The Louise Hornets (4-6) varsity football team will face off against the La Villa Cardinals (6-3) in a neutral playoff game on Thursday, November 14, at 7:00 PM. The game will take place at Freer Buckaroo Stadium and is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships for the 2A Division 2 tournament.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Louise vs La Villa
When: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 2A D2
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Game preview: Louise vs La Villa
As the 2024-2025 football season progresses, La Villa and Louise have been standout teams in their respective divisions. Both squads have had their share of ups and downs, but the numbers reveal key trends and strengths that will shape their upcoming games. Let’s break down the season performance, statistics, and head-to-head comparison of these two Texas teams.
La Villa’s Strong Record
La Villa enters the season with a solid overall record of 6-3. This performance includes an unbeaten district record of 4-0, which positions them as the team to beat in their league. With an impressive 66.7% win rate overall, they’ve demonstrated consistent play on both offense and defense, scoring 268 points while allowing just 132 across their nine games.
The team’s offensive attack has been potent, averaging nearly 30 points per game, with their strongest quarter being the fourth, where they average 8.8 points per game. Their rushing game is particularly strong, averaging 140.1 yards per game, spearheaded by standout running back Andrew Gonzalez who racks up an average of 98.8 yards per game. The passing game, led by quarterback Isaiah Felix, contributes an additional 59.4 yards per game.
Defensively, La Villa has also been effective. They average 33.1 tackles per game and 1.1 sacks per game, putting pressure on opposing offenses and keeping their scoring to a minimum. These stats highlight La Villa’s balanced approach to the game, excelling in both offense and defense.
Louise’s Challenges and Struggles
On the other hand, Louise’s season has been more challenging, with a 4-6 overall record. Their district performance mirrors this difficulty, with a 2-3 record in league play. Their offense has struggled to keep pace, averaging just 15.8 points per game, with no quarter yielding a particularly strong performance. Their highest-scoring quarter is the second, but even then, they average only 1.8 points per game.
The offense has managed 147.2 rushing yards per game and 76.0 passing yards, while their defense averages just 57 tackles per game and 0.4 sacks per game. These numbers indicate a team that’s had trouble stopping opponents from scoring, as reflected by their 305 points allowed across ten games.
One bright spot for Louise is their top players: running back Lake Wadsworth, who leads with 67.4 rushing yards per game, and quarterback Conner Gonzalez, who has thrown for 75.2 passing yards per game. Despite these individual efforts, the team has struggled to put together a complete performance.
Head-to-Head Comparison
When La Villa and Louise have faced off against common opponents this season, both teams have seen success. They each hold a 1-0 record against shared adversaries, with notable wins against Woodsboro. La Villa defeated Woodsboro 57-28 on October 11, 2024, while Louise edged them out 35-28 on September 28, 2024. This head-to-head victory suggests both teams have the potential to perform well against similar competition, but La Villa’s dominance in their other games indicates a stronger overall team performance.
Key Players to Watch
For La Villa, keep an eye on Andrew Gonzalez, who leads the team in rushing yards with nearly 99 yards per game. Quarterback Isaiah Felix has also been a key player, not only in passing but in total yardage with an average of 172.7 yards per game.
Louise’s standout players include Lake Wadsworth, who leads their rushing game with 67.4 yards per game, and Conner Gonzalez, who has been solid in the passing game with 75.2 yards per game.
Looking Ahead
With the remainder of the season in focus, La Villa seems poised to continue their dominance in district play, especially given their strong performance both offensively and defensively. Louise, however, will need to address their scoring issues and defensive gaps if they want to turn around their season and make a push for the playoffs.
Overall, La Villa’s 6-3 record and undefeated district performance make them a formidable opponent, while Louise, despite a rocky 4-6 record, still has the potential to surprise if they can find consistency in their play. Both teams will need to refine their strategies, with La Villa aiming to extend their dominance and Louise looking to bounce back from their struggles.
