The Dalhart (TX) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against Denver City (TX) today at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships, 3A Division 1 tournament.

Dalhart vs Denver City Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Dalhart vs Denver City
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 3A D1
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Game preview: Dalhart vs Denver City

The Denver City varsity football team is gearing up for an away playoff showdown against Dalhart on Friday evening, with a kick-off at 7 p.m. Denver City enters the game with a record of 2-8 overall and 2-1 in district play, while Dalhart boasts a 7-3 record with a 1-2 district performance. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect as these two teams prepare to clash in this highly anticipated match-up.

Team Records & Stats

• Denver City has had a challenging season, finishing with a 2-8 record. Despite their struggles, they finished the district season strong with a 2-1 record at home, though they struggled away with a 0-5 mark.
• Dalhart, on the other hand, had a much more successful regular season, going 7-3 overall. The team performed well both at home (4-1) and on the road (3-2). Dalhart enters the playoffs with a solid record and a lot of momentum.

Head-to-Head History

The two teams met earlier in the season, with Dalhart emerging victorious in a dominant 43-7 win on October 11, 2024. In that game, Dalhart’s offensive firepower was on full display, scoring in every quarter and maintaining control throughout the contest. Denver City was held scoreless through the first three quarters, only managing a touchdown in the final frame.

Offensive & Defensive Comparison

Both teams have shown their strengths, albeit in different areas. Dalhart has been particularly effective on offense, averaging 36.4 points per game, with notable performances on both the ground and in the air. They average 171.6 rushing yards per game and 153.9 passing yards per game.

• Kyler W Read has been a standout for Denver City, contributing 76.3 rushing yards per game and a total of 193.3 passing yards per game.
• Dalhart’s offense is led by Hunter Trusler, with 32.0 points per game and a well-balanced attack led by Kyler Read, who’s averaging 269.7 total yards per game.
• In terms of defense, Dalhart has been slightly better, averaging 62.2 tackles per game compared to Denver City’s 62.2. However, Kade Speer of Denver City stands out with 8.0 tackles per game, making him a key player to watch in the defensive lineup.

Key Players to Watch

• Kyler W Read (Denver City): This dual-threat quarterback has been a consistent contributor for Denver City, with both rushing and passing yards that could be critical in keeping the offense moving.
• Hunter Trusler (Dalhart): A key offensive leader for Dalhart, Trusler’s ability to generate points could determine how the game unfolds.

Scoring Trends: Who’s Been More Consistent?

Denver City has struggled with consistency in scoring, averaging 20.4 points per game, with a particularly low output in the second quarter, where they score just 4.0 points on average. Dalhart, by contrast, is averaging a significant 36.4 points per game, with impressive contributions in the second quarter (11.0 points) and throughout the game.

• Denver City’s Average Points Per Game: 20.4
• Dalhart’s Average Points Per Game: 36.4

Common Opponents

• Both teams played Borger this season, with Dalhart emerging victorious in their match-up, winning 21-14, while Denver City fell to Borger 28-0. This outcome gives Dalhart an edge in comparison to their common opponents.

Playoff Picture

As the playoff game begins, Dalhart has an advantage in terms of their overall performance this season, as well as their head-to-head victory over Denver City earlier in the year. However, the playoff atmosphere brings unpredictability, and Denver City will be looking to redeem themselves after their earlier loss.

The key to Denver City’s success will be finding a way to stop Dalhart’s potent offense while utilizing their own versatile quarterback, Kyler Read, to make plays on the ground and in the air. Dalhart will need to maintain its offensive rhythm and avoid giving Denver City a chance to get back into the game.

Final Thoughts

This playoff game is a pivotal moment for both teams. Dalhart enters as the favorite, but Denver City will be hoping for an upset. Fans of both teams can expect an exciting matchup, with Dalhart’s offensive depth facing off against Denver City’s resilience and playmaking abilities.

The game kicks off at 7:00 PM on November 15, 2024, and will undoubtedly provide plenty of action and drama.