The Ayer Shirley varsity football team will face off against Littleton in a home conference game today at 6 p.m.

What: Massachusetts High School Football
Who: Ayer Shirley (MA) vs Littleton (MA)
When: Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Where: Ayer Shirley High School
Live stream: Watch here

2024 High School Football Season Review: Littleton vs. Ayer Shirley

The 2024 Massachusetts high school football season has showcased the competitive spirit of teams across the state, and the matchups between Littleton and Ayer Shirley stand as a testament to that energy. Both teams, despite facing challenges, brought determination and skill to the field, showcasing moments of promise and struggle.

1. Team Overview

Littleton:

• Record: 4-5 (2-3 in league play)
• Scoring: 153 points for (PF), 132 points against (PA)
• Winning Percentage: .444
• League Winning Percentage: .400

Ayer Shirley:

• Record: 3-7 (1-4 in league play)
• Scoring: 172 points for (PF), 259 points against (PA)
• Winning Percentage: .300
• League Winning Percentage: .200

Littleton and Ayer Shirley have had their share of highs and lows throughout the season. Littleton, with a balanced performance, managed a slight edge over Ayer Shirley with a record of 4-5 compared to Ayer Shirley’s 3-7.

2. Head-to-Head Results

The matchup between these two teams on September 14, 2024, was decisive. Hosted in Littleton, the home team delivered a commanding performance, defeating Ayer Shirley 21-0. The game was marked by a strong defensive showing and well-coordinated offensive drives from Littleton. The breakdown of the game’s score by quarters reflects Littleton’s dominant position:

Game Summary: September 14, 2024

• Q1: Littleton 7, Ayer Shirley 0
• Q2: Littleton 7, Ayer Shirley 0
• Q3: Littleton 7, Ayer Shirley 0
• Q4: Littleton 0, Ayer Shirley 0
• Final Score: Littleton 21, Ayer Shirley 0

3. Team Scoring Averages

Littleton consistently showed scoring strength through various quarters, with an average of 5.4 points in the first quarter and 6.1 points in the second, concluding with an average final score of 17 points per game.

Ayer Shirley, meanwhile, struggled to maintain offensive momentum throughout the season, evident in their scoring averages. The team averaged 2.7 points in the first and second quarters, with a noticeable drop in the fourth quarter, averaging 0 points.

Scoring Averages Comparison:

• Littleton: Q1 – 5.4, Q2 – 6.1, Q3 – 0.9, Q4 – 2.0, Final – 17.0
• Ayer Shirley: Q1 – 2.7, Q2 – 2.7, Q3 – 4.7, Q4 – 0, Final – 17.2

4. Team Statistics and Player Highlights

Littleton’s standout player was Zach Milner, who led the team in multiple categories, including rushing yards per game (101.8), total yards per game (117.3), tackles per game (7.3), and points per game (9.0). Milner’s consistent performance was a cornerstone of Littleton’s success.

Top Performers for Littleton:

• Zach Milner: 101.8 rushing yards/game, 117.3 total yards/game, 7.3 tackles/game, 9.0 points/game
• Evan Manno: 70.0 passing yards/game
• Tyler Branco: 17.5 receiving yards/game

Ayer Shirley’s season did not feature standout individual statistics comparable to Littleton’s, but efforts were made across the board to drive offensive and defensive plays.

5. Common Opponents Analysis

Both teams shared several opponents throughout the season, revealing how they fared against the same competition:

• Murdock: Littleton won 46-0, while Ayer Shirley triumphed 34-14.
• Narragansett Regional: Littleton lost 7-0, whereas Ayer Shirley was defeated 40-14.
• Gardner: Littleton fell 28-12, and Ayer Shirley lost 39-14.
• Quabbin Regional: Littleton was beaten 30-8, and Ayer Shirley faced a 44-14 loss.

6. Season Recap and Outlook

The 2024 season has provided Littleton with a solid foundation, showing resilience in tight contests and an ability to outperform Ayer Shirley in their direct encounter. For Ayer Shirley, this season highlighted areas for growth, particularly in offensive consistency and defensive stability. Both teams, however, demonstrated the drive typical of high school football and will look to refine their approaches for future matchups.

As the season concludes, Littleton can take pride in their strong showing, especially their head-to-head victory over Ayer Shirley. Meanwhile, Ayer Shirley’s focus will be on building a more robust strategy and finding new playmakers to turn close games into victories. The lessons learned and experiences gained from the 2024 season will undoubtedly shape their future campaigns.