The Calhoun City varsity football team from Calhoun City, MS, will play Charleston, MS, in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7:00 PM.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Mississippi High School Football
Who: Charleston vs Calhoun City
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Bracket: 2024 Football Championships – 2A
Live Stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Charleston vs. Calhoun City
The Charleston Tigers (10-2) are set to face the Calhoun City Wildcats (10-1) in a thrilling playoff matchup on November 22. Both teams have enjoyed successful seasons, with Calhoun City entering the game with only one loss on the season, while Charleston boasts a balanced attack and a solid playoff pedigree. This game is expected to showcase both strong defenses and explosive offenses.
Season Recap: Charleston Tigers
- Record: 10-2
- District Record: 4-0
- Points For/Against: 458 PF, 189 PA
- Scoring Average: 38.2 points per game
Charleston has been a high-scoring team, averaging over 38 points per game. They’ve shown resilience and depth, winning both district games and non-league contests with ease. With strong performances against teams like Riverside (52-6) and Palmer (58-14), Charleston has proven to be one of the top teams in their league.
Key Performances:
- Balanced Offense: Marcus Flowers Jr. leads the charge with 104.7 rushing yards per game, while Devon Olive contributes in the air with 116.6 passing yards per game.
- Defense: Timothy Kirk Jr. has been a tackling machine with 5.4 tackles per game, and Trey Smith has added 0.7 sacks per game to keep opposing offenses in check.
Season Recap: Calhoun City Wildcats
- Record: 10-1
- District Record: 3-0
- Points For/Against: 409 PF, 65 PA
- Scoring Average: 37.2 points per game
Calhoun City has been dominant this season, with their only loss coming earlier in the year. The Wildcats have scored at will, averaging just over 37 points per game while allowing only 65 points all season. Their defense has been smothering, as evidenced by victories over Riverside (38-0) and Palmer (44-6).
Key Performances:
- Strong Rushing Attack: Demarious Pittman leads the team with 87.0 rushing yards per game, while Zay Pittman contributes significantly in both rushing and receiving.
- Defense: Trell Dorrough has been the anchor with 5.0 tackles per game, while the defensive line has produced consistent pressure, resulting in 0.7 sacks per game.
Head-to-Head:
While there has been no prior matchup between Charleston and Calhoun City, both teams have faced common opponents and handled them similarly. The Wildcats have defeated Riverside and Palmer with commanding scores, much like Charleston did earlier this season.
Common Opponents Analysis
| Opponent | Charleston Result | Calhoun City Result |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside | W, 52-6 | W, 38-0 |
| Palmer | W, 58-14 | W, 44-6 |
Both teams have faced Riverside and Palmer, and both defeated these teams in convincing fashion. The consistency in these results shows that both teams are equally dominant against common competition.
Team Stat Comparison
| Stat | Charleston | Calhoun City |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 162.7 | 187.5 |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 122.3 | 99.9 |
| Total Yards Per Game | 285.0 | 287.5 |
| Points Per Game | 38.2 | 37.2 |
| Tackles Per Game | 39.1 | 37.4 |
| Sacks Per Game | 2.4 | 0.7 |
Charleston has a slightly more balanced offense, with both a strong rushing and passing game, while Calhoun City leans heavily on its powerful ground attack. Charleston also has a slightly more aggressive defense, with more sacks per game compared to Calhoun City.
Keys to Victory
For Charleston:
- Run the Ball Effectively: With Marcus Flowers Jr. leading the charge, Charleston must focus on running the ball to control the clock and set up passing opportunities.
- Pressure on the Quarterback: The defense must put pressure on Calhoun City’s passing game and disrupt their rhythm.
- Big-Play Potential: With Devon Olive leading the air attack, Charleston should look for big plays in the passing game to stretch the field.
For Calhoun City:
- Control the Line of Scrimmage: Demarious Pittman and the offensive line must establish the run early and wear down Charleston’s defense.
- Dominant Defense: Calhoun City has a great opportunity to control the game by forcing turnovers and limiting Charleston’s scoring opportunities.
- Ball Control: Avoiding mistakes and keeping the ball out of Charleston’s hands will be critical. Calhoun City’s offense should aim to maintain long drives, wearing down the opposition’s defense.
Prediction:
Both teams come into this game with excellent records, but Calhoun City’s defense and ability to control the game with the running game gives them the edge. Charleston will need to execute on offense and disrupt Calhoun City’s offensive line to have a shot at pulling the upset.
