The Homewood varsity football team will take on Fort Payne in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 15 at 7 PM. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs for the 6A division, with both teams eager to advance further in the postseason tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Alabama High School Football
Who: Fort Payne vs Homewood
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs – 6A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Fort Payne vs. Homewood

As the 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs intensify, Fort Payne and Homewood are set for an exciting 6A playoff game.

Fort Payne (Class 20, AL)

• Overall Record: 9-2
• Region Record: 6-0
• Home Record: 5-1
• Away Record: 4-1
• Win Percentage: 81.8%
• Region Win Percentage: 100%
• Points For (PF): 347
• Points Against (PA): 179

Fort Payne enters the playoffs with a solid 9-2 record and a perfect 6-0 region mark. The Wildcats average 31.5 points per game, with consistent scoring in each quarter, including 8.5 points in the second quarter. Their strong defense, allowing just 179 points all season, will be crucial in this playoff matchup.

Homewood (Class 9, AL)

• Overall Record: 9-2
• Region Record: 5-1
• Home Record: 5-1
• Away Record: 3-1
• Neutral Record: 1-0
• Win Percentage: 81.8%
• Region Win Percentage: 83.3%
• Points For (PF): 374
• Points Against (PA): 143

Homewood also boasts a 9-2 record, including a strong 5-1 region performance. The Patriots have averaged 34 points per game, with their offense starting strong in the first quarter, where they score 10.9 points on average. Their impressive defensive play has allowed only 143 points all season, ranking among the top in 6A.

Both teams are evenly matched in terms of win percentage, with powerful offenses and stingy defenses. Fort Payne’s consistency meets Homewood’s explosive start, setting the stage for a thrilling 6A playoff battle.

Team Stat Comparison

Fort Payne and Homewood are evenly matched teams with strong performances across various statistical categories. Here’s a breakdown of their key stats:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Fort Payne averages 78.6 rushing yards per game, while Homewood surpasses them with 155.4 yards per game, led by Evan Ausmer with 72.6 yards per game.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Fort Payne posts 209.5 passing yards per game, with Dax Varnadore leading the charge at 206.7 yards. Homewood follows closely with 154.1 passing yards per game, with Will Myers contributing 148.4 yards per game.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Fort Payne averages 164.4 receiving yards per game, with Brannon Oliver totaling 60.9 yards per game. Homewood also performs well, averaging 153.7 receiving yards per game, with Kylen Newell leading the team with 80.5 yards per game.
• Total Yards Per Game: Fort Payne generates 288.1 total yards per game, while Homewood slightly outpaces them with 309.5 yards per game, showcasing their well-rounded offense.
• Tackles Per Game: Fort Payne averages 72.9 tackles per game, with Carter Tinker leading with 10.3 tackles. Homewood has a higher average at 77.6 tackles per game, with Trust Darnell contributing 7.8 tackles.
• Sacks Per Game: Fort Payne records 1.3 sacks per game, with Lucas Tallent accounting for 0.5 sacks. Homewood is stronger in this department with 2.5 sacks per game, and William Ray contributes 0.5 sacks per game.
• Points Per Game: Fort Payne scores an average of 25.9 points per game, with Conner Hughes leading with 6.9 points per game. Homewood scores an impressive 32.5 points per game, led by Evan Ausmer with 7.8 points per game.

Team Leaders

• Rushing: Carter Blalock leads Fort Payne with 33.9 rushing yards per game, while Evan Ausmer leads Homewood with 72.6 rushing yards per game.
• Passing: Dax Varnadore is the standout for Fort Payne with 206.7 passing yards per game, while Will Myers is the key passer for Homewood with 148.4 passing yards per game.
• Receiving: Brannon Oliver leads Fort Payne with 60.9 receiving yards per game. Kylen Newell leads Homewood with 80.5 receiving yards per game.
• Total Yards: Dax Varnadore leads Fort Payne with 221.7 total yards per game, while Will Myers leads Homewood with 201.3 total yards per game.
• Tackles: Carter Tinker leads Fort Payne with 10.3 tackles per game, and Trust Darnell leads Homewood with 7.8 tackles per game.
• Sacks: Lucas Tallent leads Fort Payne with 0.5 sacks, while William Ray leads Homewood with 0.5 sacks as well.
• Points: Conner Hughes scores 6.9 points per game for Fort Payne, and Evan Ausmer leads Homewood with 7.8 points per game.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Record: Both teams share identical 9-2 overall records, highlighting their impressive performances throughout the season.
• League Performance: Fort Payne remains undefeated in league play with a 6-0 record, while Homewood has a solid 5-1 league record.
• Non-League Performance: Fort Payne holds a 2-2 non-league record, while Homewood is 3-1 in non-league games.
• Home vs. Away: Fort Payne is 5-1 at home and 4-1 on the road, showing their strength in both home and away games. Homewood is 5-1 at home and 3-1 away.
• Playoffs: Both teams have a 1-0 record in the playoffs, showcasing their ability to perform in high-stakes games.
• In-State Record: Both teams are 9-2 in-state, demonstrating their dominance within their respective regions.

Conclusion

Fort Payne and Homewood are two highly competitive teams, each with a solid record and strong performances across all areas of the game. Fort Payne’s advantage lies in their passing attack and defensive efforts, while Homewood shines with a more balanced offensive approach, particularly in rushing and total yards. This matchup promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams looking to build on their successful seasons.