The Central (Baton Rouge, LA) varsity football team will play a neutral-site playoff game against Ruston (LA) on Saturday, December 14, at 3:30 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division I Non-Select tournament.

Central vs Ruston Game Info:

What: Louisiana High School Football
Who: Central (LA) vs Ruston (LA)
When: Saturday, December 14, 2024
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division I Non-Select
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Central vs Ruston

As the 2024-2025 high school football season nears its climax, the matchup between Ruston and Central stands as one of the most intriguing storylines in Louisiana football. Both teams have shown impressive performances, each with unique strengths and a robust track record that make them formidable opponents. Let’s dive into their season highlights, head-to-head records, and scoring averages to understand why these teams are poised for greatness.

Team Overview

Ruston has posted a solid 11-2 overall record, with a strong 6-1 performance at home and a respectable 3-1 record on the road. Their offense has been a major factor in their success, averaging 38.8 points per game (PPG), which highlights their potent attack. Defensively, they’ve given up only 192 points all season, reflecting a well-rounded squad that thrives both offensively and defensively.

On the other hand, Central has been a juggernaut, boasting a 13-1 overall record with a flawless 9-0 mark at home. Their defense has been just as impressive as their offense, allowing only 171 points over the course of the season. Central’s offense averages 26.0 PPG, and despite scoring less than Ruston, their defensive prowess has often been the deciding factor in close games.

Record Breakdown

Looking deeper into the statistics, we see that Ruston holds a strong 3-2 record in district play, while Central is unbeaten in district competition with a 4-1 mark. Both teams have shown dominance in non-league games, with Ruston finishing 6-0 and Central sweeping their non-district contests at 5-0. Ruston’s home performance (6-1) is impressive, but Central takes the edge with a perfect 9-0 at home, proving their strength in familiar surroundings.

In the playoffs, both teams have had success, with Ruston posting a 3-0 mark and Central leading with a 3-0 record in postseason games. Central has remained a dominant force in-state with a 13-1 record, while Ruston has seen some tougher out-of-state competition, although they remain strong with a 7-2 in-state record.

Common Opponents

An interesting comparison comes from looking at common opponents during the season. Ruston played three common opponents with a 2-1 record, whereas Central finished 3-0 against those same teams. Key matchups for both teams include their performances against Neville, West Monroe, and Zachary. Ruston lost to Neville 26-21, while Central triumphed over them with a 17-13 victory. Both teams had strong showings against West Monroe, with Ruston winning 36-0 and Central coming out on top 21-7. In their battle against Zachary, Ruston clinched a 42-21 victory, while Central triumphed 14-3.

Scoring Averages and Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

When it comes to scoring, Ruston shows a balanced approach, scoring an average of 9.7 points in the first quarter, 13.0 in the second, and 10.7 in the third, with a dip to 6.5 in the fourth quarter. Central’s scoring is more evenly distributed but somewhat lower, with averages of 4.6 in Q1, 4.1 in Q2, 7.0 in Q3, and 6.6 in Q4. Although Central’s total scoring output is less than Ruston’s, their defense has often compensated for the difference by limiting their opponents’ scoring opportunities.

Conclusion

As the season progresses and the stakes grow higher, both Ruston and Central have proved they are among Louisiana’s finest football programs. Ruston’s high-powered offense and solid defense make them a formidable opponent, but Central’s undefeated record at home and dominant defensive play give them the edge. A matchup between these two teams is sure to be a thrilling one, as they each strive for glory on the path to the state championship.