The varsity football team of Hill Country Christian School of Austin (Austin, TX) will play a neutral playoff game against Covenant (Dallas, TX) on Friday, November 15 at 7:00 PM. This matchup is part of the TAPPS 2024 High School Football Playoff, Division III tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: HCCSA vs Covenant
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: TAPPS 2024 High School Football Playoff – TAPPS Division III
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Game preview: HCCSA vs Covenant

The 2024-2025 football season has been a mixed bag of performances for both Covenant and HCCSA, as evidenced by their rankings, records, and individual statistics. This article breaks down key team data, including their overall performance, offensive and defensive stats, and standout individual players.

Overall Team Records

• Covenant: With a solid record of 7-3 overall and a dominant 4-1 district performance, Covenant has proven to be a strong contender. They’ve been especially impressive at home, with a 4-1 record, although their away performance at 3-2 shows some room for improvement. Their win percentage stands at a strong .700, with a district win percentage of .800.
• HCCSA: In contrast, HCCSA has faced more challenges this season, posting a 4-6 overall record. Their district record of 2-3 and a 1-4 mark away from home highlight their struggles. However, they have been somewhat competitive at home with a 3-2 record. The team’s win percentage sits at .400 for both overall and district play, reflecting an uphill battle for consistent performance.

Offensive Scoring Averages

• Covenant: The team has been consistent in scoring, averaging 34.1 points per game. Their highest-scoring quarters are the second and first, where they average 11.0 and 10.1 points respectively, while their lowest-scoring quarter is the fourth (2.2 points).
• HCCSA: With an average of 33.1 points per game, HCCSA is competitive in terms of offensive output. Their strongest quarter is the second, where they average 15.8 points. However, they struggle in the third and fourth quarters, posting only 5.5 and 3.8 points, respectively.

Offensive Statistics Comparison

• Covenant leads HCCSA in almost every major offensive category:
  • Rushing Yards Per Game: Covenant averages 87.4 yards per game compared to HCCSA’s 45.3 yards.
  • Passing Yards Per Game: Covenant’s passing game is highly effective with 222.8 yards per game, far surpassing HCCSA’s 51.6 yards.
  • Receiving Yards Per Game: Covenant also excels in receiving yards, averaging 219.3 yards compared to 20.3 yards for HCCSA.
  • Total Yards Per Game: Covenant racks up 310.2 total yards, while HCCSA averages only 222.8 yards.

Defensive and Team Stat Comparison

• Covenant: Defensively, Covenant shows solid stats with 58.2 tackles per game and 1.1 sacks per game. These numbers highlight their consistent presence on defense, as they also average 32.9 points per game.
• HCCSA: HCCSA has room for growth on defense, averaging only 2.7 tackles per game and 0.2 sacks per game. Their defensive struggles are reflected in their higher points allowed per game (254 points allowed in total), compared to Covenant’s stronger defensive performance.

Standout Individual Players

• Covenant:
  • Kaden Knisley (#32) leads the team in rushing with 45.3 yards per game.
  • Jacob Rasberry is the star quarterback, accumulating 214.3 passing yards per game and 231.3 total yards per game.
  • Ty Vacek is the leading receiver, contributing 71.7 yards per game, and also leads the team in points per game with 10.2.
  • Jack Young stands out defensively, with 7.1 tackles per game, while Nick Cheij has contributed with 0.3 sacks per game.
• HCCSA:
  • Rushing and Passing: While HCCSA struggles overall, their key players like the running backs and quarterbacks contribute a modest 20.3 rushing yards and 51.6 passing yards per game.
  • Receiving: With 17.4 receiving yards per game, the HCCSA offense is not as dynamic as Covenant’s.
  • Defensively, standout performers like 2.7 tackles per game are far behind Covenant’s top defensive players.

Record Breakdown by Category

• Home and Away Games:
  • Covenant has been strong at home with a 4-1 record, while they perform decently away with a 3-2 record.
  • HCCSA has a more balanced home record at 3-2, but their 1-4 away record suggests a major area for improvement.
• Head-to-Head: There have been no matchups between these two teams this season, and neither team has played any neutral-site games.

Conclusion

Covenant has had a notably stronger season compared to HCCSA, excelling in nearly every aspect, from offensive yardage to defensive stats. HCCSA’s struggles on both sides of the ball are evident, particularly in their defensive performance and ability to close out games in the second half. If HCCSA can improve their defensive strategy and consistency, they may be able to turn their fortunes around in future seasons. However, for now, Covenant’s solid all-around play and leadership from key players like Rasberry and Vacek position them as the superior team this season.