The Shiloh Christian varsity football team will face Van Buren today at 7 p.m. in a home playoff game. This matchup is part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 6A Football State Bracket, as both teams compete for a chance to advance in the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas High School Football Playoff
Who: Van Buren vs Shiloh Christian
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 6A Football State Bracket
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Shiloh Christian vs. Van Buren

The 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs are underway, and one of the most intriguing matchups in the 6A bracket features the Shiloh Christian Saints and the Van Buren Pointers. Shiloh Christian enters the game with a solid 7-3 record, while Van Buren, despite a 4-7 record, is looking to make an upset in this crucial playoff contest.

Van Buren: Struggling but Dangerous

Van Buren enters the playoffs with a 4-7 overall record, finishing 2-5 in conference play. The Pointers have faced a tough season, especially on the road, where they have a 3-3 record. Their offense has struggled at times, averaging just 23.2 points per game. The team’s first-quarter scoring has been particularly weak, averaging only 1.4 points, but they manage to find a rhythm in the second quarter with 11.0 points. Van Buren’s offense falters again in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they average just 5.9 points.

Despite their challenges, Van Buren has the potential for an upset. If the Pointers can capitalize on their second-quarter performance and stay competitive in the second half, they may surprise Shiloh Christian. However, they will need to find a way to improve their scoring consistency to compete with the high-scoring Saints.

Shiloh Christian: Strong All-Around Team with Explosive Offense

Shiloh Christian has had a successful season, posting a 7-3 overall record and a 5-2 conference mark. The Saints have been effective both at home (3-2) and on the road (4-1), showcasing their balanced team. Their offense has been a driving force, averaging 35.2 points per game. Shiloh Christian is particularly strong in the first quarter, where they average 13.7 points, and they also perform well in the third quarter with 8.6 points. Though their scoring dips slightly in the second quarter and fourth quarter, they have been consistent enough to maintain a solid lead throughout most of their games.

Shiloh Christian’s balanced offense, combined with a defense that has allowed only 214 points this season, makes them a tough opponent for Van Buren. With their explosive start to games, the Saints will look to build an early lead and use their defensive strength to keep Van Buren at bay.

Key Matchup Factors

One of the critical factors in this game will be Van Buren’s ability to overcome its slow start and maintain offensive momentum throughout the game. If the Pointers can find ways to exploit Shiloh Christian’s defense and keep up with the Saints’ fast-paced offense, they could make this a close contest.

For Shiloh Christian, the focus will be on capitalizing on their early-game dominance and maintaining that momentum throughout the contest. With a more consistent offensive attack and a much stronger overall season, the Saints will be looking to make a statement in the playoffs and advance further in the 6A bracket.

As the postseason approaches, the matchup between Clinton and Mills University Studies stands as one of the most exciting contests on the horizon. Both teams have enjoyed stellar seasons, with Clinton boasting a 10-2 overall record and Mills University Studies remaining undefeated at 9-0. With a combination of high-powered offenses and solid defenses, this game is set to be a thrilling encounter.

Team Stat Comparison

Offensive Comparison:

• Rushing Attack: Clinton has a potent rushing attack, averaging 337.6 yards per game. The standout player for Clinton, Elijah Moody, contributes an impressive 153.0 rushing yards per game, leading his team in both rushing and total offense. Mills University Studies, however, has been equally dominant on the ground with a 337.6-yard-per-game average, although the individual stats for their leading rusher are not provided in this data.
• Passing Game: Clinton’s Elijah Moody is a dual-threat, not only excelling on the ground but also in the air. With 169.7 passing yards per game, he adds significant value to Clinton’s offense, making it difficult for defenses to key in on just one aspect of their game. Mills University Studies is a bit more balanced with 186.8 passing yards per game.
• Receiving: Chauncey Haynes of Clinton leads the team in receiving with 53.6 yards per game. Mills University Studies’ ability to gain 186.9 receiving yards per game shows their effectiveness in the passing game, although specific leading receivers are not listed.
• Total Yards: Clinton averages an impressive 524.3 total yards per game, a testament to their balanced offensive approach. Mills University Studies averages 524.3 total yards per game as well, though much of their success is driven by their ability to dominate on both the ground and in the air.

