The Lonoke (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, within the 2024 4A 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: Prairie Grove vs Lonoke
When: Friday, November 15, 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. Lonoke

As the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs heat up, the Prairie Grove (AR) and Lonoke (AR) varsity football teams will square off tonight at 7 p.m. in a neutral-site game. This showdown is part of the 2024 4A Football State Bracket, and both teams are looking to continue their postseason journey with a win.

Prairie Grove: A Solid Season but Inconsistent Away

Prairie Grove enters this game with a 6-4 overall record and a 4-3 conference finish. While they’ve been strong at home, with a 5-1 record, their away performances have been more inconsistent, posting just a 1-3 record on the road. Their offense has averaged 38.5 points per game, with a strong first half, putting up 7.7 points in the first quarter and 8.7 points in the second. Prairie Grove’s offense tends to slow down after halftime, averaging 5.3 points in the third quarter and 7.3 points in the fourth, but their ability to score consistently through the first half gives them an edge.

On defense, Prairie Grove has allowed 234 points this season, an average of 23.4 points per game. To advance in the playoffs, they will need to step up their defense and find ways to maintain their offensive tempo throughout the game.

Lonoke: A Balanced Team with Late-Game Struggles

Lonoke, with a 5-5 overall record and a solid 5-2 conference finish, has had an up-and-down season but enters the playoffs with momentum. Their offense averages 30.2 points per game, with a strong second half, particularly in the third quarter where they score 10.2 points on average. They tend to struggle in the fourth quarter, averaging just 1.3 points during the final period.

Lonoke’s defense has been more effective than their offense, allowing just 175 points all season—an average of 17.5 points per game. They will need to harness their defensive strength while finding ways to score more consistently in the second half if they are to overcome Prairie Grove’s potent attack.

The Key to Victory

For Prairie Grove, the key will be to maintain their first-half offensive rhythm while improving their second-half performance. Their ability to get an early lead and apply pressure throughout the game will be crucial to keeping Lonoke on their heels. Prairie Grove’s defense will need to tighten up to limit Lonoke’s scoring opportunities.

For Lonoke, controlling the pace and finding a way to score more effectively in the fourth quarter will be crucial. They will need to improve their offensive consistency throughout the game, particularly in the final period. Lonoke’s defense will also need to step up to contain Prairie Grove’s high-scoring offense.

As the 2024 high school football season heads into the final stretch, Prairie Grove and Lonoke stand as two intriguing teams with a lot to play for. Both schools have shown flashes of brilliance but have also encountered challenges that highlight the competitive nature of their respective seasons. A closer look at their overall performance and records against common opponents offers a deeper understanding of where both teams stand as they look toward the playoffs.

Overall Performance Breakdown

The 2024 season has been a mixed bag for both Prairie Grove and Lonoke. While both teams have had strong individual moments, their records reflect the highs and lows typical of high school football seasons. Here’s a snapshot of how the two teams have fared:

• Prairie Grove: 6-4 overall, 4-3 in league play, 2-1 in non-league games
• Lonoke: 5-5 overall, 5-2 in league play, 0-3 in non-league games

Prairie Grove’s stronger overall record (6-4) stands out, as does Lonoke’s better showing in league play (5-2). However, Prairie Grove has the edge in non-league play with a 2-1 record, compared to Lonoke’s 0-3 record in similar matchups.

Home vs. Away Performance

Both teams have shown a noticeable difference in performance depending on whether they are playing at home or on the road.

• Prairie Grove: 5-1 at home, 1-3 away
• Lonoke: 4-2 at home, 1-3 away

Prairie Grove’s home-field advantage has been a significant factor in their success, with a 5-1 record at home. Lonoke has similarly performed well at home (4-2) but has struggled away from home with a 1-3 record. This pattern suggests that both teams thrive in familiar surroundings but have room for improvement when playing in hostile environments.

League Play and Non-League Matchups

• League Play:
  • Prairie Grove: 4-3 in league games
  • Lonoke: 5-2 in league games

Lonoke has had a stronger showing in league play, finishing with a 5-2 record. Prairie Grove’s 4-3 record in league games is solid, but they’ve faced some tougher competition within their conference. Both teams, however, are competitive within their leagues, and their performances suggest that they are both capable of making deep runs depending on how the remainder of their seasons unfold.

• Non-League Games:
  • Prairie Grove: 2-1 in non-league games
  • Lonoke: 0-3 in non-league games

In non-league matchups, Prairie Grove has fared better with a 2-1 record. This contrasts sharply with Lonoke’s struggles outside their league, having gone 0-3. While non-league games can often provide a challenge against unfamiliar opponents, Prairie Grove’s success in these matchups speaks to their ability to compete at a higher level overall.

In-State vs. Out-of-State Performance

• Prairie Grove: 4-4 in-state, 2-0 out-of-state
• Lonoke: 5-5 in-state, 0-0 out-of-state

Both teams are fairly balanced in-state, with Prairie Grove finishing 4-4 in their state games and Lonoke slightly ahead at 5-5. However, Prairie Grove’s perfect 2-0 record in out-of-state games indicates that they may have the ability to step up when facing teams from outside the usual competition pool.

Looking Ahead: Common Opponents and Head-to-Head

While both teams have yet to face each other this season, their results against common opponents could provide valuable insight into how they may match up if they meet in the future. Neither team has posted a common opponent result just yet, but their overall records suggest that any head-to-head matchup would be highly competitive. Given their similar in-state performances and contrasting non-league records, it would be interesting to see how these two squads fare if they face off directly.

Conclusion

The 2024 seasons for Prairie Grove and Lonoke have been a study in contrasts. Prairie Grove has shown strength in non-league play and at home, but their struggles on the road may pose a challenge if they need to play away in the postseason. Lonoke, on the other hand, has proven to be more consistent in league play but has struggled outside of it. With both teams entering the final stretch of the season, Prairie Grove’s better non-league record and Lonoke’s stronger league performance suggest that each team brings different strengths to the table.

As the playoffs approach, both teams will be looking to build momentum and take advantage of their respective strengths—Prairie Grove’s strong non-league form and home dominance, and Lonoke’s formidable league record. If these two teams eventually meet on the field, it’s likely to be a hard-fought game with a lot on the line.