2024 Arkansas 2A State Championship Conway Christian vs EPC

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our state championship preview features two teams looking to secure their first state championship in school history. Conway Christian defeated Junction City 25-21 in the state semi-finals. Meanwhile, East Poinsett County dominated Mount Ida 54-33. The Conway Christian Eagles are 14-0, looking to keep the perfect season alive and EPC has a record of 10-3. Here are five players to watch in the state championship match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1567728"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6751d4554e717"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1567728' first='Dee' last='Buchanan'] aims to lead his team to victory as he looks to cap off his impressive 2024 season in style. Buchanan is a versatile running back who also has experience at linebacker. He demonstrates good post-snap vision, allowing him to identify running lanes and attack them with good speed. His lower body strength, power, and leg drive make him difficult to bring down, enabling him to break tackles effectively. Additionally, Buchanan poses a threat in the passing game, as he has good hands and can quickly turn upfield after making a catch, thanks to his change of direction and balance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X: <a href="https://x.com/d_antonie11">https://x.com/d_antonie11</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1192050"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6751d4554e7b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1192050' first='Doug' last='Reel'] looks to dominate both sides of the trenches. Offensively, he can displace defensive linemen to create running lanes with his power. Defensively, he needs to fill gaps and apply pressure on Conway Christian's quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - Multi Position Athlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(No Social Media Found)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jeryn Thomas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"185","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Conway Christian","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6751d4554e86d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jeryn Thomas is a dual-threat quarterback who can challenge defenses with both his running ability and his accurate passing from the pocket. He has a quick release and delivers the football with good velocity, allowing him to fit it into tight windows. Thomas demonstrates the ability to anticipate receivers' breaks, leading them into opportunities for yards after catch (YAC). He will be the key player in their pursuit of a state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - Multi Sport Athlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(No Social Media Found)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Deagan Meeks","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"160","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Conway Christian","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6751d4554e929"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Deagan Meeks is one of Conway Christian's top wide receivers, and it's easy to see why. He excels at creating separation off breaks and can run right past defenders, giving his quarterback a quick window to make a play due to his solid speed. This was evident last Friday night when he caught the game-winning touchdown; Meeks blew past his defender on a post route. Keep an eye on this prospect throughout the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - Multi Sport Athlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(No Social Media Found)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1573083,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/GdmvTyGXwAASoMj.jpg?w=680" alt="" class="wp-image-1573083" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Arkansas Activities Association</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->