The A.C. Flora Falcons (7-3) will host the Emerald Vikings (5-5) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m. The matchup is part of the 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class AAAA Football tournament. The game will take place in Columbia, SC.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: South Carolina High School Football
Who: A.C. Flora vs Emerald
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM
Bracket: 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class AAAA Football
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Game preview: A.C. Flora vs Emerald
The football season has been an exciting one for both Emerald and A.C. Flora, with each team showing strengths and facing challenges along the way. As the season progresses, their performances have drawn comparisons, especially when looking at their statistics and records. Let’s take a closer look at how these two teams stack up against each other.
Team Records and Performance Overview
Emerald (24-25) comes into this matchup with a .500 overall record, sitting at 5-5 for the season. They’ve had a balanced campaign, with a strong regional performance of 3-2. At home, they are 3-2, and away, they’ve posted a 2-3 record. Their overall points for (PF) stands at 282, while their points against (PA) is 268, showing a close margin in terms of scoring.
On the other hand, A.C. Flora (24-25) has enjoyed a more successful campaign with a 7-3 overall record. Their region performance of 4-2 has been solid, and they have a perfect 5-0 record at home. However, their away record sits at 2-3, which mirrors some of the challenges Emerald has faced on the road. A.C. Flora has scored 313 points (PF) and allowed 283 points (PA), outscoring their opponents by a solid margin.
Scoring Averages
In terms of scoring, A.C. Flora has the edge, averaging 31.3 points per game compared to Emerald’s 28.2 points per game. While both teams have been productive offensively, A.C. Flora’s consistent performance throughout the game has helped them edge out more victories, especially with their strong first half scoring averages.
Emerald has excelled in the latter stages of games, averaging 12.6 points in the fourth quarter, showing their resilience. In contrast, A.C. Flora’s scoring tends to dip in the second half, with just 3.5 points in the fourth quarter, which suggests that closing out games could be an area for improvement.
Offensive and Defensive Comparison
Emerald’s offensive game is led by a strong rushing attack, averaging 214.2 yards per game, which is significantly higher than A.C. Flora’s 158.9 rushing yards per game. However, A.C. Flora makes up for this with a potent passing game, averaging 239.4 yards per game through the air, compared to Emerald’s 93.2 passing yards per game. This makes A.C. Flora a more versatile offensive unit, capable of moving the ball through both the air and on the ground.
Defensively, Emerald averages 93.9 tackles per game, while A.C. Flora averages 82.8. This suggests that Emerald has been more active in stopping opponents, particularly in terms of tackling. Emerald also has a slight edge in sacks, with 2.1 per game, compared to A.C. Flora’s 1.0 per game, which shows their ability to pressure the quarterback.
Notable Players
Both teams feature standout players who have made significant contributions to their teams’ successes. For Emerald, Christopher Dean leads the charge with 58.1 rushing yards per game, while Beau Hite has been a key player both in passing (87.0 yards per game) and total yards (101.5 yards per game). Defensively, Christian Foster leads with 14.7 tackles per game.
A.C. Flora’s standout players include Brandon Mack, who has racked up 84.2 rushing yards per game, and Roper Wentzky, who is a dual-threat quarterback with 235.8 passing yards per game and 237.5 total yards per game. Kendall Byrd has been their top receiver, averaging 102.5 receiving yards per game, and Jordan Davis has led the defense with 10.0 tackles per game.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced common opponents, with each team managing a win against Laurens. Emerald defeated Laurens 26-17 at home on November 1, 2024, while A.C. Flora won 20-17 in their September 13, 2024 matchup at home.
Head-to-Head Comparison
While the two teams have yet to face each other this season, the comparison of their records, scoring, and statistics provides a clear picture of their capabilities. Emerald’s strong rushing attack and solid defense will be challenged by A.C. Flora’s high-powered passing game and balanced offense.
Conclusion
As the season progresses, both Emerald and A.C. Flora have proven to be formidable teams in their respective regions. While A.C. Flora holds the advantage in overall record and offensive output, Emerald’s gritty play and ability to perform in key moments make them a dangerous opponent. With both teams showing strong potential, a future matchup between them promises to be an exciting and closely contested game.
