The Fairfax High School varsity football team will host Mount Vernon (Alexandria, VA) for a playoff game today at 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Virginia High School Football
Who: Mount Vernon vs Fairfax
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
“2024 VHSL Football State Brackets (Virginia) – Class 6”
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network

Comparing Mount Vernon and Fairfax Football Teams: A Detailed Breakdown

The high school football season has offered plenty of exciting matchups, and two teams that have drawn attention are Mount Vernon and Fairfax. As we analyze their performance through various metrics, we see the contrasting styles, strengths, and weaknesses that define their seasons.

Season Records

• Mount Vernon finished the regular season with a 5-5 overall record, performing at a solid .500 win percentage. In their region, however, they impressed with a 5-1 record, showing strength in regional play. Their offense put up 278 points while conceding 258 points, a solid but not overwhelming performance. On the road, they went 3-2, but struggled at home with a 2-3 record.
• Fairfax, on the other hand, posted an 8-3 overall record, a much stronger mark. With a .727 win percentage, they had a particularly impressive regional performance, going 6-2. Fairfax’s offensive output was significant, scoring 401 points while allowing only 207. The team had a very strong 4-1 road record, with only a single home loss at 4-2.

Scoring Breakdown

One noticeable difference between the two teams is their scoring averages per quarter:

• Mount Vernon has a relatively balanced scoring distribution with 11.8 points in the first quarter, but their offense significantly drops in the second quarter (5.3 points). The third quarter shows some recovery with 7.0 points, while the fourth quarter continues to struggle with only 4.5 points. Their overall points per game stand at 27.8.
• Fairfax, meanwhile, has a more consistent scoring pattern throughout the game, with 7.4 points in the first quarter, escalating to 9.4 in the second, and maintaining a similar output in the third with 9.3 points. Their fourth quarter scoring drops slightly to 4.1, but their overall average of 36.5 points per game far exceeds Mount Vernon.

Offensive Stats

• Mount Vernon focuses on the ground game, with their rushing attack averaging 165.8 yards per game. They also perform decently in the air, with 136.7 passing yards per game and 137.9 receiving yards per game, contributing to a total of 302.5 yards per game.
• Fairfax, however, has a more balanced and potent offensive attack. While their passing and receiving stats aren’t directly listed, their total yards per game is notably higher than Mount Vernon’s, though specific yardage for rushing or passing is not provided.

Key Players and Standouts

• For Mount Vernon, Antoni Fuentes stands out as the leading rusher, averaging 73.8 yards per game, which is significant for their offense. Hudson Grimsley has been effective in the air, contributing 135.0 passing yards per game, while Matthew Moret stands out in receiving, averaging 84.6 yards per game.
• Fairfax’s standout player is also their rusher, though specific stats are not provided. They rely on balanced performances from multiple players across the board. Hudson Grimsley, who leads in total yards with 158.1 yards per game, stands out among their offensive players. Matthew Moret also contributes heavily in the receiving game, scoring an average of 10.2 points per game.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

When comparing the two teams’ performance against common opponents, Fairfax had the upper hand. For instance, when both teams faced West Potomac, Fairfax came out victorious, winning 36-13, while Mount Vernon suffered a loss, 33-27. This head-to-head performance against a shared opponent shows that Fairfax was able to handle similar challenges better.

Final Record Breakdown

• Mount Vernon‘s season was marked by a split performance: 5-5 overall, with more success within their region (5-1), but struggles in non-league games (0-4). They were more effective at home than on the road, which could suggest that home-field advantage played a role in their performance.
• Fairfax, however, had a significantly stronger campaign, with a 8-3 overall record and a strong regional mark of 6-2. Their away record at 4-1 demonstrated their ability to compete in hostile environments, while their success against common opponents added to their strong reputation.

Conclusion

While both teams had respectable seasons, Fairfax clearly outperformed Mount Vernon in overall performance, scoring, and against common opponents. Fairfax’s potent offense and solid defense make them one of the stronger teams in the region, whereas Mount Vernon’s consistency at times is overshadowed by their struggles in the second quarter and against non-league opponents.

As both teams look ahead to future seasons, Fairfax appears to have the upper hand in terms of overall team performance, but Mount Vernon will no doubt look to build on their regional success and improve in key areas to contend with stronger teams like Fairfax in the coming years.