The Mansfield (AR) varsity football team will face Salem (AR) in a neutral-site playoff game tonight at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 3A Football State Bracket, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance in the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas State Football Championship
Who: Salem vs Mansfield
When: Today, December 06, 2024
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 3A Football State Bracket
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Salem vs. Mansfield

The 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 3A Football State Bracket is heating up, and tonight’s neutral-site playoff game between Salem and Mansfield promises to be an exciting contest. Both teams have posted impressive records this season, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown with a spot in the next round on the line.

Salem: Strong Season, Powerful Offense

Salem comes into the game with a 10-3 overall record, finishing with a solid 6-1 conference record. Their performance has been especially strong at home, where they went 5-0, but they’ve also been competitive away (3-2) and on neutral ground (2-1). Salem’s offense has been highly effective, averaging 37.5 points per game.

The Greyhounds’ scoring has been relatively balanced throughout the game. They score an average of 12.4 points in both the first and second quarters, followed by 6.0 points in the third quarter and 6.5 points in the fourth. While their scoring drops slightly in the second half, their consistent early-game performance has helped them stay competitive all season.

Mansfield: A Stellar Season, Unbeaten in Conference

Mansfield enters the matchup with an impressive 11-2 record, showcasing their dominance in conference play with a perfect 7-0 record. Like Salem, they’ve been effective both at home (5-0) and away (3-2), but they stand out for their flawless 3-0 neutral-site record. Their offense has been even more potent than Salem’s, averaging 39.5 points per game.

The Tigers have been explosive, especially in the first half, scoring an average of 25.6 points across the first two quarters. They also continue to score in the second half, averaging 7.2 points in the third quarter and 6.4 points in the fourth. Their ability to maintain strong offensive output throughout the game will be key as they look to advance.

Key Matchup: Offensive Firepower

Both Salem and Mansfield feature high-scoring offenses, but Mansfield has a slight edge in terms of overall production, averaging 39.5 points per game compared to Salem’s 37.5. The key to this game could lie in how both teams perform in the second half, where Salem’s scoring drops, while Mansfield has maintained consistent offensive production.

Salem will need to find a way to keep pace with Mansfield’s potent attack, especially as the game progresses. Their ability to capitalize on the early-game momentum will be crucial if they hope to challenge Mansfield’s strong second-half performance.

Defensive Battle

Defensively, Mansfield has allowed just 190 points this season, an average of 14.6 points per game, while Salem has given up 248 points, averaging 19.1 points per game. Mansfield’s defense will likely be tested, as Salem’s offense is capable of putting up points quickly. However, Mansfield’s defense has proven to be tough, and they’ll be looking to slow down Salem’s high-scoring unit.

Looking Ahead

Tonight’s game is expected to be a hard-fought battle between two strong teams, each with potent offenses and solid defensive units. Salem will be looking to build on their strong season and continue their playoff run, while Mansfield will aim to capitalize on their undefeated conference record and high-scoring offense.

Both teams have demonstrated the ability to perform under pressure, and this neutral-site game will be no different. With a berth in the next round on the line, fans can expect a thrilling contest filled with big plays and exciting moments. Whether Salem can overcome their second-half scoring issues or Mansfield can maintain their dominance, this playoff matchup is sure to be a memorable one.

Here is a comparison of the Salem and Mansfield football teams based on the provided stats:

Team Stats Comparison:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Salem – 324.1 (Mansfield – Data not provided)
• Passing Yards Per Game: Salem – 69.5 (Mansfield – Data not provided)
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Salem – 63.7 (Mansfield – Data not provided)
• Total Yards Per Game: Salem – 393.6 (Mansfield – Data not provided)
• Tackles Per Game: Salem – 50.9 (Mansfield – Data not provided)
• Sacks Per Game: Salem – 3.7 (Mansfield – Data not provided)
• Points Per Game: Salem – 36.4 (Mansfield – Data not provided)
• Pancake Blocks: Salem – 0 (Mansfield – Data not provided)

Team Leaders:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Salem – #5 Kaden Brink (140.6) (Mansfield – Data not provided)
• Passing Yards Per Game: Salem – #12 Jackson Taylor (73.7) (Mansfield – Data not provided)
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Salem – #7 Kaiden Hollis (39.4) (Mansfield – Data not provided)
• Total Yards Per Game: Salem – #5 Kaden Brink (141.0) (Mansfield – Data not provided)
• Tackles Per Game: Salem – #32 Skyler Payne (7.9) (Mansfield – Data not provided)
• Sacks Per Game: Salem – #50 Keagan Sanderson (1.3) (Mansfield – Data not provided)
• Points Per Game: Salem – #12 Jackson Taylor (9.5) (Mansfield – Data not provided)
• Pancake Blocks: Salem – #7 Kaiden Hollis (0) (Mansfield – Data not provided)

Common Opponents:

• Salem:
  • Lost to Newport (42-6) on 9/13/24
  • Beat West Fork (46-7) on 11/15/24
• Mansfield:
  • Beat Newport (34-14) on 11/22/24
  • Beat West Fork (42-8) on 11/8/24

Record Breakdown:

• Salem (24-25):
  • Overall: 10-3
  • League: 6-1
  • Non-League: 1-2
  • Head-to-Head: 0-0
  • Common Opponent Record: 1-1
  • Home: 5-0
  • Away: 3-2
  • Neutral: 2-1
  • Playoff: 3-0
  • In-State: 10-3
  • Out-of-State: 0-0
• Mansfield (24-25):
  • Overall: 11-2
  • League: 7-0
  • Non-League: 1-2
  • Head-to-Head: 0-0
  • Common Opponent Record: 2-0
  • Home: 5-0
  • Away: 3-2
  • Neutral: 2-1
  • Playoff: 3-0
  • In-State: 11-2
  • Out-of-State: 0-0

Key Observations:

• Salem has a strong rushing attack, led by Kaden Brink, and excels in total yards per game.
• Mansfield has a better overall record, going 11-2 compared to Salem’s 10-3, and is undefeated at home.
• Both teams have a 1-1 record against common opponents, with Mansfield winning both their games and Salem winning one and losing one.

This provides an overall snapshot of each team’s strengths and performance throughout the season.