The Central (Baton Rouge, LA) varsity football team will play a home playoff game against West Monroe (LA) on Friday, November 29, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division I Non-Select tournament.

What: Louisiana High School Football
Who: Central (LA) vs West Monroe (LA)
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Central Football Stadium
Bracket: 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division I Non-Select
Live stream: Watch here

Comparing West Monroe and Central: A Season Overview

The 2024-25 high school football season in Louisiana has provided some intriguing matchups and standout performances. Among the standout teams, West Monroe and Central have made waves in their respective divisions, showcasing notable records and memorable moments. This article takes an in-depth look at their season performance, head-to-head battles, and common opponents.

Overall Records and District Performance

West Monroe’s 2024-25 season has been marked by a mix of successes and challenges. The team’s overall record stands at 7-5, including a 2-3 mark in district play. Notably, West Monroe has been strong at home, registering a 3-1 record, while its away performances have been less consistent, holding a 4-4 record. This indicates a relatively balanced campaign but suggests areas for growth in away games. Their season tally includes scoring 373 points (PF) and allowing 276 points (PA), yielding an average of 31.1 points per game.

In contrast, Central has had a stellar season with an 11-1 overall record and a commanding 4-1 district performance. The team has been dominant at home with an unblemished 8-0 record, showcasing their ability to play well under familiar conditions. Their away performance is equally impressive at 3-1. Central has scored 326 points (PF) while conceding only 151 points (PA), which translates to an average of 27.2 points per game. This statistic underscores Central’s strong defensive and offensive balance throughout the season.

Scoring Averages by Quarter

Examining scoring patterns reveals insights into how each team performs across quarters:

• West Monroe has an average scoring breakdown of 8.8 points in Q1, 10.3 in Q2, 4.4 in Q3, and 5.3 in Q4. This shows that while they start strong, their second half is less productive, hinting at potential issues with stamina or adjustments by opponents.
• Central, on the other hand, averages 3.8 points in Q1, 5.0 in Q2, 7.0 in Q3, and 7.7 in Q4. Central’s steady increase in scoring as the game progresses suggests a team that adapts well, becoming stronger as the game goes on.

Common Opponents and Results

Both teams shared common opponents during the season, giving a comparative look at their performances:

• Catholic High: On September 27, West Monroe faced Catholic High at an away game and lost 31-14. Central also met Catholic High, but in a home game on October 18, they fell 35-17. Despite the loss for both teams, Central’s closer scoreline hints at competitive play.
• Scotlandville: West Monroe and Central both triumphed against Scotlandville, with West Monroe winning 50-0 on October 4 and Central pulling off a 36-20 victory on November 7. This suggests that while both teams were successful, West Monroe demonstrated a more dominant performance in their contest.

Record Breakdown and Performance Insights

The season’s record breakdown further highlights the strengths of each team:

• West Monroe:
  • Overall: 7-5
  • League: 2-3
  • Non-League: 3-2
  • Playoffs: 2-0
• Central:
  • Overall: 11-1
  • League: 4-1
  • Non-League: 6-0
  • Playoffs: 2-0

Both teams demonstrated strong in-state performances, with Central leading at 11-1 versus West Monroe’s 7-4 in-state record. Central also had a flawless non-league performance, while West Monroe’s record indicates a more mixed set of results.

Conclusion

West Monroe and Central have each had an impressive season, marked by their individual strengths and strategies. Central’s perfect home record and consistent scoring ability, especially in the second half, set them apart as a formidable team. West Monroe, with their solid performance at home and resilience in certain matchups, has shown potential but also areas that need refinement, particularly in away games. The comparative analysis underscores the intense competition and high level of football in Louisiana high school sports this season.