The Greenwood (AR) varsity football team will face El Dorado (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, competing in the 6A 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 Playoff
Who: El Dorado vs Greenwood
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 6A Football State Bracket
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: El Dorado vs. Greenwood

The 2024-2025 high school football playoffs are in full swing, and the El Dorado Wildcats will take on the Greenwood Bulldogs today in a highly anticipated 6A Football State Bracket playoff game. Both teams are aiming for a deep run in the tournament, but their paths to this point have been markedly different, setting up a fascinating clash of styles and talent.

El Dorado’s Season Overview

El Dorado (AR) enters this matchup with a respectable 8-4 record, including a 4-3 conference record. The Wildcats have shown they can compete both at home and away, boasting a 4-2 home record and a 3-2 away record, with a perfect 1-0 neutral-site record. With a .667 overall win percentage and a .571 conference percentage, El Dorado’s season has had its ups and downs, but they have proven to be a resilient team.

• Points Scored (PF): 433
• Points Allowed (PA): 340

El Dorado’s offense has averaged 36.1 points per game, with their best scoring quarter coming in the fourth, where they’ve averaged 9.8 points. However, they’ve struggled somewhat in the first quarter, putting up just 4.8 points, which will need to improve if they are to compete against a powerhouse like Greenwood.

El Dorado’s Scoring Breakdown:

• Q1: 4.8
• Q2: 11.0
• Q3: 9.6
• Q4: 9.8
• Final: 36.1

Greenwood’s Unstoppable Run

Greenwood (AR) has been nothing short of dominant this season, finishing with a perfect 10-0 record and a flawless 7-0 conference record. The Bulldogs have been unbeatable, both at home with a 5-0 record and on the road with another 5-0 record, showcasing their ability to perform in any setting. With a perfect 1.000 win percentage overall and in conference play, Greenwood is one of the most formidable teams in the state.

• Points Scored (PF): 561
• Points Allowed (PA): 148

Greenwood’s offense has been a juggernaut, averaging an incredible 56.1 points per game. Their best quarters have been the first and second, where they’ve averaged 20.5 points and 20.2 points, respectively. Although their scoring drops off somewhat in the second half, with just 9.1 points in the third quarter and 6.3 points in the fourth, their early-game dominance has typically been enough to put games out of reach.

Greenwood’s Scoring Breakdown:

• Q1: 20.5
• Q2: 20.2
• Q3: 9.1
• Q4: 6.3
• Final: 56.1

Key Matchup: Offense vs. Defense

Greenwood’s explosive offense will be a major challenge for El Dorado’s defense. The Bulldogs have averaged over 56 points per game, led by their strong first-half scoring. The Wildcats will need to find a way to slow down Greenwood’s high-powered offense, especially early in the game, to keep the score within reach. El Dorado’s defense has allowed 340 points this season, but they’ve shown resilience in key moments, particularly in the second and third quarters.

For El Dorado, their offense will need to capitalize on Greenwood’s occasional slowdowns in the second half. The Wildcats have been most successful in the second and fourth quarters, averaging 11.0 points in the second and 9.8 points in the fourth. If they can keep the game close early and find success in the later stages, they may have a chance to pull off an upset.

The upcoming playoff showdown between El Dorado and Greenwood is set to be a thrilling matchup, with both teams entering the game with impressive records and standout individual performances. El Dorado, with an 8-4 record, is a team that has shown resilience and determination throughout the season, while Greenwood, undefeated at 10-0, has been nearly unstoppable, demonstrating a well-balanced and high-powered offense. The clash between these two teams will be an exciting one, with much on the line as they battle for playoff supremacy.

Team Record Breakdown: El Dorado vs. Greenwood

El Dorado:

• Overall Record: 8-4
• League Record: 4-3
• Non-League Record: 3-1
• Home Record: 4-2
• Away Record: 3-2
• Neutral Record: 1-0
• Playoff Record: 1-0
• In-State Record: 8-4
• Out-of-State Record: 0-0

El Dorado has had a strong season, finishing with an 8-4 overall record. The team has faced some tough challenges in league play (4-3), but their non-league success (3-1) has showcased their ability to compete with top-tier teams. El Dorado will look to build on their strong playoff performance (1-0) and prove that they have the depth and talent to make a deep run.

