Week 2 playoff wins likely for Charleston, Greenwood & Southside

story by Aric Mitchell
amitchell@thecitywire.com

Much less margin for error this week as The Varsity Wire will only be taking on six games. However, this week, it’s Week 2 of the Playoffs, and we’ve got something to say about each. Plus, we’re going out on a limb and predicting scores for each contest. Face off against us in the comments section below.

2A Predictions
Salem Greyhounds (9-2) vs. Magazine Rattlers (11-0)

The Salem Greyhounds are sitting at an impressive 9-2 record, but they’ve got their work cut out for them Friday night when they hit Highway 10 to do battle with the defending state champion Magazine Rattlers. In spite of losing Ryan Chambers in the Danville game, Magazine has continued to impress, dominating 10 of their 11 opponents and besting the Little Johns at Danville by 7. While the omission of Chambers may hurt the Rattlers down the road, we don’t think the pain will start Friday night.

Final Score: Magazine 47, Salem 19

Danville Little Johns (9-2) vs. Carlisle Bison (10-0)
The bye week is definitely an advantage for Carlisle, but they’re not dealing with some of the conference rabble that afforded them their 10-0 record. Danville will be motivated for the long road trip. Expect the team that pushed Magazine to their limits to show up for this one. Incidentally, we’re predicting the same score from the Little Johns-Rattlers meet-up, but only this time, it will benefit the green and white instead of going against them.

Final Score: Danville 35, Carlisle 28

3A Predictions
Fordyce Red Bugs (9-2) vs. Charleston Tigers (9-1)

Fordyce has won the same amount of games as Charleston, and they’re still fresh from last week’s victory over Hoxie in the first round of the playoffs. Look for one of the closer match-ups this week as Charleston hosts the Red Bugs and looks to continue its winning ways as the sole Fort Smith regional representative in the 3A.

Final Score: Charleston 23, Fordyce 20

4A Predictions
Clarksville Panthers (5-6) vs. McGehee Owls (9-1)

McGehee has a very conservative offense, but their D allows them to win big games against the likes of Pine Bluff Dollarway (7-0), who derailed a very good Ozark Hillbillies team last week in Week 1 of the postseason. Clarksville, with its losing record, is lucky to be around for Week 2, so don’t expect to see much more of them, especially with them having to make the trip to Owl Country.

Final Score: McGehee 28, Clarksville 7

5A Predictions
Wynne Yellowjackets (9-2) vs. Greenwood Bulldogs (11-0)

Wynne dropped one to 6A Marion and another to 5A Batesville. Other than that, they’ve won out, and they play in a tough part of the state. Still, making the trip to Bulldog Country and being expected to win is a tall order. Expect Greenwood to continue its dominance on the way to another Little Rock appearance, though they’ll likely find more fight in this opponent than most of the ones they’ve faced this season.

Final Score: Greenwood 45, Wynne 28

7A Predictions
FS Northside Grizzlies (5-6) vs. FS Southside Rebels (7-3)

The Rebs’ home game is not much of one as they’ll be hosting crosstown rivals Fort Smith Northside in a rematch of their Week 10 Battle of Rogers Avenue. Southside crushed the Grizzlies at Mayo-Thompson 56-7, and we don’t think two weeks are going to miraculously change things for the red-and-white. While the Rebs may have a little bye week rust on them Friday, look for another victory, albeit a closer one than what was seen in their last meeting.

Final Score: FS Southside 49, FS Northside 21