The 5A-East got off to a relatively predictable start last week. All of the recent powers won their conference openers. All four playoff teams from a year ago, Wynne, Batesville, Forrest City and Beebe won their openers by wide margins. This week there are a number of matchups that could already determine how the league will shape up later in the year. Here's a look at this week's matchups.
Nettleton (1-3, 0-1)
at Blytheville (1-3, 0-1)
This is a huge matchup for both clubs. Both teams have hopes of getting a playoff spot this season but were shutout in their conference openers.
Blytheville needs a huge moral booster after a tough opening four weeks ending with last week's blowout at Wynne. The Chicks held Nettleton to their lowest offensive output of the season last year with their 12-7 win on the road. Offensive production is hurting this team this season. They've scored a league low 54 points.
Nettleton is right in front of the Chicks in offensive output with only 60 on the season including a 21-0 loss to Batesville last week. Nettleton has high hopes this year as they return much of their team that averaged 29 points a game last year. That offense hasn't shown up yet this year. Their defense is keeping them in games giving up a league low 65 points.
The league's lowest scoring offense against the league's lowest scoring defense. Something's got to give.
Forrest City (4-0, 1-0)
at Beebe (3-1, 1-0)
This might be the game of the week in the 5A-East. Forrest City is the only remaining unbeaten team in the league. The Mustangs hung 60 on Greene County Tech last week and have scored a league leading 151 points through the first four games. Gosnell is the only team to keep them under 30 points this season. Their defense isn't too shabby either. They've given up just 75 points in four games.
Beebe has won two in a row after getting trounced by Greenbriar and Lonoke in the first two weeks of the season. The Badgers have outscored their last two opponents, 70-26 including a 49-13 blowout over the Paragould Rams in their league opener. I hope the scoreboard at Beebe is in good condition Friday night.
Paragould (2-2, 0-1)
at Batesville (2-2, 1-0)
Both teams sort of came back down to earth last week as Batesville shutout Nettleton and Paragould was blown out at home against Beebe after a nice non-conference schedule.
Batesville is reestablishing their defensive dominance after giving up over 30 points a game in their tough non-conference schedule.
Paragould, on the other hand, is trying to find out just how good they are after a rather soft non-conference schedule.
A trip to Batesville isn't the type of wake-up call the Rams would like.
Wynne (3-1, 1-0)
at Greene County Tech (0-4, 0-1)
Wynne looked very impressive on both sides of the ball in their conference opener against Blytheville. Everyone knows they can score points as their 40-plus per game total proves. It's their defense that will get them through the playoffs. They're giving up over 20 per game now after last week's shutout. That might drop a few more points after this week's game.
Greene County Tech has given up a league leading 174 point through four games. They've scored exactly half of that with 87. They're the only remaining winless team in the conference. That may still be the case after Friday night.
afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com