The Camden Fairview (Camden, AR) varsity football team faces Harding Academy (Searcy, 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 5A Football State Bracket. Both teams are aiming to advance in the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas High School Football
Who: Harding Academy vs Camden Fairview
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 5A Football State Bracket
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Camden Fairview vs. Harding Academy

As the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs progress, tonight at 7 p.m., the Camden Fairview (Camden, AR) and Harding Academy (Searcy, AR) varsity football teams will clash in a neutral-site playoff game. This matchup, part of the 2024 5A Football State Bracket, promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams coming off impressive regular seasons and hoping to advance in the tournament.

Camden Fairview: A High-Scoring Juggernaut

Camden Fairview enters this playoff game with a 7-3 overall record and a 5-2 conference finish. They’ve been one of the most high-powered teams in the 5A classification, averaging 42.4 points per game. The offense has been especially effective early, putting up an average of 12.6 points in the first quarter and 10.8 points in the second. Their ability to score consistently through all four quarters, including 10.9 points in the third and 8.1 points in the fourth, makes them a formidable opponent.

With a balanced offensive attack, Camden Fairview has scored 424 points this season, a testament to their offensive firepower. Defensively, they’ve been just as impressive, allowing only 185 points (18.5 points per game). This combination of explosive offense and solid defense makes Camden Fairview a tough team to beat, and they will be looking to carry that momentum into the playoffs.

Harding Academy: A Resilient Team with Consistent Play

Harding Academy also boasts a 7-3 overall record and a 6-1 conference finish. They’ve been a consistent and resilient team, averaging 34.0 points per game. Their offense is well-balanced, with 9.3 points per game in the first quarter and 5.7 points per quarter in the second and fourth quarters. They’ve been able to make adjustments in the second half, scoring 7.0 points in the third quarter. However, they will need to improve their second-half scoring to keep up with Camden Fairview’s explosive offense.

On defense, Harding Academy has given up 261 points this season, averaging 26.1 points allowed per game. Their defense has been steady, but they will face a serious challenge in slowing down Camden Fairview’s potent attack. To advance in the tournament, Harding Academy will need to tighten up defensively and find ways to generate more offensive production in the second half.

The Key to Victory

For Harding Academy, the key to victory will be limiting Camden Fairview’s offensive output. Harding Academy must focus on creating turnovers and forcing the Camden Fairview offense off the field. They’ll also need to improve their scoring efficiency in the second half, as they have struggled to match their first-half production late in games.

For Camden Fairview, continuing their high-scoring ways will be essential. With a strong first half and the ability to maintain momentum in the second half, they should be in a good position to win. Their defense will also need to step up and prevent Harding Academy from gaining any significant advantages on offense.

As the 2024 high school football season progresses, two teams that have been turning heads are Harding Academy and Camden Fairview. Both teams enter the postseason with identical 7-3 records, making their upcoming matchups highly anticipated. To better understand how these teams stack up against each other, we’ll break down their team statistics and individual performances, and take a closer look at their overall and league records.

Team Stat Comparison: Offense and Defense

Both Harding Academy and Camden Fairview show strong offensive and defensive performances, but their styles of play differ. Here’s a detailed comparison of the two teams’ key statistics:

Rushing Yards Per Game

• Harding Academy: 151.0
• Camden Fairview: 226.8

Camden Fairview has been more dominant in the ground game, averaging 226.8 rushing yards per game compared to Harding Academy’s 151.0. This gives Camden Fairview a significant edge in terms of controlling the clock and gaining yards on the ground.

Passing Yards Per Game

• Harding Academy: 269.6
• Camden Fairview: 236.0

Harding Academy excels in the air, averaging 269.6 passing yards per game, which is a notable advantage over Camden Fairview’s 236.0. This suggests that Harding Academy leans more heavily on its passing game, which could be a key factor if the team needs to catch up in high-scoring matchups.

Receiving Yards Per Game

• Harding Academy: 269.7
• Camden Fairview: 236.0

Similar to their passing yards, Harding Academy’s receiving game mirrors their strong aerial attack, averaging 269.7 yards per game, while Camden Fairview’s receivers contribute 236.0 yards per game. The disparity here again highlights Harding Academy’s strength in the passing game.

