The Liberty-Eylau (Texarkana, TX) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against Malakoff (TX) on Friday, December 6, at 7 p.m. at Tyler-Rose Stadium. This game is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 3A Division 1 tournament.

Liberty-Eylau vs Malakoff Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Liberty-Eylau vs Malakoff
When: Friday, December 6, 2024
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 3A D1
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Liberty-Eylau vs Malakoff

As the Texas high school football season nears its climax, two powerhouse teams—Malakoff and Liberty-Eylau—have stood out for their stellar performances. Both teams boast impressive records and high-scoring offenses, making their upcoming matchup one to watch. Here’s a deep dive into the stats, rankings, and head-to-head comparison of these two teams.

Team Overview

Malakoff (24-25) is currently ranked #62 in Texas and #24 in its state division. The team has been virtually unbeatable, finishing the regular season with an undefeated 13-0 record. They also excelled in their district, posting a 6-0 record. On the field, Malakoff has been a scoring machine, averaging 50.4 points per game while allowing only 141 total points all season. Their overall dominance is reflected in their perfect record across all games, including a flawless 7-0 record at home.

Liberty-Eylau (24-25), on the other hand, has had an outstanding campaign of its own, earning a #163 rank in Texas and #72 in its state division. With an 11-2 record, including a 5-1 district record, Liberty-Eylau has proven to be a formidable opponent. They have averaged 43.2 points per game but have faced a slightly tougher schedule, with some close games, including a 35-34 loss to Jefferson. Their offense has been impressive, with a high passing game, led by standout quarterback Trip Baysinger, who averages over 240 yards per game.

Scoring & Offensive Comparison

Malakoff‘s offense is particularly potent in the early quarters of the game. They average 16.3 points in the first quarter and 16.4 in the second, demonstrating their ability to quickly seize control of a game. However, their scoring slows down in the second half, with 10.4 points in the third quarter and 7.3 in the fourth. Despite this, their early-game dominance has allowed them to consistently build and hold large leads.

In comparison, Liberty-Eylau has had a more varied scoring pattern, with notable success in the third quarter, where they average 23.6 points per game. This late-game surge is part of why their record is so strong, as they have consistently been able to outpace opponents after halftime. Their overall average of 47.1 points per game is slightly less than Malakoff’s, but their ability to execute in crucial moments makes them a dangerous opponent.

Team Stat Comparison

Looking at team stats, Malakoff holds a slight edge in rushing yards per game (283.1) over Liberty-Eylau’s 236.5, thanks to a strong running game led by Jason Tennyson. On the other hand, Liberty-Eylau is stronger in the passing game, with 257.2 passing yards per game, outpacing Malakoff’s 190.2. This distinction highlights the contrasting styles of the two teams—Malakoff leans on a potent ground game, while Liberty-Eylau relies more on their aerial attack.

Both teams have strong overall yardage numbers, with Malakoff averaging 473.2 total yards per game and Liberty-Eylau 493.7. Liberty-Eylau’s high passing output contributes significantly to their higher total yardage. Defensively, Liberty-Eylau averages 88.7 tackles per game compared to Malakoff’s 60.8, a stat that may reflect their more aggressive defensive strategy.

Key Players to Watch

For Malakoff, the standout player is Jason Tennyson, who averages 120.5 rushing yards per game. His physical style of running has been a crucial factor in the team’s success this season. Additionally, quarterback Mike Jones has been exceptional, with an average of 181.5 passing yards per game. His leadership and ability to execute under pressure have made him a key part of Malakoff’s balanced offensive attack.

For Liberty-Eylau, Trip Baysinger is the star, leading the team with 246.2 passing yards per game. His connection with receivers, including Dequane Prevo, has been a hallmark of the Liberty-Eylau offense. Prevo himself has accumulated 137.2 receiving yards per game, further strengthening their high-powered passing game. Maliki Stephens, a defensive leader with 11.1 tackles per game, will be pivotal in trying to slow down Malakoff’s offense.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Both teams have faced common opponents this season, with Malakoff posting a perfect 4-0 record against these teams, including a dominant 53-6 win over Commerce and a 62-13 victory over Tatum. Liberty-Eylau, while also successful, has a 3-1 record against these same teams, including a close 35-34 loss to Jefferson. However, Liberty-Eylau did manage to defeat Tatum 36-26 and Winnsboro 56-49, proving their resilience in tough matchups.

Record Breakdown

• Malakoff: 13-0 overall, 6-0 in league play, 7-0 at home, 5-0 away.
• Liberty-Eylau: 11-2 overall, 5-1 in league play, 6-0 at home, 5-2 away.

Malakoff’s perfect record stands as a testament to their dominance across both home and away games, while Liberty-Eylau’s only losses came in close contests, showcasing their ability to compete at a high level.

Conclusion

The upcoming clash between Malakoff and Liberty-Eylau is shaping up to be a high-octane affair, with both teams boasting powerful offenses and strong leadership. Malakoff’s perfect record and dominant early-game scoring put them in a strong position, but Liberty-Eylau’s resilience and ability to thrive in the second half cannot be overlooked. Football fans can expect a thrilling matchup between these two talented teams, each striving to make a statement in the postseason.