The La Vernia (TX) varsity football team will play a neutral playoff game against Bay City (TX) on Friday, December 6, at 7:00 PM at Bastrop Memorial Stadium, located at 755 TX-21 Cedar Creek, TX. This game is part of the “2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 4A D1” tournament.
La Vernia vs Bay City Game Info:
What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: La Vernia vs Bay City
When: Friday, December 6, 2024
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 4A D1
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game preview: La Vernia vs Bay City
As the Texas high school football season continues to heat up, one matchup is drawing considerable attention: Bay City vs. La Vernia. Both teams have had strong seasons, and this neutral-site playoff game on December 6 promises to be a thrilling contest, given their contrasting styles and impressive records.
Team Overview: Bay City (24-25)
Bay City has been a dominant force in Texas high school football this season, boasting an impressive 12-1 record. The team has been particularly potent on offense, averaging 45.4 points per game and showing a well-balanced attack with 133.2 rushing yards and 271.7 passing yards per game. With a standout player like Alex Estrada at the helm, who leads the team with 267.6 passing yards per game, Bay City has the offensive firepower to take on any opponent. Their defense is equally formidable, averaging 78.7 tackles per game and allowing just 252 points all season.
In their most recent meeting against La Vernia, Bay City emerged victorious with a 40-21 win, dominating the game from start to finish. The team’s ability to put up big numbers—particularly in the first half—has been a hallmark of their success, outscoring opponents 7.0 to 11.6 points in the opening three quarters.
La Vernia (24-25)
On the other side, La Vernia enters the game with a solid 10-3 record and a strong 7-0 record at home. Their offense, led by Sean Garza, has been potent in the running game, averaging 299.9 rushing yards per game. However, the passing game has struggled at times, with only 79.3 yards per game through the air. Despite these challenges, La Vernia has proven resilient, averaging 34.6 points per game and allowing only 235 total points this season.
La Vernia has a strong defensive front, with Dedric Williams leading the charge in tackles and sacks. The team has shown great adaptability, coming through in tight games, as demonstrated in their 24-21 victory over Calhoun in the playoffs. Their ability to perform in high-pressure situations will be tested once again against Bay City.
Key Players
Bay City’s offensive prowess is led by Alex Estrada, who has accumulated an impressive 284.8 total yards per game. His connection with receiver Xylan Williams (90.5 receiving yards per game) will be key in stretching the defense. Defensively, Jaden Malone’s 12.3 tackles per game and the team’s ability to sack opposing quarterbacks (0.6 sacks per game) will be crucial in containing La Vernia’s dynamic running game.
For La Vernia, much of the offense flows through Sean Garza, who has racked up 145.8 rushing yards per game. His ability to break tackles and find gaps in the defense will be vital in keeping Bay City’s offense off the field. On defense, Dedric Williams has been a standout with 9.2 tackles per game, and his leadership in the secondary will be tested by Bay City’s potent passing attack.
Team Stats Comparison
The statistical breakdown further highlights the contrasting strengths of these two teams. Bay City is far superior in passing, with 271.7 yards per game compared to La Vernia’s 79.3. However, La Vernia has the edge in rushing, with 299.9 yards per game compared to Bay City’s 133.2. Bay City also has a significant advantage in total offense, averaging 404.8 yards per game compared to La Vernia’s 379.2.
Defensively, Bay City has the upper hand in tackles (78.7 per game vs. 36.8) and sacks (0.6 vs. 0.2). This could prove critical in disrupting La Vernia’s offensive flow.
Head-to-Head Record
In the only head-to-head meeting this season, Bay City won decisively, 40-21, during their matchup on October 18. The scoreline reflected Bay City’s ability to stifle La Vernia’s offense, particularly in the first half, where they shut out the opposition 13-0 before allowing some late-game points. The game proved that Bay City’s offense was capable of executing at a high level and that their defense could handle La Vernia’s threats.
Playoff Implications
This playoff game represents a critical juncture for both teams as they look to make a deep run into the postseason. Bay City enters the game with an unblemished playoff record (3-0), while La Vernia has managed to win their playoff games with a perfect neutral-site record (3-0).
With both teams bringing their A-game into this matchup, the December 6 contest will likely come down to which team can impose its will. Will Bay City’s well-rounded offense and tough defense carry the day, or will La Vernia’s powerful running game and resilient playmaking ability propel them to an upset victory?
As the final whistle blows, both Bay City and La Vernia will have given it their all, but only one will advance. Fans of Texas high school football are in for a treat as these two formidable squads battle for a place in the next round of the playoffs.
