The Althoff Catholic varsity football team from Belleville, IL, will face Lena-Winslow from Lena, IL, in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 29, at 10 a.m. This matchup is part of the “2024 Illinois High School Football Playoff Brackets: IHSA – Class 1A” tournament.
What: Illinois High School Football
Who: Althoff Catholic (IL) vs Lena-Winslow (IL)
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. ET
Where: Hancock Stadium
Bracket: 2024 Illinois High School Football Playoff Brackets: IHSA – Class 1A
Live stream: Watch here
A Battle of Titans: Lena-Winslow vs. Althoff Catholic Team Analysis
The 2024-2025 high school football season has brought two dominant Illinois teams into the spotlight: Lena-Winslow and Althoff Catholic. Both teams boast an unblemished 13-0 record, showcasing their strength in conference and non-conference games alike. Here’s a breakdown of their impressive performances and key statistics.
Rankings and Records
- Lena-Winslow: Ranked #24 in Illinois and #1 in Class 1A, Lena-Winslow has dominated opponents with a perfect record, going 8-0 in conference play and undefeated in home, away, and neutral settings. Their points for (PF) total is 520, while their points against (PA) sit at 179, highlighting their solid defense and potent offense.
- Althoff Catholic: Holding the #28 rank in Illinois and #2 in Class 2A, Althoff Catholic mirrors Lena-Winslow’s flawless record, including a stellar 6-0 performance both at home and away. They’ve outscored opponents by a significant margin, amassing 638 PF to just 170 PA.
Scoring Averages
When it comes to scoring, Althoff Catholic holds the edge:
- Lena-Winslow: Averaging 40.0 points per game, their scoring is consistent across all quarters, with a strong start in the first half (16.0 in Q1 and 13.2 in Q2).
- Althoff Catholic: Averaging 49.1 points per game, they’ve shown explosive scoring ability early in games, averaging 20.0 points in Q1 and 19.8 in Q2. Their balanced attack keeps defenses on edge throughout.
Team Statistics Comparison
- Lena-Winslow:
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 262.8
- Passing Yards Per Game: 148.4
- Total Yards Per Game: 411.2
- Tackles Per Game: 59.5
- Sacks Per Game: 2.0
- Points Per Game: 40.0
- Althoff Catholic:
- Rushing Yards Per Game: Higher than the national average
- Passing Yards Per Game: Exceptional, led by their quarterback
- Total Yards Per Game: Well above Lena-Winslow, reflecting their diverse offensive strategies
- Tackles Per Game: Comparable to Lena-Winslow
- Sacks Per Game: Slightly behind Lena-Winslow, but their offensive dominance minimizes defensive pressure
Team Leaders
- Lena-Winslow:
- Rushing Yards Per Game: Dierre Hill Jr. with 179.2 yards, far exceeding the national average of 20.1.
- Passing Yards Per Game: Jayden Ellington with 143.8 yards, solidifying their aerial threat.
- Receiving Yards Per Game: Charleston Coldon with 58.9 yards, showcasing his reliability as a target.
- Total Yards Per Game: Dierre Hill Jr. again leads with 204.4 yards.
- Tackles Per Game: Drake Mosley with 7.3 tackles, a standout on defense.
- Sacks Per Game: Jason Dowell averages 1.0 sacks.
- Althoff Catholic:
- Rushing and passing leaders surpass national averages, reflecting their balanced offensive strategy.
- Points Per Game: Team leaders contribute heavily, with key players consistently outperforming the national norm.
Record Breakdown
- Lena-Winslow:
- League: 8-0
- Non-League: 1-0
- Playoff: 4-0
- Althoff Catholic:
- League: 3-0
- Non-League: 6-0
- Playoff: 4-0
Head-to-Head Potential
Although these two powerhouses have yet to face off directly, their impeccable records and contrasting strengths hint at an electrifying matchup if they meet. Lena-Winslow’s physical rushing attack and staunch defense would clash with Althoff Catholic’s high-powered offense and dynamic playmaking.
Conclusion
Both Lena-Winslow and Althoff Catholic have crafted remarkable seasons, setting the stage for a potential showdown of Illinois high school football’s finest. Whether it’s Lena-Winslow’s gritty, ground-and-pound style or Althoff Catholic’s explosive scoring, one thing is certain: these teams exemplify excellence on the gridiron.