The Mansfield (AR) varsity football team will face Paris (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, within the 3A Football State Bracket. Both teams will compete for a chance to advance in the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas High School Football
Who: Paris vs Mansfield
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 3A Football State Bracket
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Mansfield and Paris to Face Off in 3A Playoff Showdown

The 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs are heating up, and tonight at 7 p.m., the Mansfield (8-2) varsity football team will take on Paris (4-6) in a neutral-site game. This contest, part of the 3A Football State Bracket, will see Mansfield enter as the heavy favorite, thanks to their impressive regular-season performance.

Team Overview

Mansfield enters the playoffs with an outstanding 8-2 overall record, including a perfect 7-0 mark in conference play. The team has been a dominant force throughout the season, with a high-powered offense averaging 40.2 points per game. Mansfield’s offense is most potent in the first half, where they score an average of 29.4 points in the first two quarters. Their defense has also been strong, allowing just 163 points all season, which puts them in a good position to make a deep playoff run. While their scoring tends to slow down in the second half, Mansfield’s ability to dominate early has given them a comfortable lead in most games.

Paris, on the other hand, has struggled at times this season, finishing with a 4-6 overall record and a 3-4 conference mark. Their offense has been inconsistent, averaging just 30.9 points per game. Paris scores the bulk of their points in the second half, averaging 14.4 points after halftime, but they’ve struggled to get things going in the first quarter, where they average only 3.3 points. Their defense has allowed 291 points this season, which could be a potential weakness when facing a high-scoring team like Mansfield.

Key Stats

Paris:

• Record: 4-6
• Conference Record: 3-4
• Points Scored: 309
• Points Allowed: 291
• Points Per Game: 30.9
• Scoring Average:
  • Q1: 3.3
  • Q2: 4.7
  • Q3: 7.7
  • Q4: 6.7

Mansfield:

• Record: 8-2
• Conference Record: 7-0
• Points Scored: 402
• Points Allowed: 163
• Points Per Game: 40.2
• Scoring Average:
  • Q1: 13.2
  • Q2: 16.2
  • Q3: 4.8
  • Q4: 6.0

What to Watch

For Mansfield, their early-game success will be key. They’ve been able to build strong leads in the first half, with more than 13 points per quarter. If they can continue to jump out early against Paris, it will put them in a commanding position for the rest of the game. The team’s defense will also need to keep Paris’ offense from getting any rhythm, especially in the second half, where Paris tends to score more.

Paris, meanwhile, will need to find a way to overcome their slow starts. They can’t afford to fall behind early against a team like Mansfield. Their best chance will be to capitalize on Mansfield’s weaker second-half scoring and keep the game close. If they can make a push in the third and fourth quarters, Paris may have an opportunity to pull off the upset.

Conclusion

Mansfield enters the game as the clear favorite, with a balanced and high-powered offense and a stingy defense. Paris will have to overcome their slow starts and tighten up defensively if they hope to compete. While Mansfield’s strong early-game play gives them an edge, anything can happen in the postseason, making this an exciting matchup.

Fans can expect a hard-fought game, with Mansfield looking to continue their dominant season and Paris hoping to spring an upset in the 3A Football State Bracket. The winner of this game will advance further in the tournament, with both teams eager to continue their playoff journeys.

In a showdown of contrasting records and performances, Paris (4-6) will face off against Mansfield (8-2) in what promises to be an exciting matchup. While Paris enters with a losing record, their resilience in certain games has shown they can be competitive. Mansfield, on the other hand, has had a stellar season with just two losses. Here’s a deeper look into their stats, common opponents, and what we can expect from the upcoming game.

Overall Record Comparison

• Paris (4-6 overall, 3-4 league):
  Paris has had a tough season overall, struggling to find consistency with a 4-6 record. Their league play has been a mixed bag, with just 3 wins and 4 losses. Despite their struggles, they’ve shown they can compete with some of the better teams, especially in non-league matchups.
• Mansfield (8-2 overall, 7-0 league):
  Mansfield, on the other hand, enters this game with a very strong 8-2 record, boasting a perfect 7-0 in league play. Their only losses have come outside of league action, and their dominance in conference games suggests they are in peak form heading into the postseason. Mansfield has been near perfect at home with a 5-0 record, and they’ve also performed well on the road (3-2).

Common Opponents

The two teams share several common opponents this season, and their results against them show a stark contrast in performance.

• Waldron:
  • Paris (8/30/24): Paris lost a close battle to Waldron with a final score of 27-21.
  • Mansfield (9/6/24): Mansfield, however, defeated Waldron 41-8, showcasing their superior strength in this matchup.
• Lavaca:
  • Paris (9/6/24): Paris bounced back with a solid 48-21 victory over Lavaca.
  • Mansfield (10/11/24): Mansfield dominated Lavaca as well, winning 52-6 in a dominant performance.
• Booneville:
  • Paris (9/13/24): Paris suffered a tough 35-9 loss to Booneville, struggling to keep up in the matchup.
  • Mansfield (10/25/24): Mansfield also faced Booneville, but unlike Paris, they managed a solid win with a 34-22 victory.

Key Takeaways from Common Opponents:

• Paris (1-2 against common opponents): Paris has struggled against their common opponents, with just one win in three games. Their most notable victory came against Lavaca, but their losses to Waldron and Booneville showed they still have some challenges to overcome when facing stronger competition.
• Mansfield (3-0 against common opponents): Mansfield, however, has been dominant against the same opponents, winning all three games. Their commanding victories over Lavaca and Waldron, along with a solid win against Booneville, show they have the ability to handle tough teams and perform well in all areas of the game.

Home and Away Records

• Paris:
  • Home: 2-3
  • Away: 2-3
  • Paris has been somewhat inconsistent at both home and on the road, with a 2-3 record at home and another 2-3 away record. This lack of consistency will be a challenge as they face a formidable Mansfield team.
• Mansfield:
  • Home: 5-0
  • Away: 3-2
  • Mansfield has been near perfect at home, with a 5-0 record, and they’ve also shown resilience on the road, securing 3 wins out of 5 away games. Their solid performance in both home and away games gives them a clear advantage going into this matchup.

Offensive and Defensive Comparison

• Paris has struggled to find consistency in both their offensive and defensive play, especially against strong league opponents. They’ve shown flashes of brilliance, but it’s been difficult for them to sustain that level of play over the course of a full game.
• Mansfield, on the other hand, has been dominant on both sides of the ball, outpacing their opponents in total yards and points per game. Their defense has been particularly strong, allowing them to shut down opponents and maintain control of games.

Conclusion

While Paris has shown resilience and the ability to win games, their 4-6 overall record and inconsistency against common opponents leave them at a disadvantage heading into this matchup. Their 1-2 record against common opponents contrasts sharply with Mansfield’s 3-0 record, which shows Mansfield’s superiority against similar competition.

Mansfield, with a strong 8-2 record and perfect league performance (7-0), will enter this game as the heavy favorite. Their dominant performances against Waldron, Lavaca, and Booneville have shown they can handle strong teams, and their home-field advantage makes them a tough opponent for any team. Paris will need to find a way to improve their defense and maintain offensive consistency to stand a chance, but Mansfield’s depth and overall strength suggest they will be the favorites in this contest.

For Mansfield, a victory here will solidify their standing as one of the top teams heading into the playoffs, while Paris will be hoping for an upset to finish the season on a high note. The game promises to be a compelling one, with Mansfield poised to continue their dominant season.