The Ryan High School varsity football team (Denton, TX) will play a neutral-site playoff game against Richland (North Richland Hills, TX) today at 2:00 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships, specifically the 2024 Football Conference 5A Division 1 tournament.

Ryan vs Richland Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Ryan vs Richland
When: Saturday, November 30, 2024
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 5A D1
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Ryan vs Richland

As the Richland High School football team prepares for their highly anticipated playoff game against Ryan, the matchup promises to be an exciting and closely contested affair. Both teams have had impressive seasons, with standout performances in district and non-district games, setting the stage for a thrilling postseason clash.

Season Overview

Richland Raiders
The Richland Raiders, hailing from North Richland Hills, Texas, finished their regular season with a solid record of 10-2. They were 6-2 in district play and enjoyed a perfect 6-0 record at home. Their overall performance has been marked by a potent offense, averaging 48 points per game, and a balanced attack. Richland’s offense is led by dynamic players such as Drew Kates, who has thrown for 288.8 passing yards per game, and running back Jayshon Gibson, who rushes for an average of 72.2 yards per game. The Raiders’ defense is also noteworthy, with Roddrick Roberts contributing 10.4 tackles per game and 0.5 sacks per contest.

Ryan Raiders
Meanwhile, the Ryan Raiders from Denton, Texas, come into this game with an impressive 11-1 record. Their lone loss came at the hands of Aledo, which Richland also fell to. Ryan’s offense has been just as explosive as Richland’s, averaging 47.5 points per game. Ryan’s offensive leaders include quarterback Quin Henigan, who passes for 175.8 yards per game, and running back Nehemiah Warmate, who averages 86.5 rushing yards per game. Defensively, Ryan is tough, with standout performances from Dillon Arkansas (8.0 tackles per game) and Errol West (0.7 sacks per game).

Head-to-Head Comparison

The most recent meeting between these two teams came in mid-October, when Ryan defeated Richland 44-19. The game saw a dominant performance from Ryan, who controlled the pace from the start. Ryan outscored Richland 13-3 in the first quarter and continued to build on their lead throughout the game. Richland struggled to get their offense going, scoring just 19 points, while Ryan’s offense found success across all four quarters.

In that contest, Ryan’s explosive second-quarter performance, where they put up 14 points, was key to their commanding victory. However, Richland will be looking to turn the tables in this playoff encounter, where every play matters even more.

Scoring Trends

Richland has demonstrated consistent scoring throughout their games, especially in the first two quarters, where they average 14.4 and 16.6 points per quarter, respectively. However, they’ve struggled to maintain that momentum in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they average just 6.9 points. Ryan, on the other hand, has been highly efficient in the first half, averaging 37.4 points across the first two quarters, though they have shown a tendency to slow down in the final quarter.

Common Opponents

Both teams have shared several common opponents this season, with similar results. Against teams like Denton, Brewer, Birdville, and Granbury, both Richland and Ryan posted strong wins, including blowouts against Azle and Fossil Ridge. However, the two teams’ matchup against Aledo highlights a potential weak point: both teams lost by narrow margins, with Richland falling 49-42 and Ryan losing 42-27.

Key Players to Watch

For Richland, much of the offensive burden falls on quarterback Drew Kates, who has been instrumental in leading the team’s passing game. Kates will need to find his rhythm and capitalize on his talented receivers, such as Xavier Johnson, who leads the team with 102.8 receiving yards per game. On defense, linebacker Roddrick Roberts will be crucial in slowing down Ryan’s powerful offensive attack.

For Ryan, quarterback Quin Henigan and running back Nehemiah Warmate are the key playmakers, and their ability to generate yardage will be critical to the team’s success. Warmate, in particular, will look to carry the ball effectively and control the game on the ground. On defense, Dillon Arkansas and Errol West will be tasked with disrupting Richland’s passing game and applying pressure on Kates.

Playoff Implications

This playoff matchup between Richland and Ryan is more than just a game; it’s a chance for redemption and a shot at advancing further in the postseason. Both teams come into the game with strong records and a history of high-scoring affairs. The winner will move one step closer to the state championship, while the loser will have to regroup and reflect on a season full of promise.

With both teams showing impressive offensive and defensive statistics, this playoff game promises to be one of the most exciting matchups in the region. Fans can expect a hard-fought contest, and while Ryan holds the upper hand from their previous encounter, Richland will be eager to prove that they are capable of flipping the script in a high-stakes playoff environment.

Game Details:

• Date: Today, 2:00 PM (Neutral Site)
• Location: TBD
• Richland Record: 10-2
• Ryan Record: 11-1