The Calvary Baptist Academy varsity football team in Shreveport, LA will host De La Salle from New Orleans, LA in a home playoff game on Friday, November 22 at 7:00 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division III Select tournament.
What: Louisiana High School Football
Who: Calvary Baptist Academy (LA) vs De La Salle (LA)
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Calvary
Bracket: 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division III Select
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
Football Showdown: De La Salle vs. Calvary Baptist Academy
As the 2024-2025 football season progresses, two standout teams, De La Salle and Calvary Baptist Academy, have made their mark with impressive records and dynamic performances. Let’s take a closer look at both teams, analyzing their stats, strengths, and potential in this highly anticipated matchup.
Team Overview
De La Salle (24-25)
- Record: 6-5 overall, 4-1 in district play
- Home Record: 5-1
- Away Record: 1-4
- Scoring Average: 26.3 points per game
- Total Yards per Game: 423.7 yards
- Rushing Yards: 159.7 yards per game
- Passing Yards: 264.0 yards per game
- Team Leaders:
- James Simon: 99.2 rushing yards per game
- Abram Wardell: 258.7 passing yards per game
- Kolby Thomas: 105.9 receiving yards per game
- Luke Miller: 10.3 tackles per game
De La Salle enters the season with a solid record, holding their own in district competition. Their offensive strength lies in their versatile passing game, led by quarterback Abram Wardell, who averages over 250 passing yards per game. Additionally, James Simon’s strong rushing game and Kolby Thomas’ impact as a receiver round out an explosive offensive lineup.
Calvary Baptist Academy (24-25)
- Record: 8-2 overall, 6-0 in district play
- Home Record: 5-1
- Away Record: 3-1
- Scoring Average: 44.8 points per game
- Total Yards per Game: 448 yards
- Rushing Yards: 159.7 yards per game
- Passing Yards: 267.4 yards per game
- Team Leaders:
- Kenny McGriff: 67.4 rushing yards per game
- Brian Harris: 128.9 passing yards per game
- David Jones: 114.5 receiving yards per game
- Caleb Thomas: 11.3 tackles per game
Calvary Baptist Academy boasts a remarkable undefeated district record, having won every district game. Their offense is a powerhouse, averaging an impressive 44.8 points per game, fueled by both an efficient passing and rushing attack. Quarterback Brian Harris has been key to their offensive success, consistently connecting with wide receiver David Jones for large gains. Defensively, Caleb Thomas stands out as a tackling machine with an average of 11.3 tackles per game.
Scoring Breakdown
In terms of scoring, both teams are formidable, but Calvary Baptist Academy leads with a significantly higher points-per-game average of 44.8 compared to De La Salle’s 26.3. Calvary Baptist also excels in their ability to score early and often, averaging 15.0 points in the first quarter and 14.5 in the second, while De La Salle has been strong in the opening quarter with 17 points but tends to slow down in the later stages of the game, scoring only 7 points on average in the fourth quarter.
Statistical Comparison
| Stat Category | De La Salle | Calvary Baptist Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards per Game | 423.7 | 448 |
| Passing Yards per Game | 264.0 | 267.4 |
| Rushing Yards per Game | 159.7 | 159.7 |
| Points Per Game | 26.3 | 44.8 |
| Tackles Per Game | 79.3 | 79.3 |
| Sacks Per Game | 0.6 | 0.2 |
Strengths and Areas for Improvement
De La Salle:
- Strengths: De La Salle’s passing game has been a major weapon, with Abram Wardell leading the charge. Their offensive line has also shown versatility, allowing both the pass and rush to thrive.
- Areas for Improvement: While they have a potent offense, De La Salle’s defense has been a bit inconsistent, especially on the road. They will need to tighten up in all phases of the game to compete with a high-powered team like Calvary Baptist Academy.
Calvary Baptist Academy:
- Strengths: Calvary Baptist has been dominant, particularly in district play, with a perfect 6-0 record. Their high-scoring offense and solid defensive play, led by standout linebacker Caleb Thomas, make them a tough team to beat.
- Areas for Improvement: Calvary Baptist will need to maintain their offensive efficiency in tough away games and ensure they don’t lose focus in the later stages of the game.
Head-to-Head Matchup
While both teams have impressive records, Calvary Baptist Academy stands out with their undefeated district record and overall higher points-per-game average. However, De La Salle will look to leverage their strong passing game and defense to challenge the undefeated team. The key to this matchup will likely be Calvary Baptist’s ability to maintain their scoring pace against a team like De La Salle that has the ability to strike quickly but has struggled to finish strong.
Conclusion
As the season winds down, the upcoming showdown between De La Salle and Calvary Baptist Academy will be one to watch. Calvary Baptist has proven themselves to be a dominant force, especially in district play, but De La Salle’s explosive offense and tough defense will make this a highly competitive game. Both teams will need to execute well in all phases of the game to secure a victory, and the outcome of this game could play a pivotal role in their playoff positioning.
