The Pottsville (AR) varsity football team will face Malvern (AR) in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs, within the 2024 4A Football State Bracket, as both teams battle for a spot in the next round.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Arkansas High School Football
Who: Malvern vs Pottsville
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: Malvern vs. Pottsville
The Malvern and Pottsville varsity football teams are set to face off in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m., as part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs, within the 4A Football State Bracket. This exciting match will feature two teams with contrasting seasons but equally high stakes.
Malvern’s Impressive Season
Malvern enters the game with an impressive 9-1 overall record, showcasing their dominance throughout the regular season. With a 6-1 conference record, Malvern finished second in their conference and has proven to be a powerhouse at home with a 4-1 record. Their 5-0 away record reflects their strong consistency across both home and away games.
Offensively, Malvern has averaged a 40.8 points per game, with their highest-scoring period in the third quarter, where they average 14.8 points. Their overall scoring breakdown is as follows:
- Q1: 8.3 points
- Q2: 11.8 points
- Q3: 14.8 points
- Q4: 5.0 points
Malvern’s ability to score consistently, particularly in the middle of games, will be a key factor as they look to carry that momentum into the postseason.
Pottsville’s Journey to the Playoffs
On the other hand, Pottsville enters the matchup with a 6-4 overall record, finishing with a 3-4 conference record. Despite facing some challenges in their conference play, Pottsville’s ability to perform both at home (3-2 record) and away (3-2 record) has kept them competitive throughout the season.
Pottsville’s offense has averaged 31.2 points per game, with their strongest performance in the second quarter, where they score an average of 16.6 points. Their scoring breakdown looks like this:
- Q1: 2.8 points
- Q2: 16.6 points
- Q3: 6.0 points
- Q4: 5.4 points
Pottsville has struggled in the first quarter but has been able to turn things around, especially in the second quarter, where they consistently put up solid points. They’ll need to focus on carrying that second-quarter energy throughout the entire game to compete with Malvern’s potent offense.
Key Matchup Factors
While Malvern enters the game as the higher-ranked team, with their explosive offensive output and strong overall performance, Pottsville has shown resilience, especially with their strong second-quarter scoring. Malvern will rely on their ability to dominate the third quarter and maintain momentum through the final minutes, while Pottsville must overcome their slow starts to stay competitive.
Pottsville’s defense will also need to step up to limit Malvern’s high-scoring attack, especially in the middle of the game, where Malvern has shown the ability to put points on the board quickly. For Pottsville to have a chance, they must keep the game close early and capitalize on Malvern’s weaker final-quarter scoring.
Conclusion
This 4A Football State Bracket showdown is shaping up to be an exciting and intense contest. Malvern’s offensive depth and consistency make them the favorites, but Pottsville’s ability to rally and score big in key moments will make this a game to watch. Both teams are hungry for postseason success, and Friday’s game will be a crucial test in their pursuit of a state championship.
As the 2024-2025 high school football season enters its final phase, both Malvern and Pottsville have had impressive seasons, with Malvern at 9-1 and Pottsville at 6-4. Both teams have demonstrated strong performances throughout the year, and the upcoming matchups are crucial for both in securing postseason positions. Here’s a breakdown of their records, stats, and key players as they head into the final stretch.
Record Breakdown
Malvern
- Overall: 9-1
- League: 6-1
- Non-League: 3-0
- Head-to-Head: 0-0
- Common Opponents: 0-0
- Home: 4-1
- Away: 5-0
- Neutral: 0-0
- Playoffs: 0-0
- In-State: 9-1
- Out-of-State: 0-0
Malvern enters the final stretch of the season with an impressive 9-1 record, having shown consistent strength both at home (4-1) and away (5-0). They are well-positioned for the playoffs and are dominant in non-league play with a perfect 3-0 record.
Pottsville
- Overall: 6-4
- League: 3-4
- Non-League: 3-0
- Head-to-Head: 0-0
- Common Opponents: 0-0
- Home: 4-1
- Away: 3-2
- Neutral: 0-0
- Playoffs: 0-0
- In-State: 6-4
- Out-of-State: 0-0
Pottsville has had a solid season with a 6-4 record, finishing with a winning record in non-league games (3-0). Despite a more challenging league record (3-4), Pottsville has shown resilience, particularly with a strong 4-1 home record and a decent 3-2 record on the road.
Team Stat Comparison
Malvern
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 166.3
- Passing Yards Per Game: 58.0
- Receiving Yards Per Game: 70.9
- Total Yards Per Game: 224.3
Malvern’s offense relies heavily on their rushing attack, averaging 166.3 rushing yards per game. Their passing game is more modest at 58.0 yards per game, but they make up for it with a strong receiving game, totaling 70.9 yards per game. With an overall average of 224.3 total yards per game, Malvern has demonstrated balance between their running and passing game, giving them versatility on offense.
Pottsville
- Rushing Yards Per Game: –
- Passing Yards Per Game: –
- Receiving Yards Per Game: –
- Total Yards Per Game: –
While Pottsville’s specific rushing and passing stats are not available, they have demonstrated effectiveness in both areas this season, with a relatively strong offensive output given their 6-4 record.
Team Leaders
Malvern
- Rushing Yards Per Game: #35 Tavien Clegg (114.8)
- Passing Yards Per Game: #6 Sedrick “Bishop” Allen (162.2)
- Receiving Yards Per Game: #11 Kahlen Cooper (43.7)
- Total Yards Per Game: #6 Sedrick “Bishop” Allen (163.4)
Malvern’s offense is led by Sedrick “Bishop” Allen, who not only leads the team in passing yards (162.2 per game) but also in total yards with 163.4 per game. Tavien Clegg has been a key contributor on the ground, rushing for 114.8 yards per game. Kahlen Cooper is the top receiver, averaging 43.7 yards per game, providing Allen with a reliable target.
Pottsville
- Rushing Yards Per Game: –
- Passing Yards Per Game: –
- Receiving Yards Per Game: –
- Total Yards Per Game: –
Pottsville’s key leaders have yet to be specified, but they have shown consistent contributions from various players throughout the season. Their ability to compete in both league and non-league games is a testament to their collective team effort and coaching.
Key Takeaways
- Offensive Strength
Malvern’s offense is potent, with a dynamic rushing attack led by Tavien Clegg and a solid passing game under Sedrick “Bishop” Allen. Their balanced approach gives them the ability to adapt to different defensive schemes. Pottsville, while not as statistically dominant, has shown the ability to compete, especially in non-league play. - Home vs. Away
Malvern has been more dominant on the road, with an impressive 5-0 record away from home, compared to Pottsville’s 3-2 mark. Malvern will likely need to maintain that road form as they approach the postseason. - Playoff Positioning
Malvern is poised to make a deep playoff run with their 9-1 record and strong performances both at home and on the road. Pottsville, with their 6-4 record, will need to capitalize on their remaining games to secure a playoff spot.
Conclusion
Malvern has had an exceptional season, with a 9-1 record and an offense that features a dynamic rushing game and an efficient passing attack. Pottsville, while not as dominant, has had a solid season with key wins in non-league play and a strong home record. As the 2024-2025 season moves towards the playoffs, Malvern will look to capitalize on their momentum, while Pottsville will aim to finish strong and secure a playoff berth. Both teams are looking to make a statement in the final stretch, and the matchups in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining their postseason fate.
