The Hillcrest Rams (7-3) will host the Nation Ford Falcons (2-8) in a playoff matchup on Friday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m. The game is part of the 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class AAAAA Football: Division 2 tournament, and will be held in Simpsonville, SC.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: South Carolina High School Football
Who: Hillcrest vs Nation Ford
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM
Bracket: 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class AAAAA Football: Division 2
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Game preview: Hillcrest vs Nation Ford

As the high school football season winds down, let’s take a closer look at the head-to-head performance of Nation Ford and Hillcrest for the 2024-2025 season, including their rankings, records, and key statistics.

Nation Ford Overview: Nation Ford has had a tough season, with a 2-8 overall record and a 1-5 mark in region play. Their win percentage stands at .200, and their region performance is slightly lower at .167. The Falcons have struggled to put points on the board, averaging just 22.3 points per game. Their defense has also faced challenges, giving up 414 points on the season, or 41.4 points per game.

Despite these difficulties, Nation Ford has shown some individual highlights. Carson Sanford has been a standout player, with 210.5 passing yards per game, and Josh Ameo leads the team in receiving yards with 115.6 per game. Patience Andrews has contributed significantly to the rushing game, with an average of 60.9 rushing yards per game.

Hillcrest Overview: Hillcrest, on the other hand, has had a much stronger campaign with a 7-3 overall record and a 4-3 record in the region. Their win percentage of .700 places them as one of the top teams in the region. They average 30.9 points per game and have been particularly strong offensively, with 351 total yards per game. Hillcrest’s defense has also been solid, allowing just 193 points on the season (19.3 points per game).

Key players for Hillcrest include quarterback Kalab Sutton, who averages 169.0 passing yards per game, and Weston Willis, who leads the team in receiving yards with 110.0 per game. The offensive line has also been strong, as evidenced by their impressive 119 pancake blocks. Defensively, Caleb Costantino has led the charge with an average of 5.5 tackles per game.

Scoring and Team Stat Comparison:

• Scoring Averages:
  Nation Ford has struggled to maintain consistency in scoring, with a significant drop-off after the first half of games. The Falcons average 6.6 points in the first quarter but only 3.0 points in the fourth quarter. Hillcrest, in contrast, has been more consistent, averaging 8.7 points in the first quarter and finishing games strong with 10.9 points in the fourth quarter.
• Offensive Comparison:
  Nation Ford has averaged 331.0 total yards per game, with a heavier reliance on passing, averaging 229.6 passing yards compared to 101.4 rushing yards. Hillcrest, however, is more balanced, averaging 171.0 rushing yards per game and 180.0 passing yards per game. This balance has allowed Hillcrest to sustain drives and maintain control of the game tempo.
• Defensive Comparison:
  Defensively, Nation Ford has averaged 76.2 tackles per game, but has struggled with the pass rush, averaging just 2.6 sacks per game. Hillcrest, in contrast, has a more efficient pass rush with 2.0 sacks per game and has been stingier against the run, giving up fewer yards overall.

Common Opponents: When comparing the teams against common opponents, Hillcrest has shown dominance. Both teams faced Clover, with Nation Ford suffering a heavy loss (53-20) while Hillcrest secured a decisive win (55-20).

Home and Away Performance: Nation Ford has struggled both at home (1-4) and on the road (1-4), while Hillcrest has been strong at home (4-1) and solid on the road (3-2). The Falcons’ ability to perform at home has been a significant weakness this season, while Hillcrest has shown consistency regardless of venue.

Key Takeaways:

• Hillcrest has been the more successful team this season with a 7-3 record, while Nation Ford faces challenges with a 2-8 record.
• Offensively, Hillcrest has a balanced attack, while Nation Ford relies more heavily on passing.
• Nation Ford has had a difficult time stopping opponents, allowing an average of over 40 points per game.
• Both teams have shown flashes of strong individual performances, but Hillcrest’s overall consistency and balanced play have led to more success.

As the season continues, the contrast in team performances is evident, with Hillcrest positioned for playoff contention, while Nation Ford will look to rebuild for future seasons.