The Loyola Academy varsity football team from Wilmette, IL, will face York High School from Elmhurst, IL, in a neutral playoff game on Saturday, November 30, at 7:00 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 Illinois High School Football Playoff Brackets: IHSA Class 8A tournament.
What: Illinois High School Football
Who: Loyola Academy (IL) vs York (IL)
When: Saturday, November 30, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Hancock Stadium
Bracket: 2024 Illinois High School Football Playoff Brackets: IHSA – Class 8A
Live stream: Watch here
York vs. Loyola Academy: A Statistical Showdown
The 2024-25 season has showcased two standout Illinois high school football teams: York and Loyola Academy. Both teams have identical 11-2 overall records, but a deeper dive into their statistics reveals nuanced differences in their performances. Here, we compare these teams based on their rankings, scoring averages, and key player contributions.
Rankings & Records
York:
- Overall Record: 11-2
- Conference Record: 4-2
- Home: 5-2 | Away: 5-0 | Neutral: 1-0
- Win Percentage: 84.6%
- Conference Win Percentage: 66.7%
- Points For: 412 | Points Against: 205
Loyola Academy:
- Overall Record: 11-2
- Conference Record: 3-0
- Home: 3-1 | Away: 5-1 | Neutral: 3-0
- Win Percentage: 84.6%
- Conference Win Percentage: 100.0%
- Points For: 401 | Points Against: 203
While both teams boast the same overall win percentage, Loyola Academy edges ahead in conference performance, remaining undefeated in their league games.
Team Scoring Averages
| Quarter | York | Loyola Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 11.5 | 8.0 |
| Q2 | 9.7 | 10.8 |
| Q3 | 9.5 | 6.2 |
| Q4 | 3.2 | 4.2 |
| Final | 31.7 | 30.8 |
York maintains a slight edge in total points per game (31.7 to Loyola’s 30.8). However, Loyola consistently outperforms in the second and fourth quarters, emphasizing their strong finishes.
Team Stat Comparison
| Stat | York | Loyola Academy |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 153.7 | Unavailable |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 182.4 | Unavailable |
| Receiving Yards Per Game | 173.9 | Unavailable |
| Total Yards Per Game | 336.1 | Unavailable |
| Tackles Per Game | 55.8 | Unavailable |
| Sacks Per Game | 1.5 | Unavailable |
| Points Per Game | 27.6 | 30.8 |
York’s offense shows a balanced approach, excelling in both rushing and passing. Their defensive stats also highlight a strong unit with 55.8 tackles and 1.5 sacks per game.
Key Players
York
- Rushing Yards Per Game: Drew MacPherson (#34) – 78.5
- Passing Yards Per Game: Ryan Fitzgerald (#15) – 147.2
- Receiving Yards Per Game: Drew MacPherson (#34) – 51.2
- Total Yards Per Game: Ryan Fitzgerald (#15) – 174.8
- Tackles Per Game: Charlie Daly (#14) – 6.8
- Sacks Per Game: Tommy Ghislandi (#18) – 0.4
- Points Per Game: Drew MacPherson (#34) – 8.3
MacPherson’s dual-threat ability in rushing and receiving, combined with Fitzgerald’s passing precision, make York’s offense dynamic and hard to predict.
Loyola Academy
While individual player stats for Loyola Academy were not detailed, their collective performances speak volumes, as evidenced by their undefeated conference record and balanced scoring.
Common Opponent: Glenbard West
- York (10/12/24): Win 24-14 (Away)
- Loyola Academy (9/7/24): Win 42-7 (Away)
Loyola Academy’s dominant 42-7 win over Glenbard West demonstrates their ability to overwhelm opponents, while York’s closer victory highlights resilience in tight contests.
Playoff Performance
Both teams are 4-0 in playoff games, showcasing their ability to rise to the occasion when stakes are highest. With neither team facing each other yet, a potential matchup could prove thrilling.
Conclusion
York and Loyola Academy have proven themselves as top contenders in Illinois high school football. York’s balanced offense and key player contributions contrast with Loyola Academy’s strong conference dominance and consistent scoring. Should these two teams face off, the clash would likely be a showcase of high-level football, with contrasting styles vying for supremacy.
