The Monticello (AR) varsity football team will play against Forrest City (AR) in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 6:55 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs, specifically within the 2024 4A Football State Bracket.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas High School Football
Who: Forrest City vs Monticello
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 6:55 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 4A Football State Bracket
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Forrest City vs. Monticello

As the 2024 Arkansas high school football playoffs begin, Forrest City and Monticello are set to meet in a crucial neutral-site matchup. Both teams are looking to advance further in the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs, and the game promises to showcase contrasting styles and strengths. Let’s break down the performance of both teams leading into this exciting playoff contest.

Forrest City’s Season Breakdown

Forrest City has had an up-and-down season, finishing with a 5-6 overall record and a .455 win percentage. Despite a solid 4-3 record in conference play, they struggled away from home, posting a 2-4 record in road games. Offensively, Forrest City has been somewhat inconsistent, scoring an average of 31.4 points per game. Their offense has been particularly effective in the second half, averaging 11.0 points in the fourth quarter, while the first half has been more challenging. Forrest City has yet to score in the first or second quarters, but they’ve managed to get things going late in games, with an average of 6.0 points in the third quarter. Their defense has allowed 394 points over the course of the season, averaging 35.8 points per game against.

Monticello’s Performance Overview

Monticello, with a 7-3 overall record and a .700 win percentage, has had a strong season, particularly within their conference where they finished 5-2. They were dominant at home with a **5-0 record but had more difficulty on the road, finishing 2-3 in away games. Monticello’s offense is built on balance, averaging 31.4 points per game, the same as Forrest City. They’ve been more consistent throughout the game, averaging 8.6 points in the first quarter and 10.3 points in the second quarter. However, their offense tends to slow down in the second half, with only 4.5 points in the third quarter, but they finish strong with 8.0 points in the final quarter. Defensively, Monticello has been solid, allowing just 224 points over the season, which translates to an average of 22.4 points per game.

Head-to-Head Comparison

When comparing the two teams head-to-head, Monticello has the edge in most categories, including win percentage, offensive consistency, and defense. While Forrest City has been explosive at times, particularly in the second half, their struggles in the first half could be costly against a team like Monticello, who has been more balanced across all four quarters. Monticello’s offense, while not as high-scoring as Forrest City’s at times, has been more consistent, especially in the first half, and their defense has given up fewer points.

Defensively, Monticello’s lower points allowed per game (224 points total) is a significant advantage, especially compared to Forrest City’s defense, which has allowed over 394 points. This discrepancy could make it difficult for Forrest City to keep up with Monticello if the game turns into a high-scoring affair.

What to Expect in the Playoff Matchup

In this playoff matchup, Forrest City will need to capitalize on their ability to score late and hope to create turnovers to turn the tide against Monticello’s more consistent offense. Forrest City’s tendency to score late might provide a spark if they can keep the game close early on, but they will need to address their first-half struggles to stay competitive.

Monticello, on the other hand, will look to take control early with their strong first-half scoring and solid defense. If they can avoid a letdown in the second half and maintain their momentum, Monticello has the tools to advance further in the 4A Football State Bracket.

Conclusion

The playoff clash between Forrest City and Monticello is shaping up to be a competitive matchup. Monticello enters as the favorite with their solid defense, more consistent offense, and higher win percentage. However, Forrest City’s explosive late-game scoring ability and determination could keep them in the contest. This game will be an exciting battle, and the outcome will likely depend on which team can maintain their rhythm throughout all four quarters.

As the 2024-2025 high school football season heads into its final stretch, Forrest City and Monticello find themselves at different points in their respective campaigns. With Forrest City at a 5-6 record and Monticello sitting at 7-3, the teams are preparing for what should be an exciting matchup. While Monticello has had a more successful overall season, Forrest City’s strong performances in key areas will provide a serious challenge.

