The Cedar Park varsity football team will host Red Oak in a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. at Cedar Park High School. This matchup is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships in the Conference 5A Division 1 tournament.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Cedar Park vs Red Oak
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 5A D1
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Game preview: Cedar Park vs Red Oak
As the football season heats up, two Texas high school teams, Red Oak and Cedar Park, stand out with identical overall records of 6-4, each proving their mettle in the regular season. Let’s dive into the statistics and performance of both teams, comparing their offensive and defensive statistics, key players, and overall strengths heading into their upcoming matchup.
Overall Performance
Both Red Oak and Cedar Park share a 6-4 overall record, but their performances within their respective districts have been slightly different. Red Oak finished with a 4-2 district record, while Cedar Park boasts a stronger 5-2 district performance. This is reflected in their respective rankings: Red Oak ranks 124th in Texas, while Cedar Park sits at 180th overall. Both teams have shown resilience and adaptability, with balanced wins both at home and away.
Scoring Comparison
When comparing the scoring averages, Red Oak holds a slight edge in total points per game. The Red Oak Hawks score an average of 35.3 points per game, while Cedar Park averages 33.9 points. This difference is primarily seen in their offensive consistency across the four quarters. Red Oak’s scoring is well-distributed, averaging 11.7 points in the first quarter, 8.6 in the second, and 8.4 in the third. Their most explosive quarter is the fourth, where they average 11.9 points.
Cedar Park, on the other hand, starts slow with just 5.0 points in the first quarter, but their offense picks up as the game progresses, especially in the fourth quarter, where they average 10.4 points. Despite the difference in first-quarter output, both teams show the ability to finish strong.
Offensive Comparison
Red Oak and Cedar Park are similarly matched when it comes to offensive yards. Red Oak averages 433.4 total yards per game, slightly ahead of Cedar Park’s 385.0 yards. Red Oak’s strong rushing attack (222.6 yards per game) gives them a solid foundation, while Cedar Park’s passing game (203.5 yards per game) is more dynamic.
In terms of individual performers, Red Oak’s Billy Middleton leads the way, averaging 87.6 rushing yards per game and 186.8 passing yards per game. Middleton’s dual-threat capability is a major asset for the Hawks. Cedar Park counters with quarterback David Cooper, who averages 203.4 passing yards per game and 257.6 total yards per game.
Defensive Breakdown
When it comes to defense, both teams have formidable units, though Red Oak has a slight advantage in total tackles per game with 72.3 compared to Cedar Park’s 74.8. However, Cedar Park excels at sacking the quarterback, with 1.2 sacks per game, while Red Oak averages 2.7. This suggests that Red Oak is better at applying pressure in the backfield, which could be key in disrupting Cedar Park’s passing attack.
Key Players to Watch
For Red Oak, all eyes will be on Billy Middleton, who not only leads in rushing yards but is also a reliable passing option. Meanwhile, Cedar Park’s David Cooper is the centerpiece of their offense, orchestrating both the passing and running games. Another player to keep an eye on is Red Oak’s Taz Williams Jr., who has racked up 91.5 receiving yards per game, making him a dangerous weapon in the air.
Home and Away Performances
Both teams have similar home and away splits. Red Oak has a solid 4-1 record when playing away from home, while Cedar Park holds a slightly better 4-2 away record. This suggests that both teams are capable of performing in hostile environments, but Red Oak’s perfect record at home (2-3) and Cedar Park’s stronger away performances could give them an edge on neutral grounds.
Conclusion
This matchup between Red Oak and Cedar Park promises to be a highly competitive game, with both teams boasting impressive offensive firepower and solid defensive units. Red Oak’s ability to balance rushing and passing will be key, while Cedar Park’s passing game will need to withstand Red Oak’s defensive pressure. As both teams prepare for their showdown, the stage is set for an exciting game that could go down to the wire. With identical records and contrasting styles of play, expect a thrilling contest from start to finish.
