The Medford (MA) varsity football team will host a non-conference game against Waltham (MA) today at 6 p.m.

What: Massachusetts High School Football
Who: Medford (MA) vs Waltham (MA)
When: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Football Showdown: Waltham vs. Medford

The football season has been an exciting one for both Waltham and Medford, each with its own unique challenges and triumphs. With records of 4-5 and 5-4, respectively, both teams have showcased resilience and determination throughout the season. Let’s break down their performance in key areas, highlighting how these two teams have fared so far.

Team Records & Overall Performance

Waltham’s season has been a rollercoaster ride with a 4-5 overall record, including a tough 0-2 showing in league play. The team struggled on the road, finishing 0-5 in away games, but found success at home with a perfect 4-0 record. However, their defense has been a bit more porous, allowing 194 points throughout the season. Despite this, their offensive production, led by star player Noah Foy, has kept them competitive, averaging nearly 20 points per game.

Medford, on the other hand, has performed more consistently with a 5-4 record overall and a solid 4-2 league performance. Medford has found balance, achieving a respectable 2-1 home record and a 2-3 mark on the road. They have been slightly more effective in close games, allowing just 183 points across the season while putting up an average of 21 points per game.

Scoring Averages: A Tale of Two Halves

When it comes to scoring, the differences in the way both teams have managed to put points on the board are notable. Waltham has struggled at times, particularly in the first and third quarters, where they’ve averaged a meager 3.3 and 0 points, respectively. However, they come alive in the second and fourth quarters, averaging 1.8 and 1.8 points respectively, for a total of 19.8 points per game.

Medford, in contrast, has found more consistent scoring across all four quarters. While they too have a relatively slow start (0 points in the first quarter), they ramp up through the game, especially in the third quarter, where they average a solid 8.0 points. Medford ends up averaging 21.2 points per game, slightly higher than Waltham’s average.

Team Stat Comparison: Strengths & Weaknesses

In terms of overall yardage, Waltham has had a stronger rushing game, averaging 23.4 rushing yards per game. However, both teams struggle in terms of passing yards, with Waltham only averaging 17.3 passing yards per game. Waltham has also had better receiving numbers, with star player Noah Foy contributing 138 yards per game. Medford, by comparison, has not provided detailed passing or rushing stats, but their total yardage and scoring suggest a more balanced offensive approach.

Defensively, Waltham has had more tackles per game (5.0) and sacks per game (1.0) than Medford, whose defense has been less impressive in these categories. However, both teams have shown weaknesses in the defensive backfield, which has resulted in relatively high-scoring games.

Key Players to Watch

Waltham’s offense runs largely through Noah Foy, who leads the team in rushing (100 yards per game), receiving (138 yards per game), and total yards (238 yards per game). His contribution in terms of points is also significant, with Foy accounting for 18 points per game.

For Medford, while individual player statistics aren’t as fully detailed, their ability to balance scoring and defense has been key to their success. Medford will rely on their overall team strategy to pull off wins against tougher opponents, particularly in the passing game.

Head-to-Head & Looking Ahead

Although the two teams have yet to meet head-to-head this season, their differing records suggest that Medford may have the upper hand based on their more balanced and consistent performances, especially in league play. As both teams look to finish strong in the final weeks of the season, their respective home and away records will play a crucial role in determining their playoff hopes.

• Waltham: With a strong home field advantage and a potent offense led by Noah Foy, Waltham will look to finish strong and perhaps surprise opponents in key matchups.
• Medford: Having found success in both home and away games, Medford will continue to rely on its balanced offense and strong defensive play to secure victories down the stretch.

Conclusion

In what has been an up-and-down season for both teams, the final stretch will likely see Waltham and Medford battling for playoff positioning. Waltham will need to improve its consistency, especially on the road, while Medford must continue its strong play in league matchups. The outcome of their respective seasons will depend on which team can elevate its performance across all facets of the game—offense, defense, and special teams.

With both teams showcasing potential for a postseason run, the final weeks of the season promise exciting matchups.