The Edgewood (MD) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against Bel Air (MD) on Friday, November 15, at 6 p.m.

What: Maryland High School Football
Who: Edgewood (MD) vs Bel Air (MD)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Bel Air vs. Edgewood: A Preview of the Playoff Showdown

The Bel Air (MD) and Edgewood (MD) football teams are set to meet in a highly anticipated playoff matchup this Friday, November 15, at 6 p.m. With both teams coming off successful regular seasons, this clash promises to be a hard-fought battle with plenty on the line.

Team Overview

Bel Air enters the game with an overall record of 6-4, boasting a solid performance in both region and non-region games. They have a balanced offensive attack with 151 rushing yards per game, 151 passing yards per game, and 302 total yards per game. However, their scoring has been somewhat inconsistent, averaging 19.9 points per game. Defensively, Bel Air has been relatively strong, with 54.7 tackles per game and 1.7 sacks per game, allowing an average of 13.8 points per game.

Edgewood, on the other hand, has had a dominant season, finishing 9-1 overall and a remarkable 5-1 in region play. Their offense is potent, especially in the running game, averaging 200.4 rushing yards per game. They also boast 101.4 passing yards per game, for a total of 301.8 yards per game. Edgewood’s offense has been more prolific, averaging 26.7 points per game. Defensively, they are solid as well, with 51.9 tackles per game and 1.3 sacks per game.

Recent Head-to-Head

In their previous encounter on September 27, 2024, Edgewood came out on top with a 14-7 victory. Despite a strong second half from Bel Air, where they scored 7 points in the third quarter, Edgewood held firm to secure the win. The Edgewood defense was key in that contest, limiting Bel Air’s offense and stifling their ability to make big plays.

Team Scoring Averages

Looking at the scoring averages, Bel Air has shown solid production, especially in the second quarter, where they average 10.3 points. However, they struggle in the third quarter, only averaging 3.6 points. Edgewood, meanwhile, has been more consistent across all quarters, with their highest scoring period being the fourth quarter (9.8 points per game). They have been particularly effective in closing out games, which could prove crucial in a tight playoff contest.

Player Standouts

Both teams feature standout individual performances:

• Bel Air’s Dylan James leads the team with an impressive 94.4 rushing yards per game, while Patrick Sullivan has been the team’s primary passer, with 163.4 passing yards per game. Mike Graham has been a reliable receiving target, with 52.6 receiving yards per game.
• Edgewood’s Michael Robinson is a dynamic force for the team, with 89.5 rushing yards per game and 99.7 receiving yards per game. He is a dual-threat that Bel Air’s defense will need to account for. Malachi Robinson and Khalil Brice have been key players in the defensive unit, with Robinson leading the team in tackles.

Common Opponents

When comparing their performance against common opponents, both teams have had success, but Edgewood has posted a slightly stronger record, going 5-1 against common opponents compared to Bel Air’s 4-2. However, Bel Air has shown resilience, including notable wins against teams like Joppatowne and City College. Edgewood, meanwhile, has dominated teams like C. Milton Wright and City College, further cementing their status as a formidable opponent.

Game Preview

This playoff game will be a test of Bel Air’s ability to execute their balanced offense against Edgewood’s high-powered attack. Edgewood will look to control the game through their running game, led by Michael Robinson, while Bel Air will need a big performance from their quarterback Patrick Sullivan to exploit Edgewood’s secondary. Defensively, Bel Air must limit Edgewood’s big plays and prevent them from pulling away late in the game.

With both teams eager to continue their playoff run, Friday’s matchup promises to be an exciting contest filled with intensity and determination. Whether Bel Air can avenge their early season loss or if Edgewood will continue their dominance remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this game will be a memorable one.