The Grimsley (Greensboro, NC) varsity football team will play Charlotte Catholic (Charlotte, NC) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 29, at 7:00 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: North Carolin High School Football
Who: Charlotte Catholic vs Grimsley
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m ET
Bracket: 2024 NCHSAA Football Championships – 4A
Live Stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Charlotte Catholic vs. Grimsley

The Charlotte Catholic (9-2) will face off against Grimsley (12-0) in what promises to be a highly competitive playoff matchup. Grimsley enters as the undefeated team, boasting a powerful offense and a solid defense, while Charlotte Catholic has had a strong season, particularly in conference play, with a perfect league record. Let’s break down the teams and how they compare in this exciting playoff clash.

Season Recap

Charlotte Catholic

• Record: 9-2
• Conference Record: 6-0 (Undefeated in conference)
• Points Scored: 328
• Points Allowed: 140
• Key Player: Jake Anderson, leading the rushing game with 80.6 yards per game, is the engine of Charlotte Catholic’s offense.
• Strengths:
  • Balanced offense with Charlie Smith contributing 94.6 passing yards per game.
  • Solid rushing attack, particularly with Jake Anderson.
  • Strong conference performance, with a perfect league record.

Grimsley

• Record: 12-0 (Undefeated)
• Conference Record: 7-0 (Undefeated in conference)
• Points Scored: 592
• Points Allowed: 102
• Key Player: Faizon Brandon, a standout quarterback with 179.9 total yards per game, is a major threat both passing and rushing.
• Strengths:
  • High-scoring offense, averaging 49.3 points per game.
  • Strong rushing attack, led by Mitchell Summers, who averages 132 yards per game.
  • Defensive intensity, with Bryce Davis and Faizon Brandon making key tackles and pressures.

Key Stats and Comparisons

Players to Watch

Charlotte Catholic

• Jake Anderson (RB): Anderson is Charlotte Catholic’s leading rusher, and his performance will be key to controlling the tempo of the game. If they can establish a running game, they may be able to keep Grimsley’s explosive offense off the field.
• Charlie Smith (QB): Smith has been efficient in the passing game with 94.6 yards per game, and will need to be sharp in finding his receivers and executing the offense.
• Ben Fijalkowski (LB): Fijalkowski leads the defense with 9.7 tackles per game and will be critical in slowing down the Grimsley offense, particularly their strong rushing attack.

Grimsley

• Faizon Brandon (QB): Brandon has been the star of Grimsley’s offense, putting up 179.9 total yards per game. His ability to pass and rush will make him a dual threat that Charlotte Catholic will have to contain.
• Mitchell Summers (RB): Summers leads the Grimsley rushing attack with 132 yards per game. His ability to break off big runs will be a game-changer in this matchup.
• Bryce Davis (LB): Davis leads Grimsley’s defense with 7.8 tackles per game and is also an active presence in the pass rush, with 1.7 sacks per game.

Key Matchup: Offense vs. Defense

Grimsley’s high-powered offense, averaging 49.3 points per game, will be tested by Charlotte Catholic’s solid defense, which has allowed just 12.7 points per game. The Grimsley offense is balanced, with Brandon and Summers capable of explosive plays on the ground and in the air. However, Charlotte Catholic’s defense has been very effective, limiting their opponents to an average of 277.4 total yards per game.

On the flip side, Charlotte Catholic’s offense, which averages 24.7 points per game, will have to find a way to move the ball against Grimsley’s strong defensive front, led by Davis and Brandon.

Prediction

Grimsley enters this game as the heavy favorite with an undefeated record and a high-scoring offense, but Charlotte Catholic’s defense will provide a stiff challenge. If Charlotte Catholic can control the clock and keep the game close, they might have a shot at an upset. However, Grimsley’s depth, offensive firepower, and defensive strength will likely prove too much for Charlotte Catholic to handle.