The Jonesboro Eagles (9-1) will face the Baird Bears (7-3) in a home playoff game on Thursday, November 14, at 7:00 PM. The game will be held at Hico High School and is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 6-Man 1A Division 1 tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Jonesboro vs Baird
When: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football 6-Man 1A D1
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Game preview: Jonesboro vs Baird

As we approach the heart of the 2024-2025 high school football season, the performance of Baird and Jonesboro stands out, with both teams showing impressive records. Let’s take a closer look at how these two schools have fared this season in terms of rankings, performance, and scoring trends.

Baird (24-25 Season)

• National Ranking: 429
• Texas State Ranking: 96
• Section Ranking: 20
• Division Ranking: 40
• Overall Record: 7-3
• District Record: 3-1
• Home Record: 6-0
• Away Record: 1-3
• Winning Percentage: .700
• District Winning Percentage: .750
• Points For (PF): 463
• Points Against (PA): 282

Baird has shown resilience this season, with a solid overall record of 7-3. The team’s strength has been evident at home, where they remain undefeated with a perfect 6-0 record. Their scoring averages show a strong start, with 23.3 points in the first quarter, but they tend to slow down in the second half, managing only 15.3 points between the third and fourth quarters. Nevertheless, their high-scoring first half has allowed them to secure victories despite occasional struggles in the second half.

Jonesboro (24-25 Season)

• National Ranking: 15
• Texas State Ranking: 9
• Section Ranking: 4
• Division Ranking: 8
• Overall Record: 9-1
• District Record: 3-0
• Home Record: 4-0
• Away Record: 5-1
• Winning Percentage: .900
• District Winning Percentage: 1.000
• Points For (PF): 580
• Points Against (PA): 209

Jonesboro, with a remarkable 9-1 record, stands as one of the most dominant teams in the state this season. Their district performance has been flawless, winning all three of their league games. The team has a balanced offensive attack, averaging 58 points per game. Jonesboro excels in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they score an average of 14 points. Their defense has been formidable, allowing just 209 points over the course of the season, which is a testament to their dominance on both sides of the ball.

Team Scoring Averages

• Baird:
  • Q1: 23.3
  • Q2: 11.3
  • Q3: 0
  • Q4: 4.0
  • Final Score: 46.3

  Baird’s offensive output is heavily front-loaded, as they are most effective in the first quarter, but struggle to maintain that level of intensity through the second half of games.

• Jonesboro:
  • Q1: 8.0
  • Q2: 6.0
  • Q3: 8.0
  • Q4: 14.0
  • Final Score: 58.0

  Jonesboro maintains a more consistent performance across all quarters, with a significant jump in the fourth quarter, which highlights their ability to finish strong.

Record Breakdown

• Baird:
  • Overall: 7-3
  • League: 3-1
  • Non-League: 4-2
  • Home: 6-0
  • Away: 1-3
  • Playoff: 0-0
  • In-State: 7-3
  • Out-of-State: 0-0
• Jonesboro:
  • Overall: 9-1
  • League: 3-0
  • Non-League: 6-1
  • Home: 4-0
  • Away: 5-1
  • Playoff: 0-0
  • In-State: 9-1
  • Out-of-State: 0-0

Both teams have shown impressive records, but Jonesboro has the edge in overall performance, with a stronger record both in and out of district play. Baird, on the other hand, has excelled at home but faces challenges when playing away.

Head-to-Head & Common Opponents

Neither team has faced off against each other yet, so the ultimate comparison will come when the two teams eventually meet on the field. As for common opponents, both teams have yet to play any matchups that would provide a direct comparison.

Conclusion

Jonesboro’s near-perfect record and strong finish to games make them a formidable contender in the state, while Baird’s strong home performance and early-game dominance show promise for future success. The contrast in their playing styles—Baird’s fast starts and Jonesboro’s consistent scoring across all four quarters—sets the stage for an exciting season ahead. As both teams continue their campaigns, their records and scoring patterns will be key in determining their paths to the playoffs.