The Seneca varsity football team (Tabernacle, NJ) will play a neutral-site playoff game against Mainland Regional (Linwood, NJ) today at 6 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 New Jersey High School Football Playoff Brackets for NJSIAA Group 3.

Mainland Regional vs Seneca Football Game Info:

What: New Jersey High School Football Playoffs
Who: Mainland Regional vs Seneca
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m.
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Game preview: Mainland Regional vs Seneca

The upcoming football game between Mainland Regional and Seneca promises to be an exciting match-up, with both teams bringing impressive records to the table. Let’s break down the details of these teams’ performances this season, their strengths, and what we can expect when they face off.

Team Overview

Mainland Regional (8-3, 1-3 League)
Mainland Regional has had a strong season, finishing with an overall record of 8-3. However, their performance in league games has been a bit more mixed, with a 1-3 league record. Despite the league struggles, Mainland Regional has dominated in non-league games, posting a solid 5-0 record. With a strong offensive showing, averaging 27.8 points per game, Mainland has proven to be a formidable opponent. Their defense has also been resilient, allowing just 173 points across the season.

Seneca (8-3, 4-1 League)
Seneca, like Mainland Regional, has finished their regular season with an 8-3 record. However, their league performance has been significantly stronger, with a 4-1 record against divisional rivals. Seneca has managed to put up 217 points on the board, averaging 19.7 points per game, while allowing 183 points. Their ability to dominate in the league, finishing with an impressive 4-1 league record, shows they are a tough competitor in their division.

Scoring and Offensive Breakdown

Looking at the scoring averages for both teams, we see a distinct difference in how the two teams spread their points across the game:

• Mainland Regional:
  • Q1: 1.8
  • Q2: 2.5
  • Q3: 7.8
  • Q4: 5.8
  • Final: 27.8

Mainland Regional tends to heat up in the second half of the game, especially in the third quarter, where they score an average of 7.8 points per game. This suggests they make strong adjustments and are capable of explosive performances after halftime.

• Seneca:
  • Q1: 2.6
  • Q2: 1.4
  • Q3: 5.2
  • Q4: 4.2
  • Final: 19.7

Seneca, on the other hand, has a more consistent scoring spread but tends to score most of their points in the first and third quarters. Their ability to perform well early in the game could be key in setting the pace and maintaining control throughout.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced off against Hammonton this season, with similar outcomes:

• Mainland Regional: Defeated Hammonton 37-6 on 9/6/24 at home.
• Seneca: Also defeated Hammonton 41-7 on 10/10/24 at home.

The fact that both teams managed to easily defeat Hammonton suggests they are relatively well-matched when it comes to handling lower-tier teams. This shared opponent gives us some insight into their overall strength and suggests that when these two teams meet, it could be a competitive and hard-fought battle.

Head-to-Head Record

Neither Mainland Regional nor Seneca has played against each other this season, so their head-to-head record stands at 0-0. However, when we look at their respective performances, it’s clear that both teams are evenly matched, with their 8-3 overall records and solid performances in non-league play. The game is shaping up to be an exciting matchup where both teams will be looking to establish themselves as the superior squad.

Playoff Potential

Both Mainland Regional and Seneca have been successful in the playoffs this year, with undefeated records of 2-0 each. This further highlights their ability to perform under pressure and succeed in high-stakes games. Given their playoff success, it’s clear both teams are playoff-caliber and will bring their best effort to this upcoming contest.

Final Thoughts

As the game draws near, expect a high-energy, competitive matchup between two teams with a lot to prove. Mainland Regional will rely on their second-half surge to outscore their opponents, while Seneca will look to maintain control early in the game. With similar records and strong showings against common opponents, this game will be a thrilling contest that will surely captivate high school football fans. Both teams will be looking to finish their regular seasons on a high note, and we can expect a game full of passion, strategy, and excitement.