The Salem (AR) varsity football team is set to face Bismarck (AR) in a neutral playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs, featuring teams from the 2024 3A Football State Bracket in Arkansas. The game promises to be an exciting contest.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Arkansas State Football Championship
Who: Bismarck vs Salem
When: Today, December 14, 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: Bismarck vs. Salem
As the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs heat up, two teams from Arkansas are gearing up for a thrilling neutral-site showdown. The Bismarck Lions (13-0) will face off against the Salem Greyhounds (11-3) in a highly anticipated matchup that promises to deliver excitement, strategy, and high-intensity football.
Bismarck’s Perfect Season
Bismarck enters the game with an undefeated 13-0 record, showcasing their dominance across all facets of the game. The Lions have been perfect in both their conference and non-conference matchups, posting a flawless 7-0 record in conference play. They’ve maintained an excellent win percentage of 1.000, both overall and within the conference, and have shown their ability to thrive both at home and on the road with a 5-0 record at home and 5-0 away. Additionally, they’ve proven themselves on neutral fields with a 3-0 record. With 597 points scored and only 221 allowed, Bismarck has been an offensive juggernaut and a tough defense to break down.
Their offensive game has been particularly strong in the first and fourth quarters, averaging 13.1 points in the first quarter and 11.9 points in the final period, showing their ability to finish strong. Their total offensive average stands at 45.9 points per game, with consistent scoring across all four quarters, making them a well-rounded and highly effective team.
Salem’s Resilient Season
Salem, with a record of 11-3, has also had a strong season, but they enter this game as the underdog. With a 6-1 conference record, they’ve been highly competitive within their league, with an overall win percentage of .786 and a conference win percentage of .857. Salem has found success at home (5-0) and on neutral fields (3-1), but their 3-2 record on the road indicates that they’ve had a slightly tougher time away from home.
Salem’s offense averages 37.6 points per game, with a solid first-quarter performance of 12.4 points and a consistent second-quarter output of 12.4 points. However, the Greyhounds’ scoring tends to dip in the third and fourth quarters, averaging only 5.5 and 7.2 points, respectively. This will be a key area to address as they face a high-powered Bismarck team, which has been able to maintain strong offensive performances throughout the game.
A Battle of Strengths and Strategies
Bismarck’s balanced and potent offensive attack, paired with their ability to perform consistently across the game’s four quarters, gives them a clear advantage. With the ability to finish strong in the final moments, they will be a formidable opponent for Salem, who will need to capitalize on their early scoring and manage the game’s pace effectively.
Salem will need to find ways to counter Bismarck’s offensive firepower while improving their scoring in the later stages of the game. Their defense will also be put to the test, as they face a team that has averaged almost 46 points per game this season.
Conclusion: A Crucial Playoff Game
With both teams bringing unique strengths to the table, the game promises to be an exciting and hard-fought contest. Bismarck’s perfect season and balanced scoring attack will make them the team to beat, but Salem has shown resilience and determination throughout their season. As they prepare for this critical playoff game, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Fans can expect a high-intensity battle as these two teams square off in the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs, with a spot in the next round on the line.
