The Gunter (TX) varsity football team will play a home playoff game against Holliday (TX) on Thursday, December 5 at 7:00 PM at Melissa High School. This game is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships, 2024 Football Conference 3A Division 2 tournament.

Gunter vs Holliday Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Gunter vs Holliday
When: Thursday, December 5, 2024
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 3A D2
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Gunter vs Holliday

As the 2024-25 Texas high school football season draws to a close, two teams have stood out as titans of their divisions: the Holliday Eagles and the Gunter Tigers. Both have delivered impressive records, formidable performances, and strong playoff runs, making them two of the most formidable teams in the state. A closer look at their statistics and performances shows just how dominant these teams have been throughout the season.

Holliday Eagles (24-25)

The Holliday Eagles have proven themselves as one of the top teams in Texas this season, finishing with an 11-2 overall record. Their dominance in the district is evident with a perfect 5-0 record in league play. They’ve been equally strong at home with a 6-1 record and showed their ability to win on the road, going 4-1 away from home. Holliday’s perfect 1-0 record in neutral site games further solidifies their status as a well-rounded and resilient team.

The Eagles have been a scoring machine, averaging 48.1 points per game. Their first-half performances have been particularly dominant, averaging 15.7 points in the first quarter and 15.6 points in the second quarter. However, their scoring drops off somewhat in the second half, with an average of just 9.1 points in the third quarter and 7.1 in the fourth. Despite this, they have managed to maintain their lead and finish games strong.

Key Players:

• Steele Skinner (#10): Holliday’s leading rusher, averaging 45.5 yards per game.
• Hunter Jones (#12): The team’s quarterback, accumulating an impressive 281.1 passing yards per game.
• Ashtyn Berry (#2): A top receiver with 101.0 receiving yards per game and a total of 298.8 yards per game.

The Eagles also have solid defensive stats, with Parker Jones (#22) contributing 13.3 tackles per game and Vaughn Hamill (#24) adding 1.0 sack per game.

Gunter Tigers (24-25)

The Gunter Tigers have matched Holliday’s record with an 11-2 season, but with a slight edge in district play, boasting a perfect 6-0 record. They were untouchable at home, finishing the season with a flawless 7-0 mark, while they also excelled on the road with a 4-2 record. Despite not having any neutral-site games, Gunter has proven their mettle on both fronts, showing their ability to dominate both home and away games.

Gunter’s offense has been similarly potent, averaging 44.9 points per game. Like Holliday, their first-half scoring is strong, with 12.3 points in the first quarter and 12.9 in the second. Their second-half performances have been less prolific, averaging just 7.1 points in the third quarter and 6.0 points in the fourth.

Key Players:

• Hunter Jones (#12): Gunter’s quarterback, throwing for 281.1 yards per game.
• Ashtyn Berry (#2): Leading Gunter’s receiving game with 101.0 yards per game and contributing to a total of 298.8 yards per game.

While Gunter’s offense is potent, their defense is equally formidable, with Parker Jones (#22) contributing 13.3 tackles per game and Vaughn Hamill (#24) registering 1.0 sack per game.

Team Stat Comparison

Both teams are remarkably similar in many ways, with Holliday and Gunter putting up nearly identical offensive numbers. Holliday averages 428.8 total yards per game, while Gunter is slightly behind at 418.8 total yards per game. Both teams have been dominant in passing, with Holliday averaging 290.9 passing yards per game, and Gunter not far behind at 292.2 receiving yards per game.

In terms of defense, the two teams are also fairly comparable, with Holliday averaging 84.5 tackles per game and Gunter posting slightly higher numbers in the sack department, with 3.1 sacks per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced off against the same opponents this season, and both emerged victorious in each matchup, finishing 3-0 against common opponents. Here’s a quick look at those results:

• Holliday vs. City View: 41-14 win on 10/25/24.
• Gunter vs. City View: 45-14 win on 11/22/24.
• Holliday vs. Jacksboro: 36-14 win on 11/8/24.
• Gunter vs. Jacksboro: 44-14 win on 11/29/24.
• Holliday vs. Blue Ridge: 42-34 win on 11/22/24.
• Gunter vs. Blue Ridge: 52-21 win on 10/25/24.

Conclusion

Both Holliday and Gunter have demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency this season, each boasting identical 11-2 records. Their dominance in district play and success against common opponents highlight their championship potential. With explosive offenses and staunch defenses, these two teams will be formidable contenders as they continue their playoff pursuits. As the postseason unfolds, expect these teams to be in the hunt for a state title, showcasing the talent and determination that has defined their 2024-25 campaigns.