The Johnston City (IL) varsity football team is set to host Maroa-Forsyth (Maroa, IL) in a home playoff game today at 3:30 PM. This matchup is part of the “2024 Illinois High School Football Playoff Brackets: IHSA – Class 2A” tournament.

What: Illinois High School Football
Who: Johnston City (IL) vs Maroa-Forsyth (IL)
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Illinois High School Football Playoff Brackets: IHSA – Class 2A
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

A Closer Look at Maroa-Forsyth and Johnston City’s Impressive 2024-2025 Football Seasons

As we approach the climax of the 2024-2025 Illinois football season, two teams have stood out for their exceptional performances: Maroa-Forsyth and Johnston City. Both have dominated their respective conferences and have showcased strong individual and team performances, boasting identical overall records of 11-1. Let’s dive into what makes these teams so special this year.

Maroa-Forsyth: A Dominant Force in the Conference

Maroa-Forsyth has been a powerhouse in the 2024-2025 season, finishing the regular season with a 11-1 overall record and a 7-1 conference mark. Their overall win percentage of .917 demonstrates just how dominant they’ve been, not only in their conference but also on the road and at home.

Offensive Powerhouse:
The Maroa-Forsyth offense has been unstoppable this year, with an impressive 44.7 points per game. Leading the charge is Khanton Wilson, who has been a consistent performer, rushing for an average of 84.5 yards per game. Ryne Sheppard has been the star in the air, throwing for 252.4 yards per game. Meanwhile, Zach Smith has been a reliable receiver, averaging 84.8 yards per game.

Defensive Solidity:
While their offense grabs much of the attention, Maroa-Forsyth’s defense has been equally impressive. They’ve averaged 76.5 tackles per game, with Kooper Mann leading the charge with 7.8 tackles per game. Additionally, Khanton Wilson has contributed defensively with 0.6 sacks per game.

Record Breakdown:
Maroa-Forsyth’s dominance has been evident at home, where they went 6-0. On the road, they were just as strong, finishing 5-1. Their only loss came outside of conference play, where they recorded a 0-1 non-league record.

Johnston City: Perfection in the Conference

Johnston City has mirrored Maroa-Forsyth’s overall performance with their own 11-1 record, but they have been even more dominant within their conference, finishing undefeated at 8-0. This perfect conference record highlights their elite status in the Illinois football landscape.

Offensive Efficiency:
Johnston City’s offensive output has been marked by consistency, averaging 38.2 points per game. While their numbers may not reach the same explosive heights as Maroa-Forsyth, they have been highly effective across the board. Their total offensive yardage averages 422.7 yards per game, with Ryne Sheppard again at the helm, accounting for 296.1 total yards per game.

Solid Defense and Special Teams:
On the defensive side, Johnston City has been formidable, allowing only 164 points across the season. They have excelled in limiting their opponents’ scoring, maintaining a solid tackling average and keeping offensive yards to a minimum. Their balanced team approach allows them to compete with any opponent, whether at home, away, or neutral sites.

Record Breakdown:
Like Maroa-Forsyth, Johnston City was perfect at home, going 6-1 on the road and finishing with a flawless 1-0 record in neutral-site games. They were just as effective in the playoffs, winning 3-0.

Comparing the Two Teams

While both Maroa-Forsyth and Johnston City have dominated their conferences, their playing styles and team statistics tell different stories.

Team Scoring Averages:
Maroa-Forsyth’s offensive output has been more potent, averaging 46.5 points per game compared to Johnston City’s 38.2. However, Johnston City has shown greater consistency across all four quarters of the game.

Statistical Comparison:

• Rushing: Maroa-Forsyth’s rushing attack, led by Khanton Wilson, averages 143.1 yards per game. Johnston City has not put up rushing statistics comparable to this.
• Passing: Ryne Sheppard has been a standout in both teams, passing for 252.4 yards per game for Maroa-Forsyth and 296.1 yards per game for Johnston City.
• Total Yardage: Maroa-Forsyth edges Johnston City in total yards per game, with 422.7 yards, while Johnston City has 422.7 total yards.

Defensive Metrics: Defensively, both teams have performed at a high level. While Maroa-Forsyth has been slightly better in terms of tackling and sacks, Johnston City has been equally solid in preventing big plays and scoring opportunities for opponents.

Conclusion

Both Maroa-Forsyth and Johnston City have proven themselves to be two of the best teams in Illinois football during the 2024-2025 season. Whether it’s Maroa-Forsyth’s high-scoring offense or Johnston City’s perfect conference performance, both teams have displayed exceptional skill and determination. As they head into the postseason, it will be exciting to see how these two teams continue to perform and if one can claim the state title.