A Comprehensive Comparison: Lee vs. Graham Football Teams (2024-2025 Season)

As the 2024-2025 high school football season progresses, the Lee and Graham football teams have shown some intriguing contrasts in performance and statistics. Let’s take a deeper look into how these two teams have fared, particularly in terms of records, individual player stats, and their encounters with common opponents.

Overall Record and Performance

• Lee: The Lee football team finished the season with a 5-5 overall record, marking an even split between wins and losses. In their region, Lee ended with a 2-4 record, showing struggles in conference play. Their offense managed to score 265 points, but they allowed 267 points over the course of the season, which indicates a close, but slightly negative, scoring differential.
• Graham: On the other hand, Graham had a standout year, finishing 10-0 overall, making them the clear front-runner in their division. They went undefeated in both their region (5-0) and non-league games (5-0). Their offensive firepower was evident as they scored 349 points, while allowing only 61 points, showcasing a dominant defense and potent offense.

Team Scoring Averages

In terms of scoring averages, both teams exhibit unique trends:

• Lee: The Lee team struggled to find consistency in their scoring across the quarters, with a final average of 26.5 points per game. Their performance was especially weak in the first three quarters, averaging 0 points in the first, second, and third quarters combined. They would often rally late in games but could not consistently build a lead.
• Graham: In stark contrast, Graham’s offense was well-balanced throughout the game. Averaging 34.9 points per game, they scored an impressive 7.0 points in the first quarter, steadily increased their scoring through the third (8.4 points), and finished strong in the fourth with 14.2 points. Their consistent offensive attack was one of the driving forces behind their undefeated season.

Statistical Comparison: Key Metrics

When comparing the teams’ stats across several categories, it’s clear that Graham has the edge in most areas:

• Rushing Yards: Lee averaged -0.8 rushing yards per game, which suggests they likely struggled in this area or were often forced to pass. Graham did not report rushing yard statistics but seemed to find other ways to dominate offensively.
• Passing Yards: Lee averaged 45.6 passing yards per game, with Brynnen Pendergraft leading the team with 456.0 total passing yards. Graham, however, averaged more passing yards, with Pendergraft also leading the team in passing stats (51.6 yards per game).
• Receiving Yards: Lee’s top receiver, Karder Pendergraft, managed 190.0 receiving yards, while Graham also found success with their receiving game, averaging 40.1 receiving yards per game.
• Tackles and Sacks: Both teams had standout defensive players. Jarron Shuler from Lee averaged 6.0 tackles per game, while Chase Pearce led in sacks with 1.0 sack per game. Graham’s defense was tough as well, though detailed stats weren’t provided for them.

Head-to-Head: Lee vs. Graham

While Lee and Graham didn’t directly compete in the 2024-2025 season, both teams faced Union as a common opponent. Lee faced Union away on 8/30/24 and suffered a 47-0 loss, whereas Graham defeated Union at home on 9/20/24 in a narrow, hard-fought contest, 7-6. This head-to-head comparison suggests that Graham had a much stronger showing against common opponents.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Lee: The Lee team demonstrated resilience with a balanced offense and decent defensive efforts but struggled in key areas such as rushing and overall consistency. They showed moments of promise but couldn’t always capitalize on their late-game performances.
• Graham: Graham’s flawless record speaks to their strength on both sides of the ball. Their consistent offensive output, paired with a stout defense, allowed them to dominate their opponents. The team managed to avoid significant weaknesses and were highly efficient across the board.

Conclusion: The Case for Graham’s Dominance

Based on the available data from the 2024-2025 season, Graham clearly outshines Lee in terms of overall performance, scoring, and efficiency. Their undefeated record, strong statistics, and decisive victories make them the clear frontrunner in their region. On the other hand, Lee will look to improve their consistency and find ways to balance their offensive and defensive units to compete at a higher level next season. While both teams showed competitive spirit, Graham’s dominance this season leaves them in a class of their own.