The Clearwater Central Catholic (Clearwater, FL) varsity football team will host Lakeland Christian (Lakeland, FL) in a home playoff game today at 7:30 p.m. This matchup is part of the “2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – 1A FHSAA Football” tournament.

Lakeland Christian vs Clearwater Central Catholic High School Football Game Info:

What: Florida High School Football
Who: LCHS vs CCCHS
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Time: 7:30pm.
Bracket: 2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – 1A FHSAA Football
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Lakeland Christian vs Clearwater Central Catholic

Tonight, Clearwater Central Catholic (Clearwater, FL) will host Lakeland Christian (Lakeland, FL) in a highly anticipated playoff matchup at 7:30 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 FHSAA Football State Championships in the 1A division. Both teams have had stellar seasons, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.

Records and Rankings

Lakeland Christian comes into the game with an impressive 10-1 record, having dominated their district with a 6-0 home record and 4-1 away record. With a strong .909 win percentage, they are coming off a season where they outscored opponents 430 to 140, averaging 39.1 points per game. They have proven themselves as one of the top contenders in the 1A class.

Clearwater Central Catholic, on the other hand, is 10-2 overall and boasts a .833 win percentage. With a perfect 5-0 record at home, they have shown their resilience both at home and on the road. Their offense has been a force to be reckoned with, scoring 491 points and averaging 40.9 points per game. Their defense has been solid too, allowing just 154 points throughout the season.

Team Scoring Breakdown

Both teams have explosive offenses. Lakeland Christian scores an average of 39.1 points per game, with a potent attack that averages 376.8 total yards per game. Their rushing game, led by Aaron Truedell (82.9 yards per game), is strong, while quarterback Brody Brenneman has been key to their aerial attack, averaging 142.7 passing yards per game.

Clearwater Central Catholic, however, is slightly ahead in scoring, averaging 40.9 points per game. They are particularly strong in the running game, with Nasir Hutchinson (81.5 rushing yards per game) leading the charge. Their passing game, orchestrated by Jershaun Newton, averages 147.0 yards per game, with Newton also contributing as a dual-threat quarterback.

Team Stat Comparison

In terms of total yards per game, Clearwater Central Catholic holds a slight advantage with 405.9 yards per game, compared to Lakeland Christian’s 376.8. Both teams are solid defensively, with Clearwater Central Catholic averaging 70.3 tackles per game and Lakeland Christian posting 83.3 tackles per game. However, Clearwater Central Catholic’s defensive line has been slightly more effective, with 2.6 sacks per game compared to Lakeland Christian’s 2.1.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced off against similar opponents this season, with Clearwater Central Catholic holding a 2-0 record against common opponents and Lakeland Christian at 1-1. Clearwater Central Catholic defeated Carrollwood Day 45-0 in their most recent meeting, while Lakeland Christian suffered a loss to the same team earlier in the season. In another matchup, Clearwater Central Catholic won 42-7 against Northside Christian, a team that Lakeland Christian also defeated 41-19.

Key Players to Watch

• Lakeland Christian:
  • Aaron Truedell (Running back): A key part of their rushing attack with 82.9 yards per game.
  • Brody Brenneman (Quarterback): Leads the passing game with 142.7 yards per game.
  • Joshua Bellamy Jr. (Wide receiver): Has been a standout with 8.7 points per game.
• Clearwater Central Catholic:
  • Nasir Hutchinson (Running back): Leads the team with 81.5 rushing yards per game.
  • Jershaun Newton (Quarterback): An all-around star who averages 147.0 passing yards and is crucial to their high-powered offense.
  • Johnny Richardson (Defensive player): A key defensive leader with 7.2 tackles per game.

Game Outlook

As both teams have shown throughout the season, this is a matchup between two powerful offenses and stout defenses. The game will likely come down to which team can execute its game plan more effectively. Lakeland Christian has been dominant all season, but Clearwater Central Catholic’s explosive offense and solid home record make them a formidable opponent.

With both teams aiming for a spot in the next round of the 2024 FHSAA Football State Championships, fans can expect a fast-paced, high-energy game. Will Lakeland Christian’s strong running game and defensive prowess prevail, or will Clearwater Central Catholic’s high-scoring offense and home-field advantage be enough to secure a victory?

Tune in tonight at 7:30 p.m. for what promises to be an exciting playoff showdown at Clearwater Central Catholic.