The Chapin (El Paso, TX) varsity football team will play a neutral playoff game against Memorial (Wichita Falls, TX) on Friday, November 15, at 5:00 PM. This game is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships, Conference 5A Division 2 tournament.

Memorial vs Chapin Football Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Memorial vs Chapin
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 5:00 p.m.
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Game preview: Memorial vs Chapin

As the high school football season heats up, two of the top teams in the area—Memorial and Chapin—are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting matchup. Both teams have had strong seasons, but with contrasting styles and impressive individual performances, this game is set to be a thrilling contest.

Team Overview

Memorial (24-25 Season)
Memorial enters this game with an impressive overall record of 8-2, showcasing a dominant performance throughout the season. Their district record stands at 5-1, reflecting their strong presence in the league. With a win percentage of .800 and a district win percentage of .833, Memorial has proven to be one of the most consistent teams this year. Offensively, Memorial is averaging 45.3 points per game, with a well-balanced attack that combines a powerful rushing game with a dynamic passing offense. Memorial’s offense is led by Kenji Johnson, who has been a standout player, contributing both in rushing yards (159.6 yards per game) and total yards (181.8 yards per game).

Chapin (24-25 Season)
Chapin, on the other hand, has a solid record of 6-4, with a district record of 6-2. They have been strong contenders, especially in league play, with a district win percentage of .750. While Chapin’s offense averages 38.1 points per game, just behind Memorial’s high-scoring unit, their game strategy leans heavily on the passing attack. Chapin’s quarterback Evan Rivera has put up impressive numbers this season, averaging 237.0 passing yards per game. With a strong offensive line and skillful receivers, Chapin will be looking to exploit Memorial’s defense.

Offensive and Defensive Comparisons

Both teams have shown offensive power, but their strengths lie in different areas.

• Rushing Offense: Memorial dominates in rushing yards, averaging 254.0 yards per game, led by their star running back Kenji Johnson. In comparison, Chapin averages 170.4 rushing yards per game, making their rushing attack less potent.
• Passing Offense: Chapin excels in the passing game, with Evan Rivera leading the charge, racking up 253.3 passing yards per game. Memorial has also shown strength in the air, averaging 199.7 passing yards per game, with Joe Castles contributing 160.2 yards per game.
• Total Offense: Memorial leads in total yards per game, with 453.7 compared to Chapin’s 423.7. Memorial’s offensive balance makes them a formidable opponent on both the ground and through the air.
• Defensive Play: Both teams are evenly matched when it comes to tackles per game, with Memorial averaging 64.1 tackles per game, just slightly behind Chapin’s 64.2. However, Chapin has the edge in sacks, averaging 2.8 sacks per game, while Memorial averages just 1.4 sacks per game.

Key Players to Watch

• Memorial’s Key Player:
  Kenji Johnson is the player to watch for Memorial. His ability to both rush and contribute in the receiving game makes him a dual-threat that Chapin will have to game-plan for. With 159.6 rushing yards per game and 19.2 points per game, Johnson’s presence on the field is a game-changer.
• Chapin’s Key Player:
  Evan Rivera will be the key to Chapin’s offensive success. With his 237.0 passing yards per game, Rivera has shown the ability to move the ball effectively through the air, and his connection with wide receivers like Brent Hallman Jr. will be crucial to Chapin’s chances of keeping pace with Memorial.

Scoring and Statistics Breakdown

When it comes to scoring, Memorial has shown more consistency in putting points on the board, especially in the second half. Memorial averages 14.9 points in the fourth quarter, while Chapin averages 10.5 points. Memorial’s ability to finish strong could make a significant difference in a close game.

• Memorial’s Scoring Average:
  • Q1: 11.3
  • Q2: 9.7
  • Q3: 8.4
  • Q4: 14.9
  • Total Points per Game: 45.3
• Chapin’s Scoring Average:
  • Q1: 14.0
  • Q2: 11.3
  • Q3: 10.0
  • Q4: 10.5
  • Total Points per Game: 38.1

Head-to-Head Breakdown

While both teams have had strong performances this season, Memorial’s superior overall and district records give them the slight edge. Memorial’s 8-2 record compared to Chapin’s 6-4 suggests that Memorial has been the more dominant team throughout the season. However, Chapin’s strong district play and solid road record (4-1) show that they are capable of competing at a high level, particularly away from home.

Conclusion

This game is shaping up to be an exciting showdown between two high-caliber teams. Memorial’s well-rounded offense, spearheaded by Kenji Johnson, will look to overpower Chapin’s defense, while Chapin’s explosive passing game led by Evan Rivera will aim to challenge Memorial’s defense. With both teams boasting strong performances on both sides of the ball, fans can expect a thrilling contest that could go down to the wire. The winner of this game will likely gain an upper hand as they head into the playoffs, making this matchup even more crucial for both squads.

Final Prediction: Memorial’s balanced offense and strong finish to games give them a slight advantage, but Chapin’s ability to air it out could make this a closer contest than expected. Look for Memorial to edge out Chapin in a high-scoring affair.