Top 10 Fort Smith area high school football games for Week 3 — and predictions

It's only Week 3, but many unbeaten teams will pick up their first loss in some nonconference bouts or early league contests this week.

Harding Academy (2-0) at Booneville (2-0)

Both teams had the week off to prepare for the Class 3A state semifinal rematch.

Harding has outscored opponents 92-49 in its first two games. Booneville has only given up about 300 total yards and 13 points in its first two wins.

Booneville (No. 2 in Class 3A) has 659 yards of offense this season, with Dax Goff accruing 245 of them on the ground with three touchdowns.

The Wildcats (No. 4 in Class 4A) have 962 yards of offense, most of them through the air. Sophomore quarterback Owen Miller has completed 85% of his passes for 705 yards and eight touchdowns. Harding Academy has three receivers with over 200 yards each.

Last season the Wildcats defeated Booneville, 56-27, on their way to a third consecutive Class 3A state title.

Prediction: Booneville 36, Harding Academy 34

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Mount Ida (2-0) at Lavaca (2-0)

The Golden Arrows knocked out Horatio last week, 40-8, while the Lions defeated Jessieville, 35-0. Mount Ida is No. 2 in the Class 2A rankings, and Lavaca received votes for Class 3A.

Lavaca and Mount Ida were regular nonconference opponents from 2008-13, with Mount Ida leading the series 4-2.

Prediction: Lavaca 24, Mount Ida 7

Nashville (2-1) at Charleston (2-0)

Nashville defeated DeQueen, 50-21 last week, and Charleston took home the Franklin County trophy by defeating Ozark, 34-20. Charleston is No. 3 in the Class 3A rankings.

This is the first meeting between the two teams in recent memory.

Prediction: Charleston 42, Nashville 36

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Muldrow (3-0) at Spiro (2-0)

Both teams picked up wins last week as Spiro defeated Pocola, 35-8, and Muldrow beat Sallisaw, 38-17.

Last season, Spiro defeated Muldrow 41-35.

Prediction: Muldrow 20, Spiro 17

Stigler (3-0) at Stilwell (2-0)

After starting last season 0-6, Stilwell has won four of its last five games, including a win over Parkhill Keys, 36-16, last week. Stigler defeated Blackwell, 52-0 last week.

Prediction: Stigler 36, Stilwell 16

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Bauxite (2-1, 1-0 4A-4) at Lamar (3-0, 1-0)

A win for either team will go a long way to assert early dominance in the 4A-4 Conference for these new league opponents.

This is the first meeting between the two teams in recent memory. Bauxite was 2-8 last season, while Lamar finished 10-3 and reached the third round of the playoffs.

Prediction: Lamar 36, Bauxite 19

Waldron (2-1) at Mansfield (2-0)

The Tigers are looking for their second 3-0 start in four years, while Waldron has begun the season 2-1 or better only four times in the past 21 seasons.

Both teams were conference foes, but since Waldron moved to a higher classification, Mansfield has dominated 12-3. However, Waldron has won three of these last five games.

Prediction: Mansfield 33, Waldron 19

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Poteau (1-1) at Chandler (2-0)

Chandler and Poteau did not face each other last season. Chandler reached the first round of the playoffs in 2021 and finished with an 8-3 record. Poteau was 11-2 and reached the Class 4A semifinals.

Last week, Chandler (Class 2A) held on to beat Bristow 23-16 in overtime, and Metro Christian defeated Poteau (Class 4A), 35-31.

Prediction: Chandler 31, Poteau 28

Pocola (2-1) at Mena (2-1)

This is the first meeting between these two teams. Last week, Mena (Class 4A) held off Lincoln, 31-28. Pocola (Class A) had its first loss as Spiro won 35-8.

This is the first meeting between the two teams in recent memory. Pocola was 1-7 last season, while Mena was 5-6.

Prediction: Pocola 32, Mena 22

Cedarville (1-1) at Green Forest (0-2)

Cedarville is looking for its fourth straight start at 2-1 or better, while Green Forest hasn't had a winning record since 2013.

Greenland defeated Green Forest 51-9 on Sept. 2, and Cedarville beat Mountainburg, 36-6.

Cedarville opened the 2021 season with a 16-0 win at Green Forest. The teams are tied 3-3 in contests over the past 21 years, with Cedarville winning the last three.

Prediction: Cedarville 34, Green Forest 6