It’s game day! Here at Varsity Vibe HQ, we’re getting ready for Week 2 of the playoffs. We have a lot of great matchups tonight and can’t wait to see who comes out on top 👀

Coming up in today’s newsletter:

🎙️ Previewing tonight’s games and the matchups to keep an eye on
📈 What’s trending around the state
👀 One to Watch
🏈 Game of the Week

Let’s dive right in!

🎙️ Varsity Vibe Today. Playing into the week of Thanksgiving is always the goal, and teams around the state have an opportunity to do so Friday night in the second round of the high school football playoffs. Alyssa Orange and Brey Cook break down the big 7A match-ups in store for Friday. Plus we introduce you to this week's SRD Performance Athlete of the Week.

🐯 Test for Tigers. The undefeated Bentonville Tigers host Springdale tonight at 7pm. The Tigers were able to rest last week with a bye, while the Bulldogs picked up their first playoff win, taking down Cabot 55-31, with senior quarterback Carson Hayter rushing for 151 yards and picking up five touchdowns. The Bulldogs offense was a force, racking up 385 total yards on the ground and getting 21 first downs. Meanwhile, the Tigers are a force to be reckoned with on offense, with senior quarterback Cole Slepecki throwing for 2,374 yards and 31 touchdowns this season. The two teams met earlier in the regular season, with the Tigers winning 63-7. The matchup can be watched here.

⚜️ Saints’ Shootout. Shiloh Christian’s basketball team recorded their second win of the season, skating past the Alma Airedales 70-65. Senior Duke Bowman picked up 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists for Shiloh, while senior Jude Humphrey scored 16 points with five rebounds of his own. The Saints will play Little Rock Christian tonight at 4pm. The game can be watched here.

🏈 Benton v. Bombers. Benton stays home tonight to host the Mountain Home Bombers. Mountain Home cruised past Sheridan last week, scoring 78 points in the process. The Bombers’ offense has remained steady throughout the regular season, scoring at least 40 points in seven games. Benton was awarded a bye week to start off playoffs, but took down Marion 38-21 to close out their regular season on Nov. 7. The Panthers’ senior quarterback Drew Davis averages 77 rushing yards and 322 passing yards per game. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm and can be watched here.

🏈 Little Rock Christian quarterback Eli Robertson has led the offense efficiently this season, despite being only a sophomore. His ability to make plays through the air and on the ground helped the Warriors pick up their first playoff win at this level in program history. In the Warriors’ 44-34 victory over Har-Ber, Robertson rushed for 136 yards, while also throwing for 190 yards and one touchdown. As Little Rock Christian heads into the quarterfinals, Robertson is absolutely one to watch. They’ll travel to Rogers tonight to face the Mounties. Kickoff is set for 7pm and can be watched here.

🏈 Bentonville West travels to face Conway tonight in the second round of the 7A playoffs. Both teams have eight wins on the season, with the Wolverines coming off a tight 34-33 victory over North Little Rock. In the win, Bentonville West had clutch moments on both sides of the ball — blocking a PAT attempt and scoring in the final minute to secure the win. The Wampus Cats enjoyed a night off last week after finishing with a 6-1 conference record. Kickoff is set for 7pm and can be watched here. 

⛹️‍♀️ Performance Athlete of the Week. Farmington basketball’s Cole Lentz has made incredible strides, which reflects the hard work he has put into his performance. He’s made improvements to his speed, dropping 0.24 seconds off of his 40-yard dash, 0.25 seconds off of his 20-yard dash, and 0.31 seconds off of his Pro Agility. The senior has also become more explosive, adding 2.38 inches to his broad jump, 1.8 inches to his standing vertical, and 3.7 inches to his approach vertical. To learn more about this program, visit srdathlete.com.

🏈 Undefeated Bryant is on a 23 game winning streak — and will hope to extend that streak tonight as they face the Fayetteville Bulldogs. Fayetteville is coming off of a big 58-22 win against Pulaski Academy, where junior quarterback Hank Hendrix threw for 250 yards and four touchdowns. Senior running back Kaleb Johnson led the run game with 110 yards on 13 carries. The game is scheduled for 7pm and can be watched here. 

Nov. 21:
🏈 7A Springdale @ Bentonville, 7:00 pm | Watch Here
🏈 7A Bentonville West @ Conway, 7:00 pm | Watch Here
🏈 7A Fayetteville @ Bryant, 7:00 pm | Watch Here
🏈 7A Little Rock Christian Academy @ Rogers, 7:00 pm | Watch Here

🏈 6A El Dorado @ Shiloh Christian, 7:00 pm | Watch Here
🏈 6A Jonesboro @ Greenwood, 7:00 pm | Watch Here
🏈 6A Mountain Home @ Benton, 7:00 pm | Watch Here
🏀 6A/5A Rogers @ Mountain Home, 7:00 pm | Watch Here

 🏈 5A Farmington @ Robinson, 7:00 pm | Watch Here
🏈 5A Parkview @ Harrison, 7:00 pm | Watch Here

👋 Hello There!

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