The Catholic Memorial varsity football team (West Roxbury, MA) will be hosting a home playoff game against Wellesley (MA) today at 6 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 MIAA Football State Championship – Division 2 tournament.

What: Massachusetts High School Football
Who: Catholic Memorial (MA) vs Wellesley (MA)
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Where: Weston High School
Bracket: 2024 MIAA Football State Championship – Division 2
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

2024 High School Football Season: Wellesley vs. Catholic Memorial

As we reach the peak of the high school football season in Massachusetts, the teams of Wellesley and Catholic Memorial stand out for their impressive performances, both holding strong records and delivering exciting gameplay. Let’s break down their 2024-2025 seasons in terms of rankings, key statistics, and their head-to-head comparison.

Team Overview

Wellesley (24-25):

• Overall Record: 8-2
• League Record: 3-1
• Home Record: 6-0
• Away Record: 2-2
• Winning Percentage: .800
• League Winning Percentage: .750
• Points For (PF): 286
• Points Against (PA): 96

Wellesley has had a strong season, especially at home where they remain undefeated (6-0). Their offense has been effective, with a solid performance across the board, but they have struggled a bit in away games, with a 2-2 record on the road. Despite this, their overall statistics reflect a well-balanced team.

Catholic Memorial (24-25):

• Overall Record: 9-1
• League Record: 4-0
• Home Record: 4-1
• Away Record: 5-0
• Winning Percentage: .900
• League Winning Percentage: 1.000
• Points For (PF): 393
• Points Against (PA): 122

Catholic Memorial has been nothing short of dominant this season, posting a 9-1 record, with only one loss in their overall campaign. Their performance in league games has been perfect, with a 4-0 record. They’ve been particularly strong on the road, finishing with a 5-0 away record. Their offense has been high-powered, scoring nearly 40 points per game.

Team Scoring Averages

Both teams have distinct offensive styles, but the disparity in scoring averages reflects their contrasting approaches:

• Wellesley Scoring Breakdown:
  • Q1: 6.8
  • Q2: 8.2
  • Q3: 6.5
  • Q4: 5.7
  • Final Average: 28.6
• Catholic Memorial Scoring Breakdown:
  • Q1: 16.2
  • Q2: 13.0
  • Q3: 10.5
  • Q4: 3.5
  • Final Average: 39.3

Catholic Memorial outperforms Wellesley in all quarters, particularly in the first half. Their offensive strength is evident in the high-scoring first quarter, which sets the tone for their games. Wellesley’s offense is more balanced, but they tend to slow down in the second half, which could be a factor in their two losses.

Statistical Comparison

Here’s a look at the key team statistics for both schools:

• Wellesley:
  • Rushing Yards Per Game: 220.1
  • Passing Yards Per Game: 157.3
  • Receiving Yards Per Game: 159.4
  • Total Yards Per Game: 377.4
  • Tackles Per Game: 39.9
  • Sacks Per Game: 1.2
  • Points Per Game: 37.7
• Catholic Memorial:
  • Rushing Yards Per Game: 118.3 (Mekhi Dodd leads the team with 118.3)
  • Passing Yards Per Game: 163.0 (Kise Flannery is the standout passer)
  • Receiving Yards Per Game: 56.0 (Gavin Brown is a key target)
  • Total Yards Per Game: 184.6 (Kise Flannery also leads in total yards)
  • Tackles Per Game: 4.8 (Chris Sanchez is the leader)
  • Sacks Per Game: 0.5 (Miguel Waston has 0.5 sacks per game)
  • Points Per Game: 12.0 (Mekhi Dodd, with his exceptional 12.0 points per game)

While Catholic Memorial has a more balanced attack, particularly through the air, Wellesley’s rushing game has been a standout, with the team averaging over 220 yards per game on the ground. Mekhi Dodd is a force for Wellesley, contributing heavily in both rushing and points per game, while Catholic Memorial’s Kise Flannery leads the passing game and total yardage.

Record Breakdown: Wellesley vs. Catholic Memorial

• Wellesley:
  • Overall: 8-2
  • League: 3-1
  • Home: 6-0
  • Away: 2-2
  • Playoff Record: 2-0
  • In-State: 8-2
• Catholic Memorial:
  • Overall: 9-1
  • League: 4-0
  • Home: 4-1
  • Away: 5-0
  • Playoff Record: 2-0
  • In-State: 8-0

Both teams have had solid seasons, but Catholic Memorial holds the edge in their overall record and league performance. They remain undefeated in their league, and their away form has been especially strong, which could prove crucial in any upcoming matchups or playoff scenarios.

Conclusion

The 2024 season has shown the power of both Wellesley and Catholic Memorial, with each team excelling in different aspects of the game. While Wellesley’s dominant rushing attack has been key to their success, Catholic Memorial’s explosive offensive output and unblemished league record make them the team to beat. Fans of Massachusetts high school football should keep a close eye on these two as they continue to battle their way through the playoffs.