The Osceola (AR) varsity football team will face Centerpoint (Amity, AR) in a neutral-site playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs, specifically within the 2024 3A Football State Bracket. Both teams are vying for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas High School Football
Who: Centerpoint vs Osceola
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 3A Football State Bracket
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Centerpoint vs. Osceola

As the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs continue, two teams from Arkansas’ 3A division are set to clash in an exciting matchup: the Centerpoint Knights and the Osceola Seminoles. This neutral-site game, scheduled for today at 7 p.m., promises to be a thrilling contest with both teams bringing unique strengths to the field.

Centerpoint Knights (24-25 Season Overview)

The Centerpoint Knights, hailing from Amity, Arkansas, have posted a 6-4 overall record this season. With a .600 win percentage, they’ve shown resilience, though their 3-4 conference record places them in the middle of the pack in their league. Their performance has been solid but inconsistent at times, particularly in conference play, where they went 3-4. Centerpoint’s offense has been relatively high-scoring, averaging 31.8 points per game, but they’ll need to improve defensively to challenge top-tier teams in the postseason.

• Overall Record: 6-4
• Conference Record: 3-4
• Home Record: 3-2
• Away Record: 3-2
• Win Percentage: .600
• Conference Win Percentage: .429
• Points For (PF): 318
• Points Against (PA): 236

The Knights’ offensive output has been notably spread throughout the game, with a strong second quarter averaging 11.4 points and a steady finish in the fourth, scoring 7.4 points. However, their slow start in the first quarter (5.4 points) might prove to be a weakness against the more dominant teams in the playoffs.

Osceola Seminoles (24-25 Season Overview)

On the other side of the field, the Osceola Seminoles have been one of the most dominant teams in their division. With an 8-1 overall record, they are one of the top contenders in the state, boasting a stellar .889 win percentage. Osceola has been a force in conference play, finishing with an unbeaten 7-0 conference record, which has secured them the top spot in their league. Their defense has been stifling, allowing just 156 points on the season, while their offense has averaged 33.3 points per game.

• Overall Record: 8-1
• Conference Record: 7-0
• Home Record: 3-0
• Away Record: 5-1
• Win Percentage: .889
• Conference Win Percentage: 1.000
• Points For (PF): 300
• Points Against (PA): 156

The Seminoles have shown consistent offensive output across all four quarters. They start strong with an average of 11.7 points in the first quarter and maintain their momentum in the second, scoring 11.8 points. Although their scoring dips slightly in the second half (4.8 in the third and 5.1 in the fourth), Osceola’s overall scoring balance has been more than enough to dominate most of their matchups this season.

Key Matchup: Centerpoint’s Offense vs. Osceola’s Defense

The key storyline for this matchup will be Centerpoint’s offensive versatility against Osceola’s stifling defense. While Centerpoint has averaged more points per game (31.8), Osceola’s defense has been far superior, giving up only 156 points on the season. If the Seminoles can shut down Centerpoint’s offensive attack early, they could build a commanding lead.

Centerpoint’s offense has been most effective in the second quarter, and they will need to find a way to maintain that rhythm throughout the game, especially against an Osceola defense that’s proven to be difficult to crack. Additionally, the Knights’ first-quarter struggles (5.4 points) could put them in a tough position if they fall behind early.

On the offensive side, Osceola’s balanced scoring and ability to produce in both the first and second quarters will be crucial in setting the tone. With a strong performance from their playmakers, Osceola can exploit Centerpoint’s vulnerabilities and extend their lead as the game progresses.

The stage is set for an exciting showdown between Centerpoint and Osceola, two teams that have enjoyed successful seasons in 2024. Centerpoint enters the game with a 6-4 overall record, while Osceola brings an impressive 8-1 record to the table, with a perfect 7-0 mark in league play. This matchup promises to deliver hard-hitting football, with both teams bringing high-powered offenses and stout defenses to the field. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect when these two teams face off.

