The Pulaski Academy (Little Rock, AR) varsity football team will face Har-Ber (Springdale, AR) in a neutral-site playoff game today at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs, within the 7A 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: Har-Ber vs Pulaski Academy
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 7A Football State Bracket
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Pulaski Academy Set to Face Har-Ber in 7A Playoff Game

Tonight at 7 p.m., the Pulaski Academy (Little Rock, AR) varsity football team will meet Har-Ber (Springdale, AR) in a neutral-site matchup as part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs. This game is set to take place in the 7A Football State Bracket, where Pulaski Academy enters as the heavy favorite.

Team Overview

Pulaski Academy has had a strong season, finishing with an 8-2 overall record and a 5-2 mark in conference play. The team’s offense has been explosive, averaging an impressive 45.6 points per game. The Bruins have been especially strong early in games, averaging 16 points in the first quarter, which has allowed them to establish comfortable leads. Their defense has also been effective, allowing 267 points throughout the season, but it is their high-powered offense that has been the main source of success.

On the other side, Har-Ber has struggled this season, finishing with a 2-8 overall record and a 2-5 conference record. Despite their record, they have shown flashes of potential, averaging 33.5 points per game. The Wildcats tend to find their rhythm later in games, scoring an average of 14.9 points in the second quarter and 9.3 in the fourth. However, their inability to win on the road (0-5) has been a significant hurdle, and they’ll need to improve across all facets of their game to compete against a well-rounded Pulaski Academy team.

Key Stats

Har-Ber:

• Record: 2-8
• Conference Record: 2-5
• Points Scored: 335
• Points Allowed: 470
• Points Per Game: 33.5
• Scoring Average:
  • Q1: 5.9
  • Q2: 14.9
  • Q3: 8.4
  • Q4: 9.3

Pulaski Academy:

• Record: 8-2
• Conference Record: 5-2
• Points Scored: 456
• Points Allowed: 267
• Points Per Game: 45.6
• Scoring Average:
  • Q1: 16.0
  • Q2: 9.3
  • Q3: 10.0
  • Q4: 4.7

What to Watch

For Pulaski Academy, their fast start will be crucial. With a tendency to put up big numbers early in games, the Bruins will look to establish a commanding lead in the first quarter, where they average 16 points. Their defense will also need to control Har-Ber’s offense, especially in the middle quarters, where the Wildcats tend to do most of their scoring.

For Har-Ber, their best chance for success will come from maintaining offensive momentum, especially in the second quarter, where they tend to score well. They’ll need to limit turnovers and capitalize on Pulaski Academy’s occasional second-half slowdown. Har-Ber will also have to find a way to improve their defense, which has given up an average of 47 points per game this season.

Conclusion

Pulaski Academy enters this playoff matchup with the edge in both overall performance and consistency throughout the season. The Bruins will look to continue their strong play and advance further in the 7A Football State Bracket. Har-Ber, on the other hand, will need to play its best football of the season to pull off an upset. With a potent offense and a high-powered attack, Pulaski Academy is poised to make a deep playoff run, but Har-Ber will surely give it their all in what promises to be an exciting contest.

Fans can expect an action-packed game, with Pulaski Academy aiming to continue their impressive season and Har-Ber hoping to defy the odds and keep their postseason dreams alive. The winner will advance to the next round of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs, with both teams eager to take one step closer to the championship.

As the season progresses, the upcoming matchup between Har-Ber and Pulaski Academy presents an intriguing contrast of fortunes. Har-Ber (2-8) has faced significant challenges this season, while Pulaski Academy (8-2) is coming off a strong performance, sitting comfortably with an 8-2 record. This game will be critical for both teams, but for different reasons. Let’s dive into the team stats and compare their respective performances.

