The Liberty Christian (Argyle, TX) varsity football team will host St. Thomas Catholic (Houston, TX) for a home playoff game on Saturday, November 30, at 5:00 PM. This game is part of the “TAPPS 2024 High School Football Playoff – TAPPS Division I” tournament.

Liberty Christian vs St. Thomas Catholic Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Liberty Christian vs St. Thomas Catholic
When: Saturday, November 30, 2024
Bracket: TAPPS 2024 High School Football Playoff – TAPPS Division I
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Liberty Christian vs St. Thomas Catholic

As we look ahead to a highly anticipated matchup between St. Thomas Catholic and Liberty Christian, the statistics and past performances paint an exciting picture for this competitive contest. Both teams have had impressive seasons, with Liberty Christian standing out with an undefeated district record, while St. Thomas Catholic has had a strong showing, despite a more mixed overall record.

Team Overview

St. Thomas Catholic enters the game with a 7-5 overall record, boasting a solid 5-2 district record. The team has faced challenges on the road, with a 3-3 away record, but they’ve been formidable at home, winning four of their six home games. With 368 points scored and 239 points allowed, they maintain an average of 30.7 points per game. Their offense has been driven by their passing game, with 235.3 passing yards per game, and they average 370.2 total yards per game. Defensively, they average 65.6 tackles per game.

On the other hand, Liberty Christian has been one of the most dominant teams in their district this season. With a 10-1 overall record and a perfect 6-0 district record, they’ve been unstoppable in conference play. Their impressive scoring offense has been a key factor in their success, averaging 50.1 points per game. Liberty Christian excels in all aspects of the game, totaling 424.4 yards per game with a balanced attack: 180.7 rushing yards and 243.6 passing yards per game. On defense, they are not far behind St. Thomas Catholic, with 58.6 tackles per game.

Key Players to Watch

For St. Thomas Catholic, the standout players include:

• Wells Granger, who leads the team with 46.6 rushing yards per game.
• Roy Thomas Jenkins, contributing 157.1 passing yards per game.
• Nate Tidwell, who is the team’s leading receiver with 80.6 receiving yards per game.
• Pierce Jacobson, who has accumulated 169.3 total yards per game, showing his all-around ability to impact the game.

Liberty Christian counters with some outstanding players of their own:

• Chase Garnett, leading the team with 124.4 rushing yards per game.
• Quinn Murphy, a star in the air, averaging 232.3 passing yards per game.
• Jaylon Hawkins, who has 88.2 receiving yards per game.
• Cj Witten, a key defensive presence with 8.9 tackles per game.

Scoring & Team Stats Comparison

While both teams boast high-scoring offenses, Liberty Christian has been especially dominant in putting up points. Their average of 50.1 points per game dwarfs St. Thomas Catholic’s 30.7 points per game. Liberty Christian’s ability to generate explosive plays, especially in the first two quarters, where they score an average of 16.1 and 22.0 points respectively, has given them an edge this season.

St. Thomas Catholic, by contrast, has a more balanced attack with a solid offensive game but tends to be more methodical, scoring 8.5 points in the first quarter and 10.4 in the second. They struggle somewhat in the third and fourth quarters, scoring just 5.6 and 4.6 points respectively. Liberty Christian’s ability to sustain their momentum late in games, despite a slight dip in scoring in the third and fourth quarters, is a testament to their depth and overall game management.

Common Opponents and Head-to-Head Performance

Both teams have faced off against Trinity Christian, and both have emerged victorious. St. Thomas Catholic secured a 31-19 win at home on November 15, while Liberty Christian dominated their matchup, defeating Trinity Christian 56-0 at home on September 27. This common opponent serves as a reference point for the level of competition each team has faced.

Playoff History and Record Breakdown

As we analyze their performance breakdown, Liberty Christian has the upper hand in terms of overall consistency and dominance in district play. With a 6-0 district record, they’ve remained undefeated in league play, while St. Thomas Catholic’s 5-2 district record highlights their solid but less dominant performance within their conference.

In terms of their playoff performances, St. Thomas Catholic holds a 2-0 record, while Liberty Christian boasts a 1-0 playoff record this season.

Conclusion

This matchup is shaping up to be an exciting clash between two strong football teams. Liberty Christian’s high-scoring offense and undefeated district run make them the favorites heading into the game. However, St. Thomas Catholic’s solid team dynamics and experienced players will provide a challenge that Liberty Christian must overcome. With both teams eager to showcase their talents, this game promises to deliver thrilling football action.