The Mergenthaler Vo-Tech varsity football team from Baltimore, MD, will host Frederick High School (Frederick, MD) in a home playoff game today at 6:30 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 Maryland High School Football Playoff Brackets: MPSSAA – 4A/3A tournament.
What: Maryland High School Football
Who: Mergenthaler Vo-Tech (LA) vs Frederick (LA)
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Where: Mergenthaler Vo-Tech High School
Bracket: 2024 Maryland High School Football Playoff Brackets: MPSSAA – 4A/3A
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
A Comparative Analysis: Frederick vs. Mergenthaler Vo-Tech Football Teams (2024-25 Season)
The 2024-25 football season has seen Frederick and Mergenthaler Vo-Tech (Mervo) deliver solid performances, showcasing their strengths and setting a competitive stage. Here’s a detailed look at how these two Maryland high school teams have fared so far, comparing rankings, records, scoring averages, and performances against common opponents.
Season Records and Rankings
- Frederick High School holds an overall record of 7-4 with a .636 win percentage. Despite their solid record, they have struggled slightly in regional play, recording a 3-4 region record (.429). Their strongest performances have come at home (5-1), but their away record is less impressive at 2-3. They’ve scored 326 points this season while allowing 233, reflecting a balanced, though not dominant, performance.
- Mergenthaler Vo-Tech (Mervo) boasts a stronger overall record of 9-2, with a notable .818 win percentage. The team has excelled in regional games, going 5-1 (.833) and remaining undefeated at home (4-0). On the road, Mervo has a solid 4-2 record and also claimed a neutral-site victory. They’ve showcased offensive dominance with 432 points scored while their defense has been equally impressive, conceding only 156 points.
Scoring Averages
Mervo’s scoring average clearly outshines Frederick’s. While Frederick averages 29.6 points per game, Mervo leads with a formidable 39.3 points per game, underscoring their offensive firepower.
For Frederick, their scoring is more consistent in the first three quarters but drops significantly in the fourth quarter, averaging only 3.0 points in Q4. This decline in the final quarter has likely impacted their ability to close tight games. In contrast, Mervo’s scoring consistency across all quarters solidifies their position as a well-rounded offensive unit.
Performance Against Common Opponents
Both teams faced Middletown during the season, with neither securing a victory:
- Frederick suffered a decisive loss on September 6, 2024, falling 46-6 on the road.
- Mervo, facing Middletown a week later on September 13, 2024, fared slightly better but still lost 28-6.
While both teams were outmatched by Middletown, Mervo demonstrated a stronger defensive effort, allowing fewer points.
Head-to-Head and Playoff Implications
Frederick and Mervo have not faced each other this season. However, both teams have excelled in playoff games, maintaining undefeated postseason records of 2-0. This sets the stage for a potential high-stakes matchup if their paths cross in the later rounds.
Key Strengths and Areas for Improvement
- Frederick:
- Strengths: Home-field advantage (5-1 record), balanced scoring across most quarters.
- Improvement: Fourth-quarter performance and away-game consistency.
- Mervo:
- Strengths: Offensive dominance (39.3 points/game) and strong defense (156 points allowed all season).
- Improvement: Limited room for improvement but slightly better away-game performances could further boost their standing.
Outlook
Mervo’s stronger overall record, higher scoring average, and better defensive stats give them an edge over Frederick this season. However, Frederick’s resilience and home-field strength could make them formidable opponents in a direct encounter. Both teams have showcased impressive talent, setting a high bar for Maryland high school football.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these teams capitalize on their strengths and address their weaknesses.
