The 2024 MSHSAA Missouri High School Football Playoff features the Festus Tigers (Festus, MO) vs. the Lutheran North Crusaders (St. Louis, MO) in a neutral playoff game. This exciting matchup is scheduled for Friday, December 6, at 11:00 AM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Missouri High School Football
Who: Festus Tigers (MO) vs Lutheran North Crusaders (MO)
When: Friday, December 6, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM ET
Bracket: 2024 Missouri High School Football Playoff Brackets: MSHSAA – Class 4
Live Stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Festus Tigers (MO) vs Lutheran North Crusaders (MO)

The Festus Tigers (11-2) will face off against the Lutheran North Crusaders (12-1) in what promises to be a highly competitive matchup. Both teams have dominated their respective districts, but Lutheran North’s offensive explosion this season gives them an edge on paper. Festus, however, is a resilient team known for its defense and ability to play tight games.

Season Recap: Festus Tigers

• Record: 11-2
• District Record: 4-0
• Points For/Against: 398 PF, 172 PA
• Scoring Average: 30.6 points per game

Festus has a balanced, but defensive-oriented approach. Their offense has been solid, scoring an average of 30.6 points per game, though they tend to rely on their defense to keep games manageable. The Tigers have struggled in the fourth quarter, scoring just 2.8 points on average, which will be an area of concern when facing a high-powered offense like Lutheran North.

Season Recap: Lutheran North Crusaders

• Record: 12-1
• District Record: 4-0
• Points For/Against: 640 PF, 182 PA
• Scoring Average: 49.2 points per game

Lutheran North has been a scoring machine this season, averaging nearly 50 points per game. Their offense is potent in every quarter, but they have been especially strong in the first and third quarters, where they score a combined 27.3 points. With an offense this explosive, Lutheran North has been able to dominate teams, and their defense has been just as formidable, limiting opponents to an average of just 13.9 points per game.

Key Matchups

1. Festus Defense vs. Lutheran North Offense:
   Festus will need to slow down Lutheran North’s potent offense, particularly in the first half, to stay competitive.
2. Quarterback Play:
   Lutheran North’s quarterback will be crucial to the team’s success, while Festus will need to rely on its defense to disrupt passing lanes and force turnovers.
3. Turnover Battle:
   Festus has been successful in keeping turnovers to a minimum, but they will need to avoid mistakes against a team as talented as Lutheran North.

Team Scoring Trends

• Festus tends to start strong but struggles to score in the fourth quarter, which could be problematic against a team like Lutheran North that finishes games strong.
• Lutheran North has been a consistent high-scoring team, with particular strength in the first and third quarters.

Common Opponents:

Neither team has faced common opponents this season, so this adds an element of unpredictability to their meeting.

Prediction:

Lutheran North’s offense is likely to overpower Festus, especially if the Tigers struggle to match their scoring pace. Festus will need to have a near-perfect defensive game and hope to capitalize on any mistakes from Lutheran North. However, with Lutheran North’s ability to score in waves and control the game, they should emerge victorious.