The Heber Springs (AR) varsity football team will face Southside (Batesville, 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, under the 4A Football State Bracket, as both teams compete for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas High School Football Playoff
Who: Southside vs Heber Springs
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 4A Football State Bracket
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Southside vs. Heber Springs Preview

The 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs continue with an exciting neutral-site matchup today at 7 p.m., as Southside (Batesville) takes on Heber Springs in the 4A Football State Bracket. Both teams have had impressive seasons, but only one will advance to the next round in this high-stakes game.

Southside: Perfect Season, Powerful Offense

Southside enters this game with an undefeated record of 11-0, making them a dominant force in the state. With a perfect 7-0 conference record, they’ve been nearly unstoppable throughout the season. Southside has been equally formidable both at home (5-0) and away (5-0), and they’ve carried that momentum into neutral-site games, boasting a 1-0 record. Their offense has been explosive, averaging a remarkable 38.8 points per game, with standout performances in the first two quarters, where they score 21.0 points in both the first and second quarters. However, their offense has cooled in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they score 0 points. Despite this, their early-game dominance gives them a significant edge.

Heber Springs: Strong but Challenged

Heber Springs, with a 8-3 record, has been solid throughout the season but faced tougher competition. They finished 6-1 in conference play, and despite a 3-2 record at home, they’ve been strong on the road with a 4-1 away record. Heber Springs has also performed well in neutral-site games, with a 1-0 record. Their offense has averaged 33.8 points per game, with strong second-quarter performances (12.2 points). However, their scoring tends to drop in the second half, particularly in the third quarter, where they average only 3.3 points. To keep pace with Southside, Heber Springs will need to improve their second-half offense and sustain a more balanced attack throughout the game.

Key Matchup Factors

• Southside’s Early Dominance: Southside’s ability to come out strong in the first half will be a key factor. If they can maintain their pace and avoid a drop-off in the fourth quarter, they’ll likely build a significant lead that Heber Springs will struggle to overcome.
• Heber Springs’ Second-Half Adjustments: Heber Springs has been effective in the second quarter, but they need to find a way to maintain or even increase their scoring in the second half, especially against a team like Southside, which can take advantage of early leads.

What to Watch For

• Southside’s Defensive Stand: While Southside has been an offensive powerhouse, their defense will need to step up, especially if Heber Springs can find a rhythm and capitalize on any slip-ups in the second half.
• Heber Springs’ Defensive Resilience: Heber Springs will need a strong defensive effort to contain Southside’s high-scoring offense, particularly in the first half. Any turnover or defensive stop will be crucial for the Bears to stay in the game.

Final Thoughts

The Southside vs. Heber Springs matchup is set to be a thrilling contest. Southside’s undefeated record and high-scoring offense make them the favorites, but Heber Springs has shown resilience throughout the season and will look to use their strong first-half performances to compete. With both teams bringing unique strengths to the table, this playoff game promises to be an exciting battle. Fans can expect a fast-paced, high-energy contest as these two teams fight for a chance to continue their journey in the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs.

The upcoming showdown between Southside and Heber Springs promises to be an exciting contest, as the undefeated Southside team faces off against the competitive Heber Springs squad. Both teams have been performing at a high level this season, with standout players and impressive records. This article breaks down the team stats, key players, and what fans can expect from this thrilling matchup.

Team Stat Comparison: Southside vs. Heber Springs

Southside’s Breakdown:

• Overall Record: 11-0
• League Record: 7-0
• Non-League Record: 3-0
• Home Record: 5-0
• Away Record: 5-0
• Neutral Record: 1-0
• Playoff Record: 1-0
• In-State Record: 11-0

Southside has been dominant all season, with a perfect 11-0 record. They boast an impressive 404.9 total yards per game, with a well-balanced attack featuring a strong rushing game (275.1 yards per game) and effective passing offense (129.8 yards per game). Defensively, they average 121.4 tackles per game, and their ability to score 40.1 points per game reflects their offensive prowess.

