The Gurdon (AR) varsity football team will face East Poinsett County (Lepanto, AR) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs, within the 2024 2A Football State Bracket, as both teams battle for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas High School Football
Who: East Poinsett County vs Gurdon
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: East Poinsett County vs. Gurdon

As the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs progress, East Poinsett County (Lepanto, AR) and Gurdon (AR) are set to face off in a pivotal matchup. Both teams have displayed different levels of success this season, with East Poinsett County entering the playoffs as a favorite, while Gurdon looks to defy the odds and secure a victory in this neutral-site game.

East Poinsett County’s Strong Season

East Poinsett County has had a standout year, finishing with a 7-3 overall record and an impressive .700 win percentage. Their 6-1 conference record was particularly strong, with a 5-1 mark on the road, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure away from home. Offensively, East Poinsett County has been solid, scoring an average of 34.1 points per game, though their scoring has been somewhat uneven throughout the game:

• Q1: 4.0 points
• Q2: 0 points
• Q3: 8.0 points
• Q4: 4.0 points

While their first half has been slow, with only 4 points in the opening quarter and a scoreless second, they are able to ramp up their offense in the second half, particularly in the third quarter. Their defense has been a key strength, limiting opponents to 258 points over the course of the season. This combination of strong defense and an offense that can rise to the occasion makes East Poinsett County a formidable opponent heading into the playoffs.

Gurdon’s Struggles and Resilience

Gurdon, on the other hand, has had a more inconsistent season, finishing with a 5-5 overall record and a .500 win percentage. Their 4-3 conference record suggests that they’ve had some success within their league, but they have struggled to maintain consistency, especially away from home, where they posted a 2-3 record. Despite these challenges, Gurdon has remained competitive, averaging 24.3 points per game:

• Q1: 8.1 points
• Q2: 4.4 points
• Q3: 7.0 points
• Q4: 5.9 points

Gurdon’s strongest quarter has been the first, where they average over 8 points per game. However, their offensive output tends to dip in the second quarter, and they struggle to close out games, as reflected in their relatively low production in the fourth quarter. With 254 points allowed, their defense has been vulnerable at times, which could be a challenge against a well-rounded team like East Poinsett County.

Key Factors in the Matchup

The key to victory for East Poinsett County will likely be their ability to build on their strong defense while continuing to increase their offensive output in the second half of the game. If they can exploit Gurdon’s struggles in the second quarter and take control early, they will be in a strong position to advance further in the playoffs.

For Gurdon, the key will be to start strong in the first quarter, where they have shown the ability to score effectively. They will also need to improve their consistency, especially in the second half, where East Poinsett County has tended to capitalize. If Gurdon can shore up their defense and find ways to produce late in the game, they may have a chance to pull off an upset.

Conclusion

East Poinsett County enters this playoff matchup as the favorite, with a more consistent season and a stronger overall record. However, Gurdon has shown resilience throughout the year and could surprise if they can capitalize on their early-game success and improve in the second half. This game promises to be an exciting contest as both teams look to secure a spot in the next round of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs.

The 2024-2025 season has been an eventful one for both East Poinsett County and Gurdon, as they’ve shown unique strengths in various facets of the game. While both teams have had differing results in terms of their overall records, they each bring something valuable to the table. Let’s take a closer look at key team statistics, individual player performances, and their head-to-head results to understand how these two squads stack up against each other.

Team Stat Comparison

• Rushing Yards Per Game
  • East Poinsett County: 244.9
  • Gurdon: N/A

East Poinsett County has been a powerhouse on the ground this season, averaging a strong 244.9 rushing yards per game. This impressive rushing attack sets them apart from many teams, giving them an edge in controlling the pace of the game. Gurdon has not posted rushing stats in this comparison.

• Passing Yards Per Game
  • East Poinsett County: 48.9
  • Gurdon: N/A

East Poinsett County has kept the passing game modest, averaging just 48.9 yards per game. While not a dominant aerial offense, they focus more on rushing plays to move the ball. Gurdon’s passing yards are not provided here for comparison.

