The Lake Country Christian varsity football team (Fort Worth, TX) will play a neutral playoff game against Shelton (Dallas, TX) on Friday, November 15, at 7:00 PM at FWISD Handley Field. This matchup is part of the TAPPS 2024 High School Football Playoff in the TAPPS Division III tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Lake Country Christian vs Shelton
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 6A D1
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Game preview: Lake Country Christian vs Shelton

As the season progresses, the match-up between Shelton and Lake Country Christian promises to be a thrilling encounter. Both teams have made notable strides, and their records reveal the intensity of their respective campaigns.

Overall Records and Performance

Shelton enters this matchup with a solid overall record of 7-3, including a 3-2 district performance. This shows their strong performance in both home and away games, with a perfect 5-0 home record. The team boasts an impressive 70% win percentage, with a district win rate of 60%. Their offensive game has been potent, putting up 408 points this season, while their defense has allowed 209 points.

Lake Country Christian, with a 5-5 record, has had a more balanced season. Their district record stands at 2-2, and while their overall win percentage is 50%, they have been less dominant on the road, holding a 1-3 away record. Their scoring has been relatively lower, with 253 points scored against 281 allowed over the course of the season.

Scoring Averages

Looking at their scoring, Shelton has been more consistent and high-powered, averaging 40.8 points per game across all quarters. The team performs strongly in the first and third quarters, with averages of 10.3 and 12.2 points, respectively. However, they seem to struggle in the fourth quarter, with only 2.8 points.

Lake Country Christian, on the other hand, averages just 25.3 points per game. Their scoring has been more erratic, with a significant drop in the third quarter (3.4 points), but they finish strong with 6.9 points in the fourth. Despite their lower scoring average, they have managed to keep most games close.

Key Team Stats

In terms of team statistics, Shelton outpaces Lake Country Christian in several categories. They average 336.1 rushing yards per game, a clear strength of their offense. Their total yardage per game stands at 359.4, which is higher than Lake Country Christian’s offensive output. Shelton also excels in points per game, averaging 40.4, while Lake Country Christian scores 40.4 fewer points per game at 25.3.

On the defensive side, Shelton averages 33.2 tackles per game, with 1.5 sacks per game, indicating a robust defense. In contrast, Lake Country Christian has not posted comparable stats in rushing, passing, or receiving yards, and they have yet to record a significant number of defensive metrics like sacks and pancake blocks.

Individual Player Leaders

Shelton’s standout player is Taylor Ogden, who leads the team with 216.2 rushing yards per game and contributes an impressive 20.4 points per game. Other key players include Heston Dios, with 23.3 passing yards per game, and Owen Myers, with 8.7 receiving yards per game.

Lake Country Christian’s player leaders are less pronounced, but they will look to leverage their roster’s potential to create an upset. The team’s ability to control the ball and manage key moments in the game will be critical.

Common Opponents and Record Breakdown

Both teams have faced Pantego Christian, and their outcomes highlight the contrasting paths each team has taken. Shelton lost to Pantego Christian 20-14, while Lake Country Christian defeated them 21-13, showcasing a slight edge for Lake Country Christian in head-to-head comparisons.

When breaking down their records, Shelton has dominated in non-league games (4-1) and maintained a strong home record. Lake Country Christian, while more competitive at home (4-2), has struggled on the road (1-3).

Conclusion

Shelton heads into this matchup with a significant advantage based on their offensive output and overall performance this season. However, Lake Country Christian has demonstrated resilience, and if they can capitalize on Shelton’s occasional struggles, especially in the fourth quarter, they could challenge the odds. Both teams will need to focus on their strengths, with Shelton looking to control the game offensively and Lake Country Christian focusing on a solid defensive strategy to limit Shelton’s explosive plays.

As the game approaches, all eyes will be on whether Lake Country Christian can pull off the upset or if Shelton will continue their dominant run.