The W.S. Neal varsity football team from East Brewton, AL, will face off against Fairfield, AL, in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs for Class 4A, bringing both teams a step closer to the championship title.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Alabama High School Football
Who: Fairfield vs W.S. Neal
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs – 4A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Fairfield vs. W.S. Neal

As Fairfield and W.S. Neal prepare to meet in the upcoming playoff, their season stats highlight each team’s unique strengths and challenges.

Fairfield Tigers (Class 14, AL)

• Overall Record: 8-3
• Region Record: 4-3
• Home Record: 3-2
• Away Record: 5-1
• Win Percentage: 72.7%
• Region Win Percentage: 57.1%
• Points For (PF): 333
• Points Against (PA): 267

The Tigers have excelled away from home with a strong 5-1 away record and maintain an overall scoring average of 30.3 points per game. They consistently score higher in the second half, with their strongest quarter being the fourth.

W.S. Neal Eagles (Class 7, AL)

• Overall Record: 5-6
• Region Record: 3-3
• Home Record: 3-1
• Away Record: 2-5
• Win Percentage: 45.5%
• Region Win Percentage: 50.0%
• Points For (PF): 308
• Points Against (PA): 326

The Eagles have a resilient home record, winning three out of four games, but they’ve faced challenges on the road. Averaging 28 points per game, they tend to be consistent through each quarter, with a slight edge in the third.

Both teams have strengths they’ll aim to leverage as they meet in this high-stakes playoff matchup.

Team Stat Comparison

Fairfield and W.S. Neal show different strengths across the field, with Fairfield’s offense leading in several key categories.

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Fairfield leads with 199.8 rushing yards per game, a strong run game that stands out compared to W.S. Neal’s lower rushing stats.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Fairfield’s passing game averages 162.6 yards per game, the same as their receiving yards, contributing to a balanced attack.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Fairfield also leads in this category with 162.6 yards per game, underscoring their well-rounded offense.
• Total Yards Per Game: Fairfield posts an impressive 362.5 total yards per game, highlighting their offensive capabilities.
• Defensive Stats: On defense, Fairfield records 38.9 tackles per game and 1.1 sacks, which is more effective compared to W.S. Neal’s averages.

Team Leaders

• Rushing: Justin Murray of Fairfield leads the team with 119.2 rushing yards per game.
• Passing: Jumaria Hamilton of Fairfield excels with 159.9 passing yards per game, as well as 215.3 total yards per game, showcasing his dual-threat ability.
• Receiving: Deven Moore of Fairfield leads the team in receiving with 45.8 yards per game.
• Total Yards: Jumaria Hamilton is again a standout with 215.3 total yards per game.
• Tackles: Rasheed Lewis leads Fairfield with 5.5 tackles per game.
• Sacks: Rasheed Lewis also leads the team in sacks with 0.4 per game.
• Scoring: Justin Murray contributes significantly to the score with 7.6 points per game.
• Pancake Blocks: Cedarian Clemon has made 2 pancake blocks, contributing to the offensive line’s performance.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Record: Fairfield has a stronger overall record of 8-3, compared to W.S. Neal’s 5-6.
• League Performance: Fairfield has a 4-3 record in league play, while W.S. Neal sits at 3-3.
• Non-League: Fairfield holds a solid 3-0 record in non-league games, while W.S. Neal has a 1-3 record.
• Home vs. Away: Fairfield boasts a 3-2 home record and a 5-1 away record, while W.S. Neal has a 2-5 away record.
• Playoffs: Both teams have a playoff win, with Fairfield at 1-0 and W.S. Neal also at 1-0.
• In-State Record: Fairfield has a strong in-state record of 8-3, while W.S. Neal has a 4-5 in-state record.

Conclusion

Fairfield demonstrates a dominant offense, leading in rushing, passing, receiving, and total yards. They also outpace W.S. Neal in key defensive stats like tackles and sacks. While W.S. Neal has a solid team and competitive record, Fairfield’s superior offensive balance and overall performance make them a formidable opponent this season.