Team Stat Comparison

• Rushing Yards Per Game
  • Har-Ber: 242.9
  • Pulaski Academy: 140.7
    Har-Ber has a strong ground game, averaging 242.9 rushing yards per game. In contrast, Pulaski Academy has been more pass-heavy, with their rushing game coming in at 140.7 yards per game.
• Passing Yards Per Game
  • Har-Ber: 186.4
  • Pulaski Academy: 348.7
    Pulaski Academy’s air attack is far superior, averaging 348.7 passing yards per game compared to Har-Ber’s 186.4. This difference shows how Pulaski Academy tends to rely on their dynamic passing offense.
• Total Yards Per Game
  • Har-Ber: 429.3
  • Pulaski Academy: 489.4
    Pulaski Academy edges Har-Ber in total yards per game, though both teams show strong offensive outputs with over 400 yards each.
• Tackles and Sacks
  • Har-Ber: Data unavailable
  • Pulaski Academy: 61.7 Tackles Per Game, 3.8 Sacks Per Game
    Pulaski Academy has been effective defensively, with solid tackling and a noteworthy sack rate. Har-Ber’s defensive numbers are unlisted, but their ability to handle Pulaski Academy’s offense will be crucial.
• Points Per Game
  • Har-Ber: 30.7
  • Pulaski Academy: 34.9
    Both teams score impressively, with Pulaski Academy averaging just over 34 points per game, outpacing Har-Ber by 4.2 points.

Team Leaders

• Har-Ber:
  • Titus Cramer leads the rushing attack with 131.7 yards per game.
  • Evan Baker is the top passer with 137.5 passing yards per game.
  • Lee Allen leads the receiving corps with 84.9 receiving yards per game.
  • Titus Cramer also contributes on the scoring front with 12.6 points per game.
• Pulaski Academy:
  • Brandon Cobb dominates the field with 78.2 rushing yards, but it’s his incredible passing numbers that stand out, with 334.2 passing yards per game.
  • William Svoboda is the main target in the air, contributing 71.6 receiving yards per game.
  • Kaden Nash leads the defense with 8.1 tackles per game, while Jackson Redman is the top sack artist with 1.3 sacks per game.
  • Brandon Cobb is the primary scorer with 6.6 points per game.

Common Opponents

• Har-Ber vs. Bentonville West:
  Har-Ber has struggled against Bentonville West, losing 35-34 in a close contest.
  Pulaski Academy will face Bentonville West later in the season, so this matchup will be important for comparison.
• Har-Ber vs. Fayetteville:
  Har-Ber suffered a tough loss to Fayetteville (53-7), while Pulaski Academy will face Fayetteville later in the season. This could provide insight into how Pulaski Academy measures up against strong competition.

Record Breakdown

• Har-Ber (2-8, 2-5 league):
  Har-Ber has had a difficult season, with only two wins on the board. Their league record of 2-5 highlights their struggles within conference play. They’ve been particularly challenged on the road (0-5) but have managed to secure both wins at home (2-3). With an already difficult season, they’ll be hoping to end the year on a high note.
• Pulaski Academy (8-2, 5-2 league):
  Pulaski Academy has been excellent this season, securing 8 wins and finishing with a strong 5-2 league record. Their road performance (4-1) has been impressive, and they’ve shown they can win both at home and away. With only two losses, they are entering this game with momentum and confidence.

Key Takeaways

• Har-Ber’s Ground Game vs. Pulaski Academy’s Air Attack:
  Har-Ber will likely try to control the clock with their powerful rushing game, while Pulaski Academy will look to exploit their passing advantage. The matchup between Har-Ber’s strong ground game and Pulaski Academy’s explosive air attack will be one of the game’s most exciting storylines.
• Defensive Strengths:
  Pulaski Academy has shown strong defensive capabilities, especially in terms of tackling and sack production. How well Har-Ber can protect the ball and execute their offensive game plan will be key in this matchup.

Conclusion

Pulaski Academy enters this game as the clear favorite with a solid 8-2 record and a high-powered offense. Har-Ber, though struggling at 2-8, will rely on their running game and hope to slow down the potent Pulaski Academy offense. The game promises to be an exciting contest, with Har-Ber needing to overcome some significant challenges to compete against one of the top teams in the state. Pulaski Academy will look to continue their winning ways and extend their momentum into the postseason.