As excitement looms for football season and benefit games get underway next week, SBLive takes a dive into 25 intriguing contests to watch across all classifications this fall.
While there are hundreds of greats matchups statewide for 11 weeks, we selected 25 featuring some of the top teams competing against each other that could decide final conference standings, as well as intriguing nonconference contests to get the 2023 season started. More Game Highlight HSStatefootball.Com
1. Conway at Bryant, Week 10
Also one of the most-discussed games this time last year, it will be a difficult task for some to wait for this one until the final week of the regular season. Conway has not conquered Bryant since 2014, but with former Bryant head coach Buck James – who beat Conway nine times while with the Hornets – on its side, the Wampus Cats have set a goal to flip the script. Meanwhile, five-time defending 7A state champion Bryant had no problems with the Wampus Cats in either matchup last year after Conway took the Hornets to the wire in the 2021 regular season finale.
2. Greenwood at Pulaski Academy, Week 9
While both were forced to play backup quarterbacks due to injuries, Greenwood scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to survive the Bruins 33-23 and earn the top seed in the 6A-West during the first meeting between the two programs since 2009. However, PA got its redemption in the 6A state championship game, as they escaped what was another close contest 42-35 that had no shortage of controversy. This matchup could once again decide the 6A-West, or even the 6A state champion. More Game Highlight Updatenewsinfo.Com
3 . Bryant at Cabot, Week 8
Bryant has a tough slate in the final month of the regular season, facing the Panthers a week after what should be a well-improved Little Rock Southwest squad and two weeks before Conway. No one in the 7A-Central hung with Bryant for four quarters last season like Cabot did, as the Panthers trailed 17-10 late before Bryant scored with two minutes left to finish them off 24-10. While Bryant does have the advantage on returning experience, it is very reasonable to think that these squads could end up being the top defensive units in 7A.
