The Dudley (Greensboro, NC) varsity football team will host Asheboro (NC) for a home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 NCHSAA 3A Football Championships.

Asheboro vs Dudley Football Game Info:

What: North Carolina High School Football Playoffs
Who: Asheboro vs Dudley
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
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Game preview: Asheboro vs Dudley

This week’s highly anticipated high school football game features a stark contrast in team performances, as the Asheboro Blue Comets (4-6) go head-to-head against the undefeated Dudley Panthers (10-0). The matchup promises to deliver exciting football, with both teams bringing distinct strengths to the field.

Team Overview

Asheboro Blue Comets
The Asheboro Blue Comets enter the game with a 4-6 overall record, and a 2-3 record in their conference. While their season hasn’t been stellar, Asheboro has shown resilience in their offensive game. The Blue Comets average 29.5 points per game, fueled by their balanced attack. They have a solid rushing game, averaging 181.4 yards per game, and their passing attack isn’t far behind, with 156 yards per game through the air. However, they’ll need to tighten up their defense, allowing an average of 316 yards per game and 29.5 points.

Key Players for Asheboro:

• Connor Brinton: Leading the ground game with 117.8 rushing yards per game.
• Logan Loughlin: The quarterback responsible for 154.4 passing yards per game.
• Eiljah Woodle: Top receiver with 51.6 yards per game.

Dudley Panthers
On the other side, Dudley boasts an impressive 10-0 record, undefeated in both their overall season and conference play. They are a high-powered team, averaging a remarkable 49.1 points per game and a staggering 562.3 total yards per game. Their offense is potent, with 268 rushing yards per game and 294.3 passing yards per game. Defensively, they are relentless, giving up just 15 points per game, with standout players like Robert McCollum leading the way.

Key Players for Dudley:

• Jaquez Crawford: A dual-threat player contributing 161.6 total yards per game (rushing and passing).
• CJ Neely: Leading the receiving corps with 88.8 yards per game.
• Robert McCollum: Defensive powerhouse with 9.7 tackles per game.

Scoring Breakdown

Looking at the scoring averages, it’s clear that Dudley’s offense is on another level. The Panthers dominate early, scoring an average of 13.0 points in the first quarter alone, compared to Asheboro’s 9.3. Dudley’s ability to pour on 28.0 points in the third quarter further separates them, while Asheboro struggles to maintain momentum with only 4.5 points per third quarter.

Stat Comparison

• Rushing Yards: Dudley leads the way with 268 rushing yards per game, nearly 87 yards more than Asheboro’s 181.4.
• Passing Yards: The two teams are much closer in passing yards, with Dudley averaging 294.3 yards per game and Asheboro at 156.
• Total Yards: Dudley dominates with 562.3 yards per game, a sharp contrast to Asheboro’s 337.4 yards.
• Defense: Dudley has a stronger defense, with 103.2 tackles per game and 7.5 sacks, compared to Asheboro’s 66 tackles and 1.0 sack per game.

Keys to Victory

For Asheboro, the key to victory lies in controlling the game tempo and exploiting Dudley’s one weak point — their occasional lack of scoring in the fourth quarter. They’ll need to keep the game close early and lean on their rushing attack to control the clock. Additionally, the Blue Comets’ defense will need to rise to the occasion, limiting Dudley’s explosive offense and preventing big plays.

For Dudley, continuing their dominant offensive performance and stifling Asheboro’s attack will be the priority. If their defense can keep Asheboro from getting into any rhythm, and their offense continues to dominate the scoreboard, Dudley will remain the clear favorites to finish the season unbeaten.

Conclusion

This matchup promises to be a thrilling contest, with Asheboro hoping to pull off an upset against the undefeated Dudley Panthers. While Asheboro has shown flashes of promise, it will take an extraordinary effort to challenge the juggernaut that Dudley has become this season. Whether the Blue Comets can find the key to slow down Dudley’s high-octane offense will be the story of the game. Fans of both teams are in for a treat as two teams with very different seasons meet on the gridiron.