The Little Rock Southwest (Little Rock, AR) varsity football team will face Rogers (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, specifically within the 7A Football State Bracket. Both teams are aiming to advance in the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

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

Game Preview: Rogers and Little Rock Southwest Set for 7A Playoff Battle

The 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs are underway, and today at 7 p.m., the Rogers (7-4) varsity football team will take on Little Rock Southwest (2-8) in a neutral-site game. This matchup is part of the 7A Football State Bracket, with Rogers entering as the clear favorite based on their strong regular-season performance.

Team Overview

Rogers enters the playoff matchup with a solid 7-4 overall record and a 5-3 conference mark, placing them in a strong position heading into the postseason. The team has been highly effective offensively, averaging 39.7 points per game. Rogers has been especially dominant in the first half, where they average 16.3 points in the first quarter and 12.7 in the second. However, their scoring drops off significantly in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they average just 3.4 points per game. Despite this, their offensive firepower and overall consistency make them a tough opponent.

In contrast, Little Rock Southwest has struggled this season with a 2-8 record and a 2-5 conference mark. The team has faced significant challenges, particularly on the road and in neutral-site games, where they have yet to secure a win (0-1 neutral record). Little Rock Southwest has been limited offensively, averaging just 21.6 points per game. Their scoring is spread unevenly across the game, with only 3.8 points in the first quarter and 2.8 points in the second quarter. However, they show some resilience in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they average 4.4 points.

Key Stats

Rogers:

• Record: 7-4
• Conference Record: 5-3
• Points Scored: 437
• Points Allowed: 226
• Points Per Game: 39.7
• Scoring Average:
  • Q1: 16.3
  • Q2: 12.7
  • Q3: 6.9
  • Q4: 3.4

Little Rock Southwest:

• Record: 2-8
• Conference Record: 2-5
• Points Scored: 216
• Points Allowed: 431
• Points Per Game: 21.6
• Scoring Average:
  • Q1: 3.8
  • Q2: 2.8
  • Q3: 3.6
  • Q4: 4.4

What to Watch

Rogers’ high-powered offense will be the key to this matchup. They have consistently been able to score early in games, and Little Rock Southwest will need to find a way to slow them down in the first half. If Rogers can establish an early lead, they will be difficult to catch.

Little Rock Southwest’s chances will hinge on improving their scoring in the first half, where they have struggled. They will need to take advantage of any opportunities to keep the game close and look for momentum in the second half, where they tend to score more efficiently. However, their defense will also need to step up, as they have allowed an average of 43.1 points per game this season.

Conclusion

While Rogers enters the game as the clear favorite, Little Rock Southwest will look to put together a strong performance and pull off an upset. Rogers’ offensive depth and consistency give them a significant advantage, but the unpredictable nature of playoff football means anything can happen. Fans can expect a high-energy contest, with Rogers hoping to continue their strong season and Little Rock Southwest aiming to make a playoff statement despite a tough year.

As the season progresses, Rogers and Little Rock Southwest have found themselves on contrasting paths. Rogers enters this matchup with a solid 7-4 overall record, while Little Rock Southwest struggles at 2-8. Despite these disparities, both teams have shown glimpses of strong play throughout the season. This game will be crucial for both teams as they aim to finish the season strong. Let’s dive into the team stats, individual leaders, and overall performances of both teams to see what each brings to the table.

Offensive Comparison

Rogers has a more potent offense compared to Little Rock Southwest, although both teams rely heavily on the passing game.

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Rogers has a more balanced attack with T’khius Robinson leading the charge in the running game with 56.6 rushing yards per game. Little Rock Southwest, on the other hand, has struggled to establish the run, averaging only 78.6 rushing yards per game.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Rogers has been very effective through the air, with Chase Forte leading the team with 191.0 passing yards per game. This passing attack has been a significant part of their offensive success. Little Rock Southwest has been more balanced in this regard, averaging 142.1 passing yards per game, with Chase Forte also contributing to their aerial attack.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Rogers also leads in this category, with Montrell Martin racking up 82.4 receiving yards per game. Little Rock Southwest’s passing game has been productive as well, with Montrell Martin contributing to their receiving yards, although they lag behind Rogers in this area.
• Total Yards Per Game: Rogers averages 220.7 total yards per game, a solid mark that combines their effective passing and rushing games. Little Rock Southwest averages slightly fewer yards at 220.7 total yards per game, suggesting they are more one-dimensional in their offensive approach.

