The Salem (AR) varsity football team will host Prescott (AR) today at 7 p.m. in a home playoff game. This matchup is part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs, competing in the 3A Football State Bracket. Both teams are aiming to advance further in the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas High School Football Playoff
Who: Prescott vs Salem
When: Friday, November 22, 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: Prescott vs. Salem

The 2024-2025 high school football playoffs are heating up, and tonight, Prescott will face Salem in an exciting 3A Football State Bracket matchup. With both teams coming off strong seasons, this home playoff game promises to be a thrilling contest, as each team looks to extend their postseason journey.

Prescott’s Dominant Run

Prescott (AR) enters the game with a remarkable 10-1 record, showing their dominance throughout the season. Their 6-1 conference record has them well-positioned for a deep playoff run. The team has been impressive on both sides of the ball, with a .909 win percentage overall and a solid .857 conference percentage. Prescott has shown strength both at home and on the road, maintaining a perfect 4-0 home record and a solid 4-1 record on the road, while also going 2-0 in neutral-site games.

• Points Scored (PF): 490
• Points Allowed (PA): 132

Prescott has averaged an impressive 44.5 points per game, with their highest-scoring quarter being the second, where they put up 18.3 points. Their offense has been explosive, particularly in the first and second quarters, but they’ve also shown the ability to close out games strong with 9.5 points in the fourth quarter.

Prescott’s Scoring Breakdown:

• Q1: 15.1
• Q2: 18.3
• Q3: 4.2
• Q4: 9.5
• Final: 44.5

Salem’s Strong Season

Salem (AR) comes into this playoff game with a solid 8-3 record, including a 6-1 conference record. The team has been highly competitive throughout the season, with a .727 win percentage overall and a .857 conference percentage. Salem has been particularly strong at home, where they’ve posted a perfect 4-0 record, while their away performance has been more mixed with a 3-2 record. Additionally, they’ve been solid in neutral-site games, with a 1-1 record.

• Points Scored (PF): 422
• Points Allowed (PA): 220

Salem has averaged 38.4 points per game, with their highest scoring quarter coming in the first half. The team has averaged 13.5 points in the first quarter and 14.0 points in the second quarter. However, their scoring drops off in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they only average 4.4 points.

Salem’s Scoring Breakdown:

• Q1: 13.5
• Q2: 14.0
• Q3: 6.5
• Q4: 4.4
• Final: 38.4

Key Matchup: Offense vs. Defense

Prescott’s offense has been explosive throughout the season, averaging over 40 points per game. Their ability to put up big numbers in the second quarter will be crucial in this matchup, as they’ll look to build a strong lead before halftime. Their defense has also been suffocating, allowing just 132 points all season, a key factor in their success.

On the other hand, Salem’s offense has been steady, particularly in the first half of games, but their struggles in the second half could prove costly. Prescott’s strong defense will need to be tested against Salem’s balanced attack, which has been efficient in the opening quarters.

The upcoming matchup between Prescott and Salem promises to be an exciting contest, featuring two teams with strong performances this season. Prescott, with a 10-1 overall record, has had a stellar campaign, while Salem enters the game with an 8-3 record, demonstrating resilience and determination. Both teams have showcased solid offensive capabilities and key defensive players, but each brings a unique strength to the table. As they head into this crucial game, both Prescott and Salem will look to build on their successful seasons and position themselves for a potential playoff run.

Team Record Breakdown: Prescott vs. Salem

Prescott:

• Overall Record: 10-1
• League Record: 6-1
• Non-League Record: 3-0
• Home Record: 4-0
• Away Record: 4-1
• Neutral Record: 1-1
• Playoff Record: 1-0
• In-State Record: 10-1
• Out-of-State Record: 0-0

Prescott has enjoyed a highly successful season, with an impressive 10-1 overall record. Their league performance (6-1) has been strong, and they’ve been dominant at home (4-0). Prescott’s only loss came in a non-league game, but their consistency throughout the season, combined with a playoff win, has put them in a favorable position. Their balanced offensive attack and solid defense will be crucial in their upcoming games.

