The Delbarton (Morristown, NJ) varsity football team will play a home playoff game against St. Augustine Prep (Richland, NJ) today at 1 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 New Jersey High School Football Playoff Brackets for the NJSIAA – Non-Public A tournament.

Delbarton vs St. Augustine Prep Game Info:

What: New Jersey High School Football Playoffs
Who: Delbarton vs St. Augustine Prep
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: In Progress
Bracket: 2024 New Jersey High School Football Playoff Brackets: NJSIAA – Non-Public A
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Game preview: Delbarton vs St. Augustine Prep

As the football season heats up, two prominent teams, St. Augustine Prep and Delbarton, are making waves in New Jersey with impressive performances and competitive records. Both teams have shown a remarkable blend of offensive and defensive skills, but their paths to success have been unique. Here’s an in-depth look at their rankings, records, and key statistics.

Team Overview

St. Augustine Prep boasts a solid overall record of 6-3 and has performed admirably in its league with a 4-2 mark. Their performance at home has been particularly strong, going 5-0, though they’ve struggled somewhat on the road with a 1-3 record. With 192 points scored and 92 points allowed, their .667 win percentage and .667 league percentage reflect a competitive team, but their inconsistency in away games has been a point of concern.

In contrast, Delbarton has been on a roll with a 7-2 overall record, leading their league with an impressive 5-0 league record. Their overall win percentage of .778 shows a strong level of consistency, especially on the road, where they’ve gone 5-0. With 280 points scored and 195 points allowed, Delbarton has exhibited a potent offense, averaging over 31 points per game.

Scoring Breakdown

When it comes to scoring, Delbarton has the edge, averaging 31.1 points per game, significantly outpacing St. Augustine Prep’s 21.3 points per game. The offensive distribution tells an interesting story:

• St. Augustine Prep tends to have a slower start, averaging 2.9 points in the first quarter but picking up momentum as the game progresses, with a strong second quarter (9.9 points). Their scoring drops off in the second half, however, particularly in the fourth quarter (1.7 points), which could be a concern in tightly contested games.
• Delbarton, on the other hand, starts strong and maintains its momentum throughout the game, particularly in the third and fourth quarters, where they average 8.4 and 8.0 points per quarter, respectively. This suggests that Delbarton’s offense is both explosive and capable of finishing strong, a valuable asset in high-pressure situations.

Stat Comparison

Offensive Comparison:

• Rushing Yards: St. Augustine Prep averages 165.2 rushing yards per game, leading Delbarton, which has 129.9 rushing yards per game.
• Passing Yards: Delbarton is far more prolific through the air, averaging 216.6 passing yards per game, compared to St. Augustine Prep’s 77.3.
• Total Yards: Delbarton also dominates in total yardage, with an average of 346.4 total yards per game, compared to St. Augustine Prep’s 242.6 total yards.

Defensive Comparison:

• St. Augustine Prep records 47.6 tackles per game, while Delbarton has the advantage with 66.9 tackles per game.
• In terms of sacks, Delbarton again outpaces St. Augustine Prep with 2.4 sacks per game, while St. Augustine Prep averages 0.9.

Key Players

Each team has its standout players making significant contributions:

• St. Augustine Prep:
  • Julian Turney (#8) leads the team with 109.0 rushing yards per game and contributes to the team’s total yards with an average of 114.1 yards per game.
  • Ryan Stoehr (#9) leads in passing yards with 72.0 passing yards per game, while Liam Flynn (#6) is the top receiver with 35.3 receiving yards per game.
  • Julian Giambuzzi (#32) leads the defense with 8.0 tackles per game, and Nick Costa (#11) has contributed with 0.3 sacks per game.
• Delbarton:
  • Brock Dandridge (#3) leads the team in rushing with 91.2 rushing yards per game, while Jadon Prinzivalli (#12) has been a key player in both passing and total yards, with 243.6 passing yards per game and 251.5 total yards per game.
  • Phillip Folmar (#1) stands out in receiving with 93.8 receiving yards per game.
  • Kyle Checchio (#22) leads the defense with 12.1 tackles per game, and Tyler Jackson (#9) contributes with 0.9 sacks per game.

Head-to-Head and Record Breakdown

In terms of head-to-head play, both teams are relatively new to each other in competitive matchups, and neither has faced off directly in the current season. However, both teams have made an impact within their respective leagues and have built strong in-state records. St. Augustine Prep has a 5-0 home record, while Delbarton remains undefeated in league play with a perfect 5-0.

St. Augustine Prep excels in their home games, while Delbarton has been formidable both at home and on the road. St. Augustine Prep’s 0-0 out-of-state record suggests their success has been largely in-state, whereas Delbarton boasts a 2-1 out-of-state record, showcasing their ability to perform on a national stage.

Conclusion

Both St. Augustine Prep and Delbarton have shown their mettle this season. Delbarton’s dominant offense, led by strong passing and solid overall play, positions them as one of the state’s most formidable teams. On the other hand, St. Augustine Prep’s defense and solid rushing game keep them competitive in the league, but they’ll need to improve their consistency, especially on the road and in the later stages of games.

As both teams look to make a deep playoff run, these statistical differences will likely play a pivotal role in shaping the remainder of their seasons. Delbarton’s all-around efficiency makes them a tough opponent, but St. Augustine Prep’s ability to rise to the occasion, especially at home, ensures they should not be counted out just yet.