The Lunenburg (MA) varsity football team will host a non-conference game against Ayer Shirley (Ayer, MA) today at 12 p.m.

What: Massachusetts High School Football
Who: Lunenburg (MA) vs Ayer Shirley (MA)
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Ayer Shirley vs. Lunenburg Football: A Rivalry of Contrasting Seasons

As the 2024 football season continues, the Ayer Shirley and Lunenburg high school teams are heading into their matchup with different records and recent histories. These two Massachusetts teams will square off for the second time this season, following their previous meeting in early October, where Lunenburg emerged victorious with a 22-16 win over Ayer Shirley.

Team Records and Performance

• Ayer Shirley (24-25):
  The Ayer Shirley team has had a mixed season with a record of 3-6 overall and 1-4 in league play. Their performance has been better at home, with a 3-2 record, but they’ve struggled away with a 0-4 record. In total, they have scored 154 points while allowing 239. Their overall win percentage is .333, and in league play, it drops to .200.
• Lunenburg (24-25):
  Lunenburg’s season has been difficult, as they sit with a 2-7 overall record and 0-3 in league play. Their home record is 1-4, while their away record is slightly worse at 1-3. Lunenburg has scored 101 points and allowed 236 throughout the season, with a win percentage of .222 and a league win percentage of .000.

Game History and Recent Matchup

In their most recent game on October 4, 2024, Ayer Shirley faced Lunenburg in an away non-conference game. Lunenburg triumphed with a 22-16 victory. Both teams showed signs of struggle, but Lunenburg’s ability to close out the game led to their win.

Team Scoring Averages

When it comes to scoring, both teams have had issues putting up consistent numbers. Here’s a breakdown of their scoring across the four quarters:

• Ayer Shirley Scoring Averages:
  • Q1: 2.7
  • Q2: 2.7
  • Q3: 4.7
  • Q4: 0
  • Final: 17.1 points per game
• Lunenburg Scoring Averages:
  • Q1: 0
  • Q2: 1.5
  • Q3: 2.0
  • Q4: 0
  • Final: 11.2 points per game

Ayer Shirley has had a more balanced offensive performance across the first three quarters, especially in the third quarter where they average nearly 5 points. However, their inability to score in the fourth quarter has been a significant issue. On the other hand, Lunenburg has struggled to score consistently throughout the game, especially in the opening quarter where they have yet to put up any points on average.

Record Breakdown and Head-to-Head History

• Ayer Shirley:
  • Overall Record: 3-6
  • League Record: 1-4
  • Home Record: 3-2
  • Away Record: 0-4
  • Playoff Record: 0-0
• Lunenburg:
  • Overall Record: 2-7
  • League Record: 0-3
  • Home Record: 1-4
  • Away Record: 1-3
  • Playoff Record: 0-0

In terms of head-to-head performance, Ayer Shirley has the upper hand, with a 1-0 record against Lunenburg in their past encounters. They also lead in the category of common opponents, with a 3-2 record at home compared to Lunenburg’s 1-4.

Conclusion

This matchup between Ayer Shirley and Lunenburg presents an intriguing contrast. Ayer Shirley, despite a rough overall record, has had a slightly more competitive season and will be looking for redemption after their loss to Lunenburg. Meanwhile, Lunenburg continues to search for their first league win and will need to find a way to improve their offensive consistency if they hope to challenge Ayer Shirley on their home turf.

As the game approaches, both teams will need to address their scoring woes and find ways to finish stronger, particularly in the final quarters. With both teams having struggled with consistency, this game will likely be a closely contested battle, with the outcome potentially hinging on whichever team can hold it together in the final stretch.