The Arkansas (Texarkana, AR) varsity football team will face Valley View (Jonesboro, 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 5A Football State Bracket. Both teams are looking to advance in the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas High School Football
Who: Valley View vs Arkansas
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 5A Football State Bracket
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Valley View and Arkansas Face Off in 5A Playoff Showdown

The 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs are underway, and today at 7 p.m., the Valley View (10-0) varsity football team will face off against Arkansas (Texarkana, AR) (3-7) in a neutral-site game. This matchup is part of the 5A Football State Bracket, and Valley View enters as the heavy favorite, bringing an undefeated record into the contest.

Team Overview

Valley View has been dominant this season, finishing with a perfect 10-0 overall record and an unblemished 7-0 conference mark. The Blazers have displayed a potent offense, averaging 40.1 points per game. Their scoring has been consistently high across all quarters, with the team averaging nearly 10 points in the first quarter, 11.6 points in the second, and 11.4 points in the third. Although their scoring drops to 4.8 points in the fourth quarter, their early-game dominance has allowed them to maintain a commanding lead. Valley View’s stout defense has also contributed to their success, allowing just 104 points throughout the season.

On the other hand, Arkansas has had a much tougher season with a 3-7 overall record and a 3-4 conference mark. While they have shown flashes of potential, their offense has struggled, averaging just 24.7 points per game. Arkansas has been able to score early, averaging 12.7 points in the first quarter and 12.0 points in the second, but their scoring production significantly drops off in the second half, with just 2.3 points per quarter in both the third and fourth quarters. Defensively, they’ve allowed 353 points this season, which could be a major challenge against a high-scoring team like Valley View.

Key Stats

Valley View:

• Record: 10-0
• Conference Record: 7-0
• Points Scored: 401
• Points Allowed: 104
• Points Per Game: 40.1
• Scoring Average:
  • Q1: 9.9
  • Q2: 11.6
  • Q3: 11.4
  • Q4: 4.8

Arkansas:

• Record: 3-7
• Conference Record: 3-4
• Points Scored: 247
• Points Allowed: 353
• Points Per Game: 24.7
• Scoring Average:
  • Q1: 12.7
  • Q2: 12.0
  • Q3: 2.3
  • Q4: 2.3

What to Watch

For Valley View, their high-powered offense will be the key to their success in this playoff matchup. The Blazers have been able to score consistently, particularly in the first half, where they average over 20 points per game. Arkansas will need to find a way to slow down Valley View’s potent offense early in the game, or they risk falling into a deep deficit.

For Arkansas, the key to keeping the game competitive will be their ability to stay in the game early. Their offensive production in the first half has been solid, but they will need to find ways to sustain drives and keep their momentum going into the second half. Their defense will also need to step up, as they face one of the most dynamic offenses in the state.

Conclusion

Valley View enters the game as the clear favorite, with their undefeated record and dominant offense. Arkansas will need to execute flawlessly on both sides of the ball and hope for a strong start to keep the game close. If Valley View can maintain their usual high level of play, they will likely move on to the next round of the 5A Football State Tournament.

This game promises to be an exciting contrast in styles, with Valley View looking to continue their dominant season and Arkansas hoping to pull off an upset in the postseason. Fans can expect a high-energy contest as these two teams battle for a spot in the next round of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs.

In a high-stakes matchup, Valley View and Arkansas are set to face off in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Valley View has been dominant all season with a perfect 10-0 record, while Arkansas has faced its share of challenges, posting a 3-7 record. Despite the disparity in records, both teams have explosive players and strong team stats that should make for an exciting game. Let’s dive into the team statistics, individual leaders, and what this game means for both teams.

Offensive Comparison

Valley View and Arkansas are both capable of moving the ball effectively, but Valley View has been the more efficient team on offense this season.

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Valley View leads the way with 206.8 rushing yards per game, thanks to a powerful ground game led by Drew Gartman, who averages 113.0 rushing yards per game. Arkansas, on the other hand, has struggled to find consistency in the running game, averaging just 107.8 rushing yards per game. Tony Noble Jr. has been the top rusher for Arkansas, but the team’s overall rushing game has not matched the productivity of Valley View.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Arkansas has the edge in the passing game, averaging 194.6 passing yards per game compared to Valley View’s 139.1 passing yards per game. William Dunbar leads the Arkansas passing attack with 171.6 yards per game, making him a key player to watch. Valley View’s Drew Gartman has been effective through the air as well, with 135.8 passing yards per game, but the team leans more heavily on the run.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Both teams have strong receiving corps, but Valley View’s Andrew Jones, who averages 73.4 receiving yards per game, stands out as the primary target. Arkansas counters with Christian Roberts, who contributes 45.8 receiving yards per game. Despite the disparity, Valley View has more balanced production through the air and on the ground, giving them an edge in total offensive output.
• Total Yards Per Game: Valley View has the upper hand with 345.9 total yards per game, thanks to their balanced attack in both the rushing and passing game. Arkansas averages 302.4 total yards per game, with a heavier reliance on the passing game to generate offense.

