The Mountain Ridge varsity football team from Frostburg, MD, will host a home playoff game against Northern Garrett from Accident, MD, on Friday, November 15, at 7:00 p.m.
What: Maryland High School Football
Who: Mountain Ridge (MD) vs Northern Garrett (MD)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
Game Preview: Northern Garrett vs. Mountain Ridge Football Playoff Showdown
As the playoffs approach, Northern Garrett and Mountain Ridge are set for a rematch on Friday, November 15, in what promises to be a thrilling game. These two Maryland teams previously met last month, with Mountain Ridge narrowly edging out Northern Garrett in a tense overtime game, 21-20. Now, Northern Garrett has a chance to even the score in this away playoff game.
Team Overviews and Season Stats
Northern Garrett (5-5 Overall, 1-3 Region)
- Rankings: Maryland Class 130, Region Rank 14
- Win %: .500 Overall, .250 Region
- Points For (PF): 303, Points Against (PA): 212
- Team Scoring Averages:
- Quarter-by-Quarter: Q1: 12.3, Q2: 3.9, Q3: 6.3, Q4: 4.6, OT1: 6.0
- Final: 30.3 points per game
Northern Garrett had a balanced season, finishing with a .500 win rate, though they struggled in regional play with a 1-3 record. Their offense averaged 30.3 points per game, fueled by a strong ground game, averaging 200.2 rushing yards per game. Key player Luke Ross (#10) has been a standout, contributing an average of 64 rushing yards and 86.2 total yards per game.
Mountain Ridge (5-4 Overall, 3-1 Region)
- Rankings: Maryland Class 101, Region Rank 7
- Win %: .556 Overall, .750 Region
- Points For (PF): 244, Points Against (PA): 242
- Team Scoring Averages:
- Quarter-by-Quarter: Q1: 7.8, Q2: 8.6, Q3: 8.3, Q4: 4.6, OT1: 7.0
- Final: 27.1 points per game
Mountain Ridge, on the other hand, has excelled in regional play with a 3-1 record and a .750 region win rate. Though their scoring average of 27.1 points per game is slightly lower than Northern Garrett’s, they bring a well-rounded offense, with an effective passing game averaging 157.3 yards per game. Quarterback Carter Clites (#15) has led the team with 144 passing yards per game and 168.5 total yards per game.
Previous Head-to-Head Matchup
In their October 18 matchup, Mountain Ridge narrowly defeated Northern Garrett 21-20 in overtime. The game was intense, with both teams fighting hard. Northern Garrett initially led, scoring seven points in the first quarter, but Mountain Ridge responded with 14 points in the third, ultimately pushing the game to overtime where they clinched the win with seven points to Northern Garrett’s six. This history adds an extra layer of suspense to the upcoming rematch.
Team Stat Comparisons
| Metric | Northern Garrett | Mountain Ridge |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards/Game | 200.2 | 146.0 |
| Passing Yards/Game | 55.3 | 157.3 |
| Total Yards/Game | 255.5 | 303.3 |
| Tackles/Game | 49.8 | 56.2 |
| Points/Game | 29.2 | 27.8 |
Northern Garrett has a slight edge in rushing, while Mountain Ridge shines in passing and total yardage. Their stronger passing game could be crucial if they maintain control of the tempo and keep Northern Garrett on the defensive.
Key Players to Watch
- Northern Garrett: Luke Ross (#10) has been a multi-faceted player, contributing in rushing (64 yards per game), receiving (22.2 yards per game), and scoring (9.2 points per game). Nick Riley (#52) leads defensively with an average of nine tackles per game.
- Mountain Ridge: Carter Clites (#15) has shown impressive skills, averaging 144 passing yards and 168.5 total yards per game. Bryson Krumpach (#53) leads in tackles, with eight per game, while Eli Sible