Salem:

• Overall Record: 8-3
• League Record: 6-1
• Non-League Record: 1-2
• Home Record: 4-0
• Away Record: 3-2
• Neutral Record: 1-0
• Playoff Record: 0-0
• In-State Record: 8-3
• Out-of-State Record: 0-0

Salem has been a competitive force this season, finishing with an 8-3 overall record. Like Prescott, Salem has excelled in league play, also finishing with a 6-1 record. Their ability to dominate at home (4-0) and perform well on the road (3-2) has been a key strength. However, their struggles in non-league games (1-2) show areas where they could improve. Salem is still seeking their first playoff victory, and this game will be a key test of their abilities against top-tier competition.

Common Opponents: A Valuable Comparison

Both teams have faced Quitman, which provides a useful point of comparison.

• Quitman:
  • Prescott vs. Quitman: Prescott won decisively on November 15th, 35-3.
  • Salem vs. Quitman: Salem also defeated Quitman in their November 7th matchup, with a dominant 68-35 scoreline.

While both Prescott and Salem earned victories against Quitman, the margin of victory highlights Prescott’s stronger defensive performance, allowing only 3 points, compared to Salem’s 35. However, Salem’s explosive offense, as seen in their high-scoring win, shows that they are capable of putting up big numbers when needed. This common opponent performance suggests that Prescott’s defense may be their key strength heading into the game.

Key Players to Watch:

Prescott:

• K. J. Page (Rushing Yards Per Game): With 71.0 rushing yards per game, K.J. Page is a key player for Prescott’s ground game. His ability to grind out yards and control the clock will be critical for Prescott’s offensive attack.
• Decari Prater (Passing and Total Yards Per Game): Prater is the heart of Prescott’s offense, leading the team with 126.3 passing yards per game and 185.9 total yards per game. His ability to spread the field and make plays through the air will be crucial against a talented Salem defense.
• Dwayne White (Receiving Yards Per Game): White has been a key target for Prescott, leading the team in receiving yards per game with 39.4. His presence in the passing game provides Prater with a reliable option in critical situations.

Salem:

• Kaden Brink (Rushing Yards Per Game): Brink has been a standout for Salem, with 139.0 rushing yards per game. His ability to break through defenses and put up big numbers on the ground will be a key factor in Salem’s offensive strategy.
• Jackson Taylor (Passing Yards Per Game): With 81.8 passing yards per game, Taylor may not have the same volume as some other quarterbacks, but he is an efficient player who can make plays when needed.
• Kaiden Hollis (Receiving Yards Per Game): Hollis has contributed significantly in the receiving game, with 44.9 yards per game. His ability to stretch the field and make key catches will be crucial in creating balance on Salem’s offense.

Team Stat Comparison:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Salem has the edge in rushing yards, averaging 312.6 yards per game, compared to Prescott’s 240.7. Salem’s powerful rushing attack, led by Brink, will likely be a focal point of their strategy.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Prescott has a significant advantage in the passing game, averaging 142.2 passing yards per game, while Salem averages only 74.6. This disparity suggests that Prescott may look to exploit Salem’s defense through the air.
• Total Yards Per Game: Salem leads with 387.3 total yards per game, just slightly ahead of Prescott’s 382.9. Both teams are capable of moving the ball effectively, but Prescott’s more balanced offensive attack may give them an edge in long drives and possession control.
• Points Per Game: Prescott scores 44.5 points per game, which is higher than Salem’s 37.0, reflecting their ability to score efficiently.

Conclusion:

The matchup between Prescott and Salem is shaping up to be a thrilling contest. Prescott’s solid all-around play, especially their high-powered offense and stout defense, provides them with an edge. On the other hand, Salem’s dominant rushing game, led by Kaden Brink, gives them a chance to control the tempo and dictate the flow of the game.

Both teams have shown their strengths against common opponents, with Prescott’s defense and Salem’s offense standing out. This game will likely come down to which team can impose its style of play—Prescott’s balanced offensive attack or Salem’s punishing ground game. With both teams highly motivated and in strong form, this matchup promises to be a thrilling encounter that could have significant implications for their playoff prospects.