The Jackson (AL) varsity football team will face St. Michael Catholic (Fairhope, AL) in a neutral-site playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs in the 4A division, with both teams competing for a chance to advance to the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Alabama State High School Football Playoff
Who: Jackson (AL) vs St. Michael Catholic (AL)
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Bracket: 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs – 4A
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Jackson vs. St. Michael Catholic

The St. Michael Catholic (12-1) vs. Jackson (12-1) playoff matchup is set to be an exciting clash between two powerful teams. Both squads have been dominant throughout the season, each showcasing explosive offenses and solid defenses. With identical overall records and an unblemished record against common opponents, this game is expected to be a tightly contested battle for a spot in the next round.

Offensive Breakdown: St. Michael Catholic vs. Jackson

St. Michael Catholic:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: 167.8
• Passing Yards Per Game: 278.0
• Receiving Yards Per Game: 277.6
• Total Yards Per Game: 445.8
• Points Per Game: 39.2

St. Michael Catholic boasts a balanced and explosive offense that averages 445.8 total yards per game. Noah Moss leads the charge on the ground, averaging 158.4 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, Gunner Rivers has been exceptional in the passing game, racking up 275.8 passing yards per game. His ability to connect with Brody Jones (119.2 receiving yards per game) has made the passing attack a key weapon for the team. St. Michael Catholic has averaged 39.2 points per game, demonstrating their ability to put up big numbers in a hurry.

Jackson:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: 202.8
• Passing Yards Per Game: 237.3
• Receiving Yards Per Game: 239.3
• Total Yards Per Game: 440.2
• Points Per Game: 43.3

Jackson, on the other hand, relies on a more well-rounded offensive approach, with 202.8 rushing yards per game and 237.3 passing yards per game. Ezavier Crowell is the team’s main rushing threat, averaging 128.2 yards per game. In the passing game, Landon Duckworth has been exceptional, with 220.2 passing yards per game and Keeyun Chapman contributing 81.7 receiving yards per game. Jackson’s ability to move the ball effectively through both the air and on the ground has helped them average 43.3 points per game, the highest in the matchup.

Key Players: St. Michael Catholic vs. Jackson

St. Michael Catholic:

• Noah Moss: Moss is the team’s top rusher, contributing 158.4 rushing yards per game. His ability to break tackles and find the end zone will be crucial in keeping Jackson’s defense on its heels.
• Gunner Rivers: Rivers has been a dynamic force for St. Michael Catholic, throwing for 275.8 yards per game. His connection with Brody Jones has been critical to the team’s offensive success, and he will need to continue to excel in the air game to stretch the Jackson defense.
• Ollie Deese: A key defensive player with 5.3 tackles per game, Deese will be tasked with slowing down Jackson’s multi-faceted offense.
• Toby Edmiston: Though Edmiston only has 0.4 sacks per game, his pressure on the quarterback can disrupt Jackson’s passing game and force mistakes.

Jackson:

• Ezavier Crowell: Crowell is the backbone of Jackson’s ground attack, averaging 128.2 rushing yards per game. His ability to control the tempo of the game by gaining consistent yardage on the ground will be essential to their success.
• Landon Duckworth: Duckworth has been outstanding as Jackson’s quarterback, throwing for 220.2 yards per game. His ability to balance the run with the pass will keep St. Michael Catholic’s defense on its toes.
• Keeyun Chapman: Chapman is Jackson’s top receiver, racking up 81.7 receiving yards per game. He will be a key target for Duckworth in critical passing situations.
• Laquon Whisenhunt: Whisenhunt has been a force on defense, with 9.5 tackles per game. He will need to disrupt St. Michael Catholic’s offense and help control the line of scrimmage.
• Jayden Tate: Tate is another defensive standout, contributing 0.5 sacks per game. His ability to pressure Rivers will be critical in forcing St. Michael Catholic into third-and-long situations.

Record Breakdown

St. Michael Catholic:

• Overall Record: 12-1
• League Record: 5-1
• Non-League Record: 4-0
• Home Record: 4-1
• Away Record: 7-0
• Playoff Record: 3-0
• In-State Record: 12-1

St. Michael Catholic has had an outstanding season, with only one loss coming in league play. They have proven to be dominant on the road with a perfect 7-0 record away from home, and their strong postseason performance has them in prime position to advance.

Jackson:

• Overall Record: 12-1
• League Record: 6-0
• Non-League Record: 3-1
• Home Record: 5-0
• Away Record: 5-1
• Playoff Record: 3-0
• In-State Record: 12-1

Jackson has been equally impressive with an identical overall record of 12-1, finishing unbeaten in league play. They have been nearly perfect in both home and away games, with their only loss coming in a non-league matchup.

Common Opponents

Both St. Michael Catholic and Jackson have faced off against common opponents including W.S. Neal, Satsuma, Escambia County, Mobile Christian, and Orange Beach, with both teams winning all five games. For St. Michael Catholic, their victories were highlighted by high-scoring affairs, including a 46-28 win over W.S. Neal. Jackson has also been dominant, most recently defeating W.S. Neal 48-0 and Satsuma 55-7. The consistent dominance over common opponents demonstrates both teams’ ability to perform well against quality competition.

Conclusion

The St. Michael Catholic vs. Jackson playoff game is shaping up to be a thrilling contest between two teams that can light up the scoreboard. St. Michael Catholic will rely on their balanced offense, led by Gunner Rivers and Noah Moss, to keep Jackson’s defense guessing. Meanwhile, Jackson will lean on their powerful rushing attack from Ezavier Crowell and the arm of Landon Duckworth to move the ball and control the tempo of the game.

With both teams coming in with impressive records, explosive offenses, and solid defenses, this matchup will likely come down to which team can execute their game plan most effectively. Whether it’s St. Michael Catholic’s ability to balance their attack or Jackson’s dominance in both the run and pass game, this is sure to be a high-energy, high-scoring affair. Fans of both teams will be in for an exciting playoff showdown as they battle for a spot in the next round!