The Warren (AR) varsity football team faces Central Arkansas Christian (North Little Rock, AR) today at 7 p.m. in a neutral-site playoff game. This matchup is part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs, within the 2024 4A Football State Bracket. Both teams are competing for a spot in the next round.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Arkansas High School Football
Who: Central Arkansas Christian vs Warren
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 4A Football State Bracket
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Warren vs. Central Arkansas Christian
The 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs are in full swing, and tonight at 7 p.m., the Warren (AR) and Central Arkansas Christian (North Little Rock, AR) varsity football teams will face off in a neutral-site playoff game. This matchup is part of the 2024 4A Football State Bracket, with both teams hoping to advance to the next round.
Warren: A High-Flying Offense with a Strong Season
Warren enters this playoff game with an impressive 8-3 overall record and a 7-1 conference finish. They’ve been one of the top teams in 4A football, averaging a stellar 38.4 points per game. Their offense is potent from start to finish, scoring 9.8 points per game in the first quarter, 7.8 in the second, and 11.4 points in the third. Even though they have averaged only 3.2 points in the fourth quarter, their early offensive production typically gives them a comfortable lead.
Defensively, Warren has allowed 255 points on the season (23.2 points per game), but their high-scoring offense has often negated this by building large leads. With a combination of explosive offense and solid defense, Warren is a formidable playoff contender and one of the favorites in the 4A bracket.
Central Arkansas Christian: Battling for an Upset
Central Arkansas Christian enters the playoffs with a 3-7 overall record and a 3-4 conference finish. While their record may not reflect it, they are a dangerous team capable of surprises. They’ve struggled offensively, averaging just 21.1 points per game. Their scoring has been limited, with 0 points in the first and second quarters combined, and only 3.5 points in the third. However, they do tend to pick up their scoring late in games, averaging 17.6 points in the second half, which could be key if they hope to stay competitive against Warren.
On defense, Central Arkansas Christian has allowed 336 points this season (33.6 points per game), and they’ll need to find a way to contain Warren’s high-scoring offense if they want to pull off an upset. The team will rely on creating turnovers and limiting big plays in order to stay within striking distance.
The Key to Victory
For Warren, the key to victory will be maintaining their offensive efficiency and getting out to a fast start. With their ability to score early and often, they can quickly build a lead and put pressure on Central Arkansas Christian. Their defense will need to tighten up to prevent any late-game comebacks.
For Central Arkansas Christian, they will need to improve their early-game performance, as they’ve struggled to put points on the board in the first half. To stand a chance against Warren, they will need to capitalize on any opportunities for big plays and keep their defense strong throughout the game. The team must also find a way to slow down Warren’s potent offense.
The 2024 football season has brought some intriguing matchups, and the comparison between Central Arkansas Christian and Warren is one that highlights both teams’ contrasting performances. While Central Arkansas Christian has struggled in non-league play, Warren has dominated their opponents, particularly in league games. With both teams now heading into the final stretch, let’s dive into their statistical performance and records to get a better picture of what we can expect from them moving forward.
Team Stat Comparison: Key Metrics
Both teams have displayed strengths and weaknesses in various areas this season. Here’s a breakdown of how Central Arkansas Christian and Warren compare in some of the most important team stats:
Rushing Yards Per Game
- Central Arkansas Christian: 152.7
- Warren: Data not available
Central Arkansas Christian has been relatively strong in the running game, averaging 152.7 rushing yards per game. Warren’s rushing numbers aren’t available in this data, but it is important to note that their overall team performance suggests they rely more on other areas, particularly their passing game.
Passing Yards Per Game
- Central Arkansas Christian: 159.5
- Warren: Data not available
Central Arkansas Christian has been fairly balanced with 159.5 passing yards per game. Warren’s passing statistics are not available here, but their strong overall record indicates that they may rely heavily on their defense and rushing game, as opposed to having a dynamic aerial attack.
Receiving Yards Per Game
- Central Arkansas Christian: 158.9
- Warren: Data not available
Again, Central Arkansas Christian demonstrates a balanced offensive strategy, with 158.9 receiving yards per game. With their offensive scheme relying on both the pass and run game, they may be looking to maximize their yards through the air in future matchups. Warren’s receiving statistics aren’t listed, but they have shown the ability to put up significant points in their victories.
