The Blue Ridge Tigers (8-2, TX) varsity football team will face off against the Rice Bulldogs (4-6, TX) in a neutral playoff game on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 7:30 PM. The game will take place at Wildcat/Ram Stadium and is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships, Conference 3A Division 2 tournament.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Blue Ridge vs Rice
When: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 3A D2
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Game preview: Blue Ridge vs Rice
As the 2024-2025 football season unfolds, Rice and Blue Ridge stand out as two teams with differing paths and records. With Rice finishing the season at 4-6 and Blue Ridge performing impressively with an 8-2 record, the contrast in their performance is striking, especially when compared across various statistical categories. Here’s a closer look at the teams and how they stack up against each other.
Rice’s Season at a Glance
Rice has faced challenges this season, finishing with an overall record of 4-6. Their performance has been stronger in district play, where they managed a 3-2 record, but struggled when playing away, posting a 2-3 mark. Despite a relatively low win percentage of .400, their offense has had moments of brilliance, accumulating 164 points over the course of the season while conceding 300 points.
Key offensive statistics reveal that Rice has had some difficulties finding consistency, averaging just 16.4 points per game. Their rushing game is a focal point, with Alvaro Contreras leading the team with 83 rushing yards per game. The passing game has also been a critical element, with Jalon Burks racking up 202 yards per game. On the defensive side, Angel Salazar has been a key player, averaging 13 tackles per game, though the team has struggled in terms of sack production, with just 0.1 sacks per game.
Blue Ridge: A Dominant Force
Blue Ridge has had a stellar season, with an impressive 8-2 record, including a dominant 5-1 district record. Their offense has been high-powered, averaging 40.9 points per game, which is significantly higher than Rice’s 16.4. The team has been particularly effective in both rushing and passing, averaging 198.1 rushing yards and 241.2 passing yards per game. This balanced offensive attack has allowed them to control games, outpacing opponents by a wide margin.
The Blue Ridge rushing game is led by Ryder Clayton, who has amassed 66.7 yards per game, while Micah Dickerson has been exceptional in the passing game, averaging 230.5 yards per game. Blue Ridge’s defensive unit, led by Tallen Lennon with 11.5 tackles per game, has been formidable, with the team averaging 75.6 tackles per game and generating 1.6 sacks per game.
Team Scoring Breakdown
When it comes to scoring, Blue Ridge has been consistently dominant, especially in the first quarter, where they average 10.2 points. By contrast, Rice has struggled to find an offensive rhythm early in games, averaging only 3.4 points in the opening quarter. Both teams have shown resilience in the second half, but Blue Ridge’s ability to score in all four quarters has given them an edge throughout the season. Their scoring average per quarter outpaces Rice in every segment, particularly in the fourth quarter, where Blue Ridge averages 8.4 points compared to Rice’s 4.0.
Team Comparisons: Key Stats
Looking at other key statistics, Blue Ridge’s offense outshines Rice in almost every category. They average over 400 total yards per game, while Rice averages just 52.4 yards per game. This gap is largely driven by Blue Ridge’s superior passing and rushing yards, while Rice has struggled to gain yardage. The two teams’ defenses are also contrasting, with Blue Ridge’s 75.6 tackles per game far exceeding Rice’s 8.4. While Rice has struggled to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks, Blue Ridge has been able to accumulate sacks at a much higher rate.
Record Breakdown and Head-to-Head
In terms of overall performance, Blue Ridge has been dominant both in their district (5-1) and in non-league play (3-1), while Rice has had difficulty in their league matchups (3-2) and non-league games (1-4). At home, Rice posted a 2-3 record, while Blue Ridge was a strong 4-1, demonstrating their prowess on the road.
Though both teams have yet to face each other head-to-head, their overall records indicate the clear contrast in their paths this season.
Conclusion
Blue Ridge’s high-scoring offense and solid defense have been key to their 8-2 record, while Rice has had a more challenging year. Despite the difference in performance, both teams have their standout players and strengths that make them competitive. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these teams handle postseason challenges, with Blue Ridge aiming to continue their dominant form and Rice working to build consistency moving forward.
