The Columbia Varsity football team (West Columbia, TX) will play a neutral playoff game against Jasper (TX) on Friday, November 15 at 7:00 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships for the 4A Division 2 tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Columbia vs Jasper
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 4A D2
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Game preview: Columbia vs Jasper

As the 2024-2025 Texas high school football season heads into its final stretch, two teams—Jasper and Columbia—stand out with contrasting records and styles of play. Here’s a breakdown of both teams’ performances, stats, and what to expect when they face off.

Overall Records and Performance

Jasper enters the game with a 4-6 overall record. They have faced challenges throughout the season, finishing with a 2-3 district record. The team has been strong at home with a 3-2 record, but struggles on the road with a 1-4 performance. Jasper has scored 328 points while allowing 333, indicating a relatively balanced attack but defensive inconsistencies.

Columbia, on the other hand, boasts a much stronger 7-3 overall record. Their 5-1 district performance shows that they are a dominant force in their league, with a solid 5-1 home record. Columbia has scored 298 points and allowed just 147, showing their strong defensive presence.

Team Scoring Averages

• Jasper averages 32.8 points per game, with a notable 11.0 points scored in the final quarter, highlighting their ability to rally late in games. However, their first-half performance leaves much to be desired, scoring only 2.8 points in the first quarter and 5.6 in the second.
• Columbia averages 29.8 points per game, with an impressive 11.8 points in the final quarter. They come out strong with 11.5 points in the first quarter but tend to slow down in the second and third quarters, scoring just 6.1 and 2.6 points respectively.

Offensive Breakdown

• Jasper has a balanced offense, averaging 156.2 rushing yards per game and 218.8 passing yards per game. The team is well-rounded in their offensive approach but often relies on their passing game, which has contributed to 220.2 receiving yards per game.
• Columbia relies more heavily on the running game, averaging 254.1 rushing yards per game compared to only 62.1 passing yards. Despite their limited passing attack, Columbia has managed to rack up impressive total yardage, averaging 316.2 yards per game.

Key Players

• Jasper’s standout players include Payton Brooks, who leads the team with 64.1 rushing yards per game, and Isaiah Coleman, who is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback with 218.8 passing yards per game and 258.8 total yards per game. Raja Garza-Adams also contributes significantly in the receiving game with 86.9 receiving yards per game.
• Columbia’s top players feature Mudassir Abdullah, a powerhouse running back with 113.4 rushing yards per game, and Cade Thoe, who contributes with 62.1 passing yards per game. Abdullah’s all-around contribution, with 136.8 total yards per game, makes him the key to Columbia’s offense. Defensively, Grant Thrasher leads with 7.7 tackles per game.

Defensive and Special Teams

Jasper’s defensive efforts have been average, with no standout performances in terms of tackles or sacks. Their ability to secure critical stops will be crucial in their game against Columbia.

In comparison, Columbia has a stronger defense, as evidenced by their higher tackle count per game (62.5) and consistent pressure, with 39 pancake blocks on offense. Columbia’s defense will likely prove to be a major hurdle for Jasper’s offensive schemes.

Home and Away Records

Jasper’s struggles on the road are evident, with a 1-4 away record, compared to Columbia’s impressive 5-1 at home. This home-field advantage gives Columbia an edge as they host the game.

Conclusion

Looking at the stats, Columbia enters this matchup as the heavy favorite with a stronger overall record, better scoring averages, and a more dominant defense. However, Jasper cannot be counted out, especially with their explosive late-game scoring ability. If Jasper can improve their first-half performance and take advantage of Columbia’s occasional offensive lulls, they could pull off an upset.

As both teams head into this crucial matchup, fans can expect an exciting game, especially with the contrast in playing styles and the potential for late-game drama.