The Lakeside (Hot Springs, AR) varsity football team faces Nettleton (Jonesboro, 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 5A 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: Nettleton vs Lakeside
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: Nettleton vs. Lakeside

As the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs heat up, the Lakeside (Hot Springs, AR) and Nettleton (Jonesboro, AR) varsity football teams are set to face off in a neutral-site game tonight at 7 p.m. This crucial matchup, part of the 2024 5A Football State Bracket, will determine which team advances in the tournament and which sees their season come to an end.

Lakeside: A High-Flying Offense and Impressive Record

Lakeside enters the playoffs with an 8-2 overall record and a 6-1 conference finish, marking them as one of the top teams in the state. Their offense has been nothing short of explosive, averaging 41.0 points per game. With a strong start to most games, they average 8.4 points in the first quarter and 9.6 points in the second. They also have the ability to sustain their offensive attack in the second half, putting up 10.8 points in the third quarter before slightly slowing down to 5.4 points in the fourth.

Lakeside’s offense is led by a powerful running and passing game, and they will look to continue their high-scoring ways in this playoff showdown. On defense, they have been solid, allowing just 181 points throughout the season, an average of only 18.1 points per game. Lakeside’s balanced play and ability to score in bunches make them a formidable opponent in the postseason.

Nettleton: A Solid, Yet Inconsistent Squad

Nettleton enters the game with a 7-3 overall record and a 5-2 conference mark. While they have had a successful season, they’ve been somewhat inconsistent, especially in their scoring output. They average 30.5 points per game, but their first-quarter scoring has been slow, averaging just 3.5 points. However, they’ve been much stronger in the second quarter (10.5 points) and have continued to improve in the second half, scoring 8.8 points in the third quarter and 5.8 points in the fourth.

On defense, Nettleton has been solid, giving up 195 points for an average of 19.5 points per game. They will need to tighten up against Lakeside’s high-powered offense, especially in the second half, where Lakeside tends to be most dangerous.

The Key to Victory

For Nettleton, the key to victory will be to find a way to neutralize Lakeside’s offensive attack early in the game. They will need to improve their first-quarter output to keep pace with Lakeside’s fast start. Additionally, Nettleton will need to make key adjustments at halftime to prevent Lakeside from pulling away.

For Lakeside, continuing their high-scoring ways will be essential. Their ability to establish a strong first half and maintain that momentum in the second half will likely be the difference. With their potent offense and solid defense, Lakeside has all the tools to advance further in the tournament.

The highly anticipated matchup between Nettleton and Lakeside promises to deliver plenty of offensive fireworks as both teams come in with impressive records and potent offensive units. With both teams posting strong performances throughout the season, fans can expect a battle between two high-scoring offenses, each capable of making big plays in multiple facets of the game.

Team Overview

• Nettleton (7-3, 5-2 League)
  Nettleton enters the game with a solid 7-3 record, featuring a well-balanced offense that generates 328.3 total yards per game. Their offense is led by Xavier Harrell, who averages 121.6 rushing yards per game and contributes 10.2 points per game. Maddox Hampton has been efficient through the air, throwing for 140.7 passing yards per game, while Jorden Simmons has emerged as a reliable receiving target with 74.1 receiving yards per game. The defense has been solid, with Damin Coleman leading the team in tackles with 10.2 per game, though they will need to improve their pass rush, as they only average 0.4 sacks per game. Nettleton’s offense averages 30.5 points per game, and the team has a strong record at home (4-1).
• Lakeside (8-2, 6-1 League)
  Lakeside enters this matchup with a slightly better 8-2 record, having established themselves as one of the top teams in the league. The team generates 394.0 total yards per game, with both the rushing and passing attacks firing on all cylinders. Grady Ohman has been a workhorse in the backfield, rushing for 179.6 yards per game, while Wally Wolcott leads the passing game, throwing for 180.7 passing yards per game. The receiving corps, led by Ryan Ballard (62.5 receiving yards per game), provides plenty of weapons for Wolcott to work with. Lakeside’s defense, led by Luke Wrublesky with 8.1 tackles per game, has been solid, though they will need to pressure the quarterback more effectively (averaging 1.4 sacks per game) to avoid being overwhelmed by Nettleton’s offensive weapons. Lakeside averages 40.4 points per game, reflecting their ability to consistently put up big numbers.

Key Matchup Breakdown

• Rushing Attack
  Both teams rely on strong rushing attacks, but Lakeside has the edge in this category. Grady Ohman has been one of the best running backs in the league, averaging nearly 180 rushing yards per game. In contrast, Xavier Harrell has been solid for Nettleton with 121.6 rushing yards per game, though he will need to face a tougher defensive front. The outcome of this matchup could come down to which defense can better contain the opposing team’s star rusher.
• Passing Game
  Lakeside has a more explosive passing game, with Wally Wolcott averaging 180.7 passing yards per game. With Ryan Ballard (62.5 receiving yards per game) and other weapons at his disposal, Wolcott is capable of putting up big numbers through the air. On the other hand, Maddox Hampton has been efficient for Nettleton with 140.7 passing yards per game. Jorden Simmons has emerged as the top target, and Hampton will need to find him and other receivers on key plays to keep the offense moving against a defense that allows just 30.5 points per game.
• Defensive Play
  While Nettleton has a solid defense, Lakeside has been slightly better overall in terms of tackles and sacks. Lakeside’s defense has allowed just 40.4 points per game, and Luke Wrublesky (8.1 tackles per game) will be critical in stopping Harrell and forcing Hampton into difficult passing situations. Nettleton will need to get creative with their defensive schemes to slow down Lakeside’s high-powered offense.

Statistical Comparison

What to Watch For

• Nettleton’s Ability to Contain the Run
  One of Nettleton’s biggest challenges will be stopping Grady Ohman. If they can limit his effectiveness and force Wally Wolcott to beat them with his arm, they may have a better chance to stay in the game.
• Big Play Potential
  Lakeside has the ability to score quickly, both on the ground with Ohman and in the air with Wolcott and Ballard. If Nettleton can avoid giving up big plays, they may be able to keep the game within reach. On the flip side, Nettleton will need to rely on their balanced offense to sustain drives and keep Lakeside’s offense off the field.
• Turnovers and Field Position
  Turnovers will be crucial in this game. Both teams will look to capitalize on any mistakes made by the opposing offense. Nettleton will need to be especially careful with the football to avoid giving Lakeside short fields.

Conclusion

This game between Nettleton and Lakeside is a battle between two high-scoring offenses, with Lakeside boasting a slightly more potent attack overall. Nettleton will need to slow down Grady Ohman and find a way to execute their balanced offense against a stingy defense. Lakeside, on the other hand, will look to continue their impressive season by utilizing their dual-threat rushing and passing attack to overwhelm Nettleton. With both teams having their strengths, this game is shaping up to be an exciting contest that could go down to the wire.