Coaches' Polls: Purple 'Dogs Strut In At No. 1

Four teams from the 7A West rank in the Top 5 of the first VYPE Coaches' Poll of the 2008 season. Coaches from all over the state also picked the top 5 in each class, and will continue to do so each week here on VYPE.com. Fayetteville, also No. 1 in the VYPE Arkansas Football Preview, easily earned the No. 1 spot after shutting out Little Rock Central 35-0. Starters for the defending state champs only played about a half of football. Fort Smith Southside checks in at No. 2 after a win at Little Rock Catholic. Central Arkansas' lone representative, Cabot, is No. 3 followed by Bentonville and Springdale Har-Ber. Despite a 30-22 home loss to Texarkana, Texas Lake Hamilton, the 6A No. 1, slides in at No. 6. Two more 6A clubs, West Memphis and Pine Bluff file behind. Helena-West Helena became the only 5A school in the Top 10. West Helena made an impression on coaches after a convincing win over Pulaski Academy. Springdale held on to the 10th spot despite a 45-21 loss to Jefferson City, Mo. Top 10 Overall 1. Fayetteville 2. Fort Smith Southside 3. Cabot 4. Bentonville 5. Springdale Har-Ber 6. Lake Hamilton 7. West Memphis 8. Pine Bluff 9. West Helena 10. Springdale 7A 1. Fayetteville 2. Fort Smith Southside 3. Cabot 4. Bentonville 5. Springdale Har-Ber 6A 1. Lake Hamilton 2. West Memphis 3. Pine Bluff 4. Texarkana 5. El Dorado 5A 1. West Helena 2. Vilonia 3. Pulaski Academy 4. Batesville 5. Alma 4A 1. Nashville 2. Warren 3. Shiloh Christian 4. Lonoke 5. Dollarway 3A 1. Prescott 2. Fountain Lake 3. Charleston 4. Hoxie 5. Harding Academy 2A 1. Junction City 2. Bearden 3. Carlisle 4. Des Arc 5. Mount Ida