Prospects of area teams be successful this fall in 5A-South does not appear good.
Coaches and sports writers have picked Magnolia, De Queen and Hope to finish near or at the bottom of the league race.
Hot Springs Lakeside, led by former Nashville great Jared McBride, appears to be the team to beat.
White Hall, Watson Chapel and Camden Fairview figure to be serious challengers and playoff teams.
HOT SPRINGS LAKESIDE
The Rams tied for first place last year, going 6-5 on the season.
Despite having only nine starters back, McBride's squad is expected to be at the top for the third straight year, and make the postseason for the fifth time in seven years.
Quarterback Taylor Gilham threw for nearly 700s yards and five TDs last season as a backup. He's a dual threat, who could make the Rams explosive on offense.
WHITE HALL
The Bulldogs share the title with Lakeside last year, finishing 9-2 overall. White Hall beat Lakeside last year, 64-36.
Coach Mike Vaughn has 15 starters back, including 10 on defense. Senior Cy Jones will be in the line on both sides of the ball.
Vaughn is concerned about the Bulldogs' kicking game. If that part of the game develops, the rest of 5A-South may be in trouble.
WATSON CHAPEL
The Wildcats return nine starters from an 8-5 team that went three rounds into the postseason.
Coach Jared Dutton is counting on newcomer Devin Curry to make some noise as Watson Chapel's quarterback. Running back Omar Allen will be the workhorse.
Defensively, a shift to the 4-3 defense saw the Wildcats improve on that side.
Experience is a definite concern for Dutton.
CAMDEN FAIRVIEW
Coach Jake Monden experienced a rare season for the Cardinals, who finished 3-7 in 2016.
Six offensive starters and nine defensive regulars return, which hopefully spells success for the Redbirds this fall.
Senior running back Gabriel Morris got bigger in the off-season and could end up being a big-time prospect.
The Cardinals' defense has to improve dramatically for the team to enjoy a better year.
MAGNOLIA
The Panthers will line up in the flexbone on offense and ramble into the playoffs behind young quarterback Payton Campbell and all-state running back Kadyn Roach.
Magnolia has only three returning starters on defense, meaning coach John Panter has a lot of holes to fill in a hurry.
Panter's biggest worries appears to be his inexperienced defense and lack of depth in the lines.
HOT SPRINGS
The Trojans have had only two winning season since 2010, and prospects for one this fall are not good.
Hot Springs started last season 0-4, finishing 3-7. Coach Chris Vereen has 12 starters back, six on both sides.
Another unproven quarterback will be leading the Trojans' offense, while the line is thin on defense.
DE QUEEN
Coach Stephen Sloan inherits a program with few winning seasons over the past decade.
The Leopards were 3-7 in 2016, losing its last four games by lopsided margins.
Traditionally, De Queen players have been competitive, but literally outmanned in numbers. Sloan will hopefully change that.
HOPE
The Bobcats have a new quarterback and scheme on offense this season.
Coach Jay Turley believes his team will be able to run the football, but the key to success will be stopping folks on defense.