The Darlington Falcons (5-5, SC) varsity football team will host the Midland Valley Mustangs (5-5, Graniteville, SC) for a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class AAAA Football tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: South Carolina High School Football
Who: Darlington vs Midland Valley
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM
Bracket: 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class AAAA Football
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Game preview: Darlington vs Midland Valley

The Midland Valley Mustangs and Darlington Falcons are set to face off in what promises to be an exciting matchup in the 2024-25 high school football season. Both teams come into the game with identical overall records of 5-5, but a closer look at their stats and performance metrics reveals intriguing differences.

Overall Performance

• Midland Valley: With a record of 5-5, the Mustangs have shown solid consistency this season. Their region record of 5-2 highlights a strong regional performance, where they have managed to dominate their conference, achieving a win percentage of .714. Overall, Midland Valley has averaged 25.8 points per game and scored a total of 258 points across the season, while allowing 244 points.
• Darlington: The Falcons, also with a 5-5 record, have been more inconsistent in region play, posting a 3-3 record. Their overall win percentage stands at .500, with a region win percentage of .500 as well. Darlington has scored 216 points and allowed 306 points this season, averaging 20.3 points per game.

Team Scoring Averages

Midland Valley has been more effective on offense, especially in the first half of games. They average 6.2 points in the first quarter and 11.7 points in the second quarter, while also maintaining a solid output through the second half with 7.2 points in the third quarter and 3.4 points in the fourth. Their ability to perform early and sustain momentum is key to their success.

Darlington, on the other hand, has had a slower start to games, averaging only 2.7 points in the first quarter. However, they tend to finish strong, especially in the fourth quarter, where they average 7.7 points. While their overall scoring average of 21.6 points per game is lower than Midland Valley’s, their late-game performance shows they can be dangerous in tight contests.

Team Stat Comparison

• Rushing Yards: Midland Valley averages 203.8 rushing yards per game, while Darlington leads with 258.0 rushing yards per game. The Falcons’ superior rushing game could be a significant factor in the contest, as they have consistently gained more ground on the ground than their counterparts.
• Passing Yards: Midland Valley has an edge in the passing game, averaging 127.5 passing yards per game compared to Darlington’s 90.7 passing yards. The Mustangs’ balanced offense gives them the ability to strike both through the air and on the ground.
• Total Yards: Midland Valley averages 331.3 total yards per game, while Darlington has a slightly higher average of 348.7 total yards per game. This suggests that, although Midland Valley is more balanced, Darlington’s heavy reliance on rushing gives them a marginally better overall yardage production.

Defensive Comparison

• Tackles Per Game: Midland Valley is significantly stronger in defense, averaging 80.2 tackles per game, compared to Darlington’s 39.5. This difference could indicate that Midland Valley is more aggressive in their defensive approach, with players like Charles Richardson leading the charge with 11.9 tackles per game.
• Sacks Per Game: The Mustangs also excel in pressuring the quarterback, with 1.5 sacks per game, compared to Darlington’s 0.9 sacks per game. This defensive strength could be crucial in limiting the Falcons’ offensive plays and disrupting their rushing attack.

Key Players to Watch

• Midland Valley: Running back Preston McNair has been a key contributor for the Mustangs, averaging 99.4 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Xavier Geter has been effective in both the air and on the ground, posting 78.4 passing yards per game and 111.1 total yards per game.
• Darlington: The Falcons rely heavily on running back Jaylen Augustus, who has been a standout with 116.8 rushing yards per game and 204.3 total yards per game. Additionally, wide receiver Montez McMillan has contributed significantly in the passing game, averaging 43.0 receiving yards per game.

Home and Away Records

Both teams have had a mixed bag of results at home and on the road. Midland Valley has a solid 3-2 home record but has struggled slightly away, with a 2-3 road record. Darlington mirrors that with a 3-2 home record, but they too have faced challenges on the road, posting a 2-3 away record.

Conclusion

The matchup between Midland Valley and Darlington will be a clash of contrasting styles. Midland Valley’s balanced offensive attack and aggressive defense could be a key advantage against Darlington’s potent rushing game. The Falcons will look to control the clock and dominate the ground game, while Midland Valley will rely on their ability to strike through both the air and on the ground. With both teams sporting identical records, this game promises to be a hard-fought battle, with playoff implications on the line.