After losing their final regular season game to Malvern, the Arkadelphia Badgers (8-1) had their work cut out for them to begin their playoff campaign.

Because they were tied heading into the 4-A state playoffs, the Badgers had to compete in a play-in game to qualify for the postseason. They defeated Star City 42-20 to get a playoff berth and face their first round opponent: the Mena Bearcats (6-4).

Mena would host the first round matchup under the lights of Bob Carver Bearcat Stadium. The No. 1-seeded Bearcats secured their spot in the regular season and awaited the winner of the fifth-seed play-in game between Arkadelphia and Star City.

Mena would get out the gates early scoring the first touchdown of the game, making it a 7-0 Bearcats lead. This would be their only endzone action of the game.

Meanwhile, the Badgers would start the chase, led by their emerging stars Jaishon Davis (23 carries, 116 yds, 2 TDs) and quarterback Braeden Thomas. 

Although he threw an interception, he went on to complete 11 of 23 passes for 152 yards through the air and 2 touchdowns. On the ground, the Arkadelphia QB recorded 33 yards and a touchdown on 9 carries.

After scoring 34 unanswered points, the Badgers would cement the victory by a score of 34-7. The fifth seeded Badgers upset the top-seed, sending the Bearcats into an earlier offseason than expected.

The Badgers will forward to their Thanksgiving weekend game in the second round against the notorious Warren. The third-seeded Lumberjacks defeated Lonoke with a steep score of 54-19 in round one to advance and face Arkadelphia.

These two teams have history dating back to 2017. Arkadelphia defeated Warren by a one-point margin, 28-27, to win the 4-A State Championship that year. Their second round game will be played Nov. 27.