Montesano vs. La Center: A Clash of Two Washington Football Titans

As the Washington high school football season heats up, two teams stand out for their impressive records and passionate fan bases: Montesano and La Center. With their respective seasons now in the spotlight, let’s break down how these two teams match up, particularly ahead of their upcoming playoff encounter.

Team Overview

Montesano (24-25 Season):

• Record: 8-3 overall, 3-1 in district play
• Scoring Average: 32.7 points per game, allowing 15.2 points on average
• Home/Away Performance: Montesano has a solid home record of 6-1 but has faced challenges on the road, going 2-2.
• Notable Players/Key Stats: Montesano has shown its ability to score early in games with an average of 7.9 points in the first quarter, but their momentum tends to slow as the game progresses.

La Center (24-25 Season):

• Record: 9-1 overall, 6-1 in district play
• Scoring Average: La Center has been dominating on offense, averaging 43.9 points per game, while allowing just 6.7 points on defense.
• Home/Away Performance: The La Center Wildcats have been nearly unbeatable on the road, sporting a 5-0 record in away games.
• Notable Players/Key Stats: La Center shows balanced scoring throughout the game, starting strong with 12.2 points in the first quarter and maintaining a steady attack, especially in the second half.

Head-to-Head History

The two teams already met earlier this season on September 6, 2024, with La Center securing a decisive 35-7 victory over Montesano. This game highlighted La Center’s offensive depth and defensive dominance. The Wildcats took control early with a 7-0 lead after the first quarter and extended their lead in the second and third quarters, never allowing Montesano to gain any significant traction.

In this game, Montesano struggled to keep pace with La Center’s high-powered offense, scoring their only touchdown in the fourth quarter after the game was already out of reach.

Common Opponents

Both teams faced Elma earlier in the season, with dominant wins. Montesano hosted Elma on November 1, 2024, winning 45-0, while La Center hosted Elma just a week later on November 8, 2024, winning 58-6. These performances suggest that both teams are capable of overwhelming opponents, although La Center’s victory margin was slightly larger.

Statistical Comparison

Montesano’s Scoring Averages by Quarter:

• Q1: 7.9 points
• Q2: 12.2 points
• Q3: 8.1 points
• Q4: 4.5 points
• Total: 32.7 points per game

Montesano has the ability to strike quickly in the second quarter, but they often struggle in the final period, a vulnerability La Center could exploit in their upcoming matchup.

La Center’s Scoring Averages by Quarter:

• Q1: 12.2 points
• Q2: 9.0 points
• Q3: 9.8 points
• Q4: 9.2 points
• Total: 43.9 points per game

La Center’s ability to score consistently across all quarters, including a strong start and finish, makes them one of the most balanced teams in the league.

Upcoming Playoff Showdown

Both teams are entering their next game in playoff contention, with Montesano set to face La Center in a neutral-site matchup on November 23, 2024, at 1 p.m. The playoff setting could bring a new dynamic to this rivalry, with the stakes even higher than their regular-season meeting. Montesano will need to find a way to overcome their early-game struggles and capitalize on La Center’s defensive weaknesses, while La Center looks to extend their dominant run and continue their near-perfect season.

Conclusion

The stage is set for an exciting playoff battle between Montesano and La Center. Montesano will look to avenge their early-season loss, leveraging their strong home record and offensive capability. La Center, on the other hand, will aim to build on their commanding performance from September and continue their quest for a state title. Football fans in Washington are in for a thrilling contest as these two powerhouse teams clash in what promises to be a must-watch game.