The Harford Tech (Bel Air, MD) varsity football team will play a neutral playoff game against Elkton (MD) on Friday, November 15.
What: Maryland High School Football
Who: Harford Tech (MD) vs Elkton (MD)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: Today
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
Elkton vs. Harford Tech: A Clash of Styles in the Playoff Preview
As the 2024 high school football season nears its climax, the upcoming playoff game between Elkton and Harford Tech promises to be a thrilling encounter, full of contrasting styles and high stakes.
Season Performance Overview
Elkton’s Struggles and Strengths
Elkton enters this playoff matchup with a mixed record of 4-6 overall and 2-4 in the league, indicating some challenges within their region. Despite the setbacks, the team has managed to keep games competitive, with a total of 203 points scored and 266 points allowed, reflecting a relatively balanced offensive and defensive showing. Offensively, Elkton averages just over 20 points per game, with notable contributions from key players like James Lamanna (44.8 yards per game) and Patience Richmond (226.2 passing yards per game). However, the team’s consistency has been lacking, evidenced by their struggle to score in critical moments, as seen in their average point totals per quarter: 5.9 in the first, 2.4 in the second, and 1.7 in the fourth.
Harford Tech’s Dominance
On the other hand, Harford Tech has been a juggernaut this season with an impressive 8-1 record, including a remarkable 5-1 mark within their region. With a strong defense that has allowed only 142 points and an offense that has put up 277 points, Harford Tech has shown the ability to both control the ball and score at will. The team’s offensive line, led by quarterback Stephen Kelley II (191.2 passing yards per game), has been firing on all cylinders, and their balanced attack has led to an average of 30.2 points per game. Their biggest strength lies in their ability to dominate early and put games out of reach, as seen in their strong second-quarter performances (11.9 points on average).
Head-to-Head: Elkton’s Narrow Win
In their regular-season meeting on September 13, Elkton managed a narrow 20-17 victory at Harford Tech, largely due to a strong first-quarter performance and Harford Tech’s inability to score in the second half. Elkton came out strong, with a 14-3 lead in the first quarter and controlled the tempo of the game, despite being outscored in the second and third quarters. Harford Tech’s slow start and inability to close the game proved to be their undoing, but they will no doubt be motivated to avenge the loss in the postseason.
Statistical Comparison: A Tale of Two Teams
When comparing the two teams statistically, it’s clear that Harford Tech has the upper hand in almost every category. They average nearly 150 rushing yards per game and 192.4 passing yards, compared to Elkton’s 64.8 and 131.0, respectively. Harford Tech’s ability to generate offense through the air and on the ground has been a key factor in their success, while Elkton’s offense has struggled to find balance, particularly in their ground game.
Defensively, Elkton has averaged 61.1 tackles per game with 0.5 sacks, which shows they are aggressive but not as effective in pressuring opposing quarterbacks. Harford Tech, in contrast, averages 44.6 tackles and 1.1 sacks per game, a statistic that highlights their ability to disrupt the passing game and stifle running backs behind the line of scrimmage.
Playoff Implications
Looking ahead to the playoff matchup, Harford Tech enters as the clear favorite due to their superior record, more consistent performances, and powerful offensive attack. However, Elkton’s narrow victory earlier in the season could give them the confidence to compete in a high-pressure environment. The key for Elkton will be to capitalize on Harford Tech’s defensive lapses, particularly early in the game, while limiting their mistakes on offense.
Harford Tech, for their part, will need to continue their balanced offensive approach while tightening up their defense to avoid any surprises from Elkton. The Harford Tech defense, led by standout players like Antonio Mercado and Brian Vickers, must rise to the occasion and ensure that Elkton doesn’t gain momentum, especially after the first quarter.
Conclusion
This matchup is a classic example of a high-energy team facing a challenger looking to prove that their regular-season performance was no fluke. While Harford Tech boasts a stronger overall record, Elkton’s ability to pull off an upset, especially with their key playmakers in the game, makes this an exciting playoff preview. Whether Elkton can replicate their success from the early season remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this game will be a test of resilience, strategy, and playoff readiness.
