The Decatur (MI) varsity football team will host Reading (MI) in a home playoff game today at 1 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 Michigan High School Football Playoff Brackets for MHSAA Division 8.

What: Michigan High School Football
Who: Decatur (MI) vs Reading (MI)
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Michigan High School Football Playoff Brackets for MHSAA Division 8
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Comparing the Football Teams of Reading and Decatur: A 2024-2025 Season Overview

The 2024-2025 high school football season has provided plenty of excitement, especially with standout teams like Reading and Decatur making significant marks in their respective leagues. Both teams have posted impressive records, but how do they compare when looking at overall performance, head-to-head results, and their approach to key matchups? Here’s a detailed breakdown of both teams’ performances this season.

Team Overview: Reading vs. Decatur

Reading:

• Overall Record: 8-4
• League Record: 5-3
• Home Record: 4-2
• Away Record: 3-2
• Neutral Record: 1-0
• Points Scored (PF): 333
• Points Allowed (PA): 285
• Winning Percentage: .667
• League Winning Percentage: .625

Reading has had a solid season with an 8-4 overall record. Their success has been well-balanced, with a respectable 5-3 league record and a slightly better performance at home (4-2). They have managed to score an average of 27.8 points per game while allowing 23.8. Despite a few stumbles in league play, Reading’s overall performance stands out.

Decatur:

• Overall Record: 10-1
• League Record: 4-1
• Home Record: 7-0
• Away Record: 3-1
• Points Scored (PF): 383
• Points Allowed (PA): 91
• Winning Percentage: .909
• League Winning Percentage: .800

In contrast, Decatur has been nearly unbeatable this season, with an outstanding 10-1 record. Their only loss came in a league match, but otherwise, Decatur has been dominant, especially at home where they boast a perfect 7-0 record. Their offensive line has been firing on all cylinders, averaging an impressive 34.8 points per game, while their defense has been a force, allowing just 91 points in total across the season.

Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring Breakdown

One key distinction between these two teams is their scoring consistency throughout the game.

• Reading:
  • Q1: 6.7
  • Q2: 7.3
  • Q3: 6.0
  • Q4: 4.0
  • Average Final Score: 27.8

Reading tends to start strong but fades a little as the game progresses, particularly in the fourth quarter. Their offense is relatively steady across the first three quarters, but the team struggles to close out games, which might explain some of their close losses.

• Decatur:
  • Q1: 10.7
  • Q2: 10.7
  • Q3: 2.7
  • Q4: 12.0
  • Average Final Score: 34.8

Decatur, on the other hand, shows impressive scoring across all quarters, with particular dominance in the first half (21.4 points combined in the first and second quarters). Although their third-quarter production drops, they make up for it with a strong finish in the fourth, scoring 12 points per game on average. This ability to close strong is a key factor in their success.

Common Opponents

Both teams faced White Pigeon during the season, and their results were telling.

• Reading faced White Pigeon on August 29, 2024, and suffered a heavy defeat, losing 52-14.
• Decatur played White Pigeon on September 20, 2024, and also experienced a win, but with a much narrower margin, securing a 14-6 victory.

Both teams were tested by White Pigeon, but Decatur’s narrow win stands in contrast to Reading’s larger defeat. This may suggest that Decatur had a stronger defense in their matchups, especially against similar opponents.

League and Non-League Records

• Reading:
  • League: 5-3
  • Non-League: 1-1
• Decatur:
  • League: 4-1
  • Non-League: 6-0

While both teams have been successful in league play, Decatur’s non-league performance stands out, where they have yet to lose, going 6-0. In comparison, Reading has struggled with non-league matchups, managing only one win in two attempts.

Head-to-Head & Playoff Outlook

The two teams have not yet faced off in the current season, leaving much to the imagination in terms of what might happen should they meet. However, Decatur has shown itself to be a team capable of dominating both at home and on the road. Given their strong season, they appear poised for a deep playoff run. Reading, while impressive, may struggle against the fierce competition presented by teams like Decatur, especially given their recent inability to close out games consistently.

Conclusion:
Decatur’s overall dominance, especially in scoring and defense, positions them as the stronger team in this matchup, with a higher winning percentage and a more well-rounded game plan. Reading, while no slouch, will need to work on closing out games better if they want to compete at the highest level. Should these two teams meet in the postseason, Decatur’s combination of offensive firepower and defensive resilience could make them the team to watch.