A Comparative Look at James Monroe and Independence High School Football Teams (2024-2025 Season)

The 2024-2025 high school football season in West Virginia has been filled with exciting matchups and impressive performances, especially when it comes to two of the region’s standout teams: James Monroe and Independence. With their records, scoring averages, and head-to-head results, both teams have showcased their talents and ambitions on the gridiron. This article offers a detailed comparison of these two teams based on their season records, performance statistics, and matchups against common opponents.

Season Records and Performance Breakdown

James Monroe (24-25 Season)
James Monroe has posted a solid overall record of 7-3, with a win percentage of .700. Their regional performance has been even more impressive, going 2-0 in region play, which gives them a perfect regional win percentage of 1.000. When it comes to game locations, James Monroe has managed a 3-2 record at home, 4-0 away, and 0-1 in neutral site games. They’ve scored 310 points while allowing 144, showing a strong defensive and offensive balance.

Independence (24-25 Season)
Independence, on the other hand, has an overall record of 6-3, with a win percentage of .667. In regional play, they’ve posted a solid 4-1 record, earning an 80% regional win percentage. They’ve been strong both at home and away, with a 3-2 record at home and 3-1 on the road. They have scored 311 points, slightly edging out James Monroe, but they have allowed more points—199 in total.

Team Scoring Averages

Looking at the scoring averages across four quarters of play, James Monroe and Independence demonstrate different offensive strategies.

• James Monroe Scoring Averages:
  • Q1: 6.6
  • Q2: 11.0
  • Q3: 1.2
  • Q4: 9.4
  • Total: 31.0 points per game

James Monroe’s scoring is concentrated primarily in the second and fourth quarters, with a noticeable dip in the third quarter. This could indicate either a strong start and finish to their games or potential challenges in adjusting after halftime.

• Independence Scoring Averages:
  • Q1: 11.7
  • Q2: 16.0
  • Q3: 11.0
  • Q4: 9.3
  • Total: 34.6 points per game

Independence has a more consistent offensive output throughout the game, with a particularly strong second quarter. Their offense seems to build momentum as the game progresses, particularly in the first half, which has been key to their success.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced off against some common opponents, which helps provide context for their respective records and performances. One key matchup for both teams came against Summers County, a common opponent that both teams defeated soundly.

• James Monroe vs. Summers County: On October 4, 2024, James Monroe traveled to Summers County and dominated with a 54-8 win.
• Independence vs. Summers County: On November 8, 2024, Independence hosted Summers County and posted a similarly dominant win, 57-14.

Both teams showed strong performances against this opponent, with James Monroe winning by a margin of 46 points and Independence winning by 43 points. These results highlight both teams’ offensive firepower and defensive prowess against weaker opposition.

Record Breakdown by Category

When broken down further, the performance differences between the two teams become more apparent in various categories:

• League Play:
  • James Monroe is undefeated in region play with a perfect 2-0 record, while Independence boasts a strong 4-1 record in their region.
• Non-League Play:
  • James Monroe has a 5-3 record in non-league games, while Independence is slightly behind at 2-2.
• Home, Away, and Neutral Games:
  • Both teams have been strong at home, with James Monroe having a 3-2 home record and Independence posting a perfect 4-0 record away from home.
• Playoff and State Matchups:
  • Both teams show an even split in their in-state matchups (James Monroe at 6-3 and Independence at 6-3), but neither team has had the opportunity to compete in a neutral or out-of-state playoff game this season.

Conclusion

Both James Monroe and Independence have proven themselves to be strong contenders in West Virginia high school football, each with its own strengths and strategies. James Monroe’s impressive regional performance and solid home and away records make them a formidable opponent, while Independence has shown consistent offensive power and resilience in tight games.

As the season continues to unfold, the potential for both teams to make deep playoff runs remains high. Football fans in West Virginia can look forward to exciting matchups as these two teams battle for supremacy in the coming weeks.