The Moody varsity football team faces Montgomery Catholic in a highly anticipated neutral playoff matchup today at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs for Class 5A. With both teams eyeing a spot in the next round, fans can expect an intense and competitive showdown.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Alabama State Football Championship
Who: Montgomery Catholic vs Moody
When: Today, December 05, 2024
Bracket: AHSAA Super 7 Class 5A Championship
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Moody vs. Montgomery Catholic

The 2024 AHSAA Class 5A football playoffs have set the stage for a thrilling battle between two undefeated teams: Montgomery Catholic and Moody. With both squads enjoying stellar seasons, their matchup promises to be an exciting contest filled with high stakes and competitive play.

Montgomery Catholic: A Perfect Season So Far

Montgomery Catholic enters this playoff matchup with an impeccable 13-0 record, boasting a perfect 1.000 win percentage and a 6-0 region record. The team has been dominant on both sides of the ball, outscoring their opponents 565 to 78. Their offense has been explosive, averaging 43.5 points per game, and their defense has been nearly impenetrable, allowing only 78 points over the course of the season.

Montgomery Catholic’s scoring averages reflect their balanced and potent attack. They start strong with 14.4 points in the first quarter, extend their lead with 16.8 in the second, and continue to produce in the third quarter with 13.8 points. Although their fourth-quarter production drops to 9.2, their consistent offensive output throughout the game has been key to their undefeated record. Their ability to execute across all four quarters will be critical as they face a challenging opponent in Moody.

Moody: A Powerful Team with a 11-2 Record

Moody enters the game with an 11-2 overall record, good for a .846 win percentage. Like Montgomery Catholic, they finished their region schedule undefeated with a perfect 6-0 record. With 506 points scored and 140 points allowed, Moody has shown a potent offense, averaging 38.9 points per game. However, they face a tough challenge in Montgomery Catholic, which has outscored opponents by a larger margin.

Moody’s scoring averages reveal a solid but slightly less explosive offense. They score an average of 12.1 points in the first quarter, followed by 11.4 in the second, 9.9 in the third, and 6.0 in the fourth. While their offense has been effective throughout the season, they will need to find ways to sustain their attack against Montgomery Catholic’s high-powered offense, especially in the later stages of the game.

Head-to-Head Comparison

When comparing the teams, Montgomery Catholic’s offense has been more prolific, averaging 43.5 points per game compared to Moody’s 38.9. The key to this playoff matchup will be Montgomery Catholic’s ability to maintain their offensive dominance, while Moody will need to step up their game to compete at the same level. Both teams have been excellent on neutral turf, and their records in such games reflect their ability to perform under pressure.

Defensively, Montgomery Catholic has the advantage, having allowed only 78 points all season. Moody will need to find ways to break through Montgomery Catholic’s defense, which has proven tough to crack. However, Moody’s offensive line has been strong, and they will likely look to exploit any weaknesses they can find in Montgomery Catholic’s defensive scheme.

What to Expect

With both teams entering the game with perfect regional records and high expectations, this playoff game is sure to be one of the most exciting of the 2024 season. Montgomery Catholic’s explosive offense and dominant defense give them the upper hand, but Moody’s offense has been capable of putting up impressive numbers as well.

The game will come down to which team can execute under pressure and capitalize on key moments. Montgomery Catholic has been the more complete team throughout the season, but Moody’s resilience and offensive capability will keep them in the fight.

As the season heats up, Montgomery Catholic and Moody, two of the most impressive teams, are set to face off, bringing plenty of intrigue for fans and analysts alike. Let’s break down the key stats and trends for both teams.

