The Benavides (TX) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against Menard (TX) on Friday, November 15, at 7:00 PM at Bracken Christian School. This game is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 6-Man 1A Division 1 tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Benavides vs Menard
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football 6-Man 1A D1
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Game preview: Benavides vs Menard

As the 2024-25 high school football season progresses, Menard and Benavides have had their share of successes and challenges. Both teams, based in Texas, have had differing levels of success, but share some common ground when it comes to competition and matchups. Let’s break down their performances, rankings, and key statistics.

Team Records & Rankings

Menard has had a remarkable season so far, posting an overall record of 8-1-1. Their district record is flawless at 4-0, and they’ve proven dominant at home with a 4-1 record. The team’s win percentage stands impressively at .850, while their district performance has been perfect at 1.000. Menard has scored a total of 448 points while allowing 301 points over the course of the season.

On the other hand, Benavides has faced a tougher road with a 5-5 overall record. Their district performance of 1-2 shows they’ve struggled in league play, and their home record of 2-3 reflects inconsistency at home. Despite this, the team has shown resilience, earning a respectable .500 win percentage overall. Benavides has scored 297 points and allowed 262 points.

Scoring Averages

One of the key differences between the two teams is their offensive production. Menard has been dominant offensively, averaging 44.8 points per game, with particularly strong performances in the first half of games. They score an average of 18.0 points in the first quarter and 19.7 in the second quarter before tapering off in the second half with 11.0 points in the third quarter and 4.7 in the fourth quarter. This suggests that while they start strong, they may sometimes struggle to maintain momentum.

In contrast, Benavides has struggled to find the end zone, averaging only 29.7 points per game. Their scoring is almost nonexistent in the second and third quarters, where they score 0 points on average. They need to find ways to improve in these critical periods to become more competitive in future matchups.

Statistical Breakdown

Both teams rely on their ground game, but Menard has been more productive in the rushing department. Menard averages 94.1 rushing yards per game, while Benavides lags behind at 20.3 yards per game. Passing has also been a weak point for Benavides, as they average just 27.7 yards per game compared to Menard’s 43.5 yards per game. Keith Viera leads Menard in receiving with 43.8 yards per game, while Benavides’ leading receiver, Jake Garcia, posts only 17.4 yards per game.

Defensively, Menard has been solid with 3.5 tackles per game and 1.0 sack per game, which has helped them maintain a strong hold on games. Benavides, in comparison, has been less effective with 2.7 tackles per game and just 0.2 sacks per game.

Player Leadership

Menard’s offensive game has been driven by Guillermo Fraga, who leads the team in multiple categories including rushing yards per game (106.8), passing yards per game (43.5), and total yards per game (150.3). Defensively, Jacob Garcia leads the way with 3.5 tackles per game and 1.0 sack per game, making a significant impact on the defensive side of the ball.

For Benavides, standout players include Jaime Rodriguez, who has been the top rusher, but the team’s overall offensive production has been much more limited. Shane Ryan has been their top scorer with 14.0 points per game, though this is far behind Menard’s production.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Both teams have faced off against St. Augustine, with Menard winning in a forfeit victory on October 4, 2024. Benavides, however, pulled off a hard-fought 18-12 victory over the same opponent on September 27, 2024. This common opponent victory puts both teams at 1-0 when facing St. Augustine.

Conclusion

Menard has clearly had a stronger season overall, dominating both offensively and defensively with impressive statistics across the board. Their 8-1-1 record and perfect district performance put them in a favorable position for the remainder of the season.

Benavides, while not as successful, has fought through challenges and has some individual players who have shown potential. With a 5-5 record and areas to improve in scoring and defense, the team will need to make adjustments to close the gap in upcoming games.

Both teams have the potential to make waves in the Texas high school football scene, with Menard clearly in a stronger position at this point in the season.