The Belleville (MI) varsity football team will play a neutral-site playoff game against Catholic Central (Novi, MI) on Friday, November 15 at 7:00 PM.
What: Michigan High School Football
Who: Belleville (MI) vs Catholic Central (MI)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
Catholic Central vs. Belleville: A Comparison of Two High-Flying Football Programs
As the 2024-2025 high school football season heads into its final stretch, the spotlight shines brightly on two powerhouse teams: Catholic Central and Belleville. Both teams have displayed impressive records, dominant performances, and clear ambitions for postseason glory. A detailed look at their rankings, records, and key team statistics reveals how these two teams compare as they head toward potential showdowns.
Team Records and Rankings
Catholic Central has been a juggernaut this season, boasting an undefeated record of 11-0. Their dominance is not limited to the overall standings, as they have also gone a perfect 5-0 in league play. Belleville, while not quite as flawless, has an excellent 10-1 overall record and a perfect 7-0 record in league competition. Both teams have demonstrated their strength, but Catholic Central has edged ahead with a flawless season to date.
| Team | Overall Record | League Record | Home | Away | Neutral | Win % | League Win % | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catholic Central | 11-0 | 5-0 | 5-0 | 5-0 | 1-0 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 407 | 98 |
| Belleville | 10-1 | 7-0 | 6-0 | 4-1 | 0-0 | .909 | 1.000 | 481 | 114 |
Offensive and Defensive Comparisons
Looking at the offensive and defensive side of the ball, Catholic Central has been a force, averaging 37 points per game. Their balanced attack, which includes strong rushing and passing elements, has allowed them to outscore opponents by a wide margin. Belleville, while averaging slightly more points per game at 43.7, has been more reliant on the passing game with standout quarterback Bryce Underwood leading the way. However, their defense has been notably more porous, allowing 114 points this season compared to Catholic Central’s impressive 98 points allowed.
Offensive Scoring Breakdown:
| Quarter | Catholic Central | Belleville |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 13.1 | 10.8 |
| Q2 | 13.3 | 14.6 |
| Q3 | 9.2 | 10.2 |
| Q4 | 4.7 | 5.8 |
| Final | 37.0 | 43.7 |
While Belleville’s offense is potent, Catholic Central has been able to maintain steady scoring, particularly in the first half, where they outpace Belleville.
Key Stat Leaders
Both teams feature standout players who are integral to their success:
- Catholic Central:
- Jaden Pydyn (Rushing Yards Per Game): 91.3
- Skyler Hunter (Passing Yards Per Game): 115.9
- Samson Gash (Receiving Yards Per Game): 58.1
- Lee Krueger (Tackles Per Game): 5.9
- Jack McHugh (Sacks Per Game): 1.0
- Jaden Pydyn (Points Per Game): 12.0
- Belleville:
- Bryce Underwood (Rushing Yards Per Game): 48.9
- Bryce Underwood (Passing Yards Per Game): 209.5
- Charles Britton III (Receiving Yards Per Game): 64.4
- Rashad Jones (Tackles Per Game): 8.0
- Reyne “Rey Rey” Diaz (Sacks Per Game): 1.0
- Brayden Lane (Points Per Game): 5.5
Underwood’s dual-threat ability has been a major factor in Belleville’s success, especially in the passing game. Meanwhile, Catholic Central relies on balanced contributions from a host of players, with their standout rusher, Jaden Pydyn, making a major impact.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced similar competition in the regular season, including victories over Dearborn and Stevenson. These wins have helped both teams solidify their dominance in the state, with Catholic Central and Belleville both emerging victorious in their matchups against these opponents.
| Date | Catholic Central (Opp) | Result | Belleville (Opp) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/29/24 | Dearborn | W 56-12 | 9/20/24 | W 49-22 |
| 11/1/24 | Stevenson | W 33-0 | 9/6/24 | W 44-6 |
With these strong wins in common, both teams have proven themselves against some of the best competition Michigan has to offer.
Playoff Outlook
Looking ahead to the playoffs, Catholic Central’s undefeated record puts them in a favorable position, while Belleville’s only loss this season came to a non-league opponent. Given their success both at home and on the road, both teams are expected to be formidable contenders.
Conclusion
With explosive offenses, strong defenses, and standout individual performances, Catholic Central and Belleville are among Michigan’s elite high school football teams. As they continue their campaigns, fans can look forward to potential clashes in the playoffs, where both teams will be hungry for a championship. Whether Catholic Central can maintain its perfect season or Belleville can bounce back to seize the title, one thing is certain: Michigan football is in for an exciting conclusion to the 2024-2025 season.
