The Greenwood (AR) varsity football team will face Mountain Home (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 (Arkansas) – 6A Football State Bracket, where both teams will compete for a spot in the next round.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Arkansas State High School Football Playoff
Who: Mountain Home vs Greenwood
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 6A Football State Bracket
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Greenwood vs. Mountain Home
The 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs are set to feature an exciting matchup between the Mountain Home (AR) varsity football team and Greenwood (AR). This neutral-site game is scheduled for today at 7 p.m. and will be a crucial part of the 2024 6A Football State Bracket, where both teams will battle for a spot in the next round.
Rankings & Records
-
Mountain Home
- Overall Record: 10-2
- Conference Record: 5-2
- Home Record: 4-1
- Away Record: 4-1
- Neutral Record: 2-0
- Win Percentage: .833
- Conference Win Percentage: .714
- Points For (PF): 442
- Points Against (PA): 266
- Class: 4
Mountain Home enters the postseason with a strong 10-2 record, having found success both at home and on the road. Their offensive attack has been productive, averaging 36.8 points per game. With a solid win percentage and a perfect neutral-site record, they are poised for a competitive playoff run.
-
Greenwood
- Overall Record: 11-0
- Conference Record: 7-0
- Home Record: 5-0
- Away Record: 5-0
- Neutral Record: 1-0
- Win Percentage: 1.000
- Conference Win Percentage: 1.000
- Points For (PF): 609
- Points Against (PA): 148
- Class: 1
Greenwood has been perfect so far this season, finishing the regular season with an unblemished 11-0 record. Their offense has been dominant, scoring an average of 55.4 points per game, while their defense has allowed only 148 points across the season. With a perfect conference record and strong performances on the road, Greenwood enters the playoffs as one of the top teams in the state.
Scoring Averages and Key Trends
-
Mountain Home
- First Quarter: 8.2
- Second Quarter: 9.0
- Third Quarter: 8.8
- Fourth Quarter: 8.0
- Average Final Score: 36.8
Mountain Home has been consistent throughout the game, maintaining a steady pace of scoring across all quarters. Their most productive quarter is the third, where they average 8.8 points. To have success against a team like Greenwood, Mountain Home will need to continue scoring consistently and find a way to compete with Greenwood’s high-powered offense.
-
Greenwood
- First Quarter: 19.8
- Second Quarter: 20.9
- Third Quarter: 8.3
- Fourth Quarter: 6.4
- Average Final Score: 55.4
Greenwood’s offense has been explosive, particularly in the first half, where they score an average of 40.7 points across the first two quarters. Their scoring tends to slow down in the second half, but their early lead often gives them a comfortable cushion. Greenwood’s ability to build a significant lead early in games has been a key factor in their undefeated season.
Key Matchup Factors
- Offensive Power: Greenwood’s offense has been an unstoppable force this season, averaging over 55 points per game. Mountain Home will need to control the tempo and prevent Greenwood from gaining momentum early in the game.
- Defensive Strategies: While Mountain Home’s defense has been solid, allowing just 266 points over the season, they will be tested by Greenwood’s high-scoring offense. If Mountain Home hopes to pull off an upset, they will need to execute flawless defensive strategies to slow down Greenwood’s attack.
- First Half vs. Second Half: Greenwood has been a first-half powerhouse, while Mountain Home has shown consistent scoring throughout the game. How each team adjusts in the second half could be a deciding factor in the outcome.
What’s at Stake
The winner of this game will advance to the next round of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs, bringing them one step closer to the state championship. With both teams boasting strong records and potent offenses, this game promises to be a thrilling and hard-fought battle.
Fans can expect an exciting contest between two of the top teams in Arkansas, each with their own strengths and strategies. As the clock ticks down, the game will come down to execution, as both Mountain Home and Greenwood look to keep their state title hopes alive.
Team Stat Comparison
When it comes to offensive production, Greenwood leads the way in total yards per game, averaging an impressive 483.5 total yards per contest. Their offense is powered by a potent passing game, racking up 333.5 passing yards per game, paired with 150.0 rushing yards per game. Greenwood’s ability to move the ball both on the ground and through the air makes them one of the most balanced offenses in the state, and they have been scoring a staggering 64.8 points per game, one of the highest marks in Arkansas.
Defensive Strengths
Defensively, Mountain Home has been strong in their ability to disrupt the opposition, recording 1.5 sacks per game. They are led on the defensive side by Paul Brixey, who has averaged 9.6 tackles per game, helping to lead the charge on defense.
Meanwhile, Greenwood has been equally effective, averaging 1.0 sack per game and featuring players like Cash Archer with 1.1 sacks per game, who is able to get to the quarterback with regularity. Greenwood has also been stingy on defense, helping to keep their opponents from scoring too frequently, as evidenced by their average of just 17.4 points per game allowed.
Key Players to Watch
For Mountain Home, the player to watch is undoubtedly Kane Archer. As the team’s leader in passing, rushing, and total yards, Archer is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback who has the ability to break down defenses with his arm and legs. His 295.0 passing yards per game and 350.7 total yards per game make him a focal point for Mountain Home’s offensive attack. Grant Karnes, with 95.4 receiving yards per game, is also a key target in the passing game and will likely be called upon to stretch the field.
On the defensive side, Paul Brixey has been a consistent presence with 9.6 tackles per game. His ability to stop the run and cover in the passing game will be critical to slowing down Greenwood’s potent offense.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced off against similar opponents this season, with Greenwood boasting a perfect 6-0 record against common foes, while Mountain Home stands at 5-1. Some of the notable matchups include victories over Southside, Shiloh Christian, and Russellville. While Mountain Home has had success against many of the same opponents, Greenwood’s dominance has been more apparent, as they have posted lopsided victories, including a 70-28 win over Southside and a 63-14 victory over Russellville.
Record Breakdown
- Mountain Home (24-25): With a 10-2 record, Mountain Home has been competitive all season, finishing with a 5-2 league record and an impressive 5-1 mark against common opponents. Their solid defense and dynamic offense led by Kane Archer have been key to their success.
- Greenwood (24-25): Greenwood enters the game undefeated at 11-0, with a perfect 7-0 league record. Their offense has been unstoppable, and their defense has held opponents to an average of just 17.4 points per game, demonstrating their well-rounded strength.
What to Watch For
- Offensive Fireworks: Both teams boast high-powered offenses, and this game is likely to feature plenty of points. Mountain Home’s passing attack, led by Kane Archer, will go head-to-head with Greenwood’s versatile offense, which combines both the passing and rushing game.
- Defensive Matchups: While both teams have solid defensive units, Greenwood’s ability to stifle opposing offenses with their 1.0 sacks per game and 9.5 tackles per game from Nick Miller could make the difference in slowing down Mountain Home’s explosive offense.
- Key Individual Performances: Watch for big plays from the quarterbacks—Kane Archer of Mountain Home and Kane Archer of Greenwood. Both have been standout players for their respective teams, and their performances could determine the outcome.
Prediction
While both teams are incredibly talented, Greenwood’s perfect season and impressive offensive and defensive balance give them the edge in this matchup. However, Mountain Home’s explosive passing attack, led by Kane Archer, should keep the game close. In what is expected to be a high-scoring contest, Greenwood’s depth and all-around strength likely give them the slight advantage to remain undefeated and move on to the next stage of the season.
