The Holy Cross (Flushing, NY) varsity football team will play a neutral-site playoff game against Kennedy Catholic (Somers, NY) today at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 Boys Fall Football NYCHSFL State Tournament – AA-2.

Holy Cross vs Kennedy Catholic Game Info:

What: New York High School Football Playoffs
Who: Holy Cross vs Kennedy Catholic
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Boys Fall Football NYCHSFL State Tournament – AA-2
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Game preview: Holy Cross vs Kennedy Catholic

Date: November 16, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Neutral Site

The Kennedy Catholic (Somers, NY) and Holy Cross (Flushing, NY) varsity football teams are set to square off in a crucial playoff matchup this evening. Here’s a breakdown of each team’s performance this season, including their record, key stats, and notable head-to-head comparisons.

Kennedy Catholic Season Overview

• Record: 2-6 overall, 1-5 in league play
• Scoring Average: 7.5 points per game (4.0 in the first quarter, 2.3 in the third, and none in the second or fourth)
• Total Yards Per Game: 61.6
• Rushing Yards Per Game: 29.1
• Passing Yards Per Game: 32.5
• Receiving Yards Per Game: 26.8
• Team Leaders:
  • Clifton Delatorre: 42.5 rushing yards per game
  • Joe Grande: 153 passing yards per game
  • John Desocio: 38.3 receiving yards per game

Despite a rough season with only two wins, Kennedy Catholic’s offensive leaders have continued to produce. Their rushing and passing game have shown flashes of potential, but consistency has been a challenge throughout the season.

Holy Cross Season Overview

• Record: 5-5 overall, 4-1 in league play
• Scoring Average: 14.1 points per game (with a strong fourth-quarter performance averaging 5.4 points)
• Total Yards Per Game: 61.6
• Rushing Yards Per Game: 32.5
• Passing Yards Per Game: 32.5
• Receiving Yards Per Game: 26.8
• Team Leaders:
  • Joe Grande: 153 passing yards per game
  • John Desocio: 38.3 receiving yards per game

Holy Cross enters the playoffs with a solid 5-5 record and a much stronger league performance (4-1). Their offense, led by Joe Grande and John Desocio, has been more dynamic, averaging more points and total yards per game compared to Kennedy Catholic.

Head-to-Head: Holy Cross Dominates

When these two teams met on September 20, 2024, Holy Cross came out on top with a decisive 26-7 victory over Kennedy Catholic. This victory was a clear statement of Holy Cross’ strength, as they controlled the game from start to finish.

Team Comparison: Key Stats

• Points Per Game: Holy Cross averages 14.1, while Kennedy Catholic struggles with just 7.5 per game.
• Offensive Production: Both teams share similar total yards per game (around 61.6), but Holy Cross has shown a more balanced and consistent offense, particularly in the passing game.
• Defense: Kennedy Catholic has given up 191 points, while Holy Cross has allowed 216. The disparity in offensive production has contributed to this difference.

Common Opponents Analysis

• Kennedy Catholic: 1-4 against common opponents this season (including losses to Mt. St. Michael Academy, Cardinal Spellman, St. Joseph-by-the-Sea, and Xaverian).
• Holy Cross: 3-1 against the same teams, including impressive wins over Cardinal Spellman and Xaverian, as well as a strong 14-0 shutout against Mt. St. Michael Academy.

Playoff Implications

With both teams coming into this matchup with contrasting records, this game is especially important for Kennedy Catholic, as they look to avenge an earlier loss and make a late playoff push. On the other hand, Holy Cross aims to continue their strong postseason form, riding the momentum of their impressive regular season finish and better overall play.

Key Players to Watch

• Kennedy Catholic’s Clifton Delatorre: With 42.5 rushing yards per game, Delatorre will be key in setting the tone for the offense.
• Holy Cross’s Joe Grande: A dual-threat quarterback with 153 passing yards per game, Grande has the ability to break open the game through the air.

Prediction

Given Holy Cross’ overall stronger performance and recent victory, they are favored to come out on top again. However, Kennedy Catholic has the potential to surprise with a solid performance on both sides of the ball, especially if they can capitalize on any Holy Cross mistakes.

The game kicks off at 7:00 PM, and it promises to be an exciting playoff battle with major implications for both teams.