The Navarro (Geronimo, TX) varsity football team will play a neutral-site playoff game against Cuero (TX) today at 7:30 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships, in the 2024 Football Conference 4A Division 2 tournament.

Navarro vs Cuero Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Navarro vs Cuero
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 4A D2
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Game preview: Navarro vs Cuero

As the 2024-25 high school football season unfolds, Cuero and Navarro have shown themselves to be competitive teams, each bringing its own strengths and challenges to the field. Let’s take a closer look at how these two teams compare based on key statistics and performances this season.

Cuero’s Performance Overview

Cuero enters the season with an impressive overall record of 8-3, showcasing strong performances both at home and on the road. With a district record of 3-1, they’ve proven themselves to be one of the top contenders. Their offense has been a key factor in their success, averaging a remarkable 39.5 points per game. Cuero’s offensive attack is led by standout players like Jaxxon Marie, who is averaging nearly 100 rushing yards per game, and Jayce Guajardo, with an impressive 196.5 passing yards per game. Their total yards per game stand at a formidable 403.4, underlining the balance in their offensive strategy.

Defensively, Cuero has been solid, with 85.3 tackles per game and 1.6 sacks per game. They have also been particularly efficient in scoring, averaging 11 points in the first quarter and maintaining a strong pace throughout the game. Despite the strong offensive numbers, the team has been tested by competitive opponents, and their ability to execute in high-pressure situations has been a crucial factor in their winning record.

Navarro’s Performance Overview

Navarro, on the other hand, has had a more challenging season with a 5-6 overall record. They finished with a 3-3 district record, showing resilience but also struggles in key matchups. Their offense averages 26.9 points per game, significantly lower than Cuero’s. Navarro’s attack is led by Payton Helford, who stands out with 65 passing yards per game. While they have struggled to match Cuero’s offensive output, they’ve been competitive, especially in certain matchups.

One of the notable statistics for Navarro is their ability to generate points in the later stages of the game, averaging 10 points in the fourth quarter. However, their lower yardage numbers—averaging just 19.8 total yards per game—have been a limitation. With 13.9 rushing yards per game and just 5.9 passing yards per game, Navarro’s offense has not been able to keep pace with more explosive teams. Defensively, they have shown signs of improvement, but their overall performance has been inconsistent.

Key Matchup: Cuero vs. Navarro

Looking at the head-to-head comparison, Cuero has dominated when facing common opponents this season. With a 1-0 record against shared opponents, including a victory over La Vernia (35-28), Cuero has proven to be the more dominant team. Navarro, on the other hand, lost their matchup against La Vernia (38-21). This contrast in outcomes highlights the disparity between the two teams, particularly in terms of consistency and performance under pressure.

Player Comparisons

Individual performances further accentuate the differences between these two teams:

• Cuero’s Jaxxon Marie has been a standout, averaging 98.7 rushing yards per game and 265.8 total yards per game.
• Navarro’s Kohen Blount, while strong in his own right, averages 62 rushing yards per game and 12 points per game—both are respectable but fall short when compared to Cuero’s playmakers.

Similarly, Cuero’s Walker Dietze is another key player, contributing 95 receiving yards per game and 9.5 points per game. Meanwhile, Navarro’s Dylan Trotti, though talented, hasn’t quite reached the same level of production, averaging 7 receiving yards per game.

Conclusion

As we move deeper into the season, Cuero’s potent offense and well-rounded team performance make them the clear favorite in matchups like this one. With a well-balanced attack that includes a strong rushing game, passing efficiency, and high scoring, Cuero is likely to continue dominating their opponents.

Navarro, though competitive, has room for improvement, especially in terms of offensive consistency. They will need to rely on strong individual performances and improve their scoring output if they hope to compete with top teams like Cuero in the future.

This season, Cuero clearly holds the upper hand, but Navarro has the potential to cause surprises if they can iron out the inconsistencies that have hindered them so far. The road ahead will be crucial for both teams as they continue to battle for dominance in their district and state.