Record Breakdown

Forrest City

• Overall Record: 5-6
• League Record: 4-3
• Non-League Record: 1-3
• Home Record: 3-2
• Away Record: 2-4
• Neutral Record: 0-0
• Playoff Record: 0-0
• In-State Record: 5-6
• Out-of-State Record: 0-0

Forrest City has had a difficult season overall, finishing with a 5-6 record. While they performed reasonably well in league play, going 4-3, their non-league record of 1-3 suggests that they struggled in games outside of their conference. Home games have been strong for Forrest City, with a 3-2 record, but their away form has left much to be desired, finishing with a 2-4 record.

Monticello

• Overall Record: 7-3
• League Record: 5-2
• Non-League Record: 2-1
• Home Record: 5-0
• Away Record: 2-3
• Neutral Record: 0-0
• Playoff Record: 0-0
• In-State Record: 7-3
• Out-of-State Record: 0-0

Monticello enters this game with a solid 7-3 record. Their league performance has been impressive, finishing with a 5-2 record, and they have also been strong at home, winning all five of their home games. However, they have faced some challenges on the road, finishing 2-3 in away games. Their non-league success (2-1) has given them a competitive edge in the overall standings.

Team Statistics

Forrest City

• Rushing Yards Per Game: 163.8
• Passing Yards Per Game: 171.4
• Receiving Yards Per Game: 181.7
• Total Yards Per Game: 335.2
• Points Per Game: 27.3
• Tackles Per Game: 57.6
• Sacks Per Game: 1.3

Forrest City has had a well-balanced offensive attack this season. They have managed to accumulate 335.2 total yards per game, with 163.8 of those yards coming from their rushing game. The team has also been proficient in the passing game, averaging 171.4 passing yards per game. Leading the team in both rushing and total yards is Kevin Young, who has been an essential part of Forrest City’s offense. On defense, Forrest City has shown a solid effort, averaging 57.6 tackles per game, but they will need to be more effective at putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, as they average just 1.3 sacks per game.

Monticello

• Rushing Yards Per Game: 13.6
• Passing Yards Per Game: 2.9
• Receiving Yards Per Game: 2.9
• Total Yards Per Game: 16.5
• Points Per Game: N/A
• Tackles Per Game: 50.8
• Sacks Per Game: 1.3

Monticello’s offensive production has been significantly lower compared to Forrest City. They have struggled with only 13.6 rushing yards per game and 2.9 passing yards per game, both of which are stark contrasts to Forrest City’s offensive output. This offensive imbalance could be a key factor in their upcoming matchups. However, Monticello’s defense has been solid, averaging 50.8 tackles per game, and they are equal to Forrest City in terms of sacks, with 1.3 sacks per game.

Key Players

Forrest City

• Kevin Young – Leading the team with 113.5 rushing yards per game and 132.2 total yards per game, Young has been the cornerstone of Forrest City’s offense. He has also contributed 9.6 points per game, making him a key player to watch in this matchup.
• Kendrick Patterson – With 91.7 passing yards per game, Patterson is another key playmaker for Forrest City, providing balance to their offense.

Monticello

• Pharrell Lewis – The leader for Monticello, Lewis has managed 82.0 rushing yards per game. He will be crucial to Monticello’s offensive game plan as they seek to build a more dynamic attack.
• Blaine Hayden – Leading the team with 7.2 tackles per game, Hayden has been one of Monticello’s defensive standouts, and he will be key to containing Forrest City’s potent offense.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced Bauxite, with each securing a win. Forrest City defeated Bauxite 25-21 on August 22, while Monticello won 41-20 at home on September 6. This gives both teams a common reference point for their performances against shared competition.

Conclusion

Monticello enters this matchup as the stronger overall team with a 7-3 record compared to Forrest City’s 5-6 mark. However, Forrest City’s well-rounded offensive attack, led by Kevin Young, will provide a formidable challenge for Monticello. The key to Monticello’s success will be improving their offensive production, which has been limited this season. As both teams prepare for the final stretch of the season, this game promises to be a hard-fought contest, with Forrest City looking to build momentum and Monticello aiming to secure a playoff spot.