Total Yards Per Game
- Central Arkansas Christian: 312.2
- Warren: Data not available
Central Arkansas Christian’s offense is averaging 312.2 total yards per game, which reflects a fairly balanced approach between rushing, passing, and receiving. While Warren’s total yardage data is not provided, their 8-3 overall record suggests that they may have been more effective in controlling the game with a powerful defense and efficient scoring.
Tackles Per Game
- Central Arkansas Christian: 61.5
- Warren: Data not available
Central Arkansas Christian averages 61.5 tackles per game, which points to a defense that is active and likely focused on preventing big plays. Warren’s defensive statistics are not available, but their 8-3 record suggests they have a capable defense that can stop opponents when needed.
Sacks Per Game
- Central Arkansas Christian: 1.2
- Warren: Data not available
Central Arkansas Christian has averaged just over one sack per game, indicating that their defense has been somewhat disruptive but not particularly strong in the pass rush. Warren’s sack numbers are not listed, but given their solid defensive record, it’s likely they have been effective at applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Points Per Game
- Central Arkansas Christian: 18.2
- Warren: Data not available
With just 18.2 points per game, Central Arkansas Christian has struggled to put up large offensive numbers. In contrast, Warren has demonstrated the ability to score heavily, as indicated by their impressive overall record.
Pancake Blocks
- Central Arkansas Christian: 5
- Warren: Data not available
Central Arkansas Christian’s offensive line has recorded 5 pancake blocks this season, though this is a relatively low number. Warren’s offensive line statistics aren’t available, but their strong record suggests they have been effective in the trenches.
Individual Team Leaders
Central Arkansas Christian Leaders:
- Rushing Yards Per Game: #23 Gus Smith – 82.3
- Passing Yards Per Game: #5 Jackson Plumlee – 168.9
- Receiving Yards Per Game: #9 Hudson Ritchie – 43.8
- Total Yards Per Game: #5 Jackson Plumlee – 188.7
- Tackles Per Game: #18 Gus McConnell – 9.8
- Sacks Per Game: #18 Gus McConnell – 0.3
- Points Per Game: #23 Gus Smith – 7.2
- Pancake Blocks: #66 Zane Tafoya – 5
Warren Leaders:
- Rushing Yards Per Game: Not available
- Passing Yards Per Game: Not available
- Receiving Yards Per Game: Not available
- Total Yards Per Game: Not available
- Tackles Per Game: Not available
- Sacks Per Game: Not available
- Points Per Game: Not available
- Pancake Blocks: Not available
For Central Arkansas Christian, Gus Smith leads the team in rushing and points per game, while Jackson Plumlee has been the standout in passing and total yards. Gus McConnell has been key on defense with the most tackles and a few sacks. Warren’s individual stats aren’t available, but their team success suggests that they have a well-rounded and effective group of players contributing to their solid record.
Common Opponents and Head-to-Head Performance
One of the best ways to compare teams is to look at how they performed against the same opponents. Here’s how Central Arkansas Christian and Warren fared against common teams this season:
Central Arkansas Christian vs. Common Opponents:
- DeWitt: Lost 31-7 (8/30/24)
- Stuttgart: Lost 41-7 (9/6/24)
Warren vs. Common Opponents:
- DeWitt: Won 36-22 (9/27/24)
- Stuttgart: Won 55-20 (10/25/24)
Warren had success against both DeWitt and Stuttgart, winning by comfortable margins. In contrast, Central Arkansas Christian struggled against the same teams, losing both matchups decisively. This gives a clear indication of Warren’s superiority in these common contests.
Record Breakdown
Central Arkansas Christian Record:
- Overall: 3-7
- League: 3-4
- Non-League: 0-3
- Home: 1-3
- Away: 2-4
Warren Record:
- Overall: 8-3
- League: 7-1
- Non-League: 1-2
- Home: 5-1
- Away: 3-2
Warren has had a strong season, finishing 8-3 with a 7-1 record in league play. Their success in both home and away games shows their consistency throughout the season. In contrast, Central Arkansas Christian has struggled with a 3-7 record, including a 0-3 mark in non-league games. They have also struggled at home, which further underscores the challenges they have faced this season.
Conclusion
Warren has clearly had the more successful 2024 season, with an 8-3 record and dominant performances against common opponents like DeWitt and Stuttgart. Their balanced offense and strong defense have been key to their success. On the other hand, Central Arkansas Christian has had a more difficult season, struggling both offensively and defensively, particularly in non-league games.
While both teams may have a lot to work on in future seasons, Warren’s 7-1 league record and overall consistency make them the clear favorite in any potential head-to-head matchup between these two squads.
