The Vela (Edinburg, TX) varsity football team will host a playoff game against Harlingen South (Harlingen, TX) on Friday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Richard Flores Stadium. This game is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 5A D1 tournament.

Harlingen South vs Vela Football Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Harlingen South vs Vela
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m.
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Game preview: Harlingen South vs Vela

In an exciting matchup this season, the Harlingen South Hawks and the Vela Sabercats will face off in a high school football game that promises to be full of intensity and high stakes. Let’s take a closer look at both teams, their performances, and the key players to watch in this thrilling game.

Team Overview

Harlingen South Hawks (6-4, 5-3 District)
The Hawks have had a solid season with an overall record of 6-4, boasting a .600 win percentage. They are 5-3 in district play, showing competitive resilience but falling short in some tight games. With 283 points scored and 237 points allowed, Harlingen South averages 28.3 points per game, but their defense has given up an average of 23.7 points per game.

Vela Sabercats (10-0, 7-0 District)
On the other hand, the Vela Sabercats have been nearly unstoppable this season, holding an undefeated 10-0 record with a perfect 7-0 district performance. They have dominated both offensively and defensively, scoring 402 points and only allowing 123. Averaging an impressive 40.2 points per game, Vela’s offense has been firing on all cylinders, while their defense is only allowing 12.3 points per game on average.

Scoring Trends

Harlingen South
The Hawks have a balanced scoring attack, averaging 7.8 points in the first quarter and 8.8 in the fourth. They can put up points in bunches but tend to be more consistent in the later stages of the game, with a scoring average of 28.3 points per game.

Vela
Vela has been dominant from the start, averaging 16.3 points in the first quarter and maintaining a solid pace throughout the game. They average a league-leading 40.2 points per game, with the bulk of their scoring coming in the opening half (28.5 points in the first two quarters).

Team Stat Comparison

Harlingen South

• Rushing Yards per Game: 271.2
• Passing Yards per Game: 118.1
• Total Yards per Game: 389.3
• Tackles per Game: 43.6
• Sacks per Game: 1.0
• Points per Game: 28.3

Vela

• Rushing Yards per Game: 174.8
• Passing Yards per Game: 263.8
• Total Yards per Game: 438.6
• Tackles per Game: 16.4
• Sacks per Game: 0.4
• Points per Game: 37.2

The Sabercats clearly have a more explosive offense, particularly in the passing game, where they rack up an average of 263.8 yards per game compared to Harlingen South’s 118.1. However, the Hawks excel in rushing, averaging 271.2 yards per game on the ground, showcasing their ability to control the clock.

Key Players to Watch

Harlingen South

• Alvin Edwards (Rushing): With 131.0 rushing yards per game, Edwards is the focal point of the Hawks’ offense. His ability to break free and gain big chunks of yards could be a key factor in this game.
• Austen Shroyer (Passing): Shroyer, with 88.1 passing yards per game, is the team’s primary quarterback and will need to find success through the air to keep the Vela defense on its toes.
• Marcus Garza (Tackles): A key defender, Garza averages 7.7 tackles per game and will be vital in slowing down the Sabercats’ potent offense.

Vela

• Jonathan Flores (Rushing): Leading the charge for Vela’s ground game, Flores averages 147.2 rushing yards per game, showing his ability to dominate on the field.
• Geoffrey Creighton Lefevre (Passing): With 252.8 passing yards per game, Lefevre is a dynamic quarterback who can change the game with his arm.
• Juan Garza (Receiving): Garza averages 77.3 receiving yards per game and is one of Lefevre’s favorite targets. Expect him to play a significant role in this high-powered offense.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced several common opponents this season. Harlingen South has a 1-1 record against them, while Vela has been perfect with a 2-0 record. Here’s a look at their results against common opponents:

• Harlingen South vs. Rowe: Harlingen South won 16-14 on 8/29/24.
• Vela vs. Rowe: Vela won 40-14 on 10/18/24.
• Harlingen South vs. Harlingen: Harlingen South lost 29-24 on 9/6/24.
• Vela vs. Harlingen: Vela won 34-16 on 9/13/24.

Conclusion

This matchup between Harlingen South and Vela promises to be an exciting clash of styles. Harlingen South will look to control the game on the ground with Alvin Edwards leading the charge, while Vela’s high-flying offense, spearheaded by Jonathan Flores and Geoffrey Creighton Lefevre, will aim to overwhelm the Hawks with its passing game. Despite Harlingen South’s impressive rushing attack, Vela’s undefeated season and balanced offensive firepower make them the favorites in this matchup. The game will be an exciting one for fans to watch, as it features two teams with distinct styles but the same goal: victory.

Will the Hawks defy the odds and upset the undefeated Sabercats, or will Vela continue their dominant run? Only time will tell.