The Liberty (Peoria, AZ) varsity football team will host Higley (Gilbert, AZ) today at 7 p.m. in a highly anticipated home playoff game. This matchup is part of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships – Open Division, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance in the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football Playoff
Who: Higley vs Liberty
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Open Division
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Higley vs. Liberty

As the 2024-25 high school football season unfolds, two teams have made a mark in Arizona’s competitive landscape: Higley High School and Liberty High School. Both teams have posted impressive records, but they each have their own strengths and challenges as they prepare for the next phase of the season. Let’s take a closer look at how these two teams stack up against one another.

Higley High School: A Solid Season with Room for Improvement

Higley High School’s football team has had a commendable run this season, with a 7-3 overall record and a solid .700 winning percentage. The Knights have been dominant at home, with a perfect 4-0 record on their turf. However, on the road, they’ve faced more challenges, posting a 3-3 record. Despite these struggles away from home, their overall performance in the section has been strong, finishing with a 3-2 mark in their section games.

In terms of scoring, Higley has averaged 31.8 points per game across four quarters, with a steady offensive presence. Their first and second quarters have been their strongest, with 5.0 and 7.7 points per quarter, respectively, but they’ve also managed to put up respectable numbers in the second half, scoring an average of 9.6 in the third and 6.9 in the fourth.

Liberty High School: A Powerhouse Performance

On the other hand, Liberty High School has been nothing short of dominant. With an impressive 9-1 record and a win percentage of .900, the Lions have been one of the top teams in Arizona this season. Their performance in the section has been perfect, with a 4-0 record that highlights their dominance in the competitive Arizona Division.

One of Liberty’s most outstanding features is their consistent and explosive scoring ability. Averaging 41.8 points per game, they are a force to be reckoned with on offense. Their first quarter is particularly impressive, with an average of 15.3 points. Even in the latter stages of the game, Liberty maintains a strong offensive pace, scoring 12.1 in the second quarter, 9.1 in the third, and 8.8 in the fourth.

Key Comparisons and Insights

While both teams have been successful this season, there are notable differences in their offensive strategies and game management.

• Scoring Consistency: Liberty’s offense has been notably more potent, averaging 41.8 points per game, compared to Higley’s 31.8. Liberty’s high-powered offense has been evident in their ability to put up strong points early, especially in the first quarter (15.3), while Higley tends to get stronger in the latter part of the game, especially in the third quarter with 9.6 points.
• Home vs. Away Performance: Higley has been impressive at home with a perfect 4-0 record, but their struggles on the road (3-3) have been a point of concern. Liberty, however, has been flawless on the road, boasting a perfect 5-0 record away from home.
• Defensive Efficiency: Liberty’s defense has also been impressive, allowing only 202 points throughout the season, which is significantly fewer than Higley’s 185. However, Liberty’s high-scoring games may have masked any weaknesses in their defense, while Higley has had a more balanced scoring and defensive approach.

As the high school football season intensifies, the matchup between Higley and Liberty promises to deliver thrilling action. Both teams have had strong seasons, with Higley holding a 7-3 record and Liberty standing at an impressive 9-1. This game will feature a clash of two potent offenses and talented rosters, making it a must-watch for fans of Arizona high school football.

Team Stats Comparison

Offensive Power:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Higley leads with 148.9 rushing yards per game, while Liberty averages 129.1 yards on the ground. Both teams are capable of establishing the run, with Higley’s Justin Bender (79.4 rushing yards per game) leading the charge.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Both teams are nearly identical in the passing game, with Higley averaging 278.0 passing yards per game and Liberty slightly ahead at 277.4 yards. Luke Haugo has been an impressive quarterback for Higley, throwing for 193.1 yards per game, while Liberty’s Hayden Fletcher (253.9 yards per game) has been one of the state’s top quarterbacks.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Both teams feature strong receiving units, with Higley averaging 278.0 yards and Liberty averaging 277.4 yards. Jaden Taylor has been a top target for Higley, racking up 93.6 receiving yards per game, while Liberty’s Braxton Huynh (85.1 yards per game) has been a standout.
• Total Yards Per Game: Higley averages 426.9 total yards per game, while Liberty posts 406.5 yards. Despite Liberty’s slightly lower total, both offenses can produce big plays, with Luke Haugo (238.1 total yards per game) leading the way for Higley and Hayden Fletcher (271.5 total yards per game) excelling for Liberty.

