The Franklin (Reisterstown, MD) varsity football team is set to play a neutral-site playoff game against Sherwood (Sandy Spring, MD) today. This matchup is part of the 2024 Maryland High School Football Playoff Brackets: MPSSAA – 3A tournament.

What: Maryland High School Football
Who: Franklin (MD) vs Sherwood (MD)
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: today
Bracket: 2024 Maryland High School Football Playoff Brackets: MPSSAA – 3A
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Sherwood vs. Franklin: A Detailed Breakdown of 2024-2025 Football Seasons

As the 2024-2025 high school football season continues, two teams that have captured attention with their strong performances are Sherwood and Franklin. With solid records and standout individual performances, both teams have demonstrated their competitive prowess in various facets of the game. Let’s dive deeper into how these two teams have fared, comparing their overall performance, scoring trends, key statistics, and standout players.

Team Records and Rankings

Sherwood has put together an impressive 9-2 record overall, with a perfect 3-0 in region play. Their success has been spread across both home and away games, boasting a 4-1 record in each category. Their overall win percentage of .818 speaks to a well-rounded and consistent team, while their dominance in the region (1.000) has them sitting atop their league standings.

On the other hand, Franklin has a solid 8-3 record for the season, with a 3-3 mark in region play. They’ve been especially formidable at home, recording a 6-1 record, though they have shown vulnerability in away games with a 2-2 record. Their win percentage of .727 and region win percentage of .500 highlight their resilience, even though they haven’t been as dominant regionally as Sherwood.

Scoring Trends

A closer look at the team scoring averages shows distinct differences in how both teams approach each game. Sherwood has been highly productive across all quarters, averaging 8.8 points in the first and third quarters, 9.8 in the second quarter, and finishing strong with 6.5 points in the fourth. This consistent offensive output has helped them maintain a steady scoring average of 37 points per game.

In contrast, Franklin’s scoring trends reveal a more erratic performance. While they average 5.5 points in the first quarter and 10.0 in the second, their scoring drops significantly in the third and fourth quarters, with averages of 4.7 and 4.1 points respectively. As a result, Franklin’s overall scoring average of 22.4 points per game is lower than Sherwood’s, which speaks to Sherwood’s superior ability to sustain pressure throughout the entire game.

Team Stat Comparison

Looking at the overall team statistics, Sherwood has a well-balanced offensive attack. They average 122.4 rushing yards per game, with an additional 96.5 passing yards per game. Their total yards per game average stands at 218.8, indicating a capable and versatile offense. Defensively, they are just as strong, recording 51.7 tackles per game and 3.1 sacks per game, demonstrating their ability to disrupt opposing offenses.

Franklin’s stats paint a different picture. They focus heavily on their passing game, with 96.5 passing yards per game. Their rushing game is more modest, averaging just 122.4 yards per game. However, they have shown significant improvement in key defensive stats, with 51.7 tackles per game and 3.1 sacks per game, which helps them stay competitive in tight contests.

Team Leaders

Sherwood has a wealth of talent, led by standout players like Dylan Eaton, who leads the team with 71.6 rushing yards per game, and Zander McCracken, who has been impressive both in passing (96.5 yards per game) and total yards (103.7 per game). Anthony Gibson has been a key target in the passing game, leading the team in receiving yards with 28.3 per game. On defense, Nathan Damiano leads with 5.9 tackles per game, while Jaidon Williams contributes with 0.9 sacks per game. Tanner Hutchins rounds out the offensive leadership, averaging 5.0 points per game.

Franklin’s standout players include Zander McCracken, who also leads in total yards with 103.7 per game. Tanner Hutchins continues to be a key offensive leader with 5.0 points per game. Jaidon Williams stands out on defense, contributing 0.9 sacks per game.

Record Breakdown

When looking at head-to-head matchups and common opponents, Sherwood has maintained strong performances both in-state and out-of-state. They are undefeated in playoff games, which suggests they are peaking at the right time. Franklin’s record also shows competitiveness, particularly with a solid 6-1 home record.

• Home Record: Sherwood (4-1), Franklin (6-1)
• Away Record: Sherwood (4-1), Franklin (2-2)
• Neutral Record: Sherwood (1-0), Franklin (0-0)
• Playoff Record: Sherwood (2-0), Franklin (2-0)

Conclusion

Sherwood’s superior offensive consistency and balanced approach to both running and passing give them an edge over Franklin, whose strong home record and defensive prowess cannot be overlooked. While both teams have performed admirably this season, Sherwood’s higher scoring average and perfect regional play make them the team to beat heading into the postseason. However, Franklin’s resilience and home-field advantage could make them a formidable opponent in any playoff matchup. Fans can expect an exciting finish to the season as both teams aim for further success.