Greenwood:

• Overall Record: 10-0
• League Record: 7-0
• Non-League Record: 3-0
• Home Record: 5-0
• Away Record: 5-0
• Neutral Record: 0-0
• Playoff Record: 0-0
• In-State Record: 10-0
• Out-of-State Record: 0-0

Greenwood enters the game with a perfect 10-0 record, showcasing their dominance both in league play (7-0) and non-league games (3-0). The team has been flawless on the road (5-0) and at home (5-0), establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the state. Their unblemished record reflects their strong overall play and depth across the roster.

Common Opponents: A Comparative Look

Both El Dorado and Greenwood have faced Russellville during the season, offering a valuable comparison of their performances:

• El Dorado vs. Russellville: El Dorado won in a close contest on November 15th, with a 38-31 victory.
• Greenwood vs. Russellville: Greenwood dominated in their meeting on October 4th, winning 63-14.

While both teams won, Greenwood’s commanding victory over Russellville stands out, especially considering the significant margin of 49 points. El Dorado, on the other hand, had a much closer game, narrowly defeating Russellville by just 7 points. This suggests that Greenwood has been more dominant overall, though El Dorado’s ability to handle close contests could be a key advantage.

Key Players to Watch:

El Dorado:

• Kane Archer (Quarterback): Archer is the leader of El Dorado’s offense, with 287.0 passing yards per game. He is also a dual-threat with 58.3 rushing yards per game, contributing to 345.8 total yards per game. Archer’s ability to stretch the field both through the air and on the ground will be crucial in breaking down Greenwood’s defense.
• Grant Karnes (Wide Receiver): Karnes is a standout receiver for El Dorado, with 89.3 receiving yards per game. His playmaking ability and deep-threat capability will be essential for opening up El Dorado’s offense.
• Paul Brixey (Linebacker): With 9.9 tackles per game, Brixey is a key defensive presence. His ability to stop the run and disrupt passing plays will be vital against Greenwood’s explosive offense.

Greenwood:

• Kane Archer (Quarterback): Yes, the same name as El Dorado’s quarterback, but in Greenwood’s case, Kane Archer stands as the #8 overall player in the state. He has 287.0 passing yards per game, along with 58.3 rushing yards per game, making him a dynamic dual-threat quarterback capable of carrying his team.
• Champ Davis (Running Back): With 11.4 points per game, Davis is the engine that powers the Greenwood offense. His ability to control the game on the ground will be crucial against El Dorado’s defense.
• Cody Taylor (Offensive Lineman): With 59 pancake blocks, Taylor is a key part of Greenwood’s powerful offensive line. His dominance in the trenches allows the offense to function at a high level, providing Archer the time he needs to execute plays.

Team Stat Comparison:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Greenwood leads with 157.0 rushing yards per game, compared to El Dorado’s unlisted stat. The running game will be a key factor for Greenwood, as they look to impose their physicality.
• Passing Yards Per Game: El Dorado and Greenwood are both proficient in the passing game, with El Dorado averaging 287.0 yards per game. Greenwood is even more explosive in the passing attack, averaging 324.7 yards per game.
• Total Yards Per Game: Greenwood also holds the edge in total yards, averaging 481.7 yards per game compared to El Dorado’s slightly lower total (undisclosed). Greenwood’s ability to consistently move the ball on all fronts will be a key strength.
• Points Per Game: El Dorado averages an impressive 63.5 points per game, while Greenwood averages 63.5 points per game as well. Both teams are capable of putting up huge numbers, and this offensive firepower is sure to make for an exciting matchup.

Conclusion:

This game between El Dorado and Greenwood is set to be a high-stakes showdown with a lot of firepower on both sides. Greenwood has been nearly perfect all season, with a high-powered offense and a dominant defense. El Dorado, while not undefeated, has proven themselves as a resilient and capable team with explosive offensive threats. Both teams are led by dynamic quarterbacks who can make plays with both their arms and legs, and both teams have exceptional wide receivers who can change the course of the game.

With a strong defense led by Paul Brixey and a potent offensive duo of Kane Archer and Grant Karnes, El Dorado has the potential to challenge Greenwood. However, Greenwood’s all-around balance, depth, and explosive offensive capabilities make them a tough opponent.

In the end, this game could come down to which team can execute better on both sides of the ball—Greenwood’s dominant offensive output or El Dorado’s ability to withstand pressure and make critical plays in key moments. Whichever team can impose their game plan will likely come out on top, making this one of the most anticipated matchups of the playoffs.