The Palestine-Wheatley (Palestine, AR) varsity football team faces Jessieville (AR) in a neutral-site playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs in the 3A Football State Bracket. Both teams aim to secure a spot in the next round of the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas High School Football
Who: Jessieville vs Palestine-Wheatley
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: Palestine-Wheatley Faces Jessieville in 3A Playoff Showdown

The Palestine-Wheatley (Palestine, AR) varsity football team will meet Jessieville (AR) today at 7 p.m. for a neutral-site playoff game in the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs. This matchup is part of the 3A Football State Bracket and carries significant weight for both teams as they look to advance in the postseason.

Team Overview

Jessieville, with an 8-2 record, enters the game as the clear favorite. They finished second in their conference with a strong 6-1 record and have been dominant in most aspects of the game, averaging 36.2 points per game. Jessieville’s offense has been particularly effective in the first half, where they average 13.5 points per game across the first two quarters. Their balance between scoring and defense has been a key factor in their success, and they’ll look to carry that momentum into this playoff game.

On the other hand, Palestine-Wheatley (5-5) has struggled through a tough season, finishing with a .500 overall record but only a 2-5 mark in conference play. Despite their mediocre record, they’ve had some moments of brilliance, particularly in the first quarter, where they average 7.3 points per game. However, Palestine-Wheatley has struggled to maintain consistency, especially in the second half, where they’ve averaged just 4.5 points between the third and fourth quarters. They’ll need to improve their second-half performances to keep pace with Jessieville’s high-scoring offense.

Key Stats

Jessieville:

• Record: 8-2
• Conference Record: 6-1
• Points Scored: 362
• Points Allowed: 269
• Points Per Game: 36.2
• Scoring Average:
  • Q1: 3.5
  • Q2: 10.0
  • Q3: 8.0
  • Q4: 4.0

Palestine-Wheatley:

• Record: 5-5
• Conference Record: 2-5
• Points Scored: 182
• Points Allowed: 200
• Points Per Game: 18.2
• Scoring Average:
  • Q1: 7.3
  • Q2: 6.8
  • Q3: 3.5
  • Q4: 1.0

What to Watch

For Palestine-Wheatley, it will be crucial to start strong, especially in the first quarter, where they’ve had some of their best performances. The team will need to maintain that early momentum and try to stay within striking distance of Jessieville. However, they’ll face an uphill battle against a Jessieville squad that has been efficient in scoring throughout the game, especially in the second and third quarters.

For Jessieville, continuing their first-half dominance will be essential. With a high-scoring offense that excels in the early stages, the team will likely look to establish a commanding lead early and put pressure on Palestine-Wheatley to keep up. If they can build an early cushion, they’ll force Palestine-Wheatley to take risks in the second half, which could lead to mistakes.

As the 2024 season heads into the final stretch, the matchup between Jessieville and Palestine-Wheatley promises to be a crucial game with both teams looking to make a statement. Jessieville has had a strong season so far, while Palestine-Wheatley will be looking to bounce back after a mixed performance. Here’s a closer look at the two teams ahead of this important matchup.

Team Overview

• Jessieville (8-2, 6-1 League)
  Jessieville enters the game with a strong 8-2 record overall and a solid 6-1 mark in league play. With only one loss in league competition, Jessieville has been dominant in their conference, and their impressive overall record reflects their consistency throughout the season. They’ve been especially tough at home with a 4-1 record, and they’ve also been strong on the road, boasting a 4-1 away record as well.
• Palestine-Wheatley (5-5, 2-5 League)
  Palestine-Wheatley, on the other hand, has had a more challenging season. Their 5-5 overall record reflects a team that has shown flashes of promise but struggled with consistency. Their 2-5 league record indicates that they’ve had trouble competing against the stronger teams in their division, but they’ve been more successful in non-league play, where they are undefeated (3-0). Palestine-Wheatley has had a mixed record on the road (2-2) and at home (3-3), which adds an element of unpredictability to their performance.

Key Matchup Breakdown

• Jessieville’s Strengths
  With a strong overall record, Jessieville has been one of the more dominant teams in their league. Their only two losses this season have come against tough competition, which indicates that they are capable of competing at a high level. Jessieville’s success has been built on a balanced approach, combining a solid defense with a potent offense. Their performance at home has been particularly impressive, where they’ve won 4 of their 5 games.
• Palestine-Wheatley’s Challenges
  Palestine-Wheatley has shown resilience, but their 2-5 league record highlights the challenges they’ve faced in conference play. They’ve been much more successful in non-league games, but their inability to win consistently in their league will need to change if they are to pose a serious challenge to teams like Jessieville. Palestine-Wheatley’s away record (2-2) also suggests they can be competitive on the road, but they’ll need to step up their game to compete with a high-performing team like Jessieville.

What to Watch For

• Jessieville’s Consistency
  Jessieville will look to continue their dominance, especially in league play, where they have only one loss. Their ability to execute on both offense and defense has been key to their success this season. The team has shown resilience, and their balanced approach has allowed them to perform well both at home and on the road.
• Palestine-Wheatley’s Road to Success
  For Palestine-Wheatley, the key to success will be to maintain their strong non-league performance and translate that into a more consistent effort in league play. While their overall record is .500, they have been capable of pulling off surprising results. Their performance in non-league games gives them a foundation to build on, but they’ll need to improve their league record to have a shot against Jessieville.

Conclusion

This game shapes up to be an interesting clash between Jessieville’s dominant season and Palestine-Wheatley’s inconsistent but competitive play. Jessieville will enter as the favorite with their 8-2 record and strong league play, but Palestine-Wheatley’s ability to win in non-league games and perform on the road should not be underestimated.

For Jessieville, it’s a matter of maintaining their form and extending their dominance to finish the season strong. For Palestine-Wheatley, this is an opportunity to prove they can step up and compete with the top teams in their league, making this a game full of potential for both sides.

Jessieville’s balance and consistency make them the favorites, but Palestine-Wheatley will look to challenge them in what should be a hard-fought contest. The result of this game could have significant implications for both teams as they look ahead to the playoffs.