Predictions for the top 10 Fort Smith-area high school football games in Week 5

Conference races continue to heat up as teams near the midpoint of the 2022 high school football season. Here are predictions for some of the top Fort Smith-area games in Week 5

Sallisaw Central (3-1) at Pocola (3-2)

Central and Pocola are locked in an early District A-8 battle. Both teams won their district openers last week.

Pocola beat Canadian, 54-6, while Central escaped with a 22-19 win against Haskell. Pocola defeated Central last season, 47-20.

Prediction: Pocola 37, Sallisaw Central 26

Alma (4-0) at Farmington (2-2)

The Airedales are looking for their first 5-0 start since 2004.

Alma began 5A West play with a 41-13 win against Clarkville. Farmington dropped its league opener to Harrison, 21-14. The Airedales are 5-1 against Farmington, which won its first game against Alma last season, 47-28.

Prediction: Alma 32, Farmington 31

Malvern (3-1) at Waldron (2-2)

Both Waldron and Malvern seek their first 4A-7 Conference win. Malvern was off last week, and Ashdown shut out the Bulldogs, 49-0. The Leopards have won all four games against Waldron in the past 20 years.

Prediction: Malvern 35, Waldron 31

Ozark (2-2) at Green Forest (1-3)

Ozark looks to extend its conference lead, and Green Forest tries to get on track.

Last week was the conference opener for both teams. Ozark defeated Berryville, 50-15, and Green Forest dropped a 42-12 decision to Green Forest. This is the first meeting between the two teams in more than 20 years.

Prediction: Ozark 33, Green Forest 29

No. 3 Bentonville (3-1) at Southside (1-3)

The Tigers won their conference opener, 45-17, and Southside fell to Rogers, 35-7. The Tigers won last year's contest, 46-7, and Bentonville has led the series 13-5 since 2002 with eight consecutive wins.

Prediction: Bentonville 43, Southside 37

Spiro (2-2) at Antlers (2-2)

The Bulldogs are looking to snap a two-game loss string while the Antlers are seeking some momentum. Last week, Antlers defeated Wilburton, 40-23, and Spiro fell to Eufaula, 48-13. This is the first meeting between these two teams in at least six years.

Prediction: Spiro 29, Antlers 22

Harmony Grove (5-0) at Lamar (4-0)

This could determine who earns at least a share of the 4A-4 Conference title. Both teams are undefeated in conference play. Last week, the Cardinals defeated Clinton, 42-21, and Lamar held off Bauxite, 28-21. Last season, Lamar beat the Cardinals 24-23 in the second round of playoffs.

Prediction: Harmony Grove 28, Lamar 21

No. 8 Lake Hamilton (5-0) at Van Buren (1-3)

The Pointers face another Top 10 opponent when the Wolves arrive at Citizens Bank Stadium at Blakemore Field.Last week, Lake Hamilton beat Siloam Springs, 41-7, while Van Buren fell to Greenwood, 63-17. Van Buren has faced Lake Hamilton only twice in the past 20 years, with the Wolves winning both games.

Prediction: Lake Hamilton 36, Van Buren 28

Booneville (3-1) at West Fork (3-1)

The No. 2 Bearcats (Class 3A) take the show on the road in another key 3A-1 Conference game.Booneville bounced back from its Harding Academy loss to defeat Hackett, 75-46. Mansfield edged West Fork, 18-14, last week. The Bearcats are 9-1 against West Fork, including the 42-0 win back in 2019.

Prediction: Booneville 32, West Fork 23

Northside (1-3) at LR Central (0-4)

The Grizzlies (0-1 7A Central) snap a three-game loss string with its second trip to the central part of the state. Northside dropped a 41-10 decision to No. 1 Bryant. Central dropped its 15th consecutive game with a 53-6 loss to North Little Rock. The Tigers' last win was against Fayetteville in the first round of the 2020 playoffs. The Grizzlies won last season's meeting, 35-0. Northside is 6-1 against Central since 2014.

Prediction: Northside 38, LR Central 27