The Mangham (LA) varsity football team will host West St. John (Edgard, LA) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division IV Non-Select tournament.

What: Louisiana High School Football
Who: Mangham (LA) vs West St. John (LA)
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Mangham High School
Bracket: 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division IV Non-Select
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

West St. John vs. Mangham: A Comparative Breakdown

As the high school football season progresses, two Louisiana teams—West St. John and Mangham—are making waves with strong performances. Both teams have impressive records, but each brings its own strengths and playing style to the table. Here’s a detailed look at how these two squads compare based on various statistics, team leaders, and their head-to-head performance.

Overall Performance

West St. John comes into the season with a 7-3 overall record, marking a solid performance with a .700 win percentage. Their district record of 2-2 indicates they have had a few bumps in the road within their league but have been dominant in non-district games. The team has scored a total of 366 points and allowed 181 points throughout the season, indicating a balanced offense and defense.

Mangham, on the other hand, boasts an 8-3 overall record, with a .727 win percentage. They’ve been particularly strong in district play, finishing 5-2. Mangham has accumulated 413 points while giving up just 174, showing that their offense is high-powered, and their defense has been effective in limiting opponents’ scoring.

Scoring Averages

One of the key differences between these two teams is their scoring consistency.

• West St. John averages 36.6 points per game, with their strongest quarters being the first and third. They score an average of 12.4 points in the first quarter and 13.2 in the third, while their offense tapers off a bit in the second and fourth quarters (8.4 points each).
• Mangham, however, has a slightly higher average of 37.5 points per game. Their scoring is more evenly distributed, with 3.5 points in the first quarter, 7.5 points in the second and fourth quarters, and 7.0 in the third.

Offensive and Defensive Comparisons

When comparing the two teams’ statistics on offense and defense:

• Rushing Yards: West St. John dominates the ground game with 175.8 rushing yards per game, led by #24 Kalon Gardner, who averages 103.8 yards per game. Mangham doesn’t feature rushing statistics in this breakdown.
• Passing Yards: Mangham leads in passing yards with 105.3 yards per game, with their quarterback, #3 Jayce Farnell, averaging 117.4 total yards per game.
• Receiving Yards: West St. John also takes the lead here, with #6 Chance Bovie leading the team with 39.4 receiving yards per game.
• Total Yards: Both teams are highly efficient in terms of total yards per game. West St. John averages 281.5 total yards, while Mangham is just behind at 281.5 yards per game.
• Tackles and Sacks: West St. John’s defensive standout is #1 Joradae Grows, who leads the team with 11.3 tackles per game and 0.5 sacks per game.

Team Leaders

West St. John’s Key Players:

• Kalon Gardner: A dynamic force on the ground, Gardner is crucial to the team’s rushing attack, amassing over 100 yards per game.
• Jayce Farnell: A dual threat, Farnell is central to the team’s passing and total yardage, averaging over 100 yards passing per game.
• Chance Bovie: A strong target in the passing game, Bovie helps balance the offense.
• Joradae Grows: The defensive leader, Grows excels with tackles and sacks, making him a key factor in stopping opponents.

Mangham’s Key Players:

• Jayce Farnell: As both a quarterback and a total yardage leader, Farnell is vital for the team’s success in both the passing and rushing departments.
• Defensive Playmakers: While no specific leaders are highlighted for defense in the provided data, Mangham’s solid performance suggests a well-rounded defensive squad.

Head-to-Head

Both teams have faced common opponents during the season, including East Iberville. In their respective games, both West St. John and Mangham came out on top:

• West St. John defeated East Iberville 52-32 on October 4, 2024, while Mangham won 63-28 when they played on November 15, 2024.

This shared victory against a common opponent gives both teams a similar benchmark, reinforcing their status as formidable contenders in their respective districts.

Home and Away Performance

Both teams have solid home records:

• West St. John: 5-1 at home and 2-2 on the road.
• Mangham: 4-1 at home and 4-2 away, showing they can win on the road.

Both teams have demonstrated strong resilience, whether at home or away, which will be crucial as they prepare for postseason play.

Conclusion

As the season continues, Mangham and West St. John are both poised for strong playoff runs. West St. John’s ground game and defensive leadership are key assets, while Mangham’s balanced offense and solid district play give them an edge in close matchups. With similar records and shared successes against common opponents, both teams are positioned to make an impact in Louisiana high school football. It will be exciting to see how these squads perform in the coming weeks, especially in a potential postseason clash.