The Jonesboro (AR) varsity football team faces Lake Hamilton (Pearcy, AR) today at 7 p.m. in a neutral-site playoff game, part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs. This matchup is in the 2024 6A Football State Bracket, where both teams compete for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas High School Football
Who: Lake Hamilton vs Jonesboro
When: Friday, November 15, 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: Lake Hamilton vs. Jonesboro

Tonight at 7 p.m., the Jonesboro (AR) varsity football team faces off against Lake Hamilton (Pearcy, AR) in a neutral-site playoff game, part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs. This exciting matchup is in the 2024 6A Football State Bracket, where Lake Hamilton enters as the favorite with a solid 7-3 record, while Jonesboro will be looking to pull off the upset after a challenging season.

Lake Hamilton: A Well-Balanced Team Ready for Playoff Success

Lake Hamilton comes into this playoff game with a strong 7-3 overall record and a 5-2 conference finish. The Wolves have been consistent throughout the season, particularly on offense, where they average 34.5 points per game. They have demonstrated the ability to score early, with 11.1 points per game in the first quarter, and continue to perform throughout the game, even if their scoring slows down slightly in the second half (5.0 points in the third quarter and 6.4 in the fourth).

Lake Hamilton’s defense has allowed 239 points over the course of the season, an average of 23.9 points per game, but they have been able to outscore most opponents thanks to their dynamic offense. Their balanced playstyle, which includes effective running and passing attacks, makes them a well-rounded team capable of going far in the playoffs.

Jonesboro: Struggling to Find Consistency

In contrast, Jonesboro has had a difficult season, entering the playoffs with a 3-7 overall record and a 3-4 conference finish. The Hurricane offense has been inconsistent, averaging just 29.8 points per game. Although they have shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in the second half of games (with 8.8 points per game in the third quarter and 9.8 in the fourth), they have struggled to get off to fast starts, scoring only 0.6 points on average in the first quarter.

Defensively, Jonesboro has allowed 322 points over the season, averaging 32.2 points allowed per game, which has placed them at a disadvantage in several matchups. To have any chance against a team like Lake Hamilton, Jonesboro will need to tighten up defensively while finding more consistency on offense, especially early in the game.

The Key to Victory

For Lake Hamilton, the key to victory is maintaining their offensive rhythm and putting pressure on Jonesboro from the start. If they can continue to score at will and dominate both sides of the ball, they should have no trouble advancing to the next round of the playoffs. They’ll also need to keep Jonesboro from gaining confidence, especially in the second half.

For Jonesboro, the key to an upset will be controlling the game early, putting together more balanced offensive drives, and keeping their defense from getting overwhelmed. Jonesboro’s best chance is to limit Lake Hamilton’s explosive plays and capitalize on their own opportunities, particularly in the second half.

As the 2024 football season progresses, Lake Hamilton and Jonesboro have shown contrasting performances, both with notable strengths and areas for improvement. Here’s a breakdown of their key team statistics, including rushing, passing, and total yards per game, as well as their defensive and scoring capabilities.

Offensive Statistics

• Lake Hamilton’s Offensive Power
  Lake Hamilton has been strong offensively this season, averaging 416.3 total yards per game. The team’s rushing game has been a key factor, with Hayden Barton leading the charge, averaging 130.2 rushing yards per game. This has been complemented by a balanced passing attack, where Landon West has thrown for 127.2 passing yards per game, and Parker Vandee leads the receiving corps with 50.3 receiving yards per game. Overall, Lake Hamilton’s offense is multifaceted, with Hayden Barton also contributing a total of 141.2 yards per game, a dynamic threat both on the ground and in the air. Their ability to generate offense through various channels has been a big advantage.
• Jonesboro’s Offensive Game
  Jonesboro has had a more balanced offensive approach, averaging 291.1 total yards per game. While their rushing game is solid, with Tj Brown contributing 108.9 rushing yards per game, the passing game is where they excel. Asa Myers has been impressive, throwing for 175.7 passing yards per game, and Myreion Taylor has been a reliable target with 46.9 receiving yards per game. This combination of effective rushing and passing has made Jonesboro’s offense versatile, although they have not yet been able to match Lake Hamilton’s total offensive output.

