The DePaul College Prep varsity football team from Chicago, IL, will face Mt. Zion, IL, in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 29, at 7 PM. This matchup is part of the “2024 Illinois High School Football Playoff Brackets: IHSA – Class 4A” tournament.

What: Illinois High School Football
Who: DePaul College Prep (IL) vs Mt. Zion (IL)
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Hancock Stadium
Bracket: 2024 Illinois High School Football Playoff Brackets: IHSA – Class 4A
Live stream: Watch here

Comparative Analysis: Mt. Zion vs. DePaul College Prep in 2024-25

In the 2024-25 high school football season, two prominent Illinois teams, Mt. Zion and DePaul College Prep, demonstrated outstanding performances. Both teams finished with impressive 10-3 records, reflecting their strong campaigns in an intense season. This article delves into a comprehensive analysis of their performances, highlighting statistical insights, team leaders, and overall comparisons.

Team Performance Overview

Both Mt. Zion and DePaul College Prep showcased similar success with identical 10-3 records. Their in-conference performances were noteworthy, with Mt. Zion going 3-2 and DePaul College Prep posting a 2-1 conference record. On the road, Mt. Zion excelled at 7-2, while DePaul College Prep had a competitive 5-2 away record. At home, DePaul College Prep shone with a 5-1 record, outpacing Mt. Zion’s 3-1 home performance.

Scoring and Game Averages

When examining scoring averages across game quarters, DePaul College Prep outperformed Mt. Zion with an average of 30.5 points per game, slightly ahead of Mt. Zion’s 29.1 points. The breakdown of scoring by quarter revealed that DePaul College Prep had a strong finish in the fourth quarter (8.9 points) and in overtime (3.0 points), which contributed significantly to their overall scoring. Mt. Zion’s scoring was more balanced, averaging 10.6 points in the second quarter and maintaining a solid 8.8 in the third.

Statistical Comparison

A deeper look at the teams’ statistical performance per game shows how evenly matched they were in several areas:

• Rushing Yards: DePaul College Prep averaged 129.5 yards per game, slightly ahead of Mt. Zion’s 119.1 yards.
• Passing Yards: Both teams were tied at 225.6 yards per game.
• Receiving Yards: Mt. Zion led with an average of 232.0 yards, compared to DePaul College Prep’s 225.6.
• Total Yards: DePaul College Prep edged out Mt. Zion with 355.2 total yards per game against 344.7.

Defensive metrics also showed tight competition:

• Tackles Per Game: Mt. Zion averaged 61.4 tackles, slightly ahead of DePaul College Prep’s 58.2.
• Sacks Per Game: DePaul College Prep outperformed with 2.0 sacks per game versus Mt. Zion’s 1.7.
• Points Allowed: Mt. Zion had a stronger defense, yielding an average of 237 points against them for a points-per-game allowance of 28.9. DePaul College Prep allowed 243 points, averaging 25.5 points per game.

Key Players and Contributions

The individual standout performances were critical to each team’s success. For Mt. Zion, Keller Stocks led the team in multiple categories:

• Rushing Yards: 47.9 per game
• Passing Yards: 219.5 per game
• Total Yards: 267.4 per game

Jacob Harvey contributed significantly with 85.8 receiving yards per game. On defense, Jonny Jordan had 8.6 tackles per game, while Kaden Becker led in sacks with 0.5 per game. Brayden Trimble, a consistent scorer, averaged 7.6 points per game.

DePaul College Prep’s top performers included:

• Rushing Leader: Nick Martinez with 96.8 yards per game
• Passing Leader: Fernando Rodriguez at 220.8 yards per game
• Receiving Leader: Braden Peevy with 89.2 yards per game

Defensively, Gianni Giunta recorded 8.3 tackles per game, and Aidan Castette had 0.6 sacks per game. Nick Martinez also shone on the scoring front with 6.0 points per game.

Record Breakdown

Both teams exhibited strong performances within and outside their conferences, with Mt. Zion holding a 3-2 league record and DePaul College Prep at 2-1. Home games saw DePaul College Prep outpace Mt. Zion, finishing with a 5-1 record compared to Mt. Zion’s 3-1. Both teams held undefeated records in neutral and playoff settings, each going 4-0.

Conclusion

The 2024-25 season saw Mt. Zion and DePaul College Prep engage in an impressive display of football prowess. Both teams showcased comparable strengths, with slight distinctions in their game averages and individual contributions. This comparison highlights the competitive spirit of high school football in Illinois and underscores the talent of both Mt. Zion and DePaul College Prep as they move forward into future seasons.