The Bishop Watterson Eagles (12-0) varsity football team from Columbus, OH, will face off against the Licking Valley Panthers (11-1) from Newark, OH, in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 OHSAA High School Football Playoff Brackets for Region 11.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Ohio High School Football
Who: Bishop Watterson vs Licking Valley
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM
Bracket: 2024 OHSAA High School Football Playoff Brackets (Ohio) – Region 11
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Game preview: Bishop Watterson vs Licking Valley

The upcoming clash between Licking Valley and Bishop Watterson promises to be an intense high school football showdown. Both teams have enjoyed remarkable seasons, but they bring different strengths and records to this encounter.

Rankings & Records

• Licking Valley (24-25 Season Record):
  • Overall: 11-1
  • Conference: 4-0
  • Home: 6-1
  • Away: 4-0
  • Neutral: 1-0
  • Win %: 91.7%
  • Conference Win %: 100%
  • Points For (PF): 418
  • Points Against (PA): 133
• Bishop Watterson (24-25 Season Record):
  • Overall: 12-0
  • Conference: 3-0
  • Home: 5-0
  • Away: 6-0
  • Neutral: 1-0
  • Win %: 100%
  • Conference Win %: 100%
  • Points For (PF): 494
  • Points Against (PA): 69

Bishop Watterson is unbeaten, boasting a flawless 12-0 record, while Licking Valley has only a single loss at 11-1. Bishop Watterson’s 494 points scored reflect their explosive offense, and their defense has only allowed 69 points. In comparison, Licking Valley has also been strong on both sides of the ball, scoring 418 points while conceding 133.

Scoring Averages by Quarter

• Licking Valley:
  • Q1: 10.4
  • Q2: 10.7
  • Q3: 9.5
  • Q4: 6.2
  • Final: 34.8
• Bishop Watterson:
  • Q1: 12.8
  • Q2: 17.8
  • Q3: 9.2
  • Q4: 2.3
  • Final: 41.2

Both teams tend to dominate in the early quarters. Licking Valley averages a strong 10.4 points in the first quarter, maintaining consistent scoring through the third quarter. However, Bishop Watterson scores heavily in the first half, with an impressive 17.8 points in the second quarter alone. Their scoring rate declines in the fourth, as they often close games with significant leads.

Home and Away Performance

Both teams have excelled on the road, but Bishop Watterson has been particularly strong, winning all six away games. Licking Valley holds a 6-1 home record, reflecting the strength of their home-field advantage. This consistency, whether at home or away, speaks to both teams’ adaptability and depth.

Playoff Success

Both teams are undefeated in the playoffs so far, advancing through their brackets with confidence. The stakes will be high as they face off, knowing that they’re both just steps away from potential state championship contention.

What to Watch For

This game will likely be determined by defensive consistency and the ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities early. Bishop Watterson’s defense, which has held opponents to fewer than 70 points all season, will face one of its toughest tests in Licking Valley’s resilient offense. On the other hand, Licking Valley must keep Bishop Watterson from running up an early lead, particularly in the second quarter where Bishop Watterson tends to excel.

Expect a hard-fought game between these two powerhouses, each bringing its own strengths and an impressive season’s journey to this matchup. The team that controls the tempo and wins the battle at the line of scrimmage will likely emerge victorious in this high-stakes showdown.