The Airline High School varsity football team in Bossier City, LA will play a home playoff game against Westgate from New Iberia, LA on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division I Non-Select tournament.

What: Louisiana High School Football
Who: Airline (LA) vs Westgate (LA)
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division I Non-Select
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Westgate vs. Airline: A Comparison of Two Louisiana High School Football Powerhouses

As the 2024-2025 football season unfolds, the teams at Westgate and Airline are making their marks in Louisiana’s high school football scene. Both programs have demonstrated impressive records, but there are key differences that set them apart. Let’s dive into their rankings, records, team statistics, and individual leaders to see how these teams compare.

Team Records & Rankings

• Westgate (24-25) holds an overall record of 8-2, with a district performance of 4-2. Their winning percentage is a solid .800, which indicates a highly competitive squad. With 355 points scored and 238 points allowed, Westgate has shown both offensive strength and defensive resilience.
• Airline (24-25), on the other hand, remains undefeated with a perfect 10-0 record. This includes an 8-0 district record, meaning they’ve dominated their league with a flawless performance. Airline’s scoring is also impressive, with 550 points scored and 377 points allowed, making them one of the most potent teams in the state.

Team Scoring Averages

One of the biggest differences between the two teams lies in their scoring averages across the four quarters:

• Westgate averages 35.5 points per game, with the highest scoring quarter being the third at 22.5 points. However, they do tend to start games slowly, with only 3.0 points in the first quarter.
• Airline scores an average of 55.0 points per game. Their offense is well-balanced throughout the game, with the most points coming from the first half—16.0 in the first quarter and 15.8 in the second quarter. While they do taper off slightly in the second half, their offensive output remains incredibly strong.

Team Stat Comparison

• Westgate has a more balanced offensive game, with solid rushing and passing yards. The team averages 159.6 rushing yards per game and 369.9 passing yards per game, leading to an impressive 529.5 total yards per game. They also average 71.1 tackles per game and 1.6 sacks per game, reflecting a solid defensive effort.
• Airline, in contrast, is more pass-heavy, with a remarkable 369.0 receiving yards per game, and a total offensive output of 529.5 yards per game. They are a potent offensive force, leading the state with 54.8 points per game. Their defensive play is solid, but they excel in controlling the game offensively, relying heavily on their passing attack.

Individual Leaders

• Westgate features standout players such as Ben Taylor, the quarterback who leads the team in passing yards with an impressive 369.9 yards per game and total yards per game (384.7). Kenny Darby is the top receiver with 148.9 yards per game, and Elijah Dollar leads the team in tackles with 9.0 per game.
• For Airline, Kenny Darby is also a key player, though he is the standout on the receiving end with 148.9 yards per game. Ben Taylor, with his incredible offensive stats, provides the backbone for Westgate’s attack, and Elijah Dollar’s contributions on defense are crucial for Westgate’s balanced play.

Head-to-Head and Record Breakdown

• Westgate’s 8-2 record shows a solid track record, particularly at home where they are 4-1. However, Airline’s perfect 10-0 season puts them in a league of their own, with a flawless 5-0 record at home and away. Both teams have performed well against in-state teams, but Airline’s undefeated run demonstrates their dominance this season.
• Neither team has faced each other in a playoff situation yet, but both have shown they are contenders in their respective districts and classifications.

Conclusion

Both Westgate and Airline have demonstrated outstanding performances throughout the 2024-2025 season, but Airline’s perfect record and explosive offense set them apart as one of the state’s elite teams. Westgate’s balanced approach, especially in passing and rushing yards, allows them to compete fiercely, but they will need to improve their first-quarter scoring if they hope to challenge teams like Airline. As the playoffs approach, both teams are poised for strong showings, and it will be exciting to see how these powerhouses match up in future games.