The Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, NC) varsity football team will play Hillside (Durham, NC) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 29, at 7:00 PM.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: North Carolin High School Football
Who: Hillside vs Cardinal Gibbons
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m ET
Bracket: 2024 NCHSAA Football Championships – 4A
Live Stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Hillside vs. Cardinal Gibbons
The Hillside (7-5) team will face Cardinal Gibbons (10-1) in an exciting playoff game. Cardinal Gibbons has been dominant all season with just one loss, while Hillside has had a strong, yet slightly inconsistent season. This matchup will be crucial for Hillside to prove their strength after a challenging regular season, while Cardinal Gibbons looks to continue their dominance.
Season Recap
Hillside
- Record: 7-5
- Conference Record: 4-1
- Points Scored: 268
- Points Allowed: 206
- Key Player: Ameil Braswell has been Hillside’s standout player, leading the team with 101.5 rushing yards per game and 102.0 total yards per game.
- Strengths:
- Strong running game, with Braswell carrying much of the offensive load.
- Tough defense, with Jaylen Starks leading the team with 5.4 tackles per game.
Cardinal Gibbons
- Record: 10-1 (Only loss to a non-conference opponent)
- Conference Record: 5-0 (Undefeated in conference play)
- Points Scored: 452
- Points Allowed: 109
- Key Player: Gannon Jones, the star quarterback, has been a major force, throwing for 252.2 yards per game and leading the offense with 286.9 total yards per game.
- Strengths:
- Explosive offense, averaging 40.5 points per game.
- Balanced attack, with Sam Dodd and Gannon Jones providing versatility in the air and on the ground.
- Solid defense, led by Braylon Peebles (6.2 tackles per game) and Griffin Cockerham (0.4 sacks per game).
Key Stats and Comparisons
| Category | Hillside | Cardinal Gibbons |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 17.6 | 40.5 |
| Points Allowed/Game | 17.2 | 9.9 |
| Total Yards/Game | 266.7 | 402.0 |
| Rushing Yards/Game | 227.7 | 139.4 |
| Passing Yards/Game | 39.0 | 262.6 |
| Sacks/Game | 0.8 | 1.5 |
| Tackles/Game | 29.0 | 54.5 |
Key Matchup: Hillside’s Run Game vs. Cardinal Gibbons’ Defense
The most important battle in this game will be Hillside’s rushing attack, led by Ameil Braswell, against the Cardinal Gibbons defense, which has been one of the toughest in the state. Cardinal Gibbons has allowed just 9.9 points per game this season, making them a formidable challenge for any team. If Hillside is to succeed, they must control the ball with their run game, forcing Cardinal Gibbons to stay on their heels.
Prediction
While Hillside is a strong team with a solid defense and run game, they are up against a Cardinal Gibbons squad that has been dominant on both sides of the ball. The key for Hillside will be to control the clock and keep the high-powered Cardinal Gibbons offense off the field. However, Cardinal Gibbons has the edge in talent and depth, and their explosive offense should prove too much for Hillside to handle.
