The Catholic (Little Rock, AR) varsity football team will face Mountain Home (AR) in a neutral-site playoff game today at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the “2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 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 Playoff
Who: Mountain Home vs Catholic
When: Friday, November 22, 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: Mountain Home vs. Catholic

As the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 6A Football State Bracket intensifies, a thrilling neutral-site showdown awaits between Mountain Home (AR) and Catholic (Little Rock, AR). Both teams have had impressive seasons, but it’s Catholic’s only loss and Mountain Home’s balance that make this an exciting matchup. Let’s take a closer look at the rankings, records, and scoring trends heading into this critical playoff contest.

Rankings and Records

• Mountain Home: Mountain Home enters the playoffs with a solid 9-2 overall record, ranking 15th in Arkansas and 5th in their class. The team performed well in conference play with a 5-2 record. Their balanced home (4-1) and away (4-1) performances highlight their consistency throughout the season. In neutral-site games, they’ve been perfect, winning their lone neutral-site contest. Mountain Home’s offense has scored 400 points, while their defense has allowed 252 points this season.
• Catholic: Catholic enters the game with a 9-1 overall record, ranked 20th in Arkansas and 6th in their class. Their conference performance was impressive, finishing with a 6-1 record. Catholic has been strong at both home (4-1) and away (5-0), with only one loss on the season. Their offense has scored 276 points, and their defense has been effective, allowing only 189 points.

Team Scoring Averages

• Mountain Home: Mountain Home averages 36.4 points per game, with consistent scoring throughout the game. They average 7.5 points in the first quarter, 9.3 in the second quarter, 9.0 in the third, and 7.3 in the fourth. Their ability to maintain a steady offensive attack could prove crucial in this matchup.
• Catholic: Catholic averages 27.6 points per game, with the majority of their scoring coming in the first half. They score 5.0 points in the first quarter, 7.8 in the second, 6.3 in the third, and 3.5 in the fourth. While their scoring drops off in the second half, Catholic’s strong start could put them in a good position to secure the win early on.

What to Watch For

• Mountain Home’s Balanced Attack: Mountain Home has shown they can score efficiently throughout the game, with no major drop-offs in any particular quarter. Their ability to score early and often will be key in facing off against a Catholic team that has a solid defense.
• Catholic’s Defense: With only 189 points allowed this season, Catholic’s defense has been a key part of their success. They will need to contain Mountain Home’s offensive firepower to advance further in the playoffs. Catholic will need to get creative with defensive strategies to prevent Mountain Home from gaining momentum.
• First-Half Focus: Catholic tends to score more in the first half, while Mountain Home maintains a steady output across all four quarters. This could indicate a need for Catholic to build a significant lead early, as Mountain Home has the ability to stay consistent in the second half.

Key Questions

• Can Catholic’s defense contain Mountain Home’s high-scoring offense throughout the game?
• Will Mountain Home’s ability to score evenly across all quarters give them the advantage in the second half?
• How will the neutral-site environment impact the teams, and which team will handle the pressure better?

This playoff game promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams bringing a strong set of skills to the table. Catholic will look to extend their dominant season and maintain their only loss, while Mountain Home will aim to continue their balanced offensive attack. Both teams will need to execute well to secure a place in the next round of the playoffs.

As the Arkansas high school football season nears its climax, fans are gearing up for a thrilling matchup between the Mountain Home Bombers and the Catholic Rockets. Both teams come into this game with impressive records and are looking to make a deep run in the playoffs. With contrasting styles and standout players, this game is expected to be a must-watch for football fans across the state. Let’s break down the team stats, key players, and what to expect in this exciting contest.

Team Stat Comparison

Mountain Home’s Offensive and Defensive Breakdown:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: 132.3
• Passing Yards Per Game: 194.9
• Receiving Yards Per Game: 190.9
• Total Yards Per Game: 327.2
• Tackles Per Game: 44.9
• Sacks Per Game: 0.7
• Points Per Game: 25.2

Mountain Home has put together a solid all-around team this season, with a balanced offensive attack that combines a respectable rushing game (132.3 yards per game) and a potent passing attack (194.9 yards per game). Their offense has been able to consistently move the ball and score points, averaging 25.2 points per game. Defensively, Mountain Home averages 44.9 tackles per game, but they don’t generate a lot of sacks (only 0.7 per game), indicating a more conservative defensive approach focused on containment and solid coverage.

