The Highland Home (AL) varsity football team will face Ariton (AL) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs in the 2A tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance further in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Alabama High School Football Playoff
Who: Ariton vs Highland Home
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs – 2A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Highland Home vs. Ariton

The 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs continue with a compelling 2A matchup between the undefeated Highland Home (AL) varsity football team and Ariton (AL) on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This neutral-site game promises to be an exciting contest, with Highland Home entering the playoffs as one of the top teams in the state, while Ariton aims to pull off an upset.

Highland Home’s Dominant Season

Highland Home has been one of the most dominant teams in 2A football this season, finishing with a perfect 12-0 record. The team went 6-0 in region play, showcasing their excellence both at home and on the road. Highland Home’s offense has been explosive, scoring a total of 571 points, averaging a staggering 47.6 points per game. On the defensive side, they have been just as dominant, allowing only 58 points throughout the season, a testament to their strength on both sides of the ball.

Highland Home has shown exceptional balance in scoring across all four quarters, with a particularly strong finish in the second half:

• Q1: 9.5 points
• Q2: 10.3 points
• Q3: 8.5 points
• Q4: 12.5 points
• Final: 47.6 points

Their ability to close out games with strong fourth-quarter performances has been a key factor in their undefeated season, and they’ll look to continue this dominance in the playoffs.

Ariton’s Resilient Season

Ariton comes into this matchup with a 7-5 record, having finished second in their region with a 5-2 region mark. While their overall record is not as impressive as Highland Home’s, Ariton has shown resilience throughout the season. They’ve managed to stay competitive in both home and away games, with a balanced scoring attack that has produced 319 points, averaging 26.6 points per game. Defensively, Ariton has given up 293 points, which means they will need to step up against Highland Home’s high-powered offense.

Ariton’s scoring is more spread out compared to Highland Home, with solid performances in the first two quarters, but they tend to slow down in the second half:

• Q1: 9.5 points
• Q2: 8.6 points
• Q3: 5.3 points
• Q4: 4.4 points
• Final: 26.6 points

Ariton will need to improve their second-half scoring and find a way to maintain momentum against Highland Home’s offensive onslaught.

Key Matchups and Strategies

Highland Home enters the game as the clear favorite, with an undefeated record and an offense that has been nearly unstoppable this season. Their ability to score in all four quarters and close out games with strong fourth-quarter performances will put pressure on Ariton’s defense. Ariton will need to limit Highland Home’s big plays and find a way to disrupt their offensive flow.

Defensively, Ariton will face a tough challenge in slowing down Highland Home’s potent attack, which has been averaging nearly 50 points per game. Ariton will also need to find a way to score more consistently, especially in the second half, if they are to stay competitive in this game.

The upcoming matchup between Ariton and Highland Home promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams bringing their unique styles to the field. Highland Home enters the game as an undefeated juggernaut, while Ariton looks to challenge the powerhouse with their own competitive spirit. Let’s take a deeper look at the team statistics, key players, and records to better understand the dynamics of this matchup.

Team Stats Comparison

Offensive Play

• Rushing: Both teams excel in the running game, with Highland Home slightly ahead in rushing yards per game at 224.9, compared to Ariton’s 223.3 yards. This shows that both teams heavily rely on their ground attack to control the game.
• Passing: There is a noticeable difference in passing yards between the two teams. Highland Home has a clear edge with 111.5 passing yards per game, whereas Ariton only averages 53.6 passing yards. Highland Home’s passing game has proven to be more dynamic, contributing to their higher overall yardage.
• Receiving: Highland Home also outpaces Ariton in receiving yards per game, with 113.4 yards compared to Ariton’s 54.3. This further underscores the versatility of Highland Home’s offense, capable of attacking both on the ground and through the air.
• Total Yards: Highland Home’s offensive efficiency results in an average of 336.4 total yards per game, while Ariton averages 276.8. This disparity in total yards highlights Highland Home’s more balanced and explosive offense.

Defensive Play

• Tackles: Ariton leads in tackles per game with 113.6, compared to Highland Home’s 52.2. This indicates that Ariton’s defense is more active, likely due to their reliance on stopping the run and staying involved in every play.
• Sacks: Both teams have shown decent ability to disrupt the quarterback, with Highland Home averaging 1.5 sacks per game, just ahead of Ariton’s 1.4. This slight difference shows that both teams can apply pressure to the quarterback, though neither team dominates in this department.
• Points Allowed: Ariton allows 26.5 points per game, while Highland Home gives up a significantly lower 45.4 points per game. This highlights the potential for Highland Home to dominate defensively, especially when considering their ability to outscore opponents at such a high rate.

Key Players to Watch

• Ariton’s Key Players:
  • Wells Ganey: The cornerstone of Ariton’s offense, Ganey leads the team in both rushing and total yards, averaging 103.8 rushing yards and 114.9 total yards per game. He is also a key contributor in scoring with 9.0 points per game.
  • Addison Senn: As the team’s primary passer, Senn throws for 53.6 passing yards per game. Though Ariton leans more on the ground game, Senn’s ability to make timely passes will be essential in keeping Highland Home’s defense honest.
  • Tate Kilcrease: A vital part of Ariton’s defense, Kilcrease averages 12.0 tackles per game, making him a key player in stopping Highland Home’s high-powered offense.
• Highland Home’s Key Players:
  • Austin Crittenden: The primary rusher for Highland Home, Crittenden averages 100.3 rushing yards per game and has the ability to dominate on the ground. His physicality will be crucial in controlling the pace of the game.
  • TJ Washington: The versatile offensive weapon for Highland Home, Washington leads the team in passing with 118.2 passing yards per game and is a key factor in their explosive offense. His ability to balance the run and pass will keep Ariton’s defense guessing.
  • Tyler Chaney: The top receiver for Highland Home, Chaney averages 57.5 receiving yards per game. His ability to stretch the field will provide opportunities for Washington to make big plays through the air.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced common opponents, offering some insight into how they may match up.

• Providence Christian: Ariton played Providence Christian on 10/4/24, losing 37-14 on the road, while Highland Home won 42-6 at home on 11/15/24. Highland Home’s dominant victory highlights their strength against tougher competition, while Ariton struggled in a similar matchup.
• Brantley: Ariton lost 45-27 against Brantley on 11/1/24, while Highland Home defeated Brantley 56-6 on 9/27/24. Again, Highland Home’s commanding win over Brantley stands in stark contrast to Ariton’s defeat, suggesting that Highland Home has been able to handle tough opponents more effectively.

Record Breakdown

• Ariton: With a 7-5 overall record, Ariton has shown resilience but has faced some challenges against strong teams. Their 5-2 league record proves they are competitive within their region, though their non-league struggles (0-3) reflect their inconsistency in tougher matchups.
• Highland Home: On the other hand, Highland Home has been a dominant force, finishing the regular season with an undefeated 12-0 record. Their perfect 6-0 league record and flawless 4-0 non-league record underscore their superiority this season.

Conclusion

The matchup between Ariton and Highland Home sets the stage for a compelling game. Highland Home’s explosive offense, led by Austin Crittenden and TJ Washington, is likely to overwhelm Ariton’s defense, despite Ariton’s strong tackle numbers. Ariton will need to lean on their ground game with Wells Ganey and their defensive playmakers to keep the game competitive.

However, given Highland Home’s superior total yardage, scoring ability, and dominance over common opponents, they enter the game as the heavy favorites. Ariton will have to play near-perfect football to disrupt Highland Home’s offensive rhythm and pull off an upset. If Highland Home continues their high-scoring ways, they should be able to maintain their undefeated streak and advance to the next stage of the playoffs.