The Benton (AR) varsity football team will face Shiloh Christian (Springdale, AR) in a neutral-site playoff game today at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 6A Football State Bracket, where both teams will compete for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas State High School Football Playoff
Who: Shiloh Christian vs Benton
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 6A Football State Bracket
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Shiloh Christian vs. Benton

As the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs heat up, the Shiloh Christian (Springdale, AR) varsity football team will face Benton (AR) in a neutral-site game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 6A Football State Bracket, where both teams aim to secure a spot in the next round of the postseason.

Rankings & Records

• Shiloh Christian
  • Overall Record: 8-3
  • Conference Record: 5-2
  • Home Record: 4-2
  • Away Record: 4-1
  • Neutral Record: 0-0
  • Win Percentage: .727
  • Conference Win Percentage: .714
  • Points For (PF): 415
  • Points Against (PA): 249
  • Class: 3

Shiloh Christian enters this game with an 8-3 record, showcasing solid performance throughout the season. Their offense has averaged 37.7 points per game, with a strong start in the first quarter (15.2 points). However, the team tends to slow down in the second half, where their scoring averages decrease.

• Benton
  • Overall Record: 10-1
  • Conference Record: 7-0
  • Home Record: 4-0
  • Away Record: 5-1
  • Neutral Record: 1-0
  • Win Percentage: .909
  • Conference Win Percentage: 1.000
  • Points For (PF): 575
  • Points Against (PA): 208
  • Class: 2

Benton boasts a stellar 10-1 record, dominating in both conference and non-conference play. The Panthers’ offense has been potent, averaging 52.3 points per game, with a particularly strong first half (33.2 points across the first two quarters). Their defense has also been impressive, allowing just 208 points this season.

Scoring Averages and Key Trends

• Shiloh Christian
  • First Quarter: 15.2
  • Second Quarter: 8.5
  • Third Quarter: 7.8
  • Fourth Quarter: 6.2
  • Average Final Score: 37.7

Shiloh Christian has shown the ability to start strong, but their offense tends to taper off as the game progresses, particularly in the second half. To compete with Benton, they will need to maintain their early-game momentum and find ways to keep scoring in the final quarters.

• Benton
  • First Quarter: 17.1
  • Second Quarter: 16.1
  • Third Quarter: 8.6
  • Fourth Quarter: 9.4
  • Average Final Score: 52.3

Benton has been an offensive powerhouse throughout the season, particularly in the first half where they average over 33 points. Though their scoring drops slightly in the second half, their strong early-game performance typically gives them a comfortable lead. Shiloh Christian will need to find a way to disrupt Benton’s explosive first half.

Key Matchup Factors

1. Offensive Firepower: Benton’s high-scoring offense will be a major challenge for Shiloh Christian. The Panthers average over 50 points per game and have a deep roster capable of putting up points quickly. Shiloh Christian will need to find ways to stop Benton’s fast-paced attack and keep the game close.
2. Defensive Pressure: While Benton’s defense has allowed just 208 points this season, Shiloh Christian’s offense has been potent, averaging 37.7 points per game. The key for Benton will be to limit big plays and force Shiloh Christian into tough situations.
3. Consistency in the Second Half: One of Shiloh Christian’s challenges this season has been their inability to maintain offensive consistency in the second half. To win, they’ll need to find ways to keep up with Benton after halftime, particularly in the final two quarters.

What’s at Stake

For both teams, this playoff game is crucial in their quest for a state championship. Benton, with its undefeated conference record and high-powered offense, is the favorite going into this matchup. However, Shiloh Christian has been solid all season and will be looking to spring an upset. The winner will advance to the next round, where they will continue their pursuit of a state title.

With both teams bringing strong offensive and defensive units to the field, this promises to be an exciting and competitive matchup. Fans can expect plenty of scoring and intense football as Benton and Shiloh Christian fight for postseason glory.

As the 2024-2025 high school football season heads toward the playoffs, teams like Shiloh Christian and Benton have shown impressive performances. With a shared goal of reaching the postseason, it’s interesting to compare these teams, not only based on their overall records but also their key stats, individual performances, and results against common opponents. Here’s a breakdown of how Shiloh Christian and Benton stack up against each other this season.

Team Statistics:

• Shiloh Christian has been strong on offense, averaging 203.1 rushing yards per game, 201.5 passing yards, and 199.5 receiving yards. They’ve accumulated a total of 404.5 yards per game, reflecting a balanced attack. Defensively, they average 60.2 tackles per game with 0.6 sacks per game. Their offense is potent, scoring 32.0 points per game.
• Benton, by comparison, has excelled in specific areas, with particularly high efficiency on offense. Their overall offensive stats (rushing, passing, and receiving yards) and defense haven’t been provided, but we know they’re consistently producing strong results on the field.

Individual Leaders:

• Shiloh Christian’s top players:
  • Griffin Mason leads the team with an average of 142.0 rushing yards per game.
  • Cole Creighton has been dynamic in the passing game, averaging 166.7 passing yards per game, and also contributes heavily to total yardage with 188.3 yards per game.
  • Chandler Kemp has been the team’s top receiving threat, averaging 67.1 yards per game.
  • Aj Ylanan leads the team in tackles with 6.8 per game.
  • Josiah Campbell contributes on defense, with 0.3 sacks per game.
  • Griffin Mason also excels as a scorer, with 10.2 points per game.
• Benton’s top players: Information on Benton’s individual leaders was not provided in the comparison, but the team’s 10-1 record suggests strong contributions from multiple players.

Head-to-Head vs Common Opponent (Lake Hamilton):

• Shiloh Christian faced Lake Hamilton on 11/1/24 and suffered a close 35-28 loss.
• Benton, on the other hand, took on Lake Hamilton on 11/22/24 and posted an impressive 57-14 victory.

Benton’s decisive win over Lake Hamilton stands in contrast to Shiloh Christian’s narrow defeat, showcasing Benton’s strength in this particular matchup.

Record Breakdown:

• Shiloh Christian (24-25):
  • Overall: 8-3
  • League: 5-2
  • Non-League: 2-1
  • Home: 4-2
  • Away: 4-1
  • Playoff: 1-0
  • In-State: 8-2
  • Out-of-State: 0-1
• Benton (24-25):
  • Overall: 10-1
  • League: 7-0
  • Non-League: 2-1
  • Home: 4-0
  • Away: 5-1
  • Playoff: 1-0
  • In-State: 10-1
  • Out-of-State: 0-0

While Shiloh Christian has had a competitive season, Benton stands out with an undefeated league record and a slightly stronger overall performance. Benton’s 10-1 record and perfect mark at home reflect a consistent and dominant season.

Conclusion:

Both teams have had impressive campaigns this year. Shiloh Christian’s offense is balanced, with standout performances from Griffin Mason and Cole Creighton. However, Benton has proven to be more dominant overall, especially with their perfect league record and strong play at home. Their victory over common opponent Lake Hamilton, combined with their better overall record, gives Benton the edge going into the final stretch of the season. However, Shiloh Christian remains a formidable force and will be looking to improve on their performance as the playoffs approach.