Defensive Comparison

Defensively, Rogers has struggled in terms of raw numbers, but they have been able to stay competitive, while Little Rock Southwest has had difficulty keeping opposing offenses in check.

• Tackles Per Game: Rogers has had a harder time in the defensive department, with only 17.5 tackles per game. Jalen Waits is the leader in tackles for Rogers, averaging 9.8 tackles per game. Little Rock Southwest, with 17.5 tackles per game, has also struggled to generate consistent stops.
• Sacks Per Game: Neither team has been particularly strong in generating pressure on the quarterback, with both teams averaging fewer than 1 sack per game. Jalen Waits leads Rogers with 0.4 sacks per game, while Timothy Martin leads Little Rock Southwest with 0.2 sacks per game.

Key Players to Watch

• Rogers:
  • Chase Forte has been the offensive leader, contributing 216.4 total yards per game, and will be key to the team’s offensive success. His ability to lead the passing game will be crucial in breaking down the Little Rock Southwest defense.
  • T’khius Robinson has been the lead running back, although the team has leaned more on the passing game. Still, his contributions in the ground game will be important to keep defenses honest.
  • Montrell Martin is a key target in the receiving game, with 82.4 receiving yards per game and 7.7 points per game. He’ll be a key weapon in the passing attack.
• Little Rock Southwest:
  • Chase Forte is a dual-threat quarterback who can pass and rush effectively. His leadership will be critical in driving the team’s offensive efforts.
  • Montrell Martin has also been an essential player for Little Rock Southwest in the receiving game, contributing 141.5 receiving yards per game and 7.7 points per game.
  • Jalen Waits is a key defensive player for Rogers, averaging 9.8 tackles per game and adding some pressure to the opposing offense.

Record Breakdown

• Rogers (7-4 overall, 5-3 league):
  Rogers has had a solid season overall, finishing with a winning record and a strong 5-3 league mark. Their ability to win on the road (4-1) has been a strong point, and their passing game has helped them overcome any deficiencies in other areas.
• Little Rock Southwest (2-8 overall, 2-5 league):
  Little Rock Southwest has had a much tougher season, with a 2-8 overall record and a 2-5 mark in league play. They have struggled against stronger opponents, and their inability to win at home (0-4) or on the road (2-3) has hurt their playoff hopes.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced North Little Rock, and their performances against the same opponent have been quite different:

• Rogers vs. North Little Rock (8/30/24): Rogers won convincingly, with a dominant 43-0 victory while playing away. This showcases their ability to perform under pressure and win against tough competition.
• Little Rock Southwest vs. North Little Rock (10/11/24): Little Rock Southwest lost to North Little Rock, but their 38-21 defeat shows that they were able to put up a fight, although they still fell short. Their loss was much more competitive than Rogers’ victory, indicating the potential for improvement in their play.

Conclusion

Rogers and Little Rock Southwest are headed in different directions this season. Rogers has been the more consistent team, particularly in the passing game, with Chase Forte and Montrell Martin providing explosive plays. Their solid win over North Little Rock demonstrates that they can compete with strong teams, and they will look to finish the season strong.

Little Rock Southwest, on the other hand, has had a rough season, struggling to establish a reliable offense and defense. While they’ve shown some flashes, particularly with Montrell Martin in the receiving game, they have yet to find the consistency needed to be competitive on a regular basis.

Rogers enters this game as the clear favorite, with their stronger offense and better overall performance throughout the season. However, Little Rock Southwest will be looking to pull off an upset and end the season on a high note, and they will need a strong performance from Chase Forte and Montrell Martin to keep the game close.