The Green Forest (AR) varsity football team takes on Mena (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 4A Football State Bracket. Both teams will compete for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas High School Football
Who: Mena vs Green Forest
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 4A Football State Bracket
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Mena vs. Green Forest

Tonight at 7 p.m., the Mena (AR) and Green Forest (AR) varsity football teams will meet in a neutral-site playoff game, part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs. This contest, held within the 2024 4A Football State Bracket, sees Mena as the clear favorite, but Green Forest will look to play the role of the underdog and pull off an upset.

Mena: A Strong Season with Balanced Play

Mena enters the playoffs with an impressive 9-1 overall record and a 6-1 conference finish. With a win percentage of .900, they have been one of the top teams in the 4A classification. Their offense has been potent, averaging 33.7 points per game. Mena’s scoring is typically concentrated in the second and third quarters, putting up 18.0 points in the second quarter and 10.0 points in the third. Despite a quiet first quarter (0 points), Mena manages to find its rhythm quickly, and their ability to score efficiently late in the game with 7.0 points in the fourth quarter has been crucial in securing victories.

Defensively, Mena has been dominant, allowing only 146 points on the season (14.6 points per game). Their strong defense, combined with their potent offense, has made them one of the top contenders in the state. Mena will be looking to continue their dominant run and make a deep playoff push.

Green Forest: Struggling to Find Consistency

Green Forest, with a 4-6 overall record and a 3-4 conference finish, enters the playoffs as an underdog. Despite a challenging season, they have shown flashes of potential. However, their offense has been a major concern, averaging just 15.2 points per game. Their scoring is largely concentrated in the first half, with 1.0 point in the first quarter and 3.3 points in the second quarter. In the second half, they have struggled to produce, averaging only 2.0 points in the third and a mere 2.2 points in the fourth quarter.

Green Forest’s defense has also had its difficulties, allowing 293 points throughout the season (29.3 points per game). They will need to improve on both sides of the ball if they hope to compete with the high-powered Mena team. While they have the opportunity to surprise, Green Forest must execute at a higher level to have a chance at advancing in the tournament.

The Key to Victory

For Mena, the key to victory will be continuing their high-scoring offense while maintaining their defensive dominance. If they can quickly find their rhythm and capitalize on Green Forest’s defensive vulnerabilities, they will be in a strong position to advance.

For Green Forest, the path to victory will require a significant improvement on offense. They will need to find a way to produce more scoring opportunities, particularly in the second half of the game. Defensively, they must find a way to slow down Mena’s balanced attack and limit big plays.

As the football season progresses, the teams of Mena and Green Forest are looking to make their mark. With similar overall records and varying strengths in different areas of the game, both teams bring unique qualities to the field. Let’s dive into their team statistics and performance breakdowns to see how they compare.

Offensive Statistics

Mena has proven to be a powerhouse in terms of total yardage, averaging 342.0 yards per game, which is a well-rounded mix of rushing, passing, and receiving. Their offensive attack is led by Brody Peters, who has accumulated an impressive 129.3 rushing yards per game, contributing significantly to their ground game. Michael Sullivan is the driving force through the air, averaging 155.6 passing yards per game and helping Mena to a balanced offensive attack.

In the receiving game, Sean Sullivan leads the team with 47.2 receiving yards per game, providing a reliable target for their passing game.

On the other hand, Green Forest’s offensive statistics are currently unspecified, making it difficult to compare their direct performance on paper. However, Mena’s well-rounded offensive output is a notable strength, particularly with their ability to consistently generate yards across all phases of the game.

Defensive Statistics

On the defensive side of the ball, Mena is holding steady with 66.4 tackles per game, showcasing their commitment to defensive play. The standout defensive player for Mena is Jair Hernandez, who averages 11.4 tackles per game, and Tucker Stricklin, who has contributed 0.3 sacks per game. These defensive stats suggest that Mena is active in stopping the opposition’s plays and maintaining a strong defensive presence.

Again, Green Forest’s defensive stats are missing, but Mena’s consistent tackles and pressure on the quarterback show that they can stifle opposing offenses effectively.

Points and Scoring

Mena has averaged 32.8 points per game, demonstrating their ability to convert offensive opportunities into touchdowns. Brody Peters leads the team in scoring, with 10.8 points per game, making him a dual-threat as both a rusher and a scorer.

The absence of Green Forest’s scoring stats makes it unclear how they measure up, but Mena’s consistent point production gives them a clear advantage in this area.

Record Breakdown

• Mena’s Record (24-25)
  Mena boasts a 9-1 overall record, including a 6-1 league record, showing their dominance in their conference. Their success extends to non-league play as well, with a 3-0 record against non-league opponents.
• Green Forest’s Record (24-25)
  Green Forest, on the other hand, holds a 4-6 overall record and a 3-4 league record, suggesting they’ve faced some challenges in conference play. Their 1-2 record in head-to-head matchups could be an area of concern, especially as they look to face more challenging teams as the season progresses.

When it comes to home and away games, Mena has excelled with a 5-0 home record and a solid 4-1 away record. In contrast, Green Forest has struggled a bit more on the road, holding a 2-4 away record, though they’ve been relatively competitive at home with a 2-2 record.

In-State vs. Out-of-State Games

Mena has thrived in in-state matchups, with an 8-1 record, which could suggest their familiarity and comfort with local competition. Green Forest has had a more mixed experience with in-state games, standing at 4-5, and they’ve faced tougher competition in out-of-state games, where they hold a 0-1 record.

Conclusion

While both teams have shown resilience and potential, Mena appears to have the upper hand with superior offensive output and a more dominant overall record. Their well-rounded attack and strong home performance make them a team to watch. Green Forest, though, could still surprise as they work to improve in areas like passing and defensive consistency. For now, Mena’s higher offensive production and more balanced team stats give them a solid edge heading into their future matchups.