The Dardanelle (AR) varsity football team faces Prairie Grove (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, competing in the 4A Football State Bracket. Both teams are vying for a chance to advance further in the tournament.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Arkansas High School Football Playoff
Who: Prairie Grove vs Dardanelle
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 4A Football State Bracket
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Prairie Grove vs. Dardanelle
As the 2024-2025 high school football season enters the playoff stage, Prairie Grove and Dardanelle face off in a highly anticipated neutral-site game. Both teams bring impressive records into this clash, but their styles and performances this season show distinct differences. Let’s dive into what each team brings to the table ahead of this thrilling playoff matchup.
Prairie Grove’s Season Overview
The Prairie Grove Tigers enter the game with a 7-4 overall record and a 4-3 conference record. While they’ve been solid, especially on home turf with a 5-1 record, they’ve struggled a bit on the road, managing only a 1-3 record in away games. Nonetheless, Prairie Grove has earned a spot in the playoffs with a .636 win percentage overall and a .571 conference percentage.
- Points Scored (PF): 422
- Points Allowed (PA): 267
Prairie Grove’s offensive game plan has averaged 38.4 points per game, with their strongest quarters being the first (8.9 points) and fourth (8.3 points). The team has shown resilience, particularly in close games, but will need to tighten up defensively, as they’ve allowed over 20 points per game on average.
Prairie Grove’s Scoring Breakdown:
- Q1: 8.9
- Q2: 7.4
- Q3: 5.6
- Q4: 8.3
- Final: 38.4
Dardanelle’s Dominant Run
Dardanelle, boasting a 9-1 overall record, has been a powerhouse this season. The team went 7-0 in conference play, demonstrating an almost flawless performance within their league. Their only loss came in an away game, and they’ve maintained a strong .900 win percentage overall and a perfect 1.000 conference percentage.
- Points Scored (PF): 442
- Points Allowed (PA): 168
With an average of 44.2 points per game, Dardanelle’s offense has been explosive, particularly in the first half of games. The team’s 13.8 points per quarter in both the first and second quarters showcase their offensive consistency. Interestingly, Dardanelle does not score in the fourth quarter, relying on their earlier dominance to secure victories.
Dardanelle’s Scoring Breakdown:
- Q1: 13.8
- Q2: 13.8
- Q3: 10.3
- Q4: 0
- Final: 44.2
A Clash of Styles
As Prairie Grove takes on Dardanelle in this pivotal playoff game, the contrast in their offensive approaches will be a key factor. Prairie Grove’s offense has been more balanced across the four quarters, while Dardanelle’s success has been built on dominant first-half performances, particularly in the first and second quarters. Prairie Grove will need to find a way to slow down Dardanelle’s early momentum and capitalize on the potential fourth-quarter vulnerability.
As the season progresses, Prairie Grove and Dardanelle are gearing up for what promises to be an intense matchup. With both teams boasting impressive records, the game is shaping up to be a showdown between two powerhouse squads. Prairie Grove enters with a 7-4 overall record, while Dardanelle comes in at 9-1. Despite their success, both teams have had a similar experience against a common opponent, Elkins, which could offer some insights into how this game may unfold.
Team Record Breakdown: Prairie Grove vs. Dardanelle
Prairie Grove:
- Overall Record: 7-4
- League Record: 4-3
- Non-League Record: 2-1
- Home Record: 5-1
- Away Record: 1-3
- Neutral Record: 0-0
- Playoff Record: 1-0
- In-State Record: 5-4
- Out-of-State Record: 2-0
Prairie Grove has shown resilience this season, managing to secure a 7-4 record. Their performance at home has been solid, with a 5-1 record, but their struggles on the road (1-3) may factor into their performance as they head into tougher matchups. Prairie Grove has also been successful in non-league play, with a 2-1 record. Their playoff experience, with a 1-0 record, is something they can rely on as they face tougher opponents like Dardanelle.
Dardanelle:
- Overall Record: 9-1
- League Record: 7-0
- Non-League Record: 2-1
- Home Record: 5-0
- Away Record: 4-1
- Neutral Record: 0-0
- Playoff Record: 1-0
- In-State Record: 9-1
- Out-of-State Record: 0-0
Dardanelle, with their 9-1 record, enters the matchup with a significant edge in overall performance. Their perfect league record (7-0) indicates they have dominated in conference play. Their away record is also strong (4-1), showing that they can perform under pressure away from home. Dardanelle has had similar success in non-league games, posting a 2-1 record. Like Prairie Grove, Dardanelle has a 1-0 playoff record, giving them confidence as they approach postseason play.
Common Opponent: Elkins
Both Prairie Grove and Dardanelle have faced Elkins, and the results were strikingly similar. Both teams suffered losses to Elkins, with Prairie Grove falling 52-0 on October 18th, and Dardanelle losing 51-0 on September 6th. This common opponent highlights the dominance of Elkins this season, but it also gives us some insight into the challenges that both Prairie Grove and Dardanelle will face in this upcoming matchup.
While the loss to Elkins was a tough blow for both teams, it serves as a valuable reference point for comparing their performances. Prairie Grove’s 52-0 loss and Dardanelle’s 51-0 defeat show that both teams struggled similarly against Elkins, indicating that they could face similar challenges when going up against another tough opponent.
Key Factors to Watch:
- Home Field Advantage: Prairie Grove has performed well at home this season, with a 5-1 record. This could be a significant advantage as they face Dardanelle, especially since Dardanelle’s away record, though strong at 4-1, is slightly less dominant.
- League Dominance by Dardanelle: Dardanelle’s perfect 7-0 league record highlights their dominance in conference play. Prairie Grove will need to find a way to disrupt Dardanelle’s rhythm and possibly take advantage of their home field advantage.
- Recent Playoff Experience: Both teams have experience in the playoffs, and their ability to perform in high-pressure situations could be crucial in this matchup. The ability to execute under playoff-like conditions could give either team the edge.
Head-to-Head Matchup:
Although these two teams have not yet met this season, their overall record and performance against common opponents suggest an evenly matched contest. Both teams have strong individual players, and much of the game’s outcome will depend on how well each squad executes their game plan, particularly when facing tough opponents.
Conclusion:
This upcoming matchup between Prairie Grove and Dardanelle promises to be an exciting and competitive contest. With both teams boasting strong records, home-field advantage, and playoff aspirations, the game will likely be determined by which team can control the line of scrimmage and limit mistakes. Despite their similar results against Elkins, Dardanelle’s undefeated league record gives them the edge heading into this contest. However, Prairie Grove’s experience at home could prove to be a significant factor as they look to upset their opponents and keep their season on track.
