The Loris (SC) varsity football team will host Keenan (Columbia, SC) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 29, at 7:30 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class AAA tournament.

Loris vs Keenan Football Game Info:

What: South Carolina High School Football
Who: Loris vs Keenan
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM
Bracket: 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class AAA Football
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Game preview: Loris vs Keenan

The upcoming high school football showdown between Keenan and Loris promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams bringing impressive records and dynamic playstyles to the table. Let’s break down the teams’ rankings, key statistics, and leaders to preview what fans can expect from this exciting match-up.

Keenan: A Solid Season with Balanced Attack

Keenan enters this game with an 8-4 overall record, showcasing a strong performance throughout the season. With a 2-2 record in region play, the team has had their fair share of challenges but has also shown resilience, especially on the road with a 6-1 home record. Despite a rough start to the season with a 0-1 neutral-site loss, Keenan has displayed solid offensive and defensive capabilities.

On offense, Keenan’s scoring average of 33.5 points per game is impressive, especially with their late-game performance, averaging 16.0 points in the fourth quarter. This suggests that the team has the ability to make crucial adjustments and come from behind when necessary.

Keenan’s offense is balanced, featuring:

• Hunter O’Neal with 89.3 rushing yards per game, a key figure in the backfield.
• Desmond Washington, who leads the team with 232.4 passing yards per game, providing a steady aerial attack.
• Tyheim McNeil, a reliable target with 94.9 receiving yards per game and the team’s leading scorer, averaging 12.7 points per game.

Defensively, Keenan’s tackling is consistent, averaging 62.1 tackles per game. Darius Dixon stands out with 10.8 tackles per game, leading the defense in stopping plays and setting the tone for the defensive line.

Loris: Dominant on Both Sides of the Ball

Loris, with a remarkable 10-1 overall record, has been nearly perfect this season. A flawless 5-0 in region play and a dominant 6-0 record at home demonstrate their ability to perform under pressure. Their offense is explosive, scoring an average of 36.0 points per game, with a strong first-half performance, averaging 24.4 points across the first two quarters.

Offensively, Loris is led by several standout players:

• Makel Stephens, who averages 71.3 rushing yards per game, offers balance to the offense.
• Zamire “Moon” Gerald, a dynamic receiver, leads the team with 144.2 receiving yards per game and 157.8 total yards per game.
• Quantez Dyson contributes heavily with an average of 47.8 receiving yards per game, adding depth to their passing attack.

While Loris’ offense has been prolific, their defense is also formidable, with Landon Conner making 8.0 tackles per game and Javon Johnson contributing with 0.8 sacks per game. The defense allows only 104 points across the entire season, showing just how difficult it has been for opponents to score against them.

Key Match-Up Breakdown

When comparing team stats, Loris has the edge in several categories:

• Rushing yards per game: Loris averages 183.5 yards, outpacing Keenan’s 159.3 yards.
• Passing yards per game: Keenan leads with 232.4 yards compared to Loris’ 118.0 yards, but Loris’ rushing attack compensates for their lower passing total.
• Total yards per game: Keenan leads with 391.8 yards, while Loris averages 301.5 yards per game.

In terms of scoring, both teams are highly effective, but Loris has been slightly more consistent in scoring throughout the game. Keenan’s strong fourth-quarter performances may be crucial if they fall behind, but they’ll need to limit Loris’ explosive first-half offense to stay competitive.

Conclusion

This match-up between Keenan and Loris is set to be a battle of two very different teams, each with its own strengths. Keenan’s ability to pass the ball efficiently and make second-half adjustments will be tested by Loris’ powerful rushing attack and stingy defense. The game will likely come down to whether Keenan can capitalize on their passing game and hold off Loris’ physical running attack. With both teams bringing solid performances to the field, fans can expect a hard-fought, high-energy contest that could go down to the wire.