Hermitage vs. L.C. Bird: A Season Recap and Team Comparison

As the 2024-2025 Virginia high school football season draws to a close, two teams have consistently captured attention in the region: Hermitage and L.C. Bird. Both squads have shown impressive performances, but with distinct playing styles and statistical differences that set them apart. Here’s a closer look at their rankings, records, and key team stats.

Season Overview

• Hermitage (24-25) Record: 6-4 overall, 6-3 in region play, 4-1 at home, 2-3 on the road.
• L.C. Bird (24-25) Record: 7-3 overall, 7-2 in region play, 4-2 at home, 3-1 on the road.

Hermitage has shown solid consistency, with a strong regional performance and a commendable home record. Their 6-4 overall record reflects competitive games both at home and on the road. Meanwhile, L.C. Bird has posted a slightly better 7-3 record, including a 7-2 showing in region games. Their road record (3-1) is particularly impressive, showcasing their resilience away from home.

Team Scoring Averages

• Hermitage: Averaging 31.0 points per game (8.6 in Q1, 7.1 in Q2, 3.1 in Q3, and 9.4 in Q4).
• L.C. Bird: Averaging 34.2 points per game (11.1 in Q1, 15.4 in Q2, 5.5 in Q3, and 2.5 in Q4).

Both teams are formidable scoring machines, with L.C. Bird leading by a slim margin of 3.2 points per game. Interestingly, while Hermitage shows steady scoring throughout the game, especially in the final quarter, L.C. Bird tends to explode in the second quarter, where they score over 15 points on average.

Statistical Comparison

The offensive and defensive stats give further insight into how each team operates:

• Rushing Yards Per Game:
  • Hermitage: 187.4 yards
  • L.C. Bird: 204.2 yards

L.C. Bird has a slight edge in the rushing department, averaging over 200 yards per game, a key strength that powers their offense.

• Passing Yards Per Game:
  • Hermitage: 124.2 yards
  • L.C. Bird: 131.5 yards

L.C. Bird also edges out Hermitage in the air, but the difference is minimal, suggesting both teams are relatively balanced in their passing attack.

• Total Yards Per Game:
  • Hermitage: 311.6 yards
  • L.C. Bird: 335.7 yards

When it comes to total offense, L.C. Bird leads by 24 yards per game, largely due to their superior rushing game and efficient passing attack.

• Tackles Per Game:
  • Hermitage: 54.0 tackles
  • L.C. Bird: 43.3 tackles

Hermitage stands out with a higher number of tackles per game, indicating a more aggressive defensive approach.

• Sacks Per Game:
  • Hermitage: 2.9 sacks
  • L.C. Bird: 4.8 sacks

L.C. Bird has been more effective at putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, with nearly five sacks per game compared to Hermitage’s fewer than three.

• Points Per Game:
  • Hermitage: 27.6 points
  • L.C. Bird: 34.2 points

L.C. Bird’s offensive power translates to a higher average in points scored, suggesting they have been more dominant overall in their games.

Key Players

Hermitage:

• Earlonte’ Winston: With 104.7 rushing yards per game, Winston is a key offensive weapon for Hermitage.
• Benjamin Yeanay Jr.: A dual-threat quarterback, Yeanay averages 120.1 passing yards and 159.4 total yards per game.
• Bryson Robinson: As the team’s leading receiver, Robinson averages 57 yards per game.

L.C. Bird:

• Corey Holland: Leading the rushing attack with 92.4 yards per game.
• Jason Wright: A standout quarterback, Wright averages 128.2 passing yards per game and 152.7 total yards per game.
• Sirpaul Cheeks: A key receiver, Cheeks averages 43.2 receiving yards per game, contributing to L.C. Bird’s overall offensive efficiency.

Record Breakdown

The teams’ records by various categories:

• Overall Record:
  • Hermitage: 6-4
  • L.C. Bird: 7-3
• Region Record:
  • Hermitage: 6-3
  • L.C. Bird: 7-2
• Home Record:
  • Hermitage: 4-1
  • L.C. Bird: 4-2
• Away Record:
  • Hermitage: 2-3
  • L.C. Bird: 3-1

While both teams perform well at home, L.C. Bird is more effective on the road with a 3-1 record compared to Hermitage’s 2-3.

Conclusion

Both Hermitage and L.C. Bird have had successful seasons, with L.C. Bird leading in several key statistical areas like rushing yards, passing yards, and points per game. However, Hermitage excels in defensive tackles and remains a competitive force in the region. With such strong teams, it’s clear that both will be major contenders in any playoff scenarios, each with their own strengths to showcase on the field. The matchup between these two teams promises to be an exciting one as the season concludes.