The Boston College High varsity football team (Boston, MA) will play a home playoff game against Xaverian Brothers (Westwood, MA) on Saturday, November 23, at 12:30 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 MIAA Football State Championship – Division 1 tournament.

What: Massachusetts High School Football
Who: Boston College High (MA) vs Xaverian Brothers (MA)
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Where: Brockton High School
Bracket: 2024 MIAA Football State Championship – Division 1
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Xaverian Brothers vs. Boston College High: A Playoff Showdown

As the Massachusetts high school football season nears its thrilling conclusion, two powerhouse teams, Xaverian Brothers (Westwood, MA) and Boston College High (Boston, MA), are set to face off in a highly anticipated playoff game. The two teams are no strangers to success, with both featuring impressive records and high-powered offenses. Let’s break down what to expect from this clash of titans.

Team Overview

Xaverian Brothers (7-3, 2-2 League)
The Xaverian Brothers, hailing from Westwood, have had a solid season, finishing 7-3 overall and 2-2 in league play. While they’ve been dominant at home with a 6-0 record, their away performances have been less consistent, managing just a 1-3 mark. Despite this, the Xaverian offense has been potent, averaging 35.6 points per game. Their defense has allowed 211 points throughout the season, giving up 21.1 points per game.

Boston College High (9-1, 3-1 League)
Boston College High has been the more dominant team this season, finishing with a 9-1 overall record and 3-1 in league play. Their only loss came against St. John’s Prep, but their offense has been explosive, averaging 27.8 points per game. Notably, their defense has been stingy, allowing only 141 points, which translates to an average of just 14.1 points per game.

Head-to-Head History

The most recent meeting between these two teams came on October 18, when Boston College High triumphed in a convincing 30-13 victory. The game saw Xaverian Brothers struggle offensively, managing just 13 points despite a strong fourth-quarter effort. Boston College High, on the other hand, capitalized on a dominant second and fourth quarter, scoring a total of 30 points in the win.

This playoff game on November 23 offers Xaverian Brothers a chance to avenge their loss, but they will need to overcome their struggles from the earlier meeting and improve their overall performance to compete with the high-powered Boston College High squad.

Common Opponents

Both teams share several common opponents this season, and these matchups provide some insight into how the teams might fare against each other in the playoffs.

• Everett: Both teams defeated Everett, though Xaverian Brothers won 56-27, while Boston College High’s 46-7 win was similarly dominant.
• Central: Boston College High earned a hard-fought 41-36 win over Central, while Xaverian Brothers lost 28-20 in their encounter.
• Catholic Memorial: Boston College High will face Catholic Memorial on November 28, while Xaverian Brothers lost to them 40-37 earlier in the season.
• St. John’s: Xaverian Brothers earned a decisive 56-13 win over St. John’s, while Boston College High handled them 34-0 in another impressive showing.

In terms of head-to-head record against common opponents, Boston College High has an edge, going 5-1 against shared opponents compared to Xaverian Brothers’ 3-2 record.

Scoring Trends

Xaverian Brothers has demonstrated a strong ability to score, especially in the opening and second quarters, where they average 16.0 and 9.4 points, respectively. However, they tend to slow down in the second half, with their third and fourth-quarter averages dipping to 8.3 and 4.0 points, respectively.

Boston College High, on the other hand, starts games slowly but gains momentum as the game progresses. They score an average of just 4.9 points in the first quarter but turn it up in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter, where they average 8.6 points.

Key Players to Watch

Both teams boast standout players who can make a significant impact in the playoff game.

• Xaverian Brothers: The Xaverian offense will look to quarterback leadership and running back performances to control the ball and score early. Their defense will need to tighten up and limit Boston College High’s ability to capitalize on second-half scoring opportunities.
• Boston College High: Boston College High will rely on their strong defensive unit to stifle Xaverian’s offense while continuing to spread the ball on offense. Their ability to limit big plays and capitalize on turnovers will be crucial in this playoff matchup.

Playoff Implications

With both teams being among the top contenders in Massachusetts, the stakes for this game are high. For Xaverian Brothers, a victory would not only avenge their earlier loss to Boston College High but also help solidify their place among the elite teams in the state. For Boston College High, continuing their strong run with a win would boost their confidence as they move deeper into the playoffs, with an eye on a potential championship run.

Conclusion

The Xaverian Brothers vs. Boston College High playoff game is shaping up to be a thrilling contest. With both teams boasting solid records and powerful offenses, fans can expect a hard-fought game. Xaverian Brothers will need to shake off their past struggles and find consistency on both sides of the ball, while Boston College High looks to continue their dominant season and make a deep playoff run. Regardless of the outcome, this game promises to be one for the ages, with both teams giving it their all in pursuit of victory.