The Millry (AL) varsity football team will face McKenzie (AL) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs in the 1A division. Both teams are vying for a spot in the next round of the postseason.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Alabama High School Football
Who: McKenzie vs Millry
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs – 1A
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: McKenzie vs. Millry: A Playoff Clash in the 2024 AHSAA 1A Tournament
On Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m., McKenzie (AL) and Millry (AL) will meet in a neutral-site playoff game as part of the 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs in the 1A division. With both teams eager to advance, this matchup promises to be an exciting contest, highlighting each team’s strengths and playoff aspirations.
McKenzie: A Dominant Force
McKenzie enters this playoff game with a stellar 10-1 overall record and a 6-1 mark in region play. The team has been dominant, particularly in their home games, where they remain undefeated at 5-0. With an impressive win percentage of .909 and a region percentage of .857, McKenzie has shown they can perform under pressure. They’ve outscored their opponents 523 to 234, averaging a staggering 47.5 points per game, with their scoring concentrated in the first half, where they average 44 points per game (20 in the first quarter and 24 in the second). This explosive offense will be a key factor as they face Millry in the postseason.
Millry: Battling with Determination
Millry, with a 7-4 overall record and a 5-2 region mark, has had a solid season, though they face a tough challenge against the high-powered McKenzie squad. The team has proven its resilience, posting a strong 4-2 record on the road. Their offense averages 37.6 points per game, though they’ve been more effective in the first half of games (18.2 points per game in the first two quarters). Millry will need to capitalize on their scoring opportunities early to keep pace with McKenzie’s high-scoring offense.
Key Stats: The Battle of Offense and Defense
McKenzie has been a juggernaut offensively, with 523 points scored over the season and a potent first-half attack. Their average of 47.5 points per game is a testament to their offensive depth and playmaking ability. Millry, while not as explosive, has shown they can score effectively, especially in the first half, and will need to find ways to extend drives and maintain possession against McKenzie’s aggressive offense.
Defensively, Millry will need to step up to slow down McKenzie’s high-flying attack. McKenzie’s defense has allowed just 234 points, while Millry has allowed 125 points across the season. Millry’s ability to keep McKenzie’s scoring in check, especially in the second half, will be crucial in this playoff matchup.
The Road Ahead
This game represents a key opportunity for Millry to prove they can compete with the region’s best, while McKenzie looks to continue their dominant playoff run. With both teams bringing different strengths to the table—McKenzie’s offensive firepower and Millry’s steady, balanced play—the game will come down to which team can execute when it matters most. As the 2024 AHSAA 1A Football Playoffs unfold, all eyes will be on this thrilling contest between two determined teams.
As the 2024-2025 high school football season winds down, two competitive teams from Alabama’s Class 2A are preparing for a crucial matchup: McKenzie and Millry. Both programs have had successful seasons, and this game promises to be an exciting contest, as both teams are eager to make a statement in the postseason.
Team Rankings and Records
McKenzie (24-25):
- Overall Record: 10-1
- League Record: 6-1
- Non-League Record: 3-0
- Home Record: 5-1
- Away Record: 5-0
- Points For (PF): 517
- Points Against (PA): 192
Millry (24-25):
- Overall Record: 7-4
- League Record: 5-2
- Non-League Record: 1-2
- Home Record: 3-2
- Away Record: 4-2
- Points For (PF): 411
- Points Against (PA): 232
McKenzie enters this game with an impressive 10-1 record, having dominated in both region play and non-region contests. Their only loss came in region play, but they have been virtually unstoppable at home and on the road, with a perfect 5-0 record in away games. McKenzie has scored a high number of points, averaging over 47 points per game, thanks to a high-powered offense.
Millry, with a 7-4 overall record, has had a solid season, though they have been more inconsistent compared to McKenzie. They have a strong 5-2 record in league play, but their non-league results show some vulnerability. Millry has managed to secure impressive victories, especially in their home games, but their 4-2 away record shows they are competitive on the road as well.
Offensive Strengths: Scoring and Yardage
McKenzie:
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 212.4
- Passing Yards Per Game: 204.4
- Receiving Yards Per Game: 202.7
- Total Yards Per Game: 416.8
- Points Per Game: 47.0
McKenzie’s offense has been potent this season, averaging 416.8 total yards per game. They are balanced, with a strong rushing game (212.4 yards per game), but they can also attack through the air with 204.4 passing yards per game. Their ability to spread the field and exploit different areas of the defense has been key to their success, and they are scoring at a rate of 47 points per game, showing they are capable of putting up big numbers in any given contest.
Millry:
- Rushing Yards Per Game: N/A
- Passing Yards Per Game: N/A
- Receiving Yards Per Game: N/A
- Total Yards Per Game: N/A
- Points Per Game: N/A
While detailed statistics for Millry are not available, their overall offensive productivity has been good enough to earn them a 7-4 record. Their offense is versatile, having been able to score 411 points throughout the season, which equates to an average of 47 points per game, comparable to McKenzie’s offensive output. Their ability to score large amounts of points will be put to the test against a tough McKenzie defense.
Key Players to Watch
McKenzie:
- Ayden Willsey (Rushing Yards Per Game): Willsey has been a key part of McKenzie’s offensive success, averaging 97.4 rushing yards per game. His ability to find gaps in the defense will be crucial in establishing the ground game early.
- Quay Jackson (Passing Yards Per Game): Jackson has been a versatile playmaker, throwing for 200.7 yards per game. His ability to manage the offense through the air will be critical to keeping Millry’s defense on its toes.
- Skylar Sanders (Receiving Yards Per Game): Sanders has been a reliable target in the passing game, averaging 82.2 yards per game. His performance will be essential in maintaining balance in McKenzie’s offense.
- Lajayvius Crittenden (Tackles Per Game): As a leader on defense, Crittenden’s ability to make stops will be vital in slowing down Millry’s offensive attack.
Millry:
- While specific leaders for Millry are not listed, their balanced team effort on both sides of the ball has been key to their success. Millry will need to rely on a strong, cohesive team performance to compete with McKenzie’s high-powered offense.
Head-to-Head and Common Opponents
Both teams share a common opponent in Shields, and both managed to defeat them decisively this season. McKenzie defeated Shields 50-0 on September 27, 2024, while Millry earned a 65-0 victory over Shields on October 11, 2024. This common result shows that both teams are capable of dominating weaker opponents, but it remains to be seen who can assert their dominance in this matchup.
Conclusion
This game between McKenzie and Millry is shaping up to be a fascinating contest between two teams with solid records and powerful offenses. McKenzie comes into the game as the more dominant team, with a 10-1 record and an explosive offense that can strike quickly. Millry, while a bit more inconsistent, has had a strong season and will look to prove that they can compete with the best in Class 2A.
For McKenzie, it will be about maintaining their offensive output and playing solid defense to shut down Millry’s attack. For Millry, it will be about finding ways to limit McKenzie’s offensive explosion while executing their own game plan efficiently.
As both teams head into the postseason with high hopes, this game will be a key test for both programs. With McKenzie’s balanced offense and Millry’s resilience, fans can expect an exciting, high-energy game where every play could make a difference.
