The Murfreesboro (AR) varsity football team will face Marked Tree (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, specifically within the 2A Football State Bracket. Both teams are looking to advance in the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas High School Football
Who: Marked Tree vs Murfreesboro
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 2A Football State Bracket
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Murfreesboro vs Marked Tree

The 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs are heating up, with the Murfreesboro (7-3) varsity football team facing off against Marked Tree (7-4) today at 7 p.m. in a neutral-site game. This matchup is part of the 2A Football State Bracket, and both teams are eager to continue their playoff run.

Team Overview

Murfreesboro enters the game with a 7-3 overall record and a dominant 6-1 conference mark. With a high win percentage of .700, they have shown strong consistency this season, particularly in conference play where they boast an impressive .857 conference win percentage. Murfreesboro has been dominant on both sides of the ball, outscoring opponents 340 to 178. Their offense averages 34.0 points per game, with significant scoring in the second and third quarters (7.0 and 11.0 points, respectively). However, their fourth-quarter scoring dips to just 4.0 points per game, something they’ll need to address in the postseason.

Marked Tree, with a 7-4 overall record and a 4-3 conference mark, enters the playoffs with a slightly lower win percentage of .636. However, they have shown resilience, especially on the road, where they have a 4-2 record. Their offense has been potent, averaging 36.6 points per game, with scoring peaks in the third and fourth quarters (10.0 points each). Despite their strong offensive output, Marked Tree has given up 329 points this season, indicating a more vulnerable defense.

Key Stats

Marked Tree:

• Record: 7-4
• Conference Record: 4-3
• Points Scored: 403
• Points Allowed: 329
• Points Per Game: 36.6
• Scoring Average:
  • Q1: 5.0
  • Q2: 9.0
  • Q3: 10.0
  • Q4: 10.0

Murfreesboro:

• Record: 7-3
• Conference Record: 6-1
• Points Scored: 340
• Points Allowed: 178
• Points Per Game: 34.0
• Scoring Average:
  • Q1: 3.0
  • Q2: 7.0
  • Q3: 11.0
  • Q4: 4.0

What to Watch

Both teams bring potent offenses to the table, but the key difference may lie in their defensive capabilities. Murfreesboro has been much stingier on defense, allowing just 178 points this season. In contrast, Marked Tree has allowed 329 points, a vulnerability that Murfreesboro could exploit, especially in the second half when they score at their highest rate.

For Marked Tree, their offense will need to keep clicking, especially in the third and fourth quarters, where they average 10 points each. If they can maintain this production throughout the game and make up for their slower start in the first quarter, they could challenge Murfreesboro’s defense.

Conclusion

With both teams entering the game with solid records, this 2A playoff game promises to be a tightly contested battle. Murfreesboro will look to capitalize on their superior defense and scoring consistency, while Marked Tree will rely on their high-scoring offense to overcome any defensive lapses. It should be an exciting contest as these two teams battle for a spot in the next round of the 2024 2A Football State Tournament.

As the season progresses, Marked Tree and Murfreesboro find themselves with similar overall records, making this matchup an intriguing one for fans and analysts alike. Both teams have shown competitive strength, with Marked Tree boasting a 7-4 overall record and Murfreesboro coming in slightly ahead at 7-3. Let’s take a closer look at their performance, common opponents, and overall records as they prepare for what could be a tightly contested game.

Record Breakdown

Marked Tree (7-4 overall, 4-3 league)
Marked Tree enters this matchup with a solid 7-4 record, reflecting a balanced performance throughout the season. They have played a challenging schedule, with a 4-3 record in league play and a strong 3-2 record at home. They’ve been competitive in non-league games with a 3-1 record, showing versatility against teams from outside their conference.

Murfreesboro (7-3 overall, 6-1 league)
Murfreesboro, with a 7-3 overall record and a 6-1 mark in league play, has been slightly more successful in conference games, making them a formidable opponent. Their 4-1 record on the road speaks to their ability to perform away from home, while their 3-2 home record shows they are consistent in front of their fans. Murfreesboro’s 1-2 record in non-league play indicates some struggles when facing teams outside their conference, but their dominance within the league cannot be overlooked.

Common Opponent Breakdown

The two teams share Gurdon as a common opponent, and both have emerged victorious in their matchups.

• Marked Tree vs. Gurdon (9/13/24): Marked Tree dominated this matchup with a decisive 42-14 win while playing away. This performance highlighted their ability to control the game and execute on both sides of the ball.
• Murfreesboro vs. Gurdon (9/27/24): Murfreesboro also secured a victory, albeit with a closer 22-7 scoreline, when they hosted Gurdon. While the margin was smaller, Murfreesboro still showed their strength in their home venue and successfully took down Gurdon.

This common opponent result indicates that both teams are capable of handling competition from similar teams in the conference, but Murfreesboro’s slightly narrower victory could suggest that Marked Tree has been more dominant in their performances against Gurdon.

Head-to-Head and Home/Away Performance

• Head-to-Head: Neither team has faced each other yet this season, so their head-to-head record remains at 0-0. The upcoming game will be the first chance for these teams to measure themselves against one another in direct competition.
• Home/Away Performance:
  • Marked Tree has performed well at home with a 3-2 record, while also showing solid ability on the road (4-2). Their ability to win away games could give them an edge in this matchup if they can carry that road form into this contest.
  • Murfreesboro has a similarly strong away record, boasting a 4-1 mark, which demonstrates their ability to win on the road. Their 3-2 home record also shows consistency, and their success at home will be an advantage if the game takes place at their venue.

Conclusion

Both Marked Tree and Murfreesboro have posted strong records this season, with each team excelling in different aspects. Marked Tree has been impressive in non-league games, while Murfreesboro has dominated league competition with a 6-1 record. When it comes to common opponents, both teams have secured wins against Gurdon, though Marked Tree’s victory came with a larger margin.

This upcoming matchup will likely be a close one, with both teams bringing solid performances and key strengths to the table. Marked Tree will need to rely on their road-game prowess, while Murfreesboro can lean on their strong league play and home advantage. The winner of this game will gain important momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.