The Mercedes (TX) varsity football team will face Alamo Heights (San Antonio, TX) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7:00 PM. This matchup is part of the “2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – Conference 5A Division 2” tournament.

Mercedes vs Alamo Heights Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Mercedes vs Alamo Heights
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 5A D2
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Game preview: Mercedes vs Alamo Heights

As the playoffs heat up, the undefeated Alamo Heights team faces off against the Mercedes Tigers in a clash that highlights two programs with contrasting strengths and paths to success. With both teams bringing unique skill sets to the field, let’s break down the numbers behind this exciting matchup.

Season Performance

• Alamo Heights: Boasting an impeccable 11-0 record, the Mules have dominated both district and non-league play, maintaining a perfect home and away record. Their impressive point differential (513 PF, 184 PA) underscores a well-rounded team that excels in both offense and defense.
• Mercedes: With an 8-3 record, Mercedes has had a strong season as well, particularly in district play (4-1). The Tigers’ scoring (379 PF, 245 PA) highlights a potent offense that can pose problems for opponents, although their defense has been less dominant than Alamo Heights.

Team Averages

• Offensive Output:
  Mercedes leads the way in total offensive yardage, averaging 428.3 yards per game, driven by a robust rushing attack (276.5 YPG). Comparatively, Alamo Heights averages 195.9 yards per game, relying on a balanced approach but trailing significantly in raw offensive production.
• Defensive Strength:
  Alamo Heights has been stingy on defense, giving up fewer points overall and relying on a disciplined tackling unit led by Ryan Stetson (8.2 tackles per game). Mercedes, while producing higher tackle numbers per game (107.4), has conceded more points this season.

Key Players

• Alamo Heights:
  • Dk Garza (#21): The dual-threat playmaker leads his team with 128.3 rushing yards and 147.1 total yards per game, contributing 14.6 points per contest.
  • Robert Mickler (#15): A consistent passer, Mickler averages 116.0 passing yards per game, providing a steady presence in the pocket.
  • Ryan Stetson (#11): Anchoring the defense, Stetson’s tackling prowess makes him a critical component of the Mules’ game plan.
• Mercedes:
  • Robert Sanchez (#1): A standout athlete, Sanchez leads the Tigers with 151.2 rushing yards and 168.5 total yards per game, scoring an average of 15.6 points.
  • Aaron Cortez (#21): A dependable passer with 105.0 passing yards per game, Cortez complements Sanchez’s rushing dominance.
  • Jose Del Angel (#62): With 21 pancake blocks, Del Angel provides elite offensive line play to fuel the Tigers’ high-powered rushing attack.

Head-to-Head and Outlook

This will be the first meeting between the two programs this season, with no common opponents to draw comparisons. Alamo Heights enters the game with momentum from an undefeated season and a playoff win, while Mercedes, with an 8-3 record, looks to lean on its explosive offense to counter the Mules’ disciplined defense.

Prediction

The game could come down to which team controls the pace. If Mercedes can establish their rushing attack early, Alamo Heights may find themselves playing from behind, a position they have rarely been in this season. However, if the Mules’ defense continues to stymie opposing offenses, their balanced attack could carry them to victory.

Final Score Prediction: Alamo Heights 31, Mercedes 24

This matchup promises to deliver drama, highlighting the strengths of two well-coached teams in their quest for playoff glory.