Catholic’s Offensive and Defensive Breakdown:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: –
• Passing Yards Per Game: 194.9
• Receiving Yards Per Game: 190.9
• Total Yards Per Game: –
• Tackles Per Game: 44.9
• Sacks Per Game: 0.7
• Points Per Game: 25.2

Catholic has been similarly effective in their offensive play, relying on a balanced attack that includes both a strong passing game and a respectable rushing game. They have been able to consistently move the ball downfield and put up points, averaging 25.2 points per game. Their defense is quite comparable to Mountain Home’s, with a solid tackling unit but not much in the way of sacks. This balance on both sides of the ball has helped Catholic stay competitive throughout the season.

Key Players to Watch

Mountain Home’s Standouts:

• Noel Lewis (#32) – Rushing Yards Per Game: 92.8
  Lewis is a key part of Mountain Home’s offense, leading the team in rushing. His ability to grind out yards and wear down defenses will be crucial, especially as the game progresses.
• Jackson England (#12) – Passing Yards Per Game: 193.0
  England has been instrumental in Mountain Home’s passing attack, providing stability and precision. With over 190 passing yards per game, he is capable of finding open receivers and keeping defenses honest.
• Braxton Burks (#11) – Receiving Yards Per Game: 76.6
  Burks has been England’s go-to target in the passing game. His ability to stretch the field and make plays will be key in moving the chains and putting pressure on Catholic’s secondary.
• Jake Black-Ocken (#25) – Tackles Per Game: 7.4
  Black-Ocken has been a force on defense, leading the team in tackles. His presence will be crucial in stopping Catholic’s offensive playmakers and ensuring that big plays are kept to a minimum.

Catholic’s Standouts:

While individual statistics for Catholic’s key players were not provided, their team’s success speaks volumes about their overall talent. Expect their offense to feature dynamic playmakers who can exploit defenses, and their defense to stay disciplined, keeping the game within reach.

Record Breakdown and Head-to-Head Results

• Overall Record: Mountain Home (9-2) vs. Catholic (9-1)
• League Record: Mountain Home (5-2) vs. Catholic (6-1)
• Non-League Record: Mountain Home (3-0) vs. Catholic (3-0)
• Home/Away Record: Mountain Home (4-1) vs. Catholic (4-1)

Mountain Home enters the game with a solid 9-2 record, having had a strong season in both league and non-league play. Catholic, however, enters the contest with only one loss (9-1) and has been dominant in league play with a 6-1 record. Both teams have had impressive seasons, but Catholic’s one-loss record suggests they have been more consistent throughout the year.

Common Opponents:

Both teams have faced off against Sheridan this season, and each emerged victorious in close, high-scoring games. Mountain Home defeated Sheridan 57-50, while Catholic won 51-48. This similarity in results against a common opponent suggests that both teams are evenly matched in terms of offensive firepower and game management.

Analysis and What to Expect

This game pits two very similar teams against each other. Both Mountain Home and Catholic feature balanced offenses and solid defenses. Mountain Home will look to establish the run with Noel Lewis, while Jackson England will need to stay sharp in the passing game. On defense, they will need to contain Catholic’s playmakers and prevent big plays.

Catholic, on the other hand, will lean on their explosive offense to dictate the pace of the game. With a strong passing game and versatile playmakers, they will try to outscore Mountain Home and force the Bombers into a high-stakes shootout. Catholic’s defense will need to prevent big yardage gains from the Mountain Home offense, particularly from Burks and England, while getting pressure on England to force mistakes.

Conclusion

This matchup is shaping up to be a thrilling contest between two well-coached, balanced teams. Mountain Home brings a strong rushing attack and capable passing game, while Catholic counters with a potent offense of their own and a defense that plays smart and disciplined football. Fans can expect a fast-paced game, with both teams looking to execute their game plans effectively. It’s likely to be a closely contested battle that could be decided by which team can execute their offense and defense more efficiently on the day of the game.