The Morgan Park (Chicago, IL) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against Morris (IL) on Saturday, November 16 at 4:00 PM. This game is part of the 2024 Illinois High School Football Playoff Brackets for the IHSA Class 5A tournament.
What: Illinois High School Football
Who: Morgan Park (IL) vs Morris (IL)
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Illinois High School Football Playoff Brackets: IHSA – Class 5A
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
Team Comparison: Morris vs. Morgan Park Football (2024-25 Season)
As the 2024-2025 high school football season continues to unfold, two Illinois teams stand out: Morris and Morgan Park. Both teams have had impressive campaigns, each demonstrating strengths in various aspects of the game. Below is a detailed comparison of these two teams’ records, statistics, and key players.
Overall Record and Performance
Morris has posted a solid record of 7-4, with a conference record of 3-2. This includes a 3-1 home record, which highlights their ability to perform on their own turf. However, Morris has struggled a bit on the road, with a 3-3 record in away games, showing room for improvement in hostile environments.
On the other hand, Morgan Park has been dominant, especially in conference play, where they are undefeated with a perfect 7-0 record. Their overall performance is equally impressive, boasting a 10-1 record. Morgan Park has been almost flawless in every aspect, especially in their away games, where they hold a 6-1 record.
Team Scoring Breakdown
When it comes to scoring, Morgan Park edges out Morris with a higher points per game average. Morris scores an average of 37.4 points per game, with their strongest quarter being the first, where they average 11.0 points. On the other hand, Morgan Park averages 40.8 points per game, with their best scoring quarter being the first (14.9 points). Their ability to consistently score throughout the game, particularly in the opening quarter, demonstrates their high offensive capabilities.
Offensive and Defensive Statistics
In terms of total yards, Morris posts a solid 341.9 yards per game, combining 163.5 rushing yards and 178.5 passing yards. Their balance between the run and pass game has been effective in generating offense. The team has also shown resilience on defense, averaging 69.3 tackles per game and 3.5 sacks per game.
Morgan Park, meanwhile, stands out with 449 yards of offense per game, including 163.5 rushing yards and 182.5 receiving yards. They are slightly more potent in both the passing and rushing game compared to Morris, reflecting their offensive depth. In terms of defense, Morgan Park averages 2.7 tackles per game and 0.2 sacks per game, which, while lower than Morris, may reflect a greater emphasis on offensive production.
Key Players and Standouts
For Morris, several players have been key contributors this season. Terrance Gurley leads the team with an average of 91 rushing yards per game, while Marcus Thaxton has excelled in the passing game with 174.5 passing yards per game. Nasir Rankin has also been a standout receiver, averaging 84.5 yards per game. On the defensive side, Jovan Clark leads the team with 8.1 tackles per game, and Rishad Burnett has made an impact with 0.7 sacks per game.
Morgan Park’s roster includes some similarly impressive talents. Terrance Gurley, with his 91 rushing yards per game, also leads Morgan Park in this category. Quarterback Marcus Thaxton is another standout, contributing an average of 174.5 passing yards per game. Nasir Rankin is also crucial to the team’s success in the passing game, with 84.5 receiving yards per game. On the defensive end, Jovan Clark is a tackling machine, leading his team with 8.1 tackles per game.
Record Breakdown by Category
Looking at specific categories, Morris has performed strongly at home (3-1) and on neutral grounds (1-0). Their road record (3-3) reveals a slight vulnerability when playing away.
In contrast, Morgan Park has excelled across all settings: home (4-0), away (6-1), and neutral (2-0). Their ability to win in different environments is a testament to their versatility and consistency.
Conclusion
Morris and Morgan Park are both strong contenders, but Morgan Park’s undefeated conference record and higher average points per game indicate their superior overall performance so far. However, Morris has displayed resilience and balance, and their ability to compete at home and in neutral settings suggests they could be a formidable opponent in future matchups.
As the season progresses, the teams’ head-to-head encounters and matchups against common opponents will likely provide further insight into their strengths and weaknesses. Keep an eye on these two teams as they continue to push toward the playoffs and potentially make deep runs in their respective conferences.
