The Woodward Academy varsity football team (College Park, GA) will host a home playoff game against Lovejoy (GA) on Friday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m. at Woodward Academy. This game is part of the 2024 Georgia High School Football Playoff Brackets for GHSA Class 5A.
Lovejoy vs Woodward Academy High School Football Game Info:
What: Georgia High School Football
Who: Lovejoy vs Woodward Academy
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:30p p.m.
Bracket: 2024 Georgia High School Football Playoff Brackets: GHSA – Class 5A
Live stream: Watch here
Game Preview: Lovejoy vs Woodward Academy
This Friday, November 15, Woodward Academy will face off against Lovejoy High School in the first round of the 2024 Georgia High School Football Playoffs (GHSA Class 5A). Woodward Academy (7-3) boasts a perfect 7-0 record in their region, while Lovejoy (5-5) fought through their season with a .500 win percentage. Here’s a look at how the two teams stack up going into this high-stakes matchup.
Rankings & Records
Woodward Academy enters this game with a stronger record and ranking than Lovejoy. Woodward is currently ranked 55th in Georgia and 13th in Class 5A, while Lovejoy ranks 150th in the state and 30th in the same class. Woodward’s performance this season has been dominant, especially in regional play, where they finished undefeated.
Woodward Academy (7-3)
- Region Record: 7-0
- Home Record: 3-2
- Away Record: 4-1
- Points For: 307
- Points Against: 134
Lovejoy (5-5)
- Region Record: 4-3
- Home Record: 4-1
- Away Record: 1-4
- Points For: 164
- Points Against: 173
Scoring Averages
Woodward has demonstrated a high-powered offense, averaging 30.7 points per game, while Lovejoy’s offense averages 16.4 points. Woodward tends to score heavily in the first three quarters, averaging 8.0 points in the first quarter, 9.7 in the second, and 9.6 in the third, with a slight dip in the fourth quarter. Lovejoy, on the other hand, is most effective in the fourth quarter, where they average 5.3 points.
Offensive and Defensive Stats Comparison
Woodward Academy has a balanced attack, with strong rushing and passing performances. They average 64.5 rushing yards and 226.4 passing yards per game, totaling about 290.9 yards each game. Lovejoy relies heavily on their passing game, averaging 189.8 yards through the air per game, driven largely by quarterback Landon Walker, who is a key playmaker for the team.
- Rushing Yards Per Game: Woodward (64.5), Lovejoy (team leader Walker with 36.9)
- Passing Yards Per Game: Woodward (226.4), Lovejoy (Walker with 189.8)
- Receiving Yards Per Game: Woodward (226.4), Lovejoy (Abdullah with 66.0)
- Tackles Per Game: Woodward (60.6), Lovejoy’s leading tackler, Elijah Lyles, averages 7.6 per game
Key Players to Watch
For Lovejoy, quarterback Landon Walker stands out with his versatility and playmaking ability. He contributes significantly to the offense, leading in both passing and rushing yards per game. Receiver Josiah Abdullah, who averages 66 receiving yards per game, will also be a primary target to watch.
Woodward Academy, meanwhile, has shown depth across both offense and defense, with players who contribute consistently to their balanced approach. Their defense has been particularly strong, allowing just 134 points across ten games this season.
Prediction and Implications
Woodward Academy’s advantage in both offense and defense makes them the favorite for this matchup. Their strong regional record and ability to control scoring through the early quarters put pressure on Lovejoy to adapt quickly if they hope to contend. Lovejoy’s best chance lies in executing big plays through Walker and Abdullah to break through Woodward’s defense.
This playoff game promises to be an exciting clash, especially as both teams fight for a chance to move forward in the GHSA Class 5A tournament.