Total Yards Per Game

• Harding Academy: 420.6
• Camden Fairview: 462.8

Despite Harding Academy’s strong passing attack, Camden Fairview’s superior rushing game gives them the edge in total yards per game. Camden Fairview averages 462.8 total yards per game, compared to Harding Academy’s 420.6. This balance between rushing and passing could make Camden Fairview a more versatile offense overall.

Tackles Per Game

• Harding Academy: 42.5
• Camden Fairview: 61.8

Defensively, Camden Fairview stands out with 61.8 tackles per game, significantly higher than Harding Academy’s 42.5. This suggests that Camden Fairview’s defense is more active and may be better at limiting opponents’ big plays.

Sacks Per Game

• Harding Academy: Not available
• Camden Fairview: 1.9

Camden Fairview also holds an advantage in terms of pass rush, averaging 1.9 sacks per game, although Harding Academy’s sack numbers are not listed. The ability to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks could be a crucial factor for Camden Fairview in key matchups.

Points Per Game

• Harding Academy: 34.0
• Camden Fairview: 41.4

Camden Fairview’s offense has been slightly more explosive, averaging 41.4 points per game compared to Harding Academy’s 34.0. This higher scoring average indicates that Camden Fairview can put up points quickly, potentially making them more dangerous in high-scoring affairs.

Pancake Blocks

• Harding Academy: Not available
• Camden Fairview: 81

Camden Fairview has an impressive 81 pancake blocks, which speaks to their strength in the trenches, particularly in the run game. Harding Academy’s pancake block count is not available, but Camden Fairview’s dominant offensive line play is an area of strength for them.

Individual Team Leaders

Harding Academy Leaders:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: #6 Owen Miller – 57.6
• Passing Yards Per Game: #6 Owen Miller – 264.0
• Receiving Yards Per Game: #88 Endy McGalliard – 95.9
• Total Yards Per Game: #6 Owen Miller – 321.6
• Tackles Per Game: #11 Cam Pryor – 5.3
• Points Per Game: #20 Isaac Baker – 9.4

Camden Fairview Leaders:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: #4 Trent Haygood – 58.3
• Passing Yards Per Game: #1 Darrèll “Juney” Atkins Jr. – 230.4
• Receiving Yards Per Game: #4 Trent Haygood – 104.4
• Total Yards Per Game: #1 Darrèll “Juney” Atkins Jr. – 281.3
• Tackles Per Game: #6 Jerome Williams – 9.7
• Points Per Game: #4 Trent Haygood – 16.2
• Pancake Blocks: #66 Robert Isreal – 26

Both teams have standout individual performers, with Harding Academy’s Owen Miller leading in multiple categories, including rushing, passing, and total yards. Camden Fairview’s Trent Haygood is a dual-threat, excelling in both rushing and receiving, while quarterback Darrèll “Juney” Atkins Jr. provides a potent passing game.

Record Breakdown: Comparing Overall and League Performance

Both Harding Academy and Camden Fairview enter the final stretch of the season with identical 7-3 records. Here’s a closer look at how they have fared overall and in league play:

Harding Academy Record:

• Overall: 7-3
• League: 6-1
• Non-League: 1-2
• Home: 2-2
• Away: 5-1

Camden Fairview Record:

• Overall: 7-3
• League: 5-2
• Non-League: 2-1
• Home: 3-2
• Away: 4-1

Both teams have a strong overall record, with Harding Academy excelling away from home (5-1) while Camden Fairview has been strong at home (3-2) and on the road (4-1). Camden Fairview’s stronger non-league record (2-1) suggests they have performed well against teams outside of their conference, while Harding Academy’s league performance (6-1) stands out as a key area of strength.

Conclusion

Harding Academy and Camden Fairview are evenly matched teams with distinct styles of play. Harding Academy relies on a potent passing game, with a high-scoring offense led by Owen Miller. In contrast, Camden Fairview boasts a balanced offensive attack, with a dominant rushing game and a solid passing attack, complemented by an aggressive defense that averages more tackles and sacks per game.

While both teams have had impressive seasons, Camden Fairview’s stronger rushing game and offensive firepower may give them a slight edge, especially in high-scoring matchups. However, Harding Academy’s high passing efficiency and solid away record could make them a formidable opponent in the postseason.

As these two teams prepare for their upcoming matchups, expect an exciting and competitive game, with both squads bringing their strengths to the field.