The Campbell (Litchfield, NH) varsity football team is set to play a neutral playoff game against Belmont-Gilford (Belmont, NH) today. This matchup is part of the 2024 New Hampshire High School Football Playoff Brackets for NHIAA Division III.
Campbell vs Belmont-Gilford Game Info:
What: New Hampshire High School Football Playoffs
Who: Campbell vs Belmont-Gilford
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: TBD
Bracket: 2024 New Hampshire High School Football Playoff Brackets: NHIAA – Division III
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Game preview: Campbell vs Belmont-Gilford
As the high school football season enters its playoff phase, the matchup between Belmont-Gilford (6-3 overall, 5-3 in league play) and Campbell (9-0 overall, 8-0 in league play) promises to be an exciting and intense battle. Both teams have shown impressive performances throughout the regular season, with Belmont-Gilford looking to bounce back after a tough loss to Campbell earlier in the season.
Season Recap
Belmont-Gilford enters this playoff matchup with a solid 6-3 record, which includes a 3-2 mark at home and a 3-1 record away. The team has scored 219 points while allowing 147 across all games. However, the team struggled in key moments throughout the season, particularly in their head-to-head game against Campbell, where they were handed a 50-14 defeat on October 5.
On the other hand, Campbell has been a dominant force this season. The team remains undefeated with a perfect 9-0 record, winning all of their league games (8-0) and performing well on both home (5-0) and away (4-0) turf. Their offense has been unstoppable, scoring 366 points and allowing only 147, showcasing their ability to both score and defend effectively.
Scoring Trends
Looking at the scoring averages for both teams, it’s clear that Campbell has been the more explosive offense throughout the season. The team has averaged 40.7 points per game, with their strongest quarters coming in the second and third periods, where they score an average of 14 and 16 points, respectively. Belmont-Gilford, meanwhile, has averaged 24.3 points per game, with their best quarters being the first and second, where they score 7 points each. However, their struggles in the third quarter (only 0 points on average) have often put them at a disadvantage.
Head-to-Head Breakdown
The most recent encounter between these two teams took place on October 5, when Campbell dominated Belmont-Gilford in a 50-14 victory. Belmont-Gilford could not keep up with Campbell’s high-powered offense, leading to a lopsided scoreline. Now, as they prepare for today’s playoff game, Belmont-Gilford will need to adjust their strategies and find a way to contain Campbell’s offense if they hope to compete.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced off against similar opponents during the season, with Campbell posting a perfect 6-0 record against those teams, while Belmont-Gilford has gone 3-2. These shared matchups highlight the contrast in their performances. For example, both teams defeated Sanborn Regional, but Campbell had a slightly more dominant victory (43-12 compared to Belmont-Gilford’s 41-2). Additionally, Campbell triumphed over Laconia (28-7), while Belmont-Gilford suffered a loss to the same team (28-12). This gives Campbell a clear edge when comparing their results against common opponents.
The Path to Victory
For Belmont-Gilford to have any chance at upsetting Campbell, they’ll need to execute a strong, balanced game plan. Containing Campbell’s high-scoring offense, especially in the second and third quarters, will be critical. Defensively, the team will need to stay disciplined and avoid giving up big plays. Offensively, Belmont-Gilford will need to capitalize on their early-game momentum and find ways to sustain drives to keep the score close.
Campbell, on the other hand, will aim to continue their dominance, relying on their explosive offense and solid defense to carry them through this crucial playoff game. If they can maintain their momentum from the regular season and execute the same game plan, they’ll be poised to advance further in the postseason.
Conclusion
Today’s playoff matchup between Belmont-Gilford and Campbell is more than just a battle of records; it’s a clash of contrasting styles and histories. With Belmont-Gilford looking to bounce back after a tough loss and Campbell aiming to continue their perfect season, this game is set to be a thrilling contest. Fans of both teams will be eagerly watching to see which squad can rise to the occasion and make a deep playoff run.
