The Hoover (Clendenin, WV) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against Elkins (WV) today at 4 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: West Virginia High School Football
Who: Hoover (WV) vs Elkins (WV)
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 4:00. p.m. ET
“2024 WVSSAC Football Playoffs – AAA”
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network
Elkins vs. Hoover: A Season Breakdown and Head-to-Head Comparison
As we enter the high-stakes playoff matchup between the Elkins (WV) and Hoover (Clendenin, WV) varsity football teams, let’s take a closer look at their season records, team statistics, and how they stack up against each other heading into this crucial game.
Season Records and Performance
Elkins (24-25):
The Elkins football team has had a challenging season, with a 5-6 overall record. The team has shown resilience in regional play, finishing with a 5-4 record. However, their away performance has been a struggle, with just a 2-4 record on the road. Their season averages include 264 points scored and 364 points allowed, reflecting a tough defensive year. They score an average of 24 points per game, with standout performances from key players like Nick Bowers, who has accumulated 230.7 rushing yards per game.
Hoover (24-25):
In stark contrast, Hoover enters this game with an undefeated 11-0 record, including a perfect 5-0 in regional play. The team has dominated its opponents, outscoring them 486 to 120 over the course of the season. Hoover’s performance both at home (6-0) and away (5-0) has been flawless, making them one of the top teams in the region. The Hoover offense has been explosive, averaging 44.2 points per game. Their balanced attack is spearheaded by a potent offensive line and key playmakers across the field.
Team Scoring and Offensive Efficiency
Looking at the team’s scoring averages and quarter-by-quarter breakdown, Hoover’s offensive consistency stands out. They score heavily in the opening quarters, with an average of 14 points in the first quarter and 12 in the second, before maintaining a steady output in the second half. On the other hand, Elkins has struggled to match Hoover’s pace, scoring only 3.3 points in the first quarter, with a peak of 7 points in the fourth quarter.
| Quarter | Elkins Avg. | Hoover Avg. |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 3.3 | 14.0 |
| Q2 | 2.3 | 12.0 |
| Q3 | 6.7 | 9.6 |
| Q4 | 4.7 | 7.7 |
| OT1 | 7.0 | 6.0 |
| Final | 24.0 | 44.2 |
These figures demonstrate Hoover’s ability to establish dominance early in the game, while Elkins has been able to make some gains in the later stages, though not enough to turn the tide.
Head-to-Head: Recent Matchup
In their previous meeting on October 25, Hoover decisively defeated Elkins 56-7. This game reflected Hoover’s overall strength and offensive firepower, as they left no room for Elkins to mount a serious challenge. Elkins will need to come up with a new strategy to break through Hoover’s defense and capitalize on any weaknesses if they hope to have a chance in the playoffs.
Key Players
Elkins:
- Nick Bowers (#11): With 230.7 rushing yards per game, Bowers has been the workhorse for the Elkins offense. He will be key to any success Elkins hopes to have in the playoffs, as he will need to keep the ball moving and control the tempo of the game.
- Riley Rider (#30): Rider leads the team with 11.2 tackles per game and will need to step up as a defensive leader to slow down Hoover’s high-powered offense.
Hoover:
Hoover has had a balanced offensive attack and a strong defense, but one standout performer is Owen Stanley (#72), who has 0.4 sacks per game, contributing to Hoover’s dominant defense.
Record Breakdown: Elkins vs. Hoover
| Category | Elkins | Hoover |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 5-6 | 11-0 |
| League Record | 5-4 | 5-0 |
| Non-League Record | 0-1 | 5-0 |
| Home Record | 3-2 | 6-0 |
| Away Record | 2-4 | 5-0 |
| Playoff Record | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| In-State Record | 5-6 | 11-0 |
Elkins has a solid home record but will face a tall task on the road in Hoover’s fortress, where Hoover has shown no signs of weakness this season.
Looking Ahead: The Playoff Challenge
For Elkins, this playoff game against Hoover will be a true test of their ability to compete against one of the region’s best. The team must find a way to control the ball, stay consistent, and limit Hoover’s offensive opportunities if they are to have any hope of an upset. On the other hand, Hoover will be looking to continue their perfect season and advance further into the playoffs with another commanding performance.
With Hoover’s dominant regular season and their playoff experience, they enter this game as the heavy favorite. However, as always in football, anything can happen on the field, and Elkins will surely come prepared to give it their all.
Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting playoff showdown between two contrasting teams with differing season trajectories.