Defensive Comparison:

• Tackles: Clinton’s defense is aggressive, averaging 67.7 tackles per game, with Zion Smith leading the charge with 7.1 tackles per game. Mills University Studies has been slightly more effective in limiting yards, averaging 67.7 tackles per game, showing their commitment to controlling opposing offenses.
• Sacks: The Mills University Studies defense has been more disruptive with an average of 3.3 sacks per game, led by Isiah Chambers who contributes 1.0 sack per game. This ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks could play a crucial role in the outcome of the game.
• Points Per Game: Both teams are capable of putting up big numbers. Clinton averages 48.1 points per game, while Mills University Studies scores 48.1 points per game. This offensive firepower could lead to a high-scoring battle, but Clinton’s slightly more balanced attack could give them an edge.

Key Players to Watch

• Clinton:
  • Elijah Moody: Moody is the engine that drives Clinton’s offense. Averaging 153.0 rushing yards and 169.7 passing yards per game, Moody is a dynamic player who can take over a game with his ability to make plays both through the air and on the ground.
  • Chauncey Haynes: Haynes provides a reliable receiving option for Clinton, contributing 53.6 receiving yards per game. His ability to stretch the field will keep Mills University Studies’ defense honest.
  • Zion Smith: Smith is the leader of Clinton’s defense, recording 7.1 tackles per game. His ability to disrupt opposing offenses will be key in this matchup.
• Mills University Studies:
  • Isiah Chambers: Chambers leads the defensive front with 1.0 sack per game. His ability to pressure Clinton’s quarterbacks could be a game-changer, forcing mistakes and disrupting their rhythm.
  • Elijah Moody (Mills University Studies): While the specific leader for rushing and passing in Mills University Studies is not listed, their overall ability to rack up yards, especially in the air, suggests that they have effective playmakers who can exploit Clinton’s defense.

Record Breakdown

• Clinton (10-2):
  • 5-2 in league play
  • 4-0 in non-league play
  • 3-2 at home, 6-0 away
  • 1-0 in neutral site games
  • 10-2 in-state record
• Mills University Studies (9-0):
  • 7-0 in league play
  • 2-0 in non-league play
  • 3-0 at home, 6-0 away
  • 0-0 in neutral site games
  • 9-0 in-state record

Mills University Studies’ perfect record in league play and impressive away performance (6-0) suggest that they are formidable contenders, but Clinton’s overall success, particularly on the road, makes them a strong rival.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced off against common opponents, giving a glimpse into how they perform against similar competition:

• Riverview: Clinton won 52-20 at home, while Mills University Studies defeated Riverview 63-7 at home.
• Heber Springs: Clinton triumphed 31-14 at home, while Mills University Studies won 41-0 on the road.

Conclusion

The upcoming game between Clinton and Mills University Studies is shaping up to be an exciting clash of offensive powerhouses. Clinton, led by the dual-threat ability of Elijah Moody, boasts a balanced and explosive offense that can dominate both through the air and on the ground. Meanwhile, Mills University Studies, though not as well known for individual offensive stats, has proven their ability to put up big numbers and is still undefeated for a reason. Their defense, with a high sack rate and strong tackling numbers, could be the key to slowing down Clinton’s attack.

Both teams are well-coached and come into this game with the intent to continue their successful seasons. While Mills University Studies’ perfect record and strong defensive stats make them a formidable opponent, Clinton’s ability to score quickly and efficiently gives them a slight edge. Ultimately, this game could come down to which team can control the tempo—if Clinton can establish their running game early, it could be difficult for Mills University Studies to keep pace. The stage is set for an unforgettable showdown.