In terms of total yards, Lake Hamilton holds a significant edge, with over 400 yards per game compared to Jonesboro’s 291.1, showcasing their ability to move the ball more effectively.

Defensive Statistics

• Lake Hamilton’s Defensive Strength
  On the defensive side, Lake Hamilton averages 63.4 tackles per game and 1.3 sacks per game, showing their ability to disrupt opposing offenses. Hagan Tyler leads the team with 12.6 tackles per game and has also contributed 0.4 sacks per game. This indicates that Lake Hamilton is effective at stopping plays both in the air and on the ground, with a defense that has been steady in terms of tackles and pressure on quarterbacks.
• Jonesboro’s Defensive Performance
  Jonesboro’s defense has been slightly less dominant, with 56.2 tackles per game and 1.0 sacks per game. Markeice Stafford leads the team with 9.0 tackles per game, while J’darius McCray has been their top sack producer, averaging 1.0 sack per game. Although they have shown some ability to pressure quarterbacks, Jonesboro’s overall defensive numbers are not quite as strong as Lake Hamilton’s, which could be a factor in their inconsistency.

Lake Hamilton has the advantage on defense with a higher number of tackles and sacks, which suggests they have a more aggressive and effective defensive unit.

Scoring and Offensive Output

• Lake Hamilton’s Scoring Ability
  Lake Hamilton is averaging 33.9 points per game, driven by the versatile offensive play of Hayden Barton, who also leads the team with 13.4 points per game. Their high-scoring offense has been a major contributor to their success, and they have shown the ability to score consistently against a variety of opponents.
• Jonesboro’s Scoring Efficiency
  Jonesboro is averaging 27.5 points per game, with Tj Brown contributing 10.0 points per game. While they have been able to put up solid numbers on the scoreboard, they have not been able to keep pace with Lake Hamilton’s more explosive offense.

Lake Hamilton has a significant advantage in terms of scoring, averaging nearly 34 points per game compared to Jonesboro’s 27.5, which could be a decisive factor in future matchups.

Record Breakdown

• Lake Hamilton’s Record (24-25)
  Lake Hamilton enters the season with a 7-3 overall record, showcasing their consistency. They have been particularly strong in league play with a 5-2 record, and their 2-0 non-league record indicates that they have been able to win against teams outside their conference. Their 4-1 home record and 2-3 away record reflect a team that has performed well in their home stadium but has room for improvement in road games. Despite the road struggles, Lake Hamilton has been strong overall, with a solid in-state record of 7-3.
• Jonesboro’s Record (24-25)
  Jonesboro has had a tough season, with a 3-7 overall record. They have struggled in league play with a 3-4 record, and their 0-3 non-league record has been a particular area of concern. Their 1-4 home record and 2-3 away record indicate that Jonesboro has faced difficulties both at home and on the road, particularly in high-pressure matchups. Their 3-6 in-state record further underscores the challenges they have faced within their own conference.

Lake Hamilton has been the stronger team overall, with a solid record and consistent performance, while Jonesboro’s struggles have been evident both at home and in non-league games.

Common Opponents

• Lake Hamilton vs. Jonesboro (Common Opponents)
  Both teams have faced Benton this season, but the results have been vastly different. Lake Hamilton has not yet played Benton, while Jonesboro suffered a 48-35 loss to Benton at home. This head-to-head comparison against a common opponent highlights the gap between the two teams’ performances in difficult matchups.

In-State vs. Out-of-State Games

• Lake Hamilton’s In-State and Out-of-State Performance
  Lake Hamilton has dominated in-state competition with a 7-3 record and has not played any out-of-state games so far.
• Jonesboro’s In-State and Out-of-State Performance
  Jonesboro’s 3-6 in-state record is a reflection of their struggles in conference play, while their 0-1 out-of-state record adds to their season of challenges.

Conclusion

In summary, Lake Hamilton has been the stronger team in 2024, with a high-powered offense and solid defense, leading to a 7-3 overall record. Their offensive success, particularly in rushing and scoring, has made them a formidable force, while their defense has been more effective than Jonesboro’s. Jonesboro, on the other hand, has faced difficulties across multiple areas, including scoring and defensive consistency, reflected in their 3-7 record. With a few adjustments, particularly in their league and non-league performances, Jonesboro could improve, but at this point in the season, Lake Hamilton has a clear edge.