The Lamesa Tornadoes (4-6) varsity football team will face off against the River Road Wildcats (4-6) from Amarillo, TX in a home playoff game on Thursday, November 14 at 7:00 PM. The game will take place at Frenship High School and is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 3A Division 1 tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Lamesa vs River Road
When: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 3A D1
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Game preview: Lamesa vs River Road

As the 2024-2025 football season unfolds, both River Road and Lamesa have faced their share of challenges and successes. With similar overall records and contrasting performances in district play, these two teams offer an intriguing comparison. Below, we break down their season stats, rankings, and key matchups.

Overall Records & District Performance

• River Road: The team has posted a 4-6 overall record, with a disappointing 0-3 performance in district play. Their offensive struggles have been evident, scoring an average of just 18.9 points per game. At home, they’ve managed a 2-3 record, while their away games have been equally challenging (2-3). Despite a positive showing in non-league games (4-3), their district performance remains a significant hurdle.
• Lamesa: Also finishing with a 4-6 overall record, Lamesa has a starkly different district record. They boast a perfect 3-0 district record, signaling dominance in their competitive league. Their offense has been high-powered, averaging 38.7 points per game. Despite a subpar 2-3 home record, they have shown resilience on the road (2-3) and dominance in district games.

Offensive and Defensive Comparison

• Scoring Averages:
  • River Road has struggled to put up consistent points, averaging 18.9 points per game, with significant drops in production during the second half. They manage a decent first quarter (10.5 points), but their scoring slows down drastically in the second (5.7 points) and third quarters (2.5 points). Even in overtime, they average just 7.0 points.
  • Lamesa, by contrast, has been a much stronger offensive team, putting up 38.7 points per game. They’re most effective in the first (13.0 points) and third quarters (10.0 points), with solid performances throughout the game.
• Team Stat Comparison:
  • Rushing Yards: River Road averages 252.8 yards per game, significantly outperforming Lamesa’s 158.3 yards per game.
  • Passing Yards: Lamesa has been the more dominant team in the air, averaging 248.2 passing yards per game compared to River Road’s 32.5.
  • Receiving Yards: Lamesa edges River Road here as well, averaging 246.5 yards compared to 36.3 for River Road.
  • Total Yards: Lamesa significantly outgains River Road in total yards per game, posting an average of 406.5 yards versus River Road’s 285.3 yards.
• Defensive Strength:
  • River Road averages 58.8 tackles per game, while Lamesa’s defense has struggled, averaging just 45.4 tackles per game. The sack comparison is even more lopsided, with River Road averaging 1.5 sacks per game compared to Lamesa’s 0.2 sacks per game.

Key Players

• River Road:
  • Alex Warren: A standout on offense, Warren has been the focal point, rushing for 106.7 yards per game and contributing 136.9 total yards per game.
  • Dadrian Wallace: Known for his receiving ability, Wallace averages 28.2 receiving yards per game.
  • Elijah Urias: Leading the team in tackles with 11.3 per game, Urias has been a key defensive presence.
• Lamesa:
  • Benito Barrioz: Lamesa’s primary rusher, Barrioz leads the team with 118.2 yards per game.
  • Daniel Ramos: The team’s top passer, Ramos has been highly effective, averaging 248.2 passing yards per game.
  • Cylius McCurley: A major threat in the receiving game, McCurley averages 128.6 yards per game.

Head-to-Head Matchup

• River Road vs. Lamesa (9/27/24): In their most recent meeting, Lamesa defeated River Road with a 42-35 victory. River Road’s lone victory against common opponent Tulia (29-13) contrasts with Lamesa’s 42-35 loss to Tulia, showing how these teams performed in similar matchups.

Record Breakdown

• River Road: With a 4-6 overall record, River Road has had a challenging season, with struggles in district play (0-3). Their performance outside of the district has been better, but inconsistency on offense has hindered their overall success.
• Lamesa: On the other hand, Lamesa’s perfect 3-0 district record highlights their strong showing within their competitive league, despite their overall 4-6 record. Their offense has been a major strength, with big contributions from key players like Ramos and McCurley.

Conclusion

While both River Road and Lamesa share similar overall records, their paths this season have been quite different. River Road has struggled with scoring and consistency, particularly in district play, while Lamesa’s offense has been a bright spot. Lamesa’s perfect district record and strong offensive showing give them the edge heading into the remainder of the season, while River Road will need to improve in several key areas to be competitive in their league. The season ahead will be crucial for both teams, as they seek to turn their fortunes around and finish strong.