The Humboldt (KS) varsity football team will host a playoff game against Council Grove (KS) on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m.

What: Kansas High School Football
Who: Humboldt (KS) vs Council Grove (KS)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Council Grove vs. Humboldt: A Comparison of Football Teams in the 2024-2025 Season

The 2024-2025 high school football season in Kansas has provided fans with exciting matchups, and two teams that have stood out in their respective classes are Council Grove and Humboldt. Both teams have had successful campaigns, but their paths to victory have been different in several ways. Let’s break down the key statistics, leaders, and results for these two high school football programs.

Season Overview

• Council Grove (7-3 overall): The Council Grove team finished the regular season with a 7-3 record. Their performance in the district was respectable at 1-1, but their overall win percentage stood at .700, showcasing their competitive nature. Their offense scored an average of 33.1 points per game, while their defense allowed 13.2 points per game.
• Humboldt (10-0 overall): Humboldt has been a dominant force, finishing their season undefeated with a perfect 10-0 record. They excelled not only in their overall performance but also within their district, maintaining a 5-0 record in district play. Humboldt’s offense was on fire, averaging 52.7 points per game, while their defense was equally as impressive, allowing only 8.8 points per game.

Scoring Breakdown

Both teams have shown the ability to put up impressive numbers, but there is a clear disparity in their offensive outputs:

• Council Grove Scoring: Their scoring averages break down as follows:
  • Q1: 9.1 points
  • Q2: 14.5 points
  • Q3: 5.0 points
  • Q4: 5.9 points
  • Total: 33.1 points per game
• Humboldt Scoring: Humboldt’s offensive numbers are significantly higher:
  • Q1: 18.2 points
  • Q2: 19.2 points
  • Q3: 8.9 points
  • Q4: 6.4 points
  • Total: 52.7 points per game

Humboldt’s scoring surge in the first half of games has been particularly impressive, often building an insurmountable lead early on.

Statistical Comparison

• Rushing Yards:
  • Council Grove: 168.1 yards per game
  • Humboldt: 330.3 yards per game
  • Key Insight: Humboldt’s powerful rushing game, led by Blake Ellis, has been a central factor in their success, outpacing Council Grove’s rushing yards by over 160 yards per game.
• Passing Yards:
  • Council Grove: 150.1 yards per game
  • Humboldt: 114.8 yards per game
  • Key Insight: While Council Grove has been more balanced in its passing attack, Humboldt has relied more heavily on its ground game, with passing yards coming second.
• Total Yards:
  • Council Grove: 318.2 yards per game
  • Humboldt: 445.1 yards per game
  • Key Insight: Humboldt’s offense has been a powerhouse, with an average of 445.1 total yards per game, nearly 130 yards more than Council Grove’s offensive production.
• Tackles Per Game:
  • Council Grove: 60.8 tackles per game
  • Humboldt: 53.8 tackles per game
  • Key Insight: Council Grove’s defense has been more aggressive, averaging more tackles per game than Humboldt, even though Humboldt has been more effective at limiting opponent scoring.
• Sacks Per Game:
  • Council Grove: 2.5 sacks per game
  • Humboldt: 1.2 sacks per game
  • Key Insight: Council Grove has had more success disrupting opposing offenses with sacks, a key element of their defensive strategy.

Team Leaders

• Council Grove:
  • Rushing: Ace Monihen leads the team with 115.4 rushing yards per game.
  • Passing: Luke Stewart is the primary quarterback with 141.6 passing yards per game.
  • Receiving: Landon Dody has contributed 49.4 receiving yards per game.
  • Total Yards: Luke Stewart again leads with 135.3 total yards per game.
  • Tackles: Landon Dody records 8.0 tackles per game.
  • Sacks: Ace Monihen contributes 0.7 sacks per game.
• Humboldt:
  • Rushing: Blake Ellis dominates with 133.2 rushing yards per game.
  • Passing: Mason Sterling has 112.6 passing yards per game.
  • Receiving: Mason Sterling is also a key receiver with 36.4 receiving yards per game.
  • Total Yards: Blake Ellis leads again with 245.8 total yards per game.
  • Tackles: Kyler Isbell has 6.9 tackles per game.
  • Sacks: Cole G. Mathes contributes 0.3 sacks per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar opponents, and their records against these teams reflect their dominance:

• Council Grove: 2-0 against common opponents, including wins over Central Heights (58-0) and Caney Valley (35-14).
• Humboldt: 2-0 against common opponents, with victories over Central Heights (40-0) and Caney Valley (28-12).

Despite similar results against shared teams, Humboldt’s overall performance has been much more dominant.

Record Breakdown

• Council Grove: 7-3 overall, with a 1-1 district record and 4-2 home record.
• Humboldt: 10-0 overall, with a perfect 5-0 district record and 6-0 home record.

Conclusion

While Council Grove has had a successful season, Humboldt’s perfect 10-0 record and explosive offense have put them at the forefront of Kansas high school football. With standout players like Blake Ellis and strong team performances on both sides of the ball, Humboldt has proven to be one of the most formidable teams in the state. However, Council Grove’s well-rounded squad and strong defense should not be underestimated, as they’ve consistently proven their ability to compete at a high level. The path to success in the postseason will be exciting for both teams as they continue their campaigns.