The Baptist Hill Bobcats (6-3) from Hollywood, SC, will host the Latta Vikings (5-5) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7:30 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class A Football tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: South Carolina High School Football
Who: Baptist Hill vs Latta
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM
Bracket: 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class A Football
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Game preview: Baptist Hill vs Latta

As the 2024-2025 high school football season continues to unfold, two teams that stand out in the South Carolina Class 2A rankings are the Latta Vikings and the Baptist Hill Bobcats. With both teams displaying strong performances this season, it’s time to take a closer look at their records, stats, and key players as they gear up for more action on the gridiron.

Latta Vikings (5-5, 4-2 Region)

The Latta Vikings have experienced a mixed season with a 5-5 overall record, but their 4-2 mark in region play shows they’ve been competitive against their conference rivals. The Vikings have had some struggles on the road with a 2-3 away record, but their overall performance remains solid with a win percentage of .500 and a region win percentage of .667. They have scored 280 points on the season, averaging 28 points per game, while giving up 160 points, resulting in a +120 point differential.

Key team stats include:

• Rushing Yards per Game: 106.6
• Passing Yards per Game: 187.8
• Receiving Yards per Game: 188.8
• Total Yards per Game: 294.3
• Tackles per Game: 85.1
• Sacks per Game: 3.6
• Points per Game: 27.1

Notable players for the Vikings include:

• Ki’Lyn Gordon, who leads the team in rushing with 45.8 yards per game.
• Brayden Franklin, who has been efficient in the air with 132.6 passing yards per game.
• Martrell Wright, a standout receiver with 92.1 yards per game.
• Kevin Smalls Jr., who leads the defense with 18.4 tackles per game.
• Tay’Von Mann-Geddis, the team’s sack leader with 1.8 sacks per game.

Baptist Hill Bobcats (6-3, 4-2 Region)

The Baptist Hill Bobcats have had an impressive season with a 6-3 overall record and a 4-2 region record, mirroring Latta’s regional performance. The Bobcats have been particularly strong at home, posting a 3-1 record, and they are averaging 28 points per game with 252 total points scored. Defensively, they’ve given up 175 points, resulting in a positive point differential of +77.

Key team stats for the Bobcats include:

• Rushing Yards per Game: 106.6
• Passing Yards per Game: 132.6
• Receiving Yards per Game: 188.8
• Total Yards per Game: 294.3
• Tackles per Game: 85.1
• Sacks per Game: 3.6
• Points per Game: 27.1

Notable players for Baptist Hill include:

• Romaíne Grant, the team’s offensive powerhouse, averaging 10.0 points per game.
• Johnquez Henderson, the team’s total yardage leader with 140.5 yards per game.
• Brayden Franklin, a dual-threat quarterback with 132.6 passing yards per game.
• Kevin Smalls Jr., a consistent contributor on defense with 18.4 tackles per game.
• Tay’Von Mann-Geddis, the top performer in sacks for both teams with 1.8 sacks per game.

Head-to-Head Comparison

While Latta and Baptist Hill have similar overall records and regional success, there are some interesting statistical differences between the teams.

• Scoring: Baptist Hill has been more consistent in the first half, averaging 16.0 points (8.7 in Q1 and 7.3 in Q2) compared to Latta’s 6.5 points (3.0 in Q1 and 3.5 in Q2). However, Latta has made a strong second-half surge, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they average 14.0 points, showing a tendency to finish games strongly.
• Offensive Production: Both teams are nearly identical in terms of total yardage, averaging 294.3 yards per game, but Latta has a stronger passing attack, averaging 187.8 yards per game through the air compared to Baptist Hill’s 132.6. On the ground, both teams average 106.6 rushing yards per game.
• Defensive Stats: Latta averages more tackles per game (85.1), which may indicate a more aggressive defense, while Baptist Hill has been slightly more effective in pressuring the quarterback, with 3.6 sacks per game compared to Latta’s 3.6.

Record Breakdown

When breaking down the teams’ records further:

• Latta: 3-2 at home, 2-3 away, and 0-0 in neutral games.
• Baptist Hill: 3-2 at home, 3-1 away, and 0-0 in neutral games.

Both teams have shown strong performances in their region and have been solid at home, with Baptist Hill performing slightly better in away games.

Conclusion

As both Latta and Baptist Hill look ahead to the rest of the season, their matchups will be crucial in determining their playoff positions. With comparable records and strong statistical performances on both sides of the ball, expect some exciting football as these two teams battle it out for dominance in the region. Keep an eye on key players like Ki’Lyn Gordon, Brayden Franklin, and Romaine Grant, who are capable of changing the course of a game with their explosive performances.