The New Albany varsity football team from New Albany, MS, will play Louisville, MS, in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7:00 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Mississippi High School Football
Who: Louisville vs New Albany
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Bracket: 2024 Football Championships – 4A
Live Stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Louisville vs. New Albany

In a thrilling playoff matchup, the Louisville Wildcats (11-1) will face off against the undefeated New Albany Bulldogs (11-0). Both teams have been dominant throughout the season, with New Albany posting a perfect record and Louisville coming in with only one loss. This promises to be an exciting and closely contested game, with both teams boasting high-powered offenses and solid defenses.

Season Recap: Louisville Wildcats

• Record: 11-1
• District Record: 4-0
• Points For/Against: 412 PF, 151 PA
• Scoring Average: 34.3 points per game

Louisville enters the game as the more battle-tested team with one loss on the season. They have been impressive offensively, averaging over 34 points per game. They have a well-rounded attack, with both rushing and passing games contributing to their offensive output. The Wildcats’ defense has been solid, allowing only 151 points on the season, showcasing their ability to shut down opposing offenses.

Key Performances:

• Offense: Louisville’s offense is led by Zaiden Jernigan, a powerful running back with over 100 yards per game, and quarterback Xavier Hunt, who averages over 100 passing yards per game.
• Defense: The Wildcats’ defense is led by Corxavier Coleman, who is averaging 10.4 tackles per game. They will need to step up against a potent New Albany offense.

Season Recap: New Albany Bulldogs

• Record: 11-0
• District Record: 4-0
• Points For/Against: 375 PF, 144 PA
• Scoring Average: 34.1 points per game

New Albany has been one of the top teams all season, finishing the regular season undefeated. Their offense has been dynamic, particularly in the passing game, where Braden Shettles has been one of the state’s top quarterbacks. Their defense has also been strong, allowing only 144 points on the year. The Bulldogs will look to continue their winning ways as they head into this tough playoff game.

Key Performances:

• Offense: New Albany’s offense is centered around quarterback Braden Shettles, who has thrown for over 180 yards per game. Dedric Robinson Jr. is a dual-threat player who contributes both in the running and passing games.
• Defense: Parker Skinner has been a leader on the defensive side, averaging 6.8 tackles per game. They will need to stop Louisville’s high-scoring offense if they hope to remain undefeated.

Head-to-Head:

• Louisville and New Albany have not faced each other this season, but both have defeated common opponents.

Common Opponents:

• Greenwood:
  • Louisville: Won 30-0 on October 31, 2024.
  • New Albany: Won 25-12 on November 8, 2024.
• North Pontotoc:
  • Louisville: Won 35-0 on November 8, 2024.
  • New Albany: Won 50-14 on October 18, 2024.

Both teams have defeated these common opponents with commanding victories, but New Albany’s offense has been particularly dominant in these matchups.

Team Stat Comparison

Louisville has the edge in rushing yards and overall tackles, while New Albany excels in passing and receiving yards. Both teams have similar offensive scoring averages.

Key Players to Watch

• Louisville:
  • Zaiden Jernigan (Rushing yards per game): Jernigan is the workhorse of Louisville’s offense and will need to have a strong game to open up the passing attack.
  • Xavier Hunt (Passing yards per game): Hunt provides balance to the offense and will need to connect with Kameron Triplett in the passing game.
  • Corxavier Coleman (Tackles per game): Coleman is a force on defense and will be key in stopping New Albany’s explosive offense.
• New Albany:
  • Braden Shettles (Passing yards per game): Shettles is the key to New Albany’s offense and will need to perform well to keep Louisville’s defense on its heels.
  • Dedric Robinson Jr. (Rushing/Receiving yards per game): Robinson is a versatile player who will need to contribute in both the running and passing games to keep the offense balanced.
  • Parker Skinner (Tackles per game): Skinner leads New Albany’s defense and will be tasked with shutting down Louisville’s high-powered offense.

Keys to Victory

For Louisville:

1. Control the Ground Game: Louisville’s strength is their rushing attack. By controlling the clock and running the ball effectively, they can limit New Albany’s offensive opportunities.
2. Balanced Offense: Louisville needs to establish both the run and pass to keep New Albany’s defense guessing.
3. Defensive Playmaking: With players like Corxavier Coleman and Tayquon McKinney, Louisville will need to make key stops and apply pressure on Shettles.

For New Albany:

1. Exploit the Passing Game: New Albany’s passing attack is one of their biggest strengths. Braden Shettles will need to distribute the ball effectively to his receivers, especially Dedric Robinson Jr.
2. Contain the Run: Stopping Louisville’s potent running game will be critical. New Albany’s defense must step up to avoid being dominated on the ground.
3. Make Big Plays: New Albany thrives on big plays. They will need to take advantage of opportunities for explosive gains, especially through the air.

Prediction:

This matchup is extremely close, as both teams are well-balanced and have proven themselves throughout the season. However, New Albany’s undefeated record and high-powered passing game give them a slight edge. Louisville’s ground game and defense will keep them competitive, but New Albany’s offensive firepower should be enough to secure the win.