The Maplesville (AL) varsity football team will face Millry (AL) in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 22. This exciting matchup is part of the “2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs – 1A” tournament, where both teams will battle for a chance to advance further in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Alabama High School Football Playoff
Who: Millry vs Maplesville
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs – 1A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Maplesville vs. Millry

The 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs are heating up, and an exciting neutral-site game awaits as Millry (AL) takes on Maplesville (AL) on Friday, November 22. Both teams have proven their talent throughout the season, making this 1A playoff matchup a must-watch as they battle for a chance to advance further in the postseason.

Millry: A Solid Season with Strong Road Performance

Millry enters the game with an 8-4 overall record, showcasing a balanced season with a solid 5-2 region mark. Their home performance has been respectable at 3-2, while their road record of 4-2 highlights their ability to perform away from home. Millry has been particularly strong in neutral-site games, where they are undefeated at 1-0, adding confidence heading into this playoff encounter.

Millry’s offense averages 37.4 points per game, with steady scoring throughout the game. They average 7.5 points in the first quarter and 10.7 in the second, showing early consistency. Although their scoring drops in the second half—averaging 4.8 in the third quarter and 5.8 in the fourth—they have proven to be a tough team, putting up 449 points over the season, with a defense that has allowed 153 points.

Maplesville: Dominating Region Play with High Scoring

Maplesville, with a 10-2 record, enters the playoffs with a perfect 7-0 mark in region play, demonstrating their dominance within their region. Their overall win percentage of .833, along with a strong performance in both home and away games (5-1 and 4-1, respectively), has earned them recognition as one of the top teams in the state. Maplesville has also been strong in neutral-site games, boasting a 1-0 record.

On offense, Maplesville averages 36.4 points per game. They start fast with 11.9 points in the first quarter and continue to score consistently, adding 9.0 points in the second quarter. Their scoring slows slightly in the second half, with 9.5 points in the third and 7.1 points in the fourth. Despite the dip in production, Maplesville has racked up 437 points while allowing 184 points over the season, showcasing both offensive efficiency and defensive resilience.

Key Differences and Keys to Victory

Both teams have potent offenses, with Millry averaging 37.4 points per game and Maplesville just behind at 36.4. However, the key difference may lie in the consistency of their performances. Millry has shown a tendency to slow down in the second half, while Maplesville has been strong throughout the game, particularly in the first half. Millry will need to maintain its offensive tempo in the second half to compete with Maplesville’s more consistent scoring.

As the football season heats up, Millry faces off against Maplesville in an exciting matchup that will showcase two teams with contrasting strengths. With both teams eyeing crucial victories, this game promises to be a fierce contest. Here’s a closer look at the teams’ performances, key players, and what to expect when they clash on the field.

Team Stat Comparison

• Millry has had a balanced offensive attack, posting 195.3 rushing yards per game. They rely heavily on their ground game, led by Roman Hall, who averages 113.5 rushing yards per game. Their passing attack, though not as prolific, manages 102.3 passing yards per game with Pearce Yeargan as the quarterback, contributing 101.0 passing yards per game. Overall, Millry racks up an average of 297.7 total yards per game, and 27.5 points per game, showing they can both control the ball and put up solid offensive numbers.
• Maplesville, on the other hand, has a more diverse offense, with 102.3 rushing yards per game and 98.9 receiving yards per game, giving them a slightly more balanced approach. They average 27.5 points per game, much like Millry, but their offensive play revolves around Pearce Yeargan (also a key player for Millry), who leads the team with 122.8 total yards per game. The defensive unit, led by players like Luke Gray, averages 39.7 tackles per game and has made 1.8 sacks per game—an area where they will need to continue improving.

Key Players to Watch

• Roman Hall (Millry): As the team’s standout rusher, Hall is a major threat on the ground. His ability to break through defenses and gain significant yardage will be key for Millry’s offense, especially given their reliance on the run game.
• Pearce Yeargan (Maplesville): Yeargan, who is the key offensive player for both teams, will be pivotal in ensuring Maplesville’s success. His versatility as a rusher and passer means he can impact the game in multiple ways, and his performance will likely determine the outcome of the game.
• Nehemiah McCary (Millry): With 8.4 points per game, McCary has been a consistent contributor to the team’s offensive output. His ability to score and move the chains could be a major difference-maker in this matchup.
• Luke Gray (Maplesville): A strong tackler with 4.9 tackles per game, Gray plays a crucial role in Maplesville’s defense. His ability to stop Millry’s rushing attack and disrupt passing plays will be essential to slowing down Millry’s offense.

Record Breakdown

• Millry enters the game with a 8-4 overall record, including a 5-2 league record and a 1-2 non-league record. Despite their strong league performance, they have struggled in non-league games, which will need to improve if they are to make a deeper playoff run. They’ve shown resilience, but consistency is key as they face Maplesville.
• Maplesville has an impressive 10-2 overall record with a perfect 7-0 league record. They’ve been dominant in their league, and their strong performance in both home and away games (with a 5-1 home record and 4-1 away record) reflects their ability to compete at a high level across different venues. The team enters this matchup with momentum, especially after their recent victory over Sweet Water, a common opponent between the two teams.

Common Opponents

• Millry and Maplesville have both faced Sweet Water. While Millry lost 6-0 to Sweet Water earlier in the season, Maplesville secured a 21-20 victory over them. This common opponent comparison suggests that while both teams can compete, Maplesville may have a slight edge in close, high-stakes matchups.

Conclusion

While Maplesville has the better record and has shown dominance in their league, Millry is a formidable opponent with an explosive rushing attack. The game will likely come down to which team can establish their game plan first—whether it’s Millry’s ground game or Maplesville’s all-around balance.

For Millry, Roman Hall and Nehemiah McCary will need to capitalize on their running game and find opportunities to score, while Maplesville will rely on the dynamic playmaking ability of Pearce Yeargan and solid defense from Luke Gray to secure the win. With both teams eager to prove themselves, this matchup is shaping up to be a hard-fought and thrilling contest.