Offensive Breakdown:

• Rushing Yards: Montgomery Catholic averages 234.5 rushing yards per game, slightly ahead of Moody’s 219.7. This shows that both teams are heavily reliant on their ground game, but Montgomery Catholic’s rushing attack is slightly more potent.
• Passing Yards: Montgomery Catholic averages 186.6 passing yards per game, while Moody surpasses them with 213.8. Moody’s ability to air it out has given them an edge in the passing department.
• Receiving Yards: Interestingly, the receiving yards per game are nearly identical, with Montgomery Catholic at 189.2 and Moody at 213.9. Despite this difference, both teams are efficient through the air, making them balanced in their offensive approach.
• Total Yards: Montgomery Catholic averages 421.1 total yards per game, while Moody comes in just ahead at 433.5. This indicates that Moody has a slight edge in overall offensive production.
• Scoring: Both teams can put points on the board, with Montgomery Catholic averaging 43.0 points per game and Moody close behind at 38.9. Montgomery Catholic’s higher scoring average suggests they might have the edge in fast-paced, high-scoring games.

Defensive Breakdown:

• Tackles: Moody leads in tackles with 110.8 per game, significantly more than Montgomery Catholic’s 71.3. This suggests Moody’s defense is more active and involved in stopping the ball carrier, which could be crucial in a game against high-powered offenses.
• Sacks: Moody also takes the lead in sacks, averaging 5.1 per game compared to Montgomery Catholic’s 3.0. This means Moody has a more aggressive pass rush, potentially giving them the upper hand in putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Individual Players to Watch:

• Rushing Leaders: Montgomery Catholic’s Josh Harriell leads with 93.3 rushing yards per game, while Moody’s Le’Kamren Meadows is right behind with 75.1. Both backs are key to their teams’ ground game, and their performances could be pivotal in this matchup.
• Passing Leaders: Kingston Preyear of Montgomery Catholic leads his team with 167.1 passing yards per game, while Moody’s Charlie Johnston is putting up an impressive 209.9 passing yards per game, which is among the best in the nation. Johnston’s ability to lead the offense through the air will be crucial.
• Receiving Leaders: Montgomery Catholic’s B.J. Bedgood leads the receiving corps with 73.7 yards per game, while Moody’s Josiah Dozier leads his team with 80.5 yards. Both receivers are explosive and could be the difference-makers in the passing game.
• Defensive Leaders: For Montgomery Catholic, Miles Khatri is the leader in tackles with 8.4 per game, while Moody’s Jagger Ludolf is a standout with 14.7 tackles per game. Ludolf’s defensive presence will be key for Moody, particularly in stopping Montgomery Catholic’s rushing attack.

Special Teams and Other Key Players:

• Sacks and Defensive Pressure: Montgomery Catholic’s Garrett Sanford leads the team with 1.0 sack per game, while Moody’s Ba’Roc Willis leads the team with 1.3. This minor difference in sack numbers further reflects Moody’s superior pass rush.
• Points Per Game: JJ Williams of Montgomery Catholic is a key contributor, averaging 10.5 points per game. Meanwhile, Moody’s Josiah Dozier is their offensive centerpiece, contributing 7.8 points per game.

Record and Performance Analysis:

• Overall Record: Montgomery Catholic enters the matchup with an undefeated 13-0 record, while Moody boasts a strong 11-2 overall record. Both teams are coming off impressive seasons and will be looking to continue their dominant play.
• League Performance: Both teams are undefeated in their respective leagues, with Montgomery Catholic maintaining a 6-0 league record and Moody matching that feat. Their success in league play shows their dominance on the field and their ability to consistently perform under pressure.
• Head-to-Head: The two teams have yet to face each other, but they both share a common opponent in St. Clair County. Montgomery Catholic defeated them 51-14 at home, while Moody won 47-0 at home. Both teams showed their superiority, which sets the stage for an exciting upcoming matchup.

Conclusion:

This showdown between Montgomery Catholic and Moody promises to be a high-intensity battle with offensive fireworks and tough defensive play. Montgomery Catholic’s superior rushing and scoring ability, combined with Moody’s aggressive defense and passing game, make for an intriguing clash. As both teams continue their unbeaten runs, the outcome of this game could go a long way in determining the top contender in their respective regions. Fans can expect a thrilling game with plenty of highlight-reel plays from both sides.