The Newaygo (MI) varsity football team will face Lansing Catholic (Lansing, MI) in a neutral playoff game today at 1 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 Michigan High School Football Playoff Brackets: MHSAA Division 6 tournament.
What: Michigan High School Football
Who: Newaygo (MI) vs Lansing Catholic (MI)
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Michigan High School Football Playoff Brackets: MHSAA Division 6
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
2024-2025 High School Football Season: Lansing Catholic vs. Newaygo
As the 2024-2025 high school football season progresses, two teams stand out with impressive records and strong performances. Lansing Catholic and Newaygo have proven themselves formidable opponents in their respective leagues, and their head-to-head matchup, along with their overall season performances, showcases the competitive nature of high school football in Michigan.
Team Records and Overview
Lansing Catholic (9-3, .750 Win %) Lansing Catholic has had a stellar season, finishing with a 9-3 overall record. They play in a highly competitive league and finished with a 4-3 record within it, placing them among the top teams in their division. Their home record of 5-1 indicates their strength at home, but they were slightly less dominant on the road with a 3-2 away record. However, the team showed resilience in neutral-site games, securing a perfect 1-0 record.
On offense, Lansing Catholic averaged 30.2 points per game, showing a consistent ability to put up points throughout the game. They had a particularly strong second quarter, averaging 10.8 points per game in that period. Their defense was solid as well, allowing 268 points over the course of the season.
Newaygo (10-2, .833 Win %) Newaygo, with a 10-2 record, edged out Lansing Catholic in terms of overall win percentage, standing at .833. They finished 3-2 in league play, but their dominant 6-1 home record and strong 3-1 away performance demonstrate their well-rounded abilities. Newaygo also excelled in neutral games, finishing undefeated at 1-0.
Offensively, Newaygo averaged 32.3 points per game, slightly outperforming Lansing Catholic. Their fourth-quarter performances were particularly impressive, averaging 12.6 points per game, which suggests a team capable of closing games out effectively. However, their defense allowed 323 points over the season, a bit more than Lansing Catholic’s, which could suggest vulnerability in high-scoring matchups.
Scoring Averages and Key Performances
When comparing their team scoring averages by quarter, Lansing Catholic showed consistency, with a particularly strong second quarter (10.8 points). However, they struggled in the third quarter, where they averaged just 4.4 points. This could be an area for improvement in future matchups.
Newaygo, on the other hand, demonstrated a more evenly distributed offense throughout the game. Their biggest offensive surge came in the fourth quarter, where they averaged 12.6 points per game, a key factor in their 10-2 record. Both teams showed they can be dangerous offensively, but Newaygo’s late-game scoring edge may give them a slight advantage in high-pressure situations.
Common Opponents and Head-to-Head Matchup
Both teams shared a common opponent during the season: Lakewood. Lansing Catholic hosted Lakewood on October 4, 2024, and defeated them decisively with a 40-14 win. Newaygo, on the other hand, faced Lakewood on October 18, 2024, at home, emerging victorious with a 53-36 win. Both teams were dominant in their respective games, each securing a comfortable victory against Lakewood. This suggests that both Lansing Catholic and Newaygo are on similar competitive levels when facing common opposition.
As for head-to-head matchups, while both teams have yet to face each other directly in the 2024-2025 season, their similar records and overall strengths make any future meeting highly anticipated.
Playoff Performance
Lansing Catholic and Newaygo both performed well in the postseason, with Lansing Catholic finishing with a 3-0 playoff record, while Newaygo ended the season 2-0 in playoff games. The ability of both teams to succeed under pressure in playoff scenarios speaks to their resilience and ability to perform when it matters most.
Conclusion
Both Lansing Catholic and Newaygo have proven themselves as elite teams in Michigan high school football. With impressive records, high-scoring offenses, and a history of strong playoff performances, these teams represent the best of their leagues. Their potential matchup will be a clash of titans, and football fans in Michigan can expect an exciting and competitive game whenever they finally meet on the field. The teams’ ability to perform under pressure, as well as their offensive and defensive strengths, will surely make for an unforgettable contest.
