The Bentonville (AR) varsity football team is set to face off against Bentonville West (Centerton, AR) in a thrilling neutral-site playoff game tonight at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the prestigious “2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 7A Football State Bracket” tournament, promising high-stakes action.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas High School Football Playoff
Who: Bentonville West vs Bentonville
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 7A Football State Bracket
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Bentonville vs. Bentonville West

Tonight, the Bentonville varsity football team takes on Bentonville West in a pivotal playoff game at 7 p.m. as part of the “2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 7A Football State Bracket.” Both teams bring unique strengths to the neutral site, but their records and performances this season tell an intriguing story.

Bentonville West: Battling for Redemption

Bentonville West enters the game with a 4-7 overall record and a 3-4 mark in conference play. Despite a challenging season, the Wolverines have demonstrated resilience, particularly in neutral-site games, where they hold a 1-0 record. Offensively, they average 33 points per game, with strong second and third quarters contributing most of their scoring. Defensively, however, they’ve allowed 420 points this season, presenting a challenge against a high-powered Bentonville offense.

Bentonville: A Dominant Force

Bentonville boasts an impressive 7-3 overall record and a perfect 7-0 in conference play, showcasing their dominance in the 7A division. With a winning percentage of 70% and a home-away balance that reflects their adaptability, the Tigers are poised for success. Offensively, Bentonville averages 39.5 points per game, with their most productive quarters being the first and second. Their defense, which has allowed only 228 points this season, will be crucial in neutralizing Bentonville West’s scoring threats.

Key Matchups and Statistics

• Scoring Averages: Bentonville outpaces Bentonville West in overall scoring, particularly in the first half, where they have averaged 26.7 points compared to West’s 15.1.
• Defensive Battle: Bentonville’s defense is significantly stronger, allowing just 22.8 points per game compared to Bentonville West’s 38.2.
• Neutral-Site Performance: While Bentonville West is unbeaten at neutral sites, Bentonville’s overall consistency makes them the favorite.

This game promises an exciting clash of styles, with Bentonville aiming to maintain their dominance and Bentonville West looking to pull off an upset. Fans can expect an intense battle as these two teams vie for a spot in the next round of the state playoffs.

As the football season progresses, the rivalry between Bentonville and Bentonville West takes center stage, showcasing the strengths and differences between the two teams. Here’s a breakdown of their performances, based on key statistics and match outcomes.

Team Statistics

Bentonville West Highlights:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: 49.7
• Passing Yards Per Game: 158.5
• Receiving Yards Per Game: 158.5
• Total Yards Per Game: 208.2
• Tackles Per Game: 27.6
• Sacks Per Game: 0.6
• Points Per Game: 15.4

Despite these modest numbers, Bentonville West has seen individual brilliance, especially in the passing game.

Team Leaders – Bentonville West:

• Braden Nash (#7) leads with 58.7 rushing yards per game.
• John Thompson (#3) dominates in passing with 277.3 yards per game and contributes 303.5 total yards per game.
• Que Thompson (#0) is the go-to receiver, averaging 117.3 receiving yards and 8.0 points per game.
• Aidyn Myers (#29) is a defensive standout, averaging 11.8 tackles per game, while Cory Carl (#22) leads with 1.0 sack per game.

Bentonville Highlights:

Although the provided data doesn’t specify Bentonville’s individual or team averages, their dominance is evident in their undefeated league record (7-0) and decisive victories against common opponents.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

The teams have faced similar opponents this season, with starkly contrasting results:

• Bentonville is undefeated (6-0) against shared opponents, outscoring them by significant margins.
• Bentonville West holds a 3-3 record in the same matchups, struggling in key games, such as losses to Fayetteville (49-21) and Rogers (38-3).

Key Match Comparisons:

• Bentonville secured a dominant 41-10 victory over Fayetteville, while Bentonville West suffered a heavy defeat.
• Against Springdale, Bentonville West fell short 28-24, while Bentonville cruised with a 38-0 win.
• Bentonville also showed a stronger defense and offense in games against Rogers and Rogers Heritage.

Record Breakdown

• Overall: Bentonville (7-3) vs. Bentonville West (4-7)
• League Performance: Bentonville remains perfect in league play (7-0), compared to Bentonville West’s 3-4 record.
• Home/Away Records: Bentonville excels at home (4-1) and away (3-2), while Bentonville West has struggled at home (1-4) but fared slightly better on the road (2-3).

Conclusion

The stats and performances highlight Bentonville as the stronger team this season. Their consistent dominance over shared opponents, unbeaten league record, and balanced gameplay suggest they’re the favorites in this rivalry. Bentonville West has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly through the efforts of John and Que Thompson, but their inconsistency has been a major challenge.

This matchup reflects more than just numbers—it’s about resilience, strategy, and seizing opportunities. If Bentonville West can address their weaknesses and capitalize on their star players’ talents, they could present a formidable challenge in future encounters.