The varsity football team from Faustina Academy (Irving, TX) will face Methodist Children’s Home (Waco, TX) in a neutral playoff game today at 1 p.m. at Lake Country Christian School. This matchup is part of the 2024 TCAF Football State Championships for the 6-Man II division.

Faustina Academy vs Methodist Children’s Home Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Faustina Academy vs Methodist Children’s Home
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 TCAF Football State Championships – 6-Man II
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Game preview: Faustina Academy vs Methodist Children’s Home

In a season defined by exceptional moments and standout performances, the highly anticipated showdown between Faustina Academy (10-0) and Methodist Children’s Home (5-5) promises to be a high-stakes clash where every yard counts. As the two top-tier programs meet with postseason aspirations, the numbers tell a story of explosive offense and resilient defense.

Rankings and Records Recap

Faustina Academy enters the game with a perfect 10-0 record, holding the national rank of 245 and impressively sitting 31st in their state division. Their unblemished district mark (2-0) reflects a team that knows how to win across all settings: undefeated at home, away, and even on neutral grounds. Meanwhile, Methodist Children’s Home, with a balanced 5-5 overall record and a flawless district run (4-0), stands ranked 845th nationally. Despite mixed results outside the district, their 1.000 district percentage makes them a formidable opponent.

Offensive Powerhouses

Faustina Academy’s offensive firepower has been a revelation, averaging a jaw-dropping 52.1 points per game. Their first-half scoring is particularly noteworthy, with 21.0 points in the first quarter and 27.0 in the second. The offensive unit’s ability to start strong has often left their opponents in a catch-up mode. Methodist Children’s Home, though not as prolific, averages a respectable 39.5 points per game. They excel early in contests, putting up 19.9 points in the opening quarter, but have yet to score in the second half all season, a statistic they must improve upon against Faustina’s aggressive play.

Statistical Matchup: Strengths and Weaknesses

The rushing attack is where Methodist Children’s Home shines, amassing 215.2 yards per game. Londen Bickham leads this ground assault, averaging a staggering 179.8 rushing yards per game, with his total yard output standing at 232.6 per game. However, passing has been a struggle, with only 57.0 yards per game, compared to Faustina Academy’s impressive 191.4. Faustina relies on the versatility of quarterback Adrian Medina, who delivers with 92.3 passing yards per game, while Kevin Wood leads in receiving with 96.7 yards per game.

Defensively, Faustina Academy stands out, boasting 42.2 tackles per game, highlighted by Damian Sipe’s 10.7 tackles. Methodist Children’s Home, on the other hand, averages just 20.9 tackles per game, and their ability to bring pressure has been limited with only 0.7 sacks per game. This could be a critical area of concern as they prepare to contain a dynamic Faustina offense.

Common Opponents: A Tale of Two Routes

Both teams have played and defeated St. Mary’s and Immanuel Christian convincingly. Methodist Children’s Home emerged victorious with a 75-56 shootout win against St. Mary’s and dominated Immanuel Christian 76-16. Faustina Academy, however, was even more dominant, crushing St. Mary’s 55-9 and shutting out Immanuel Christian 49-0. These results highlight Faustina’s defensive prowess compared to Methodist Children’s high-risk, high-reward approach.

Key Players to Watch

• Methodist Children’s Home: Londen Bickham is undoubtedly their workhorse, responsible for 232.6 all-purpose yards per game. He is also a key contributor in scoring, averaging 21.0 points per game. Bryce Bickham complements him in the receiving game, pulling in 31.5 yards per outing. On defense, Damien Delacruz leads with 6.3 tackles per game.
• Faustina Academy: Damian Sipe is a two-way marvel, averaging 126.4 rushing yards and leading the defense with 10.7 tackles per game. Adrian Medina’s leadership under center has been instrumental, while Kevin Wood consistently makes explosive plays in the receiving game.

Final Thoughts

This game shapes up as a fascinating contrast between Methodist Children’s Home’s potent ground game and Faustina Academy’s balanced, high-scoring attack. With postseason implications looming, both squads will need to execute their game plans to perfection. Faustina’s defense will aim to stifle Bickham and Methodist’s rushing attack, while Methodist Children’s Home must find a way to slow down a Faustina offense that has been virtually unstoppable. Expect fireworks when these two powerhouses collide.