The Searcy (AR) varsity football team faces Morrilton (AR) today at 7 p.m. in a neutral-site playoff game. This contest is part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs, within the 2024 5A Football State Bracket. Both teams are aiming to advance to the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas High School Football
Who: Morrilton vs Searcy
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 5A Football State Bracket
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Morrilton vs. Searcy

The 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs continue tonight with a key 5A matchup as Morrilton (AR) takes on Searcy (AR) at 7 p.m. in a neutral-site playoff game. This contest is part of the 2024 5A Football State Bracket, and both teams are poised to give it their all as they look to advance to the next round.

Morrilton: An Explosive Offense and Strong Season

Morrilton enters the playoffs with an 8-2 overall record and a 5-2 conference finish, having enjoyed a solid season in the 5A classification. Their offense has been one of the best in the state, averaging 44.7 points per game. The team has been particularly strong in the first half, putting up 16.2 points in the first quarter and 16.3 points in the second. Although their scoring drops slightly in the second half (10.3 points in the third and 4.7 points in the fourth), their early offensive explosion often provides them with a comfortable lead, making them a difficult team to catch once they get going.

Defensively, Morrilton has allowed 301 points this season (30.1 points per game), but their offense has typically been able to outscore opponents. With an overall win percentage of .800, Morrilton is one of the top contenders in the 5A bracket and will look to carry their offensive momentum into the playoffs.

Searcy: A Balanced Team with Late-Game Firepower

Searcy enters the playoffs with a 7-3 overall record and a 5-2 conference finish. Their offense has averaged 34.6 points per game, with a strong finish in the second half of games. Searcy is known for their ability to score late, averaging 9.6 points in the third quarter and 9.5 points in the fourth. Their first-half scoring is more modest, with 7.5 points in the first quarter and 7.4 points in the second, but they consistently find a way to ramp up their production as the game progresses.

On the defensive side, Searcy has allowed 249 points this season (24.9 points per game). Although they give up a fair amount of points, their ability to adjust offensively in the second half often puts them in a position to compete. With their balanced attack and ability to turn up the heat in the final stages of the game, Searcy is a dangerous team that could surprise Morrilton if they execute at their best.

The Key to Victory

For Morrilton, the key to victory will be maintaining their explosive offensive production early in the game. If they can continue their trend of fast starts and build a significant lead, they’ll make it difficult for Searcy to mount a comeback. Defensively, Morrilton will need to tighten up in the second half and prevent Searcy’s late-game surge from flipping the script.

For Searcy, the key to victory will be finding a way to slow down Morrilton’s high-scoring offense. They will need to limit big plays and prevent Morrilton from taking control early. Offensively, Searcy will need to rely on their ability to score in the second half and make adjustments if they’re behind.

As the season heats up, the football teams of Morrilton and Searcy are making their presence felt in their respective conferences. With strong overall records, both teams are poised for success, but they come with distinct styles and strengths. In this article, we will break down their team statistics and performances to understand how these two teams compare.

Offensive Statistics

Morrilton and Searcy both have well-rounded offensive units, but they shine in different areas.

• Morrilton’s Offensive Attack
  Morrilton’s offensive game plan is highlighted by a strong passing game, with Johnny Bell averaging 160.1 passing yards per game, contributing significantly to their overall offensive production. While their rushing game is not as dominant, Curtis Goodrich provides a solid ground game with 92.0 rushing yards per game. Morrilton’s total offensive output is impressive, but the emphasis seems to be on balance rather than specialization.
• Searcy’s Offensive Strengths
  Searcy, on the other hand, focuses on a balanced approach as well, but their total offensive yards per game stand at 333.1, largely driven by an effective rushing game with 169.4 rushing yards per game. Their passing game is equally potent, with 160.1 passing yards per game, while their receiving game mirrors their passing game with 163.7 receiving yards per game. This versatility allows Searcy to attack from multiple angles, making them tough to defend.

