The La Marque Cougars (5-5) will face off against the Hamshire-Fannett Longhorns (9-1) in a neutral playoff game on Thursday, November 14, at 7:00 p.m. at Alvin Memorial Stadium. This matchup is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships, Conference 4A Division 2 tournament.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: La Marque vs Hamshire-Fannett
When: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 4A D2
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Game preview: La Marque vs Hamshire-Fannett
As the 2024-25 Texas high school football season progresses, Hamshire-Fannett and La Marque have delivered some exciting performances. The teams come into this matchup with contrasting records and playing styles, but both have shown flashes of brilliance.
Hamshire-Fannett: A Dominant Force
Hamshire-Fannett enters this season with an impressive 9-1 record overall, undefeated in district play with a 5-0 mark. The team has been a powerhouse offensively, posting a staggering 423 points while allowing just 188, with a solid 90% win rate. The team has been particularly strong at home, maintaining a perfect 5-0 record.
Key Offensive Statistics:
- Rushing Yards: 130.6 per game
- Passing Yards: 302.9 per game
- Receiving Yards: 295.9 per game
- Total Yards: 433.5 per game
- Points per Game: 41.0
Hamshire-Fannett’s offense has been a balanced machine. Quarterback Ty Bryson has been particularly impressive, leading the team with 294.9 passing yards per game. The team’s top rusher, Chris Augustine, has dominated with an average of 98.3 rushing yards per game, while Braxton Starnes has been a key receiving threat, averaging 94.5 yards per game.
Defensive Highlights: On the defensive side, Brendan Miller leads the team with 11.2 tackles per game, while Kaleb Loiacano has contributed with 0.4 sacks per game. The team has consistently performed at a high level across the board, making them a tough opponent.
La Marque: A Resilient Team
La Marque has had a more mixed season, finishing with a 5-5 overall record and a 3-3 mark in district play. While they’ve been competitive, the team has struggled at times, especially on the road, where they hold a 1-3 record. However, La Marque has been strong at home with a 4-2 record.
Key Offensive Statistics:
- Rushing Yards: N/A
- Passing Yards: N/A
- Receiving Yards: N/A
- Total Yards: N/A
- Points per Game: 34.7
La Marque’s offense has been less consistent than Hamshire-Fannett’s. However, they’ve had some explosive moments, as evidenced by their 34.7 points per game. Despite their offensive struggles, they have managed to put up strong performances at times, with a solid passing game and the ability to make big plays when needed.
Defensive Highlights: On the defensive side, La Marque has allowed 236 points this season. Though they’ve faced tougher opponents, they’ll need to tighten up their defense if they hope to compete against the high-powered Hamshire-Fannett offense.
Common Opponents and Head-to-Head
Both teams share a common opponent in Hitchcock, but neither team came out victorious in their respective matchups.
- Hamshire-Fannett vs. Hitchcock (9/6/24): A tough loss with a final score of 71-48.
- La Marque vs. Hitchcock (9/13/24): Another loss, but by a more lopsided score of 61-7.
Team Leaders
- Hamshire-Fannett:
- Chris Augustine: 98.3 rushing yards per game
- Ty Bryson: 294.9 passing yards per game, 293.4 total yards per game
- Braxton Starnes: 94.5 receiving yards per game
- Brendan Miller: 11.2 tackles per game
- La Marque:
- No standout statistical leaders identified in the data provided.
Outlook and Predictions
With Hamshire-Fannett’s remarkable 9-1 record and strong all-around play, they appear poised to make a deep run in the playoffs. The team’s offensive depth, particularly through Bryson’s passing and Augustine’s running, makes them a formidable opponent.
On the other hand, La Marque will need to find more consistency on both offense and defense to improve their playoff chances. The team has shown the ability to compete at a high level, but the key will be reducing mistakes and performing better on the road.
Final Thoughts
The contrast between these two teams is clear: Hamshire-Fannett’s balanced attack and strong defense give them the edge, while La Marque must overcome their struggles on the road and find more consistency to close the gap. As the season continues, both teams will look to build momentum, with Hamshire-Fannett aiming for continued dominance and La Marque hoping to turn around their performance as the playoffs approach.
