The El Dorado (AR) varsity football team will face off against Russellville (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 6A Football State Bracket. Both teams are looking to advance in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas High School Football
Who: Russellville vs El Dorado
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 6A Football State Bracket
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview:

El Dorado and Russellville Meet in Crucial 6A Playoff Showdown

Tonight at 7 p.m., the El Dorado (AR) varsity football team will square off against Russellville (AR) in a neutral-site playoff game as part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs, within the 6A Football State Bracket. With both teams eager to keep their state championship hopes alive, this promises to be an exciting postseason matchup.

Team Overview

El Dorado enters the game with a 7-4 record, finishing 4-3 in conference play. The Wildcats have displayed strong offensive and defensive balance throughout the season, averaging 35.9 points per game while allowing 309. They’ve been particularly effective in the first half, averaging 15.8 points across the first and second quarters. El Dorado will look to use their high-scoring attack to wear down Russellville early, but they will need to stay sharp in the second half to avoid any surprises.

Russellville, with a 5-5 overall record, has been a bit more inconsistent this season, finishing 3-4 in conference play. However, the Cyclones have shown they can be dangerous, particularly in the second half of games, where they average 16.9 points across the third and fourth quarters. Russellville will need to execute better in the first half, where they’ve struggled with only 9.6 points per game in the opening two quarters. If they can start fast and keep up with El Dorado’s offensive output, they could pull off the upset.

Key Stats

Russellville:

• Record: 5-5
• Conference Record: 3-4
• Points Scored: 262
• Points Allowed: 349
• Points Per Game: 26.2
• Scoring Average:
  • Q1: 1.6
  • Q2: 8.0
  • Q3: 5.0
  • Q4: 11.9

El Dorado:

• Record: 7-4
• Conference Record: 4-3
• Points Scored: 395
• Points Allowed: 309
• Points Per Game: 35.9
• Scoring Average:
  • Q1: 4.8
  • Q2: 11.0
  • Q3: 9.6
  • Q4: 9.8

What to Watch

For Russellville, a fast start will be key. The Cyclones have struggled in the first half, averaging just 9.6 points per game in the opening two quarters. If they can improve on that and stay within striking distance of El Dorado heading into the second half, they may have a chance to capitalize on their stronger late-game performances.

On the other hand, El Dorado has been consistently productive throughout the game, especially in the first half, where they average over 15 points. If the Wildcats can continue their high-scoring ways early on, they’ll force Russellville to play catch-up, which could be difficult against their solid defense.

In an exciting matchup between two teams coming off strong seasons, Russellville and El Dorado will square off with their eyes set on postseason glory. Both teams have had their ups and downs in the 2024 season, but with identical records against common opponents, this game promises to be a highly competitive affair.

Team Overview

• Russellville (5-5)
  Russellville enters the matchup with a 5-5 overall record, including a 3-4 mark in league play. They’ve shown resilience throughout the season, managing a winning record in non-league games (2-1). However, their performance in league play has been inconsistent, leaving them with a .500 overall record. They’ve been solid at home with a 4-1 record but have struggled on the road with a 1-4 mark.
• El Dorado (7-4)
  El Dorado has had a strong season, coming into this game with a 7-4 record overall and a solid 4-3 league record. The Wildcats have performed admirably in both non-league play (3-1) and league games, showing their ability to win in a variety of situations. With a balanced offensive and defensive game plan, they have proven they are tough to beat both at home and on the road. Their record of 4-2 on the road indicates they are a formidable team even in hostile environments.

Common Opponents

Both Russellville and El Dorado have faced Sylvan Hills, with both teams managing victories:

• Russellville defeated Sylvan Hills 35-33 in a tight game on September 13, 2024.
• El Dorado had a more commanding win, defeating Sylvan Hills 52-13 on October 11, 2024.

This gives El Dorado a slight edge in the comparison, as they were able to dominate Sylvan Hills more decisively than Russellville. However, Russellville’s close victory shows their ability to perform well in close contests, which could play a significant role in this game.

Key Matchup Breakdown

• Offense and Defense
  Russellville has had its struggles, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. The team has given up more points than they would like, which has contributed to their .500 season. However, they’ve managed to score enough points to stay competitive, led by a solid offense that has been capable of putting up impressive numbers.El Dorado, on the other hand, has been a more balanced team, with a solid defensive unit that can stop opposing offenses from putting up big numbers. The Wildcats have been especially dominant against teams like Sylvan Hills, as evidenced by their 52-13 win. Their ability to put pressure on opposing offenses and control the game will be key to their success against Russellville.
• Russellville’s Keys to Success
  For Russellville to pull off the win, they’ll need to tighten up their defense and find a way to control El Dorado’s offense. Offensively, Russellville must continue to take advantage of their scoring opportunities and avoid turnovers, which have been a problem at times. With a solid home record, they’ll be hoping to use their familiarity with their own field to their advantage.
• El Dorado’s Keys to Success
  El Dorado’s path to victory relies on continuing their defensive dominance, especially in limiting Russellville’s scoring opportunities. Offensively, they have the firepower to put up points quickly, as seen in their blowout win over Sylvan Hills. If they can execute a balanced game plan that includes both the run and pass, they will be difficult to stop. Their experience in close and high-scoring games this season gives them the confidence to succeed in this contest.

Conclusion

This matchup between Russellville and El Dorado is set to be an intriguing clash, with both teams coming off strong seasons but with very different paths to success. While El Dorado enters the game as the more balanced and well-rounded team, Russellville will rely on their home-field advantage and high-scoring offense to make things difficult for the Wildcats.

El Dorado’s defensive prowess and efficient offensive play should give them the upper hand, but Russellville’s ability to win close games and their resilience could make this contest tighter than expected. Overall, El Dorado is the favorite, but Russellville will not go down without a fight. The result of this game will likely depend on how well Russellville can handle El Dorado’s defense and whether they can generate enough offense to keep pace with the Wildcats.