Both teams are capable of moving the ball effectively, with Searcy edging Morrilton in rushing yards per game, while Morrilton has a slightly more balanced distribution between passing and rushing yards.

Defensive Statistics

On defense, both teams bring impressive efforts, but Morrilton has shown slightly more success at getting to the quarterback.

• Morrilton’s Defense
  Morrilton’s defense is built on solid tackling and pass-rushing pressure, with William Gaines leading the team in tackles at 8.3 tackles per game. However, Morrilton’s defense is also capable of creating disruptions, with Christian Clark recording 0.4 sacks per game. While not overwhelming, this ability to pressure the quarterback can force mistakes and negative plays for their opponents.
• Searcy’s Defense
  Searcy’s defensive unit is slightly stronger in terms of overall tackling, averaging 73.6 tackles per game, which suggests they are effective at stopping the ball carrier. While they generate less pressure on the quarterback, with 1.3 sacks per game, their defensive unit is capable of limiting yards and forcing opponents into difficult situations.

Searcy’s defense excels at overall tackling, while Morrilton edges them in sack production, which could make a difference in close games.

Scoring and Offensive Output

• Morrilton’s Scoring Ability
  Morrilton averages 34.6 points per game, which reflects their balanced offensive attack and the ability to score in a variety of ways. Curtis Goodrich is a key contributor to their point total, averaging 10.8 points per game. This scoring output places them among the higher-scoring teams in their conference, showing their ability to capitalize on offensive opportunities.
• Searcy’s Scoring Potential
  Searcy also scores at a high rate, averaging 34.6 points per game, showcasing their offensive balance. They are particularly dangerous on the ground, with Goodrich contributing heavily to their run game, and they also receive significant yardage from their passing and receiving units.

Both teams have a potent offense, with Morrilton and Searcy tied at 34.6 points per game, making them dangerous offensive teams capable of putting up big numbers in any matchup.

Record Breakdown

• Morrilton’s Record (24-25)
  Morrilton enters the game with an 8-2 overall record, including a 5-2 record in league play. Their non-league performance is perfect at 3-0, demonstrating their ability to take on tough competition outside their regular conference schedule. Additionally, Morrilton has been impressive at home with a 4-1 record, though they have a slightly lower win rate on the road, posting a 4-1 away record.
• Searcy’s Record (24-25)
  Searcy holds a 7-3 overall record, with a 5-2 league record, putting them in strong contention within their conference. They’ve been competitive against non-league opponents as well, holding a 2-1 non-league record. Their home performance is solid at 4-1, but their away record of 4-2 shows they can win on the road, even in challenging environments.

Both teams have strong overall records, with Morrilton slightly edging out Searcy in terms of wins. However, Searcy has shown resilience, especially in conference matchups.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar competition this season, but Morrilton has been slightly more dominant in these head-to-head matchups:

• Morrilton has defeated White Hall (34-12) and Harrison (49-26), while their upcoming matchup with Valley View is still pending.
• Searcy, on the other hand, also beat White Hall (42-13) and Harrison (35-32) but lost to Valley View (49-29).

Morrilton has maintained an undefeated record against common opponents (2-0), while Searcy holds a 2-1 record, showing that Morrilton has had a slight edge in these matchups.

In-State vs. Out-of-State Games

• Morrilton has excelled in in-state matchups, with an 8-2 in-state record. They haven’t played any out-of-state games.
• Searcy has also done well in-state with a 7-3 record, but like Morrilton, they haven’t played outside the state this season.

Conclusion

Both Morrilton and Searcy are well-rounded teams with potent offenses and solid defenses. Morrilton boasts a slightly higher total yardage and has shown more ability to generate sacks, while Searcy excels in their rushing game and consistent tackling. Both teams have similar scoring outputs, making this matchup a tough one to predict. However, Morrilton’s slightly superior overall record and undefeated mark against common opponents give them the edge heading into this game. Still, Searcy is a formidable opponent with the ability to win in multiple phases of the game, and they will be eager to challenge Morrilton for supremacy.