The Oxford (AL) varsity football team will host Fort Payne (AL) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs in the 6A tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance further in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Alabama High School Football Playoff
Who: Fort Payne vs Oxford
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs – 6A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Oxford vs. Fort Payne

The 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs are heating up, and one of the most anticipated matchups in the 6A tournament will feature the Oxford (AL) varsity football team hosting Fort Payne (AL) on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This playoff clash promises to be an exciting game, as both teams have demonstrated outstanding performances throughout the season.

Oxford’s Perfect Season

Oxford enters the game with an impressive 12-0 record, completing a perfect regular season and dominating both in region play and beyond. The Yellow Jackets were perfect in region competition, finishing 6-0 in the region and sweeping their away, home, and neutral-site games. Their offensive unit has been a powerhouse, putting up 436 points and averaging 36.3 points per game. The defense has also been stingy, allowing just 167 points over the season, reflecting a strong defensive strategy.

Oxford’s scoring is well-balanced across the four quarters, with a solid performance in each phase of the game:

• Q1: 5.8 points
• Q2: 12.0 points
• Q3: 9.2 points
• Q4: 9.3 points
• Final: 36.3 points

Their consistency throughout the game, coupled with the ability to finish strong, has made Oxford one of the top teams in 6A, and they’ll look to continue this dominant form in the playoffs.

Fort Payne’s Solid Record

Fort Payne has had a strong season of its own, finishing with a 10-2 record. The Wildcats were perfect in region play, going 6-0 and finishing atop their region standings. Their overall performance has been strong, with a balanced record of 6-1 at home and 4-1 on the road. Fort Payne’s offense has scored 382 points, averaging 31.8 points per game, while their defense allowed 211 points, showcasing their ability to keep games competitive.

Fort Payne’s scoring tends to be a bit more spread out, with strong performances in the second half:

• Q1: 4.2 points
• Q2: 10.2 points
• Q3: 7.2 points
• Q4: 7.4 points
• Final: 31.8 points

The Wildcats have been able to build momentum in the second half of games, particularly in the second and fourth quarters. They will need to sustain their offensive output and improve their early-game performance to keep up with Oxford’s high-scoring attack.

Head-to-Head: Strengths and Key Matchups

While Oxford has been dominant on both sides of the ball, Fort Payne has shown resilience, particularly in the second half of games. Oxford’s ability to maintain a strong offensive rhythm throughout the game, especially in the first and second halves, will likely put pressure on Fort Payne’s defense. However, Fort Payne has shown it can rally in the second half, so Oxford will need to be vigilant as the game progresses.

Defensively, Oxford’s ability to limit opposing offenses will be a crucial factor, especially given Fort Payne’s relatively higher point allowance. Fort Payne will need to find a way to break through Oxford’s defense while ensuring they limit Oxford’s explosive offense.

As the high school football season enters its final stretch, Fort Payne and Oxford are both commanding attention with their stellar records and dynamic performances. With the teams set to square off in what promises to be an exciting match-up, let’s take a closer look at their statistics, key players, and shared opponents.

Team Stats Comparison

Both teams have put up impressive numbers this season, but there are some clear differences in their styles of play.

Offense

• Rushing: Oxford leads slightly in rushing yards per game with 119.2, compared to Fort Payne’s 115.4. Both teams rely heavily on the run, though Oxford has a slight edge.
• Passing: Fort Payne has been more reliant on the passing game, averaging 215.1 passing yards per game, whereas Oxford averages 258.0 yards per game, showing a potent aerial attack.
• Receiving: The passing success is reflected in the receiving stats, with Fort Payne averaging 202.7 receiving yards per game and Oxford matching that with 258.0 yards per game.
• Total Yards: Oxford holds the edge in total offensive output, averaging 377.2 total yards per game compared to Fort Payne’s 330.5. This suggests that Oxford may be more balanced and explosive offensively.

Defense

• Tackles: Fort Payne stands out defensively, averaging 73.4 tackles per game, compared to Oxford’s 53.8 tackles per game. This shows that Fort Payne may be better at stifling opponents’ offensive plays and controlling the tempo.
• Sacks: Both teams average 1.3 sacks per game, indicating that their pass rushes are similarly effective at pressuring opposing quarterbacks.
• Points Allowed: Fort Payne allows 31.2 points per game, while Oxford allows 33.6. This suggests Fort Payne might have a slightly stronger defense in terms of limiting scoring.

Key Players to Watch

The star players for both teams are essential to their offensive and defensive schemes.

• Fort Payne’s Key Players:
  • Carter Blalock: A standout rusher for Fort Payne, leading the team with 48.1 rushing yards per game and contributing 6.8 points per game. His ability to control the game on the ground is crucial.
  • Dax Varnadore: The primary quarterback for Fort Payne, Varnadore averages 212.6 passing yards per game and 230.6 total yards per game, helping to balance the offense.
  • Brannon Oliver: Fort Payne’s top receiver, averaging 72.6 yards per game, providing a reliable option in the passing game.
• Oxford’s Key Players:
  • Caleb Wynn: The standout player for Oxford, Wynn averages 90.6 rushing yards per game, along with 11.0 points per game, showing his versatility and explosiveness in both the run and scoring game.
  • Mason Mims: The leading passer for Oxford, with 253.1 passing yards per game, Mims has been effective in leading the aerial attack and is a major part of Oxford’s high-scoring offense.
  • Jay’lin Taylor: Oxford’s top receiver, averaging 99.6 receiving yards per game, making him a significant target in the passing game.

Common Opponents

Both Fort Payne and Oxford have faced off against the same teams this season, with both teams posting perfect records in these match-ups.

• Buckhorn: Both teams came away victorious against Buckhorn, with Fort Payne winning 42-7 on the road, while Oxford won 42-0 at home.
• Pell City: In a tight contest, Fort Payne narrowly defeated Pell City 24-23 at home, while Oxford had a more dominant win, 27-0, at home.

Record Breakdown

Looking at their overall records, Oxford remains unbeaten, while Fort Payne has only two losses.

• Fort Payne has a 10-2 overall record, with a perfect 6-0 record in league play. Their non-league record stands at 2-2, with a solid home record of 6-1 and an impressive away record of 4-1.
• Oxford is undefeated with a 12-0 overall record, also boasting a perfect 6-0 league record. They have been dominant in both home and away games, with a perfect 5-0 record at home and 6-0 away. Their non-league performance is also perfect at 4-0.

Both teams are strong in-state, with Oxford holding a perfect 11-0 in-state record, while Fort Payne is at 10-2 in-state.

Conclusion

The match-up between Fort Payne and Oxford promises to be a thrilling contest. While both teams have been impressive on both sides of the ball, Oxford appears to have a slight edge in offensive output and has been particularly potent in the passing game. On the other hand, Fort Payne’s defense, especially in terms of tackles, could be the key to stopping Oxford’s explosive offense. With both teams coming into this game with perfect records against common opponents, it will likely come down to individual performances and the ability to execute in key moments.

This contest will showcase two of the top high school football teams, each with its own strengths and strategies, and could prove to be a decisive match as the season heads into its final stretch.