The Poplarville (MS) varsity football team will play a neutral playoff game against Forest (MS) on Friday, November 29, at 7:00 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Mississippi High School Football
Who: Forest vs Poplarville
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m ET
Bracket: 2024 Football Championships – 4A
Live Stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Forest vs. Poplarville

In this matchup between two Mississippi high school football powerhouses, Forest (12-1) will face off against Poplarville (11-2) in a battle that promises to be intense. Both teams have had strong seasons, and with similar records and impressive wins, this should be a closely contested game.

Forest (24-25) Season Overview

Forest has had a remarkable 12-1 season, with their only loss coming in a non-league game. They finished 3-1 in district play and have a solid all-around performance both offensively and defensively. Forest averages 30.7 points per game and has a strong rushing attack, gaining 194.0 rushing yards per game. Their defense has been exceptional, allowing just 107 points on the season, averaging 74.3 tackles per game.

Scoring Averages

• Q1: 7.8 points
• Q2: 6.0 points
• Q3: 8.5 points
• Q4: 5.6 points

Forest has a balanced offense with solid production throughout the game, although their fourth-quarter scoring has been lower compared to the other periods. Their strong defense has been a key factor in their successful season.

Key Wins

Forest had impressive victories against teams like Northeast Jones (W 35-14) and Bay (W 49-7), showing their ability to dominate weaker opponents. They’ve also excelled in district play, winning key matchups that secured their playoff berth.

Poplarville (24-25) Season Overview

Poplarville enters the playoffs with an 11-2 record, finishing 3-1 in district play. They’ve been very effective on both sides of the ball, with a particularly potent rushing game, averaging 267.2 rushing yards per game. Offensively, they’ve averaged 28.6 points per game, and while they have been solid, their defense has allowed 285 points over the season.

Scoring Averages

• Q1: 4.2 points
• Q2: 9.1 points
• Q3: 5.9 points
• Q4: 9.1 points

Poplarville has a balanced offense, but their strongest performance comes in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they score most of their points. Their defense has been solid overall, but they will need to tighten up to compete with Forest’s strong offensive unit.

Key Wins

Poplarville’s key victories include wins against Mendenhall (W 27-26) and Bay (W 49-7), showing their ability to win close games as well as blowouts. They’ve faced a tough schedule and have been resilient in their district play.

Team Stat Comparison

Here’s how the two teams compare statistically:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Forest – 194.0, Poplarville – 267.2
• Passing Yards Per Game: Forest – 105.5, Poplarville – 71.3
• Total Yards Per Game: Forest – 299.5, Poplarville – 338.5
• Tackles Per Game: Forest – 74.3, Poplarville – 59.8
• Sacks Per Game: Forest – 2.2, Poplarville – 1.2
• Points Per Game: Forest – 31.2, Poplarville – 28.6

Poplarville has the edge in rushing yards per game, but Forest has been the more well-rounded team, with a stronger defensive unit that has allowed fewer points and a better sack rate.

Key Players to Watch

• Forest:
  • Sean Allen (55.3 rushing yards per game) is the lead rusher for Forest and will be crucial in maintaining ball control and chewing up clock.
  • Javarious Lofton (103.5 passing yards per game) is a dual-threat quarterback who can hurt defenses both through the air and on the ground.
  • Ty Chambers (11.1 tackles per game) leads the defense and will play a key role in stopping Poplarville’s strong running game.
• Poplarville:
  • Nick Miller (94.4 rushing yards per game) is the primary offensive weapon for Poplarville and will be key in their running attack.
  • Sydney Blackmon (66.1 passing yards per game) has been effective when called upon in the passing game.
  • Ayden Harmon (8.6 tackles per game) is the defensive leader and will be tasked with stopping Forest’s potent offense.

Head-to-Head

Both teams have faced common opponents and fared similarly against them:

• Mendenhall:
  • Forest won 13-0 (10/4/24)
  • Poplarville won 27-26 (11/8/24)
• Bay:
  • Forest won 49-7 (11/8/24)
  • Poplarville won 49-7 (10/25/24)

Both teams have shown they can beat quality teams and have very similar results against common opponents.

Record Breakdown

Here’s a breakdown of both teams’ overall and district records:

• Forest: 12-1 overall, 3-1 district, 7-1 home, 5-0 away
• Poplarville: 11-2 overall, 3-1 district, 5-1 home, 4-1 away, 2-0 neutral

Forest has been strong at home and away, while Poplarville has a perfect record at neutral sites. Both teams have had similar district records, but Forest has the edge in overall performance.

Conclusion: Who Has the Advantage?

Forest has the edge in this matchup, particularly with their balanced offense and stronger defense. They’ve been able to limit their opponents to fewer points and have shown consistency on both sides of the ball. Poplarville, while a formidable opponent with a powerful rushing game, will need to rely on a high-scoring output to keep pace with Forest’s well-rounded squad.

Poplarville’s best chance lies in their ability to control the clock with their running game and make big plays in the fourth quarter. However, Forest’s defense and overall team depth give them the upper hand in this matchup.