Team Overview

• Centerpoint (6-4, 3-4 League)
  Centerpoint has had a strong season, though they have faced some tough competition in league play. With a 6-4 overall record, they’ve shown resilience on both sides of the ball. The team boasts a balanced offense that can move the ball on the ground and through the air, averaging 361.2 total yards per game. They’ll rely on the leadership of Beau McGough, who leads the team with 63.8 rushing yards per game, and Drew Diggs, who has been exceptional through the air with 157.2 passing yards per game. On defense, Kaleb Horn leads the way with 5.2 tackles per game.
• Osceola (8-1, 7-0 League)
  Osceola has been nothing short of dominant this season, with an 8-1 overall record and an unbeaten 7-0 mark in league play. They’ve been particularly strong in their league matchups and are looking to continue their momentum. Their offense is led by Jeremiah Jacobs, who averages 92.3 rushing yards per game, and Tyler Bell, who has been exceptional passing the ball with 130.4 yards per game. The Osceola defense has been equally impressive, with Jeremiah Jacobs also leading the team with 8.4 tackles per game. With a total offense of 361.1 yards per game, Osceola has the firepower to challenge any defense.

Key Matchup Breakdown

• Rushing Attack
  One of the most interesting aspects of this matchup is the battle in the trenches. Both teams have effective running games, with McGough leading Centerpoint’s attack and Jacobs powering Osceola’s ground game. McGough has rushed for 63.8 yards per game, while Jacobs has put up an impressive 92.3 yards per game. With both teams relying heavily on their running backs to control the clock and gain critical yardage, the team that can dominate the line of scrimmage will have a significant advantage.
• Passing Game
  Both teams are capable of moving the ball through the air as well. Drew Diggs leads Centerpoint’s passing attack with 157.2 yards per game, while Tyler Bell has been a consistent performer for Osceola, with 130.4 passing yards per game. Although both teams prioritize the run, the ability to execute in the passing game will be crucial, especially if the game becomes a high-scoring affair. Look for Bryce Harless (80.4 receiving yards per game) to be a key target for Centerpoint, while Osceola will look to spread the ball around to multiple receivers, including Aiden Haymon (35.0 receiving yards per game).
• Defense and Tackles
  Both teams have solid defenses, but Osceola has the edge in terms of tackling. Jeremiah Jacobs leads Osceola with 8.4 tackles per game, while Kaleb Horn leads Centerpoint with 5.2 tackles per game. Tackling will be crucial in this game as both teams feature explosive playmakers who can turn short gains into big runs. Whoever can wrap up effectively and limit yards after contact will have the upper hand.

Common Opponents

Both teams have played Warren, and while both have had success against them, the results were slightly different. Centerpoint defeated Warren 49-14, showing they can dominate in big matchups. Osceola, on the other hand, won a nail-biter 24-20 against Warren, demonstrating their ability to grind out victories. This game will be a good barometer of how each team performs in high-pressure situations.

What to Watch For

• Centerpoint’s Ability to Control the Ball
  Centerpoint’s offense will look to control the clock with their rushing attack, led by McGough. If they can maintain possession and keep Osceola’s offense off the field, they’ll put themselves in a good position to win.
• Osceola’s Defensive Prowess
  Osceola’s defense, led by Jacobs and their strong tackling unit, will need to shut down Centerpoint’s running game and force them into passing situations. If they can get pressure on Diggs and disrupt his timing with his receivers, they’ll be able to stymie the Centerpoint offense.

Conclusion

This is shaping up to be an exciting game between two talented teams. Centerpoint has a balanced offense and will need to control the tempo with their rushing attack, while Osceola comes into the game as the league powerhouse, with a solid all-around team that has the ability to score from anywhere on the field.

While Osceola has the better record and is undefeated in league play, Centerpoint will not back down. Expect a close contest that will likely come down to which team can execute their game plan more effectively. With both teams averaging over 30 points per game and featuring strong rushing attacks, this game has the potential for big plays and plenty of excitement.