Defensive Performance:

• Tackles Per Game: Higley averages 78.6 tackles per game, showing their defensive intensity, while Liberty averages 60.0 tackles per game. Boston Tilton (9.2 tackles per game) has been a key defender for Higley, while Liberty’s Brody Johnson (8.3 tackles per game) has been solid in the secondary.
• Sacks Per Game: Liberty holds the advantage with 4.9 sacks per game compared to Higley’s 2.2 sacks. Hudson Dunn (1.4 sacks per game) has been a disruptive force for Liberty’s defense, while Jaylen Jones (1.0 sack per game) has been Higley’s primary pass rusher.
• Points Per Game: Liberty’s offense has been more explosive, averaging 41.3 points per game, compared to Higley’s 31.8 points. Dominic Lombardo (9.0 points per game) is a key playmaker for Liberty’s offense.

Key Player Comparisons

Higley’s Key Players:

• Justin Bender (#28) is the team’s leading rusher, averaging 79.4 yards per game and providing balance to the offense.
• Luke Haugo (#12) is the primary passer for Higley, throwing for 193.1 yards per game and leading the team with 238.1 total yards per game.
• Jaden Taylor (#3) is Higley’s top receiver, averaging 93.6 yards per game and contributing significantly to the team’s passing game.
• Boston Tilton (#50) leads the defense with 9.2 tackles per game, providing leadership and making key stops.

Liberty’s Key Players:

• Esteban Demby-Lamas (#24) is the team’s leading rusher, averaging 48.5 yards per game.
• Hayden Fletcher (#10) is one of the state’s top quarterbacks, throwing for 253.9 yards per game and contributing 271.5 total yards per game.
• Braxton Huynh (#17) is Liberty’s leading receiver, averaging 85.1 yards per game and making big plays in the passing game.
• Brody Johnson (#8) is a key defender for Liberty, averaging 8.3 tackles per game and making plays on the ball.
• Hudson Dunn (#7) is a disruptive force on defense with 1.4 sacks per game, helping to apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Record Breakdown

Higley: With a 7-3 overall record, Higley has had a strong season. The team is 3-2 in league play, and its non-league record of 4-1 shows their ability to compete against top-tier opponents. Higley is also solid at home with a 4-0 record, but they have struggled on the road with a 3-3 record.

Liberty: Liberty has been nearly flawless this season, posting a 9-1 overall record. The team is undefeated in league play with a 4-0 record, and its 5-1 mark in non-league games shows their versatility. Liberty has been dominant at home with a 4-1 record, while their 5-0 record on the road highlights their ability to perform away from home.

In-State and Out-of-State Records

• Higley: Higley has gone 6-3 in-state, while they have a 1-0 record against out-of-state opponents.
• Liberty: Liberty has been perfect in-state with a 9-0 record, though they are 0-1 in out-of-state matchups.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Both teams faced Desert Edge, and both secured victories. Higley won 39-14 on September 20, while Liberty defeated Desert Edge 22-0 on August 30. This common opponent illustrates that both teams are capable of defeating competitive opponents with ease.

Conclusion

The Higley vs. Liberty game promises to be a clash of two high-powered offenses with solid defensive units backing them up. Liberty enters the game as the more explosive team, with Hayden Fletcher leading a potent aerial attack and a stingy defense led by Hudson Dunn. On the other hand, Higley’s balanced offensive attack, featuring Luke Haugo and Jaden Taylor, will look to match Liberty’s scoring output while relying on a defense anchored by Boston Tilton and Jaylen Jones.

With both teams having a lot to play for in the postseason picture, this game is sure to be a high-energy battle from start to finish. The outcome will likely depend on which defense can make critical stops and which offense can control the tempo. Fans should expect a thrilling showdown between two of the best teams in Arizona high school football.