The Branchville Yellow Jackets, with a 8-2 record, will host the Johnsonville Flashes, who are 4-6, for a playoff game on Friday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class A tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: South Carolina High School Football
Who: Branchville vs Johnsonville
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM
Bracket: 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class A Football
Watch here: Watch here

Game preview: Branchville vs Johnsonville

As the 2024-2025 high school football season progresses, a matchup between the Johnsonville Flashes and the Branchville Yellow Jackets presents an intriguing contrast in team performance and style. With distinct records and statistics, this game promises to be a true test of each team’s strengths and weaknesses. Let’s break down how the teams compare in key areas like overall record, offensive stats, and team leadership.

Team Records: A Tale of Two Seasons

Johnsonville Flashes

• Record: 4-6 overall, 2-4 in Region
• Home/Away: 1-3 at home, 3-3 on the road
• Points For/Against (PF/PA): 169/268
• Win Percentage: 40%
• Region Percentage: 33.3%

Despite a losing overall record, Johnsonville’s ability to stay competitive, especially on the road, shows resilience. With a relatively balanced win-loss record at home and away, they will need to leverage their experience from tight games to make a push in upcoming matchups.

Branchville Yellow Jackets

• Record: 8-2 overall, 5-1 in Region
• Home/Away: 5-2 at home, 3-0 on the road
• Points For/Against (PF/PA): 375/166
• Win Percentage: 80%
• Region Percentage: 83.3%

Branchville’s strong season stands in stark contrast to Johnsonville’s struggles. With an impressive 8-2 record, Branchville has been dominant, particularly in their region. Their strong offensive output and solid defense make them one of the top contenders this season.

Offensive Performance: Scoring Trends and Averages

Johnsonville

• Scoring Averages (Q1-Q4):
  • Q1: 3.0
  • Q2: 3.8
  • Q3: 5.0
  • Q4: 5.4
  • Final Average: 16.9 points per game

Johnsonville has a consistent, if modest, scoring average, with their most productive quarters being the third and fourth. However, they’ve struggled to break through early in games, which can be a significant disadvantage against high-scoring teams like Branchville.

Branchville

• Scoring Averages (Q1-Q4):
  • Q1: 6.3
  • Q2: 6.7
  • Q3: 5.0
  • Q4: 9.0
  • Final Average: 37.5 points per game

Branchville, by contrast, has been an offensive juggernaut, with a high-scoring attack that gets stronger as the game progresses. Their ability to score early and often in the first half sets them apart, and their 9.0 points per game in the fourth quarter shows their ability to seal victories in the closing moments.

Key Player Matchups

Johnsonville’s Standouts:

• Ja’mere Ross: With 39.8 rushing yards per game, Ross has been a key player for the Flashes, showing explosive ability on the ground.
• Larkin Powell: Powell contributes both in the air and on the ground, averaging 43.7 passing yards and 67.6 total yards per game.
• Skylar Montgomery: With 36.7 receiving yards per game, Montgomery is a key target in Johnsonville’s passing game.

Branchville’s Leaders:

• Offensive Power: Branchville’s offensive dominance is spread across multiple areas. Their high scoring comes from a balanced offensive attack that excels in both the passing and rushing game.
• Defensive Strength: While not noted for individual leaders, Branchville’s ability to limit their opponents’ scoring, holding them to an average of just 16.6 points per game, is a testament to their well-rounded team play.

Looking Ahead: The Road to Playoffs

As the season nears its final stretch, the Flashes will need to capitalize on their road performance and work on improving their defense, which has allowed 268 points so far. On the other hand, Branchville’s only remaining challenge will be maintaining consistency, as they have been able to perform exceptionally well both at home and on the road. If they continue their dominant form, they should remain a favorite in their region.

Conclusion

Johnsonville has a tough road ahead but remains competitive, particularly on the road. Meanwhile, Branchville has proven themselves as one of the top teams in their region, boasting a formidable offense and stout defense. This match will certainly be one to watch, as the Flashes look to make a statement against the high-flying Yellow Jackets.