• Receiving Yards Per Game
  • East Poinsett County: 57.5
  • Gurdon: N/A

East Poinsett County’s receiving game, though not as potent as their rushing attack, still averages 57.5 yards per game. Gurdon’s receiving statistics are not listed.

• Total Yards Per Game
  • East Poinsett County: 293.8
  • Gurdon: N/A

With a combination of rushing and passing, East Poinsett County averages 293.8 total yards per game, showcasing a balanced offense despite heavy reliance on the run game. Gurdon’s total yardage statistics are not provided.

• Tackles Per Game
  • East Poinsett County: 52.2
  • Gurdon: N/A

East Poinsett County’s defense has been very active, averaging 52.2 tackles per game. This defensive tenacity is crucial in stifling opposing offenses and making key stops when needed. Gurdon’s tackles per game statistics are not available for comparison.

• Sacks Per Game
  • East Poinsett County: 0.5
  • Gurdon: N/A

East Poinsett County has managed to average half a sack per game, highlighting their ability to pressure the quarterback. Gurdon’s sack statistics are not listed.

• Points Per Game
  • East Poinsett County: 21.3
  • Gurdon: N/A

East Poinsett County has averaged 21.3 points per game, reflecting a solid offensive unit that gets the job done in the scoring department. Gurdon’s points per game are not provided for direct comparison.

Team Leaders

East Poinsett County:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: #7 Xavier Laster – 94.7 yards
• Passing Yards Per Game: #12 Rhett Ledbetter – 48.9 yards
• Receiving Yards Per Game: #15 Cody Rider – 23.5 yards
• Total Yards Per Game: #7 Xavier Laster – 106.0 yards
• Tackles Per Game: #14 Dakota Bradshaw – 7.0 tackles
• Sacks Per Game: #8 Jake Rowan – 0.2 sacks
• Points Per Game: #4 Jamari Williams – 5.4 points

Gurdon:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: No data available
• Passing Yards Per Game: No data available
• Receiving Yards Per Game: No data available
• Total Yards Per Game: No data available
• Tackles Per Game: No data available
• Sacks Per Game: No data available
• Points Per Game: No data available

East Poinsett County’s leader in rushing yards, Xavier Laster, has been a key player, averaging nearly 95 yards per game. Other key players include Jamari Williams, who leads the team in scoring, and Dakota Bradshaw, who is the team’s defensive leader with 7 tackles per game.

Unfortunately, Gurdon’s team leaders in the above categories are not available, which makes it harder to compare individual performances directly.

Common Opponents

Both teams had the opportunity to face Marked Tree this season:

• East Poinsett County: 11/7/24 (Away) – Victory 56-30
• Gurdon: 9/13/24 (Home) – Loss 42-14

East Poinsett County was able to secure a dominant win over Marked Tree, while Gurdon struggled in their matchup against the same team. This result adds to East Poinsett County’s strong season, showing their ability to take care of business against shared opponents.

Record Breakdown

East Poinsett County:

• Overall: 7-3
• League: 6-1
• Non-League: 1-2
• Head-to-Head: 0-0
• Common Opponents: 1-0
• Home: 2-2
• Away: 5-1

East Poinsett County has had a strong season overall, with a 7-3 record and a particularly impressive 6-1 league record. Their away performance has been especially strong, winning 5 of their 6 road games.

Gurdon:

• Overall: 5-5
• League: 4-3
• Non-League: 1-2
• Head-to-Head: 0-0
• Common Opponents: 0-1
• Home: 3-2
• Away: 2-3

Gurdon has posted a 5-5 overall record, with a respectable 4-3 performance in league play. Their home record (3-2) has been solid, though they’ve struggled more on the road with a 2-3 mark.

Conclusion

East Poinsett County has been a dominant force this season, led by standout players such as Xavier Laster and Dakota Bradshaw. Their strong rushing attack and solid defensive play have been key to their success. Meanwhile, Gurdon, while competitive, has had a more challenging season, finishing with a 5-5 record. The teams’ head-to-head and common opponent results suggest East Poinsett County is the stronger team heading into the latter part of the season. Still, Gurdon’s resilience should not be underestimated, and they will look to build on their strengths in the coming games. Fans can look forward to more exciting matchups as these teams push toward the playoffs.