The Laurel (MT) varsity football team is set to play a neutral-site playoff game against Billings Central Catholic (Billings, MT) today at 1 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 Montana High School Football Playoff Brackets: MHSA Class A tournament.

Laurel vs Billings Central Catholic Football Game Info:

What: Montana High School Football
Who: Laurel vs Billings Central Catholic
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 1 PM
Bracket: 2024 Montana High School Football Playoff Brackets: MHSA – Class A
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Game preview: Laurel vs Billings Central Catholic

The highly anticipated football playoff matchup between Billings Central Catholic and Laurel promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams have proven themselves as top contenders this season. Billings Central Catholic, with an impeccable 11-0 record, enters the game as the top seed in the state, having dominated their competition all year long. Laurel, at 9-2, has been no slouch either, finishing strong with an 8-1 record against common opponents.

Team Overview

Billings Central Catholic boasts a perfect record, dominating both at home (7-0) and away (4-0). Their explosive offense has averaged 39.8 points per game, with balanced scoring across all four quarters. The team has been particularly strong in the first half, outscoring opponents 27.2 points by halftime, and have kept their opponents’ scoring at a minimum, allowing just 96 points all season.

On the other hand, Laurel enters the game with a solid 9-2 record, including a 7-2 regional mark. While their scoring has been slightly lower than Billings Central Catholic’s (33.2 points per game), Laurel has displayed resilience, particularly in close games. They have a powerful offense, with a well-rounded attack that includes 188.5 rushing yards per game and 171.5 passing yards per game.

Key Players

For Billings Central Catholic, the standout player is Howie Martin, who leads the team in passing with 133.8 yards per game and total yards with 149.2 per game. Jack Debourg has been a consistent force on the ground, averaging 75.1 rushing yards per game. Defensively, Layne Alexander is the leader in tackles with 8.0 per game.

Laurel’s key player is Curtis Fox, a dynamic running back who averages 109.5 yards per game. Quarterback Krew Hunter has also been a significant contributor with 161.6 passing yards per game and 208.1 total yards per game. On the defensive side, Luke Knaub and Steele Nagel will need to step up and contain Billings Central Catholic’s high-powered offense.

Previous Meeting

The two teams previously met on September 20, 2024, with Billings Central Catholic emerging victorious, winning 31-7. In that game, Billings Central Catholic controlled the second half, scoring 14 unanswered points in the final quarter to secure the win. Billings Central Catholic’s defense limited Laurel to just seven points, and their offense was able to capitalize on several key opportunities.

Statistical Comparison

Looking at the season averages, Billings Central Catholic has a slight edge in several categories. Their offense has been more efficient, with 331.5 total yards per game compared to Laurel’s 359.9, which suggests that Laurel has had a slightly higher yardage output despite scoring less. However, the difference in scoring – 37.6 points per game for Billings Central Catholic versus 34.3 for Laurel – could be a crucial factor in this high-stakes playoff matchup.

Common Opponents

Both teams have shared several common opponents, and the results show that both have had success. Billings Central Catholic has defeated teams like Dawson County, Havre, and Lockwood, while Laurel has also earned victories over these same teams, although with slightly tighter margins. The comparison of these common games highlights the strength of both teams, as they have consistently outplayed their competition.

Playoff Implications

This neutral-site playoff game is crucial for both teams, with the winner advancing deeper into the tournament. Billings Central Catholic is riding high on their perfect season, but Laurel has the potential to cause an upset, given their balanced attack and tough defense.

Both teams have proven themselves in the regular season and will now have to prove it on the playoff stage. The outcome of this game will likely depend on which team can execute their game plan most effectively – for Billings Central Catholic, that means maintaining their offensive tempo and shutting down Laurel’s key playmakers, while for Laurel, the goal will be to break through the Billings defense and find success on both the ground and in the air.

Conclusion

With both teams bringing powerful offenses and tough defenses to the table, this playoff matchup between Billings Central Catholic and Laurel is set to be a classic. Fans can expect a hard-fought, high-energy game, with every play likely to have significant implications. Whether Billings Central Catholic can maintain their undefeated streak or Laurel can pull off an upset remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure – this will be a game to remember.