The East Stroudsburg South Varsity Football team will host Roman Catholic (Philadelphia, PA) in a home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 PIAA Football Championship – 5A tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Pennsylvania High School Football
Who: East Stroudsburg South vs Roman Catholic
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7 PM
Bracket: 2024 PIAA Football Championship – 5A
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Game preview: East Stroudsburg South vs Roman Catholic

In the world of high school football, few matchups carry the excitement and anticipation that a showdown between Roman Catholic and East Stroudsburg South promises. Both teams have built impressive resumes this season, and with contrasting styles and strengths, this game is set to be a thrilling encounter.

Roman Catholic Football: A Solid Season With Room for Growth

Roman Catholic’s 2024-2025 campaign has seen the team compile an 8-4 overall record, with a respectable 5-1 mark at home and 3-3 on the road. The team’s conference performance, sitting at .500 with a 3-3 record, indicates a balanced mix of successes and struggles within their league. Despite this, Roman Catholic has been a scoring force, averaging 38.9 points per game, with standout performances in the first and second quarters, scoring 14.7 and 16.7 points per quarter, respectively. However, they struggle to maintain that momentum in the latter halves, averaging just 5.7 and 4.3 points in the third and fourth quarters.

East Stroudsburg South: Dominant in Conference Play

East Stroudsburg South, with a remarkable 10-2 record, has proven themselves to be a dominant force, especially in conference play where they went undefeated at 6-0. Their overall win percentage of .833 speaks to their consistent excellence, both at home (5-2) and on the road (5-0). The team has managed to average 38.3 points per game this season, with their most notable quarter being the fourth, where they average 8.7 points. Unlike Roman Catholic, East Stroudsburg South has displayed solid performance in all phases of the game, making them a formidable opponent across the board.

Offensive and Defensive Comparison

When comparing the teams’ statistics, there are some notable differences in their offensive styles. Roman Catholic relies heavily on their ground game, averaging 46.8 rushing yards per game, and also excels in passing, averaging 102.0 yards per game. This makes them a dual-threat offense, though they have yet to match the passing prowess of East Stroudsburg South. East Stroudsburg South, on the other hand, is led by standout quarterback Semaj Beals, who averages an impressive 297.8 passing yards per game. The team’s passing game is complemented by their receiving corps, led by Eyan Stead, who averages 89.3 receiving yards per game.

On the defensive side, both teams excel at limiting scoring, though Roman Catholic boasts a slightly higher average of 15.4 points per game allowed. The teams’ tackling numbers are also close, with Roman Catholic averaging 15.8 tackles per game, and East Stroudsburg South closely following at 15.4. The sack comparison also favors Roman Catholic, who average 1.5 sacks per game compared to East Stroudsburg South’s 1.0.

Key Players to Watch

For Roman Catholic, all eyes will be on running back Xavier Kincade, who leads the team with 75.0 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Semaj Beals of East Stroudsburg South is the player to watch on the other side, as he commands the offense with his stellar passing numbers, while his dual-threat ability with the ball makes him a dynamic player.

Receivers Eyan Stead and JoJo Delecce are also critical to their teams’ success. Stead’s ability to gain significant yards through the air will be crucial for East Stroudsburg South, while Delecce’s solid defensive presence will be vital in slowing down Roman Catholic’s high-scoring offense.

Playoff Implications

Both teams have their eyes on deep playoff runs. Roman Catholic’s 8-4 record puts them in a strong position to compete, while East Stroudsburg South’s undefeated conference record and solid overall mark make them one of the top contenders in their division.

As the season progresses, this matchup will likely hold significant implications for both teams’ playoff positioning. With high-powered offenses, strong defenses, and standout individual performances, fans can expect a competitive and thrilling contest when these two teams take the field.

Final Thoughts

As Roman Catholic and East Stroudsburg South prepare for their upcoming game, it’s clear that each team has unique strengths and playstyles. Roman Catholic’s versatile offense and steady defense face off against East Stroudsburg South’s explosive passing attack and dominant conference performance. Whether the game will be decided by a last-minute touchdown or a defensive stop, this game is shaping up to be one for the books, full of intensity and high-level football action.