The Broadneck (Annapolis, MD) varsity football team is playing a neutral-site playoff game against Northwest (Germantown, MD) today. This matchup is part of the “2024 Maryland High School Football Playoff Brackets: MPSSAA – 4A” tournament.

What: Maryland High School Football
Who: Broadneck (MD) vs Northwest (MD)
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: Today
Bracket: 2024 Maryland High School Football Playoff Brackets: MPSSAA – 4A
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

A Comparative Look at Northwest and Broadneck Football Teams: Key Stats and Insights

As the high school football season winds down, two powerhouse teams, Northwest and Broadneck, are standing out in Maryland’s competitive football landscape. With impressive overall records and dominant performances across the board, these teams are shaping up to make a deep playoff run. Here’s a detailed breakdown of their performances, key stats, and team leaders.

Team Records & Performance

• Northwest (9-2 Overall): With a solid 9-2 record, Northwest has shown resilience, particularly in regional play with a 4-1 record. Their high-scoring offense, putting up an average of 34.2 points per game, is complemented by a stingy defense that has only allowed 72 points in regional games. With a 9-1 record at home, the team has been formidable on its home turf, and they’ve earned a well-deserved reputation as a tough opponent.
• Broadneck (9-1 Overall): Broadneck is right on the heels of Northwest, posting a 9-1 record with a stellar 7-1 performance in the region. Their offense has been even more explosive, averaging 42 points per game, and their defense has been much more vulnerable, allowing 164 points over the course of the season. The team has been dominant at home with a perfect 6-0 record, and they’ve also excelled away, sporting a 3-1 record in those games.

Offensive & Defensive Breakdown

Looking deeper into the statistics, both teams demonstrate a balanced offensive approach but differ in some key areas.

• Rushing & Passing:
  • Northwest averages 150.2 rushing yards per game, led by Van Mahoney, who puts up 68.5 yards per game. In contrast, Broadneck leads in passing with 164.2 passing yards per game, spearheaded by CJ Watkins, who leads the team with 201.9 passing yards per game. This suggests that Broadneck may rely more on the air game, while Northwest plays a more balanced attack.
• Total Yards: Both teams are closely matched in total offensive output, with Northwest averaging 279.8 total yards per game and Broadneck slightly ahead at 295.9 yards. This showcases the high-powered nature of both offenses.

Scoring Averages

• Northwest: The team averages 34.2 points per game, showing their ability to put up a solid number of points each week. They are particularly strong in the first two quarters, scoring 9.7 and 12.8 points respectively in the opening halves of games.
• Broadneck: With a higher scoring average of 42 points per game, Broadneck has been a more potent scoring machine, especially in the first quarter where they average 17.9 points. Their scoring drops in the third quarter, averaging only 1.6 points, but they make up for it in the final period, putting up 8.4 points per game.

Key Players

Both teams feature standout players who have led their squads to success this season:

• Northwest:
  • Van Mahoney: Rushing leader with 68.5 yards per game.
  • Jayden Vongprachanh-Nelson: The team’s passing leader, averaging 119.7 passing yards per game.
  • Rahmise Jones: Leading in receiving with 65.3 yards per game.
• Broadneck:
  • Ian Mauldin: A dominant rusher, averaging 104.6 yards per game.
  • CJ Watkins: The passing leader with 201.9 yards per game.
  • Joey Smargissi: A reliable target in the passing game, with 65.1 receiving yards per game.

Playoff Outlook

• Northwest: The team has demonstrated resilience in the postseason, with a 2-0 playoff record.
• Broadneck: Broadneck also boasts a strong playoff record, with a 1-0 mark this season.

Conclusion

As the season progresses and both teams eye a potential deep run in the playoffs, they remain among the top contenders in the region. Broadneck’s explosive offense and Northwest’s balanced approach make for an exciting match-up should they meet in the postseason. The difference in their offensive strategies, with Northwest emphasizing a balanced attack and Broadneck leaning heavily on the passing game, sets the stage for a potential clash of styles. Fans of high school football can expect to see more great performances from both teams as they look to solidify their spots among Maryland’s elite.