The Chapel Hill (Tyler, TX) varsity football team will host Stafford (TX) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 29, at 2:00 PM at Randall Reed Stadium. This matchup is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships, 4A Division 1 tournament.

Chapel Hill vs Stafford Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Chapel Hill vs Stafford
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 4A D1
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Chapel Hill vs Stafford

As the 2024-2025 football season reaches its climax, two teams stand out in Texas high school football—Stafford and Chapel Hill. With distinct records and performance metrics, both squads have captured the attention of fans, analysts, and future competitors. This article breaks down the key statistics and compares these two teams based on their season performance, individual achievements, and matchups.

Overall Records and Performance

• Stafford boasts an 8-4 overall record with a strong district performance of 4-1, leading to a win percentage of .667. However, they’ve had a tough time on the road with a 2-3 away record, though their neutral-site games have been perfect at 2-0. In terms of points, Stafford has scored 193 while allowing 194, reflecting tight and competitive matchups throughout the season.
• Chapel Hill, on the other hand, has a slightly stronger overall record at 9-3. They went 4-2 in district play, yielding a win percentage of .750. Chapel Hill has been dominant on neutral grounds, finishing undefeated with a 5-0 record. They’ve scored an impressive 395 points while allowing 278, showing a more potent offense compared to Stafford.

Team Scoring Averages

• Stafford’s scoring distribution is fairly balanced but inconsistent. The team averages 6.1 points in the first quarter, but their scoring drops to 2.0 points in the third quarter before picking up again in overtime. Stafford finishes the game with an average of 16.1 points.
• Chapel Hill, in contrast, has a much higher overall scoring average of 32.9 points per game. They show remarkable strength in the final quarter, averaging 10.5 points, with the majority of their scoring happening in the later stages of the game.

Stat Comparison: Offense & Defense

• Rushing Yards: Stafford’s rushing attack averages 98.4 yards per game, while Chapel Hill thrives with 290.1 yards per game. This massive difference highlights Chapel Hill’s dominance on the ground, led by star rusher Rickey Stewart, who accounts for a substantial portion of the team’s rushing yards.
• Passing Yards: Stafford is nearly identical to Chapel Hill in passing yards, with 98.8 yards per game compared to Chapel Hill’s 110.4. Stafford’s offense, led by quarterback Zachary Brown, has shown efficiency, while Chapel Hill’s passing game is slightly more productive but doesn’t play as central a role in their success.
• Total Yards: Chapel Hill outperforms Stafford in total yards, averaging 400.5 yards per game, far surpassing Stafford’s 197.3. The sharp contrast in total offensive production underscores Chapel Hill’s more versatile and explosive offense.
• Defense: Defensively, Chapel Hill leads in tackles per game with 85.5, compared to Stafford’s 52.0. This difference indicates a more aggressive and dominant defense from Chapel Hill, which likely contributes to their ability to shut down opponents.
• Sacks & Points Per Game: Chapel Hill also leads in sacks per game (2.0 vs. 1.6) and points per game (31.4 vs. 15.1), emphasizing a superior defensive line and offensive consistency.

Team Leaders

• Stafford: Rushing leader Dillan Tatum has racked up an average of 28.8 yards per game, while Zachary Brown leads the passing game with 103.7 yards per game. Ja’yir Nelson stands out as the receiving leader with 40.0 yards per game, contributing heavily to Stafford’s offense.
• Chapel Hill: Rickey Stewart is a standout performer for Chapel Hill, with an outstanding 138.5 rushing yards per game. Malik Gee and Maliek Brown complement him in passing and receiving yards, respectively. Trevor Brooks leads the team in tackles with 10.1 per game, and Jamison Fasulo contributes with 0.4 sacks per game.

Common Opponents

The two teams have faced off against a common opponent, Pine Tree, but with different results. Stafford defeated Pine Tree 14-13, while Chapel Hill suffered a 20-14 loss to the same team. This suggests Stafford might have a slight edge in closely contested games against similar competition.

Head-to-Head Record

• Stafford vs. Chapel Hill: The teams have yet to meet in head-to-head competition this season, but both have shown strong performances in their respective divisions and are likely to remain strong contenders for postseason play.

Conclusion

Both Stafford and Chapel Hill have had impressive seasons with differing strengths. Stafford has maintained a solid, if unspectacular, performance with a balanced offense and defense, while Chapel Hill has displayed explosive offensive firepower, particularly on the ground. Chapel Hill’s stronger overall offensive production and defensive prowess make them the favorite going into a potential postseason matchup, but Stafford’s resilience and ability to win tight games could make them a formidable opponent.

As both teams look to make deep playoff runs, their contrasting styles will likely make for thrilling matchups as they continue their quest for state glory.