The Cedar Ridge (Newark, AR) varsity football team faces Woodlawn (Rison, AR) today at 7 p.m. in a neutral-site playoff game. This matchup is part of the 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs, within the 2024 8-Man State Bracket. Both teams are looking to advance in the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arkansas High School Football
Who: Woodlawn vs Cedar Ridge
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs (Arkansas) – 2024 8-Man State Bracket
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Cedar Ridge vs. Woodlawn

The 2024 AAA Centennial Bank State Football Playoffs are in full swing, and tonight at 7 p.m., the Cedar Ridge (Newark, AR) and Woodlawn (Rison, AR) varsity football teams will meet in a neutral-site playoff game. This contest, part of the 2024 8-Man State Bracket, is a pivotal matchup, with both teams vying for a spot in the next round of the tournament.

Cedar Ridge: A Strong Team with a High-Powered Offense

Cedar Ridge enters this game with a strong 6-1 overall record and a 2-1 conference mark. With an offense that averages 34.9 points per game, Cedar Ridge has proven to be a force on the field. They have been particularly effective in the first half, averaging 12.0 points in the first quarter and 17.0 points in the second. They also have the ability to continue scoring through the second half, with 7.0 points in the third quarter and 15.0 points in the fourth.

Cedar Ridge’s balanced attack and ability to score early and often make them a difficult matchup for any team. They’ve been dominant at home with a 3-0 record, and they’ll look to carry that momentum into this neutral-site game. Defensively, they’ve been solid, allowing only 118 points on the season—an average of just 16.9 points per game.

Woodlawn: A Team with Potential but Inconsistent Play

Woodlawn enters the game with a 3-3 overall record and a 1-2 conference finish, leaving them with a .500 win percentage. Their offense has been inconsistent, averaging just 28.3 points per game. They have struggled to score early, averaging only 0 points in the first quarter, but they’ve been able to put up some points in the second half with 2.5 points in the second quarter and 3.5 points in the fourth. However, their third-quarter offense has been virtually nonexistent, scoring just 0 points in that period.

Woodlawn will need to find a way to generate more consistent offense, particularly in the first half, if they hope to keep pace with Cedar Ridge. On defense, they’ve allowed 120 points this season, which is a solid number, but they’ll need to step up their game to slow down Cedar Ridge’s high-powered attack.

The Key to Victory

For Woodlawn, success will depend on finding a way to sustain offensive drives, especially in the first half. They’ll need to capitalize on any opportunities to score early and improve their performance in the second quarter. Defensively, they’ll need to limit Cedar Ridge’s explosive offense, particularly in the first half, to keep the game within reach.

For Cedar Ridge, continuing their offensive dominance will be key to securing a win. Their ability to score quickly and frequently puts pressure on their opponents, and they’ll need to maintain that pace throughout the game. With their solid defense and high-scoring offense, Cedar Ridge has the tools to advance in the tournament.

As the 2024 football season continues to unfold, two teams in the region, Woodlawn and Cedar Ridge, are drawing attention with their solid performances and their shared opponents. While both teams have had their ups and downs this season, looking at their records against common opponents offers valuable insight into how they compare.

Overall Performance

Both teams have a fairly balanced record this season, with Woodlawn sporting a 3-3 overall record and Cedar Ridge a stronger 6-1. Despite Cedar Ridge’s better overall record, both teams have faced similar competition, which gives us an interesting lens through which to evaluate their progress and capabilities.

• Woodlawn: 3-3 overall, 1-2 in league play, 2-1 in non-league games
• Cedar Ridge: 6-1 overall, 4-0 in non-league play, 2-1 in league play

Results Against Common Opponents

The matchups between the two schools and their common opponents give us a deeper understanding of how they perform in head-to-head competition. The common opponents this season have been Rose Bud, Midland, and Augusta.

Rose Bud

• Woodlawn: Won 50-18 at home (9/6/24)
• Cedar Ridge: Won 56-8 at home (8/30/24)

Both teams had dominant wins over Rose Bud, although Cedar Ridge posted a slightly larger margin of victory. These early-season wins show that both teams can execute at a high level against similar competition.

Midland

• Woodlawn: Lost 26-0 away (9/13/24)
• Cedar Ridge: Lost 34-6 at home (10/18/24)

Both teams suffered defeats against Midland, but Cedar Ridge’s loss was more lopsided. Woodlawn’s closer loss could be seen as a sign of potential when facing tough competition, while Cedar Ridge will need to regroup after a challenging performance.

Augusta

• Woodlawn: Won 40-0 at home (9/27/24)
• Cedar Ridge: No result posted as of yet for 11/8/24

Woodlawn’s commanding 40-0 win against Augusta further reinforces their strength in non-league matchups. Cedar Ridge, yet to play Augusta as of this article’s writing, will have the opportunity to match up and possibly make a statement in this game.

Head-to-Head Comparison

While Woodlawn and Cedar Ridge have yet to face each other head-to-head this season, their records against common opponents provide a useful comparison. Both teams show resilience and ability to win against teams of similar caliber, but Cedar Ridge’s overall stronger record could indicate a higher level of consistency throughout the season.

• Home vs. Away Performance: Woodlawn has posted a 2-2 record at home and 1-1 on the road. Cedar Ridge has been dominant at home with a 3-0 record and strong away performances, too, with a 3-1 record.
• League vs. Non-League: Both teams have shown strengths in non-league play, but Cedar Ridge’s undefeated 4-0 record in non-league games outshines Woodlawn’s more balanced performance. Both teams have struggled in league play, with Woodlawn at 1-2 and Cedar Ridge at 2-1.

Conclusion

Both Woodlawn and Cedar Ridge have had impressive performances this season, especially in non-league play, where they both excelled against common opponents like Rose Bud and Augusta. However, Cedar Ridge has proven to be a stronger force overall, with a superior 6-1 record and an undefeated 4-0 mark in non-league matchups. Woodlawn, on the other hand, has shown resilience in close games and could potentially surprise in future matchups.

With both teams having faced Midland and with Cedar Ridge still to face Augusta, the next few weeks will be crucial for both schools. The head-to-head matchup between Woodlawn and Cedar Ridge will be highly anticipated, as fans will be eager to see which team has the edge when the two squads finally meet.