The Carlson (Gibraltar, MI) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against St. Mary’s Prep (Orchard Lake, MI) on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m.

What: Michigan High School Football
Who: Carlson (MI) vs St. Mary’s Prep (MI)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

St. Mary’s Prep vs. Carlson: A Comparative Analysis of the 2024-2025 Football Season

The high school football season in Michigan has seen some incredible performances, with St. Mary’s Prep and Carlson standing out as two of the most competitive teams in their respective leagues. Let’s take a closer look at how these two teams compare in terms of records, stats, and standout players.

Team Records and Performance Overview

• St. Mary’s Prep boasts a solid 8-3 overall record, with a 1-3 league performance in the MI Class 5. The team excels on the road, with a 4-1 record in away games and 3-2 at home. They maintain a .727 win percentage across all games but struggle in league play with a .250 league percentage.
• Carlson, on the other hand, has had an exceptional season, finishing with a 10-1 overall record and a 7-1 league mark. Carlson has been particularly dominant in league games with an impressive .875 win percentage. Their undefeated 5-0 away record and 5-1 home performance highlight their consistent play across the board.

Scoring Breakdown

• St. Mary’s Prep has an average of 42.2 points per game with a well-rounded offense, scoring an average of 16.9 points in the first quarter and 16.1 points in the second quarter, before tapering off in the second half with only 7.9 points in the third and 6.5 points in the fourth.
• Carlson averages 42.8 points per game, slightly ahead of St. Mary’s Prep. Their scoring distribution is somewhat more even, with 14.0 points in the first quarter and 12.8 points in the second quarter. Their offense remains strong in the second half, with 7.7 points in the third and 8.4 points in the fourth quarter, suggesting a potent closing game performance.

Statistical Comparison: Strengths and Weaknesses

Looking at the team stat comparison, both teams are strong offensively but differ in their approaches.

• St. Mary’s Prep averages 189.4 rushing yards per game, which is lower than Carlson’s impressive 290.9 rushing yards per game. In terms of passing yards, St. Mary’s Prep averages 148.3 passing yards, while Carlson has 137.1 passing yards per game. Both teams are relatively balanced in their offensive schemes.
• In terms of total yards, St. Mary’s Prep averages 337.6 yards per game, while Carlson surpasses them with 428.0 total yards per game. Carlson’s dominance in total offense is clear, with their ground game contributing heavily to their success.
• On defense, both teams perform similarly with St. Mary’s Prep averaging 55.5 tackles per game compared to Carlson’s 53.6 tackles per game. The sack numbers are almost identical, with both teams averaging 1.5 sacks per game.
• Both teams score similarly in terms of points per game, with St. Mary’s Prep at 41.0 and Carlson at 41.8. However, Carlson’s higher win percentage in league play points to a more effective all-around game.

Player Highlights

St. Mary’s Prep

• Darrin Jones Jr. leads the team with 79.5 rushing yards per game, while Axel Newell has passed for 101.8 yards per game, making him a key figure in the team’s offensive strategies.
• Bryson Williams contributes significantly to the receiving game with 49.1 yards per game.
• On defense, Charles (DJ) White averages 7.5 tackles per game, providing a strong presence in the backfield.

Carlson

• Joe Krolak has been a standout for Carlson, leading the team with 114.8 rushing yards per game and 115.5 passing yards per game. He is also the team’s primary offensive contributor in total yards, averaging 230.3 yards per game.
• Drew Sikora leads Carlson’s receiving corps with 38.6 yards per game.
• Kenny McCurdy has been a defensive powerhouse with 7.2 tackles per game, maintaining pressure on opposing offenses.

Head-to-Head Performance and Strengths

While both teams have had successful seasons, their paths have not crossed directly this year. The record breakdown shows no head-to-head games between the two, and no common opponents have been noted for comparison. However, when looking at their playoff performances, St. Mary’s Prep has an impressive 2-0 record, and Carlson has been equally successful with a 2-0 record in their respective playoff brackets.

Conclusion

Both St. Mary’s Prep and Carlson are teams to watch, with remarkable records and standout players. Carlson seems to have the edge in total offense and efficiency, particularly in the rushing game, while St. Mary’s Prep shines with its overall balance and strong road performance. Their upcoming matchups in the playoffs will surely be exciting as these two teams fight for supremacy in Michigan high school football.