadelphia (9-1), last year’s Class 4A state champion and a heavy favorite to repeat. The Rebels have battled injuries and dropped three of their last five. They’ll face a Badgers squad that closed the regular season with five straight wins, outscoring opponents 275-48.

Arkadelphia’s lone loss came by two points to unbeaten Nashville on a controversial last-play two-point attempt. The Badgers also own three wins over 5A competition. The winner advances to face the Clinton–Fountain Lake winner.

Heber Springs vs. Prairie Grove

Heber Springs and Prairie Grove enter the postseason with identical 5-5 records and matching 3-2 finishes in their last five games. The Panthers hold home-field advantage and lead the all-time series 1-0.

Heber Springs will need to slow down a Prairie Grove offense averaging 38 points per game. The winner moves on to face the Nashville–Pocahontas winner.

5A Playoffs

Batesville vs. Greenbrier

Batesville overcame an 0-5 start by winning four of its last six to secure a playoff berth and appears to be playing its best football of the season. The Pioneers now face one of Class 5A’s toughest challenges as they travel to meet undefeated Greenbrier (10-0).

The Panthers boast one of the most explosive offenses in Arkansas, averaging more than 48 points per game. The winner will face the Searcy–Lakeside winner.

Broadcast: Listen live on 93 KZLE FM with Mark Lamberth and Ronald Richardson beginning at 6:30 p.m. Also listen online at WhiteRiverNow.com and through the free White River Now mobile app, available at your app store. Plus enable 93 KZLE to listen through your Alexa smart speaker.