The Lynn (AL) varsity football team will face Hackleburg (AL) in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 22. This matchup is part of the “2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs – 1A” tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance further in the postseason and continue their championship hopes.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Alabama High School Football Playoff
Who: Hackleburg vs Lynn
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs – 1A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Hackleburg vs. Lynn

As the 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs heat up, one of the most anticipated matchups will feature Hackleburg and Lynn, two teams with impressive records and postseason aspirations. This neutral-site game, set for Friday, November 22, will be a battle for supremacy in the 1A tournament, with both teams looking to advance to the next stage of the competition.

Hackleburg: Dominant on Both Sides of the Ball

Hackleburg enters the game with an outstanding 11-1 record and a perfect 7-0 mark in region play, showcasing their dominance throughout the season. Their road record of 4-1 and neutral-site record of 2-0 further demonstrate their ability to perform under pressure, no matter the venue. With a win percentage of .917, Hackleburg has been a force to reckon with in 2024.

On offense, Hackleburg has been incredibly efficient, averaging 40.8 points per game. They start strong with 17 points in the first quarter and maintain solid production throughout the game, scoring 9.9 points in the second quarter. Their scoring drops slightly in the second half, with 6.0 points in the third and 4.7 points in the fourth, but their total of 489 points scored on the season illustrates their explosive potential. Hackleburg’s defense has also been stellar, allowing just 103 points on the season, showcasing their well-rounded, disciplined play.

Lynn: A Strong Contender with a Balanced Attack

Lynn also boasts an impressive 11-1 record and has matched Hackleburg’s perfect region mark of 7-0. Their record includes a perfect 6-0 at home, demonstrating their strength on their home turf. Their away performance of 4-1 and neutral-site record of 1-0 further illustrate their ability to win in a variety of environments. Like Hackleburg, Lynn carries a .917 win percentage and has also been dominant in region play with a 1.000 region win percentage.

Lynn’s offense averages 30.2 points per game, with their strongest quarter being the first, where they score an average of 11.9 points. Their second-quarter performance is solid at 8.1 points, while their offense tends to slow in the second half, with just 5.0 points in the third and 4.7 points in the fourth quarter. Although Lynn’s offense is slightly less explosive than Hackleburg’s, their 362 points scored and a strong defensive record, allowing just 164 points, indicate that they are a well-balanced and capable team.

Key Matchup: Offensive Power vs. Defensive Discipline

This game will feature a contrast in styles. Hackleburg’s high-powered offense, averaging 40.8 points per game, will face off against Lynn’s balanced and efficient squad, which scores 30.2 points per game. While Hackleburg has shown more explosive scoring, Lynn has proven to be a formidable team on both sides of the ball, with their defense allowing fewer points.

One key to victory for Hackleburg will be to maintain their offensive tempo and continue to capitalize on their fast starts, while Lynn will need to slow Hackleburg’s high-powered offense and make the most of their own balanced attack.

As the season progresses, the stage is set for a highly anticipated matchup between Hackleburg and Lynn. Both teams are boasting impressive records and will be looking to make a statement as they head toward the postseason. With similar overall records and a competitive edge in their respective leagues, this game is poised to be a hard-fought battle. Here’s a closer look at both teams as they prepare to face off.

Team Stat Comparison

• Hackleburg is known for its balanced attack, averaging 102.6 rushing yards per game and 47.8 passing yards per game. Their offense totals 150.3 yards per game, with 8.3 points per game. The offense is powered by Davin Dulaney, who leads the rushing attack with 78.0 rushing yards per game, while Blaise Vickery has been the main quarterback, contributing 74.3 passing yards per game.
• Lynn, on the other hand, has an offense that is more potent in both the running and passing games. They average 191.6 rushing yards per game and 54.6 passing yards per game, totaling 246.2 yards per game. Their offensive leaders, John Paul Burkett (121.2 rushing yards per game) and Austin Dodd (115.3 total yards per game), have proven to be major playmakers. Lynn also averages 21.0 points per game, showing a more potent scoring offense than Hackleburg.

Key Players to Watch

• Davin Dulaney (Hackleburg): With 78.0 rushing yards per game, Dulaney is a key figure in Hackleburg’s ground game. He’ll need to carry the offensive load and provide momentum to set up passing opportunities for Blaise Vickery.
• Blaise Vickery (Hackleburg): Vickery, the team’s primary passer, will need to improve on his 74.3 passing yards per game. A well-balanced offensive performance will be crucial to Hackleburg’s chances of taking down Lynn, especially if they fall behind early.
• John Paul Burkett (Lynn): Burkett is a standout running back, averaging 121.2 rushing yards per game. His performance will be crucial for Lynn to maintain control of the game. If Hackleburg’s defense cannot stop him, Lynn’s offense will gain momentum.
• Austin Dodd (Lynn): As Lynn’s total yardage leader, Dodd’s versatility in both the rushing and passing game makes him a major threat. His ability to move the ball and keep Hackleburg’s defense guessing will be vital to Lynn’s success.
• Jaquan Reeder (Hackleburg): A dual-threat player, Reeder is important not only for his receiving skills (69.6 yards per game) but also for his ability to score points. He averages 8.0 points per game and will be looked to for big plays in key moments.

Record Breakdown

• Hackleburg enters the matchup with an impressive 11-1 overall record, including a 7-0 league record and a 2-1 non-league record. Their season has been filled with dominant performances, as evidenced by their victories over teams like Cherokee (57-0) and Pickens County (41-6). However, they’ve suffered one defeat against Hubbertville (28-22), which will surely motivate them to bounce back stronger.
• Lynn also boasts an 11-1 overall record and a perfect 7-0 league record. They have been a force in their league, with notable victories over Cherokee (35-0) and Pickens County (6-0). Their only non-league loss came against Hubbertville in a hard-fought game, but they’ve been flawless against most of their competition.

Common Opponents

Both Hackleburg and Lynn have faced Cherokee, Pickens County, and Meek. Hackleburg has a 3-1 record against common opponents, while Lynn boasts a perfect 4-0 record. The teams shared victories over Cherokee and Pickens County, but Lynn showed their dominance in a 33-28 win over Hubbertville and a 33-20 win over Meek, while Hackleburg suffered a narrow defeat to Hubbertville. This indicates that Lynn may have a slight edge when it comes to competing in close games.

Conclusion

This matchup will come down to which team can establish their game plan and impose their will. Hackleburg relies on a solid rushing attack and balanced offense to keep the game close, while Lynn brings a potent offense with strong playmakers like Burkett and Dodd. Hackleburg will need to focus on shutting down Lynn’s running game while executing their own offensive plays efficiently.

Lynn, with their superior offensive output, will likely look to control the game from the start, using their dual-threat running back and quarterback combination to wear down Hackleburg’s defense. The key for Hackleburg will be getting out to an early lead and forcing Lynn into passing situations, while Lynn will aim to dominate the trenches and control possession with their running game.

With both teams entering the game with only one loss, this promises to be an exciting, hard-fought contest. Whether it’s Dulaney and Vickery for Hackleburg or Burkett and Dodd for Lynn, expect big plays, strong defenses, and a nail-biting finish as these two teams battle for supremacy.