The North Augusta Yellow Jackets (9-1) will host the Airport Eagles (2-8) in a varsity football playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class AAAA Football tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: South Carolina High School Football
Who: North Augusta vs Airport
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM
Bracket: 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class AAAA Football
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Game preview: North Augusta vs Airport

The North Augusta Yellow Jackets will host the Airport Eagles in a highly anticipated playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m. North Augusta heads into the matchup with an impressive 9-1 record, having dominated both region play and their non-region schedule. Meanwhile, Airport enters the game with a 2-8 record, struggling in both their region and overall performance.

Team Overview:

North Augusta (9-1, 7-0 Region)
North Augusta has been a powerhouse this season, boasting a perfect 7-0 record in region play and a solid 9-1 overall record. The Yellow Jackets’ offense has been a high-scoring machine, averaging a staggering 36 points per game. Their defense has been just as dominant, allowing only 161 points all season—an average of just 16.1 points per game. The team’s scoring is balanced across all four quarters, with their strongest output coming in the second and third quarters, where they average 13.2 and 9.3 points, respectively. In their last meeting with Airport on October 17, North Augusta put on a clinic, winning 56-8.

Airport (2-8, 2-5 Region)
Airport has faced a tough season with a 2-8 overall record, including a challenging 2-5 mark in region play. Despite struggling on both sides of the ball, the Eagles have shown resilience in some of their matchups. Offensively, they average just 13.8 points per game, with their highest output coming in the second quarter (4.9 points). Defensively, they have allowed an average of 32 points per game, with their best defensive quarter being the first (3.4 points allowed). While they have had some successes, such as a win over Aiken (34-16) and a forfeited win against Gray Collegiate Academy, they have not been able to sustain consistent success throughout the season.

Head-to-Head Comparison:

In their previous meeting on October 17, North Augusta delivered a dominating performance against Airport, winning 56-8. The Yellow Jackets built a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and continued to expand their advantage with a dominant 21-point second quarter. Airport struggled to find any rhythm, only managing to score in the second quarter before being shut out in the second half.

Looking at common opponents, North Augusta has had a much stronger performance, going 6-0 against teams they both faced, including wins over Aiken, Midland Valley, and South Aiken. On the other hand, Airport has a 2-4 record against the same opponents, with notable losses to Midland Valley (49-7), Gilbert (31-18), and South Aiken (40-27).

Key Matchups:

• Offense vs. Defense: North Augusta’s offense, which averages 36 points per game, will face an Airport defense that has struggled to stop high-powered offenses all season. With a deep and balanced attack, led by their running game and capable quarterback, North Augusta will look to exploit the weaknesses in Airport’s defense.
• Quarterback Play: North Augusta’s quarterback has been efficient all season, contributing both in the air and on the ground. In contrast, Airport will need a standout performance from their signal caller to keep pace with the Yellow Jackets’ high-scoring attack.
• Turnover Battle: With Airport’s playoff hopes on the line, they will need to avoid costly turnovers and take advantage of any opportunities North Augusta presents. The Yellow Jackets’ defense is opportunistic, and if Airport turns the ball over, it could be a long night for the Eagles.

Looking Ahead:

This game is a must-win for Airport if they hope to extend their season. The Eagles will need to pull off an upset against a North Augusta team that has shown few weaknesses this year. However, given their struggles and the dominant form shown by the Yellow Jackets, North Augusta is the clear favorite to advance to the next round.

Prediction: North Augusta 42, Airport 14.

While Airport will likely put up a fight, North Augusta’s overall talent and dominance throughout the season make them the favorites in this first-round playoff matchup.