Defensive Comparison

On the defensive side, both teams have been relatively even, although Valley View has shown slightly better consistency in shutting down opponents.

• Tackles Per Game: Valley View averages 49.7 tackles per game, with Ryder Wooten leading the team with 6.5 tackles per game. Arkansas, by comparison, averages 48.6 tackles per game, with Rodney Kindley contributing 5.4 tackles per game.
• Sacks Per Game: Both teams have struggled to generate pressure on the quarterback, with each team averaging 1.1 sacks per game. Valley View’s Payton Thomason and Arkansas’ Rodney Kindley are the leaders in this department, but neither team has been able to produce a consistent pass rush.

Key Players to Watch

• Valley View:
  • Drew Gartman is the key player for Valley View. He leads the team with 248.8 total yards per game, contributing 113.0 rushing yards and 135.8 passing yards per game. He’s also the team’s top scorer with 12.6 points per game, making him a dual threat that will be tough for Arkansas to contain.
  • Andrew Jones has been a reliable target in the passing game, and his 73.4 receiving yards per game will be crucial in stretching the field.
  • Ryder Wooten and Payton Thomason provide leadership on defense, with Wooten averaging 6.5 tackles per game and Thomason adding pressure with 0.3 sacks per game.
• Arkansas:
  • William Dunbar is the leader of the Arkansas offense, and his 171.6 passing yards per game make him the player to watch in the passing game.
  • Tony Noble Jr. will be the key to the running game, and his 50.7 rushing yards per game are vital to the team’s balance on offense.
  • Christian Roberts has been a consistent target in the receiving game, contributing 45.8 receiving yards per game. He will need to have a big game to help Arkansas keep pace with Valley View’s offense.
  • Rodney Kindley is the defensive leader, contributing 5.4 tackles per game, and he’ll need to play a pivotal role in slowing down Valley View’s dynamic offense.

Record Breakdown

• Valley View (10-0 overall, 7-0 league):
  Valley View has been exceptional this season, remaining undefeated and dominating opponents both in league play and outside it. With a perfect 7-0 record in the league, they are on track for a deep playoff run and are one of the top teams in their region. Their balance on offense and defense has been a key to their success.
• Arkansas (3-7 overall, 3-4 league):
  Arkansas has had a difficult season, finishing with a 3-7 record overall and struggling to find consistency in both league and non-league games. Despite their challenges, they have shown flashes of strong play, particularly in the passing game, and will look to build on those moments in this matchup.

Common Opponents

Both Valley View and Arkansas faced Morrilton this season, but the results were starkly different:

• Valley View vs. Morrilton (11/22/24): Valley View has yet to face Morrilton at the time of writing, but this will be a key test for them as they head into the latter part of the season.
• Arkansas vs. Morrilton (9/6/24): Arkansas lost to Morrilton in a tough 51-21 defeat. The loss highlighted some of Arkansas’ defensive struggles, particularly against high-powered offenses.

Conclusion

Valley View enters this game as the clear favorite, with their undefeated record and explosive offensive unit led by Drew Gartman. Their ability to run and pass the ball effectively, combined with solid defense, has made them one of the most dangerous teams in their league. Andrew Jones and Ryder Wooten provide key contributions on both sides of the ball, and Valley View will look to continue their dominant season.

Arkansas, on the other hand, will need to find a way to disrupt Valley View’s offensive rhythm. William Dunbar will need to have a big game passing the ball, and Tony Noble Jr. will need to step up on the ground. Arkansas’ defense has struggled at times, but Rodney Kindley and others will have to deliver their best performance to slow down Valley View’s high-powered offense.

While Valley View is the favorite, Arkansas has the potential to pull off an upset if they can find consistency on both sides of the ball. For Valley View, maintaining their perfect record will be a priority, as they look to stay on track for a deep playoff run.