The Iowa (LA) varsity football team will play a home playoff game against LaGrange (Lake Charles, LA) today at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division II Non-Select tournament.

What: Louisiana High School Football
Who: Iowa (LA) vs LaGrange (LA)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division II Non-Select
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Preview: LaGrange vs. Iowa (LA) – Playoff Showdown

As the high school football playoff action heats up, the LaGrange Gators are set to face off against the Iowa Yellow Jackets in a highly anticipated matchup. The two teams meet after Iowa dominated their previous encounter, a 36-0 victory on October 31, 2024. With LaGrange traveling to Iowa for the playoff game, let’s take a closer look at both teams’ stats, key players, and what to expect in this exciting postseason clash.

Team Records and Performance

LaGrange Gators (5-5 overall, 1-4 district)

• Record Breakdown: LaGrange enters the game with an even 5-5 record but has struggled in district play, going just 1-4. Their offense has shown flashes of potential, but inconsistencies have been a challenge.
• Scoring Averages: The Gators average 19.6 points per game, with a scoring distribution of 3.3 points in the first quarter, 4.3 in the second, 3.7 in the third, and 1.3 in the fourth. This indicates that they tend to struggle to sustain momentum throughout the game.
• Key Players:
  • J’vien Adams (Rushing): Leading the team with 93.2 rushing yards per game.
  • Reed Dupre (Passing): With 135.2 passing yards per game, Dupre is crucial to the Gators’ offensive efforts.
  • Jeremiah Bushnell (Receiving): Bushnell leads the receiving corps with 82.9 yards per game.

Iowa Yellow Jackets (9-1 overall, 5-0 district)

• Record Breakdown: Iowa boasts an impressive 9-1 record, including a perfect 5-0 in district play. Their only loss came early in the season, but since then, they’ve been nearly unstoppable.
• Scoring Averages: Iowa’s offense is potent, averaging 43.9 points per game. They are particularly dangerous in the second quarter, where they score an average of 17.9 points. Their balanced attack includes 9.4 points in the first quarter, 7.9 in the third, and 8.9 in the fourth.
• Key Players:
  • Jonathan Walker Jr. (Scoring): The Yellow Jackets’ offensive leader with 9.6 points per game.
  • Reed Dupre (Total Yards): Dupre also leads in total yards per game, with 142.2.
  • Andrew Duhon (Tackles): Duhon leads the defense with 2.7 tackles per game, providing solid coverage across the field.

Head-to-Head Matchup

In their last meeting on October 31, Iowa put on a dominant performance, winning 36-0. This commanding victory highlighted Iowa’s strength both offensively and defensively, and they will look to carry that momentum into this playoff game.

Stat Comparison

• LaGrange’s Offense: The Gators have averaged 292.8 total yards per game, with 157.6 rushing yards and 135.2 passing yards. However, their struggles in the red zone and inability to score consistently have hindered their success this season.
• Iowa’s Offense: Iowa’s offense has been much more explosive, averaging 439 yards per game. Their balanced approach is evident with 157.6 rushing yards, 135.2 passing yards, and 115.4 receiving yards per game. The Yellow Jackets’ ability to score efficiently, especially in the second quarter, has been a key to their success.
• Defensive Stats: On the defensive side, Iowa has been the stronger team. LaGrange has allowed 267 points this season, while Iowa has only conceded 203 points. Iowa’s defense has been stingy, holding opponents to lower scoring averages.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced a series of common opponents this season. Iowa has dominated their matchups, finishing with a 4-0 record against teams that LaGrange went 1-3 against. This includes victories over Washington-Marion, Eunice, DeRidder, and Leesville, where Iowa has shown its ability to perform at a high level in district play.

Key to Victory

For LaGrange, the key to upsetting Iowa lies in controlling the ball and limiting mistakes. If the Gators can establish a strong running game with J’vien Adams and execute their passing game effectively with Reed Dupre, they might be able to keep Iowa’s explosive offense off the field. Defensively, LaGrange will need to make key stops and prevent Iowa from taking an early lead, which has been a common theme in the Yellow Jackets’ victories.

For Iowa, the focus will be on continuing their high-scoring ways. Iowa has been dominant in district play, and their offense, led by Jonathan Walker Jr., is a significant threat. The Yellow Jackets’ defense must keep LaGrange from finding rhythm, particularly in the passing game. If they can shut down the Gators’ attack early, they should be able to build another comfortable lead and advance to the next round.

Final Thoughts

With Iowa coming off a dominant win and boasting a strong season, they are the favorites in this playoff matchup. However, LaGrange has the potential to cause an upset if they can find consistency on offense and execute their game plan flawlessly. Fans can expect an exciting showdown as both teams battle for a spot in the next round of the playoffs.