Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

(Get the predictions for Class 3A football and the games to watch in the digital edtion of ArkansasSports360.com's 2012 Football Preview.)

Battling it out in the talented 4A-8 conference the past several years should have the McGehee Owls primed for a run at the 3A championship this fall. Reclassification for the new two-year cycle dropped McGehee down a class, but the speed and tradition of the Owls program could make it the class of 3A.

Plus, with dominant Charleston completely rebuilding after a state title run, Class 3A appears to be wide open this season.

League rivals Glen Rose and Fountain Lake are both primed for a run, but one of those teams has to lose when they meet in midseason. Harding Academy regularly dominates its league, while speedy Earle has begun controlling its conference of late.

Coach Marcus Haddock took over a two-win McGehee program in 2009 and has steadily restored the program’s winning attitude. Even with the smallest school in 4A, the Owls won 4A-8 last year, McGehee’s first league title in 11 years, and reached the third round of the playoffs. Fullback/defensive end Steven King, new passing quarterback Maurice Hudson and all-around athlete Michael Risner should be the Owls’ top playmakers.

Class 3A won’t be lacking for stars. Bald Knob’s Cordell Crisp, a two-time Player of the Week honoree by the Little Rock Touchdown Club, is back for his senior year. Autry Allen of Early, Mackenzie Ross of Fountain Lake and Korliss Marshall of Osceola are among the state’s best running backs.

Maybe the most talked about 3A player is Yellville-Summit offensive lineman Stockton Mallett, and not just because he’s former Hog quarterback Ryan Mallett’s cousin. Stockton Mallett is drawing recruiting interest from a number of schools.