Heber Springs’ Breakdown:

• Overall Record: 8-3
• League Record: 6-1
• Non-League Record: 1-2
• Home Record: 3-2
• Away Record: 5-0
• Neutral Record: 1-0
• Playoff Record: 1-0
• In-State Record: 8-3

Heber Springs enters this game with a solid 8-3 record. While not undefeated like Southside, Heber Springs has proven themselves capable of competing with top-tier teams. They average 130.0 receiving yards per game and 404.9 total yards per game, showing a balanced offensive approach. Defensively, Heber Springs holds opponents to an average of 121.4 tackles per game. Despite the few losses, they have been competitive in both league and non-league matchups.

Key Players to Watch:

Southside:

• Owen McLaughlin (Running Back) – McLaughlin is the centerpiece of Southside’s offense, rushing for an impressive 154.5 yards per game and contributing 165.9 total yards per game. His ability to break big runs will be crucial in Southside’s offensive attack.
• Louis Calhoun (Receiver) – Calhoun has been a key target in the passing game, contributing 60.4 receiving yards per game. His ability to make plays in the air provides a versatile threat alongside McLaughlin’s ground game.
• Layton Neal (Defender) – With 13.1 tackles per game, Neal is a standout defensive player who will play a crucial role in shutting down Heber Springs’ offensive plays.

Heber Springs:

• Trey Allen (Quarterback) – Allen has been a leader for Heber Springs, throwing for 116.7 passing yards per game. His ability to make key passes will be vital in leading Heber Springs’ offense.
• Louis Calhoun (Receiver) – Calhoun has been instrumental for Southside, and Heber Springs will need to find ways to contain him to limit their offensive success.
• Cameron Foree (Defensive Lineman) – Foree’s 0.6 sacks per game indicates his ability to apply pressure to the quarterback, and he will need to disrupt Southside’s offensive rhythm.

Statistical Breakdown

1. Rushing and Passing Yards: Southside’s dominant rushing game, averaging 275.1 yards per game, will be a major factor. Heber Springs has a more balanced attack, with a slight edge in passing yards (129.8 compared to Southside’s 116.7).
2. Scoring: Southside averages 40.1 points per game, showing a potent offense. Heber Springs, while not as high-scoring, has been efficient in putting up 31.8 points per game, suggesting they can keep pace if they execute well.
3. Defensive Play: Both teams have similar defensive averages, with Southside at 121.4 tackles per game and Heber Springs showing a strong defensive unit. This game will likely be a battle of attrition, with whichever team can capitalize on defensive stops likely coming out on top.

Common Opponents Breakdown

Both teams have faced similar opponents, providing some insight into how they might perform against each other:

• Against Forrest City:
  • Southside (Home): 33-32 Win
  • Heber Springs (Home): 49-46 Win

Both teams emerged victorious in close games against Forrest City, showcasing their ability to win tight contests.

• Against Blytheville:
  • Southside (Away): 36-32 Win
  • Heber Springs (Home): 30-20 Win

Heber Springs won by a more commanding margin against Blytheville, while Southside’s victory was narrow. This shows that both teams are capable of competing against strong opponents, though Southside may have had tougher battles.

Record Breakdown

Southside’s Record:

• Overall Record: 11-0
• League Record: 7-0
• Non-League Record: 3-0
• Home Record: 5-0
• Away Record: 5-0
• Playoff Record: 1-0

Heber Springs’ Record:

• Overall Record: 8-3
• League Record: 6-1
• Non-League Record: 1-2
• Home Record: 3-2
• Away Record: 5-0
• Playoff Record: 1-0

Key Takeaways:

1. Southside’s Undefeated Record: Southside’s perfect record speaks to their dominance throughout the season. They will look to continue their unbeaten run with a strong performance against Heber Springs.
2. Balanced Offense: While Southside relies on their rushing game, Heber Springs has a more balanced attack, making it an intriguing matchup of offense versus defense.
3. Defensive Battle: With both teams averaging over 120 tackles per game, the defense will play a significant role in determining the outcome.

Conclusion

The matchup between Southside and Heber Springs is set to be a high-stakes game. Southside’s perfect record and dominant rushing attack give them a clear edge, but Heber Springs has the tools to make it a competitive contest. Both teams have proven they can win close games, and this contest will likely come down to which team executes better on both sides of the ball. Expect a thrilling game with plenty of big plays, especially as Southside looks to continue their undefeated run while Heber Springs aims to prove they can hang with the best.