The Blackwell Hornets (4-6) will face the Balmorhea Bears (7-3) in a home playoff game on Thursday, November 14, at 6:30 PM. The game will be held at Rankin High School. This matchup is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships in the 6-Man 1A Division 2 tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Blackwell vs Balmorhea
When: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships in the 6-Man 1A Division 2
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Game preview: Blackwell vs Balmorhea

As the 2024-2025 high school football season progresses, two teams—Balmorhea and Blackwell—are showing distinct performances, each with unique strengths and challenges. Let’s dive into their rankings, records, and scoring averages to understand their journey throughout the season.

Balmorhea: A Strong Contender

Balmorhea comes into the season with an overall record of 7-3 and a solid district performance of 3-1. The team has demonstrated strong home-field advantage, with a perfect 5-0 record at home. Away from home, they’ve faced tougher competition, posting a 2-3 record. Despite the losses, their impressive .700 overall win percentage and .750 district win percentage highlight their competitiveness.

In terms of scoring, Balmorhea has been a powerhouse, averaging 47.1 points per game. Their first quarter is especially dominant, with 30.0 points scored, setting a strong foundation for the rest of the game. While their second and third quarters show a dip in scoring, the team rallies back in the fourth quarter, averaging 22.0 points to finish strong.

• National Rank: 680
• Texas Rank: 137
• State Division: 31
• Points Scored (PF): 471
• Points Allowed (PA): 273

Blackwell: A Challenging but Resilient Team

Blackwell, with a record of 4-6, has faced more challenges this season but remains a resilient competitor, with a district win percentage of .750 (3-1 in district play). However, their overall win percentage of .400 reflects the struggles they’ve faced against tougher opponents. Their home record stands at 2-3, and they’ve had similar difficulties on the road with a 2-3 record away from home.

Despite the setbacks, Blackwell’s offense has managed to score an average of 49.5 points per game, showing they are capable of putting up significant numbers on the board. Their scoring is more evenly distributed throughout the game compared to Balmorhea, with an average of 5.3 points in the first quarter, 6.0 points in the second, and 7.3 points in the third. Their fourth quarter scoring jumps to 9.3 points, making them a team that stays competitive throughout the entire game.

• National Rank: 778
• Texas Rank: 148
• State Division: 35
• Points Scored (PF): 495
• Points Allowed (PA): 418

Key Comparisons:

• Overall Record: Balmorhea has the edge with a 7-3 record, while Blackwell sits at 4-6.
• Scoring Average: Blackwell’s 49.5 points per game slightly surpasses Balmorhea’s 47.1 points, although Balmorhea’s consistent fourth-quarter scoring has been crucial to their success.
• District Play: Balmorhea has a clear advantage with a .750 district win percentage compared to Blackwell’s .750 as well, but Balmorhea’s overall performance is a better reflection of their consistency.
• Scoring Distribution: Balmorhea is strongest in the first quarter, while Blackwell remains consistent across all four quarters, showing their ability to compete at any stage of the game.

Conclusion:

Both teams have shown strong performances in different areas, with Balmorhea excelling in their home games and capitalizing on strong first and fourth-quarter scoring. Blackwell, though struggling with consistency, has demonstrated offensive potential, particularly in their ability to score across all quarters. As the season progresses, both teams will need to leverage their strengths to maintain momentum and achieve their goals, particularly in district play where both have proven competitive.