Rex’s Rankings: One week until the playoffs

Greenwood knows how to win, doesn’t it?

A week earlier, with the score tied, the Bulldogs had driven down the field late, and junior Kevin Jones — the son of head coach Rick Jones — had kicked a 23-yard field goal on the final play to give his team a 45-42 victory over Fort Smith Southside.

On Friday night, the conclusion was even more dramatic with the Bulldogs trailing a good Conway team on the road by a score of 21-20.

Conway had led 21-14 after three quarters. Kevin Jones kicked field goals of 41 and 35 yards to pull Greenwood within a point. Then, the Bulldogs drove 73 yards in 17 plays as the clock ticked down, converting twice on fourth down.

With 2.3 seconds remaining, Jones’ 24-yard field goal sailed through.

Greenwood 23, Conway 21.

The Greenwood winning streak is 47 games, the third longest in Arkansas high school history.

Yes, this is a team that always thinks it’s going to win. The state of Arkansas has rarely seen a high school program quite like it.

Fayetteville, meanwhile, was upset 34-31 by Springdale Har-Ber in overtime. The Purple Dogs, who have won the past two Class 7A state championships, lost for the first time this season.

So Fayetteville falls out of the No. 1 overall spot that it had held since Week 2.

Greenwood moves to No. 1.

I know that Greenwood is a Class 6A team.

I know that Greenwood was in Class 5A just two years ago.

But based on its performance so far, how can you argue with Greenwood being No. 1?

There are some huge games on tap in this final week of the regular season.

There’s Fayetteville-Bentonville in Class 7A.

There’s Arkadelphia-Malvern in Class 4A

And, as has become the trend in recent years, half the games will be played on a Thursday. I don’t like this trend. High school football is meant to be played on Friday nights. What can I say? I’m a traditionalist.

Here are the rankings after nine weeks of the regular season:

Overall

1. Greenwood

2. Cabot

3. Bentonville

4. Pulaski Academy

5. Fayetteville

6. North Little Rock

7. Conway

8. Arkadelphia

9. Camden Fairview

10. Fort Smith Southside

Class 7A

1. Cabot

2. Bentonville

3. Fayetteville

4. North Little Rock

5. Conway

Class 6A

1. Greenwood

2. El Dorado

3. Pine Bluff

4. Lake Hamilton

5. Russellville

Class 5A

1. Pulaski Academy

2. Camden Fairview

3. Batesville

4. Morrilton

5. Hope

Class 4A

1. Arkadelphia

2. Booneville

3. Pine Bluff Dollarway

4. Valley View

5. Malvern

Class 3A

1. Charleston

2. Harding Academy

3. Little Rock Episcopal

4. Glen Rose

5. Barton

Class 2A

1. Junction City

2. East Poinsett County

3. Dierks

4. Gurdon

5. Carlisle