High School Football Showdown: Shady Spring vs. Nitro

As the 2024-2025 high school football season heats up, two powerhouse teams in West Virginia’s Class AAA division, Shady Spring and Nitro, are gearing up for an exciting faceoff. Both teams have shown impressive records, and their respective seasons are shaping up to be memorable. Here’s a detailed look at how these two squads stack up, breaking down their performance, key players, and what we can expect in their upcoming matchups.

Team Records and Standings

Shady Spring Tigers (7-3-1 overall, 5-1 region)

• Home: 2-2
• Away: 4-1-1
• Neutral: 1-0
• Win %: .682
• Region Win %: .833
• Points Scored (PF): 313
• Points Allowed (PA): 210

Nitro Wildcats (9-1 overall, 4-1 region)

• Home: 5-1
• Away: 4-0
• Neutral: 0-0
• Win %: .900
• Region Win %: .800
• Points Scored (PF): 454
• Points Allowed (PA): 128

While Shady Spring has had a strong season with a solid 7-3-1 record, Nitro has been nearly unbeatable, posting a dominant 9-1 record. The Wildcats have also shown superior scoring efficiency, with a remarkable 454 points on the season, outpacing Shady Spring by a significant margin. However, Shady Spring’s defense has been notably strong, allowing only 210 points overall.

Scoring Averages: Nitro Dominates Offensively

In terms of scoring, Nitro has been a high-powered offense, averaging 45.4 points per game. Their consistent output is evident across each quarter, as they average 13.1 points in the first, 13.4 in the second, 6.8 in the third, and 9.7 in the fourth quarter. Shady Spring, in contrast, has faced challenges maintaining a high-scoring rhythm, especially in the second half, where they score an average of just 9.5 points in the second half (3.0 in the third and none in the fourth).

Shady Spring’s total scoring average for the season is 28.5 points per game, with a balanced scoring spread—10.0 points in the first quarter and 6.5 points in the second. However, their struggles in the second half have limited their offensive success, which could be a key factor when facing a high-scoring team like Nitro.

Key Players and Statistical Leaders

Shady Spring:

• Eli Littlejohn – Rushing yards: 113.3 yards per game
• Josh Moody – Passing yards: 313.4 yards per game
• Malachi Thompson – Receiving yards: 125.8 yards per game
• Wyatt Sowards – Tackles per game: 10.5
• Xavier Patterson – Sacks per game: 1.4

Nitro:

• Eli Littlejohn – Points per game: 13.2
• Josh Moody – Total yards per game: 322.6
• Malachi Thompson – Receiving yards: 125.8
• Wyatt Sowards – Tackles per game: 10.5
• Xavier Patterson – Sacks per game: 1.4

Both teams boast impressive individual talent. Josh Moody for Shady Spring is a key playmaker, leading his team in passing yards with over 313 yards per game. On the defensive side, Wyatt Sowards has been a standout, recording an average of 10.5 tackles per game, and Xavier Patterson has been effective in pressuring quarterbacks with 1.4 sacks per game.

Nitro’s offensive prowess is led by Eli Littlejohn, who averages 113.3 rushing yards per game, and Josh Moody, whose total yards per game tops the charts at 322.6. These numbers suggest that Nitro’s offense will continue to be a significant challenge for opposing defenses.

Common Opponents and Matchup Breakdown

Both teams have faced some common opponents this season, with varying results:

• Shady Spring vs. Greenbrier East: Loss, 34-21 (Oct 4, 2024)
• Nitro vs. Greenbrier East: Win, 68-20 (Nov 8, 2024)

From this matchup, it’s evident that Nitro has been able to put together far more dominant performances, defeating Greenbrier East by a significant margin, while Shady Spring struggled in their own encounter with the team. This gives Nitro a slight edge in terms of consistency and overall scoring ability.

Conclusion

The stage is set for what could be an exciting clash between Shady Spring and Nitro. While Nitro has the edge in scoring and overall offense, Shady Spring’s resilience, particularly on defense, could make them a formidable opponent. The Wildcats will need to keep their high-powered offense rolling, while the Tigers will be looking to capitalize on any opportunities to stymie Nitro’s explosive attack.

With each team having distinct strengths and areas of focus, this matchup will be a true test of strategy, execution, and team depth. Whether Shady Spring can tighten up their second-half performance or Nitro will continue their scoring surge will determine the outcome of this thrilling game. Keep an eye on these teams as they continue their quest for regional and state supremacy.