The North Medford varsity football team (Medford, OR) will host a playoff game against Tigard (OR) on Friday, November 15, at 6:30 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 Oregon High School Football Playoff Brackets: Columbia Cup tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Oregon High School Football
Who: North Medford vs Tigard
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM
Bracket: 2024 Oregon High School Football Playoff Brackets: Columbia Cup – Columbia Cup
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Game preview: North Medford vs Tigard

The Tigard Tigers (4-7) are set to face the North Medford Black Tornado (7-4) in a highly anticipated playoff game on Friday, November 15, 2024. This matchup, scheduled for 6:30 PM at North Medford’s home field, promises to be an exciting battle between two teams with contrasting records and styles of play.

Team Breakdown

Tigard Tigers
The Tigers have had a challenging season, finishing with a 4-7 overall record, including a 1-4 mark in league play. Despite their struggles, they have shown resilience, particularly on the road, where they are 2-3. Tigard’s offense has been inconsistent, averaging just 17.5 points per game. Their scoring has been sporadic, with a quiet first quarter, averaging only 1 point per game, but showing more life in the second and third quarters, with averages of 1.0 and 5.1 points, respectively.

North Medford Black Tornado
North Medford, on the other hand, has enjoyed a more successful campaign, posting a 7-4 record, including a strong 5-3 league performance. The Black Tornado have been solid both at home (4-1) and in neutral-site games (1-0), with their offense averaging a robust 28.5 points per game. Their biggest strength has been their ability to score early and often, especially in the second quarter (14.0 points per game) and third quarter (8.0 points per game). However, they have shown some vulnerability in the fourth quarter, where they only score 2.3 points on average.

Head-to-Head Matchup

This will be the first time these two teams meet in the 2024-2025 season, but their paths have crossed in the past through common opponents. Both Tigard and North Medford share a record of 2-2 against common foes, with the teams having faced off against schools like Roosevelt and Sherwood.

• Tigard vs. Roosevelt: Tigard defeated Roosevelt 30-8, while North Medford came out on top in their meeting with Roosevelt, winning 28-14.
• Tigard vs. Sherwood: Tigard lost to Sherwood 21-14, while North Medford also fell short, losing 36-14.

While both teams have had their ups and downs against these opponents, the consistency of North Medford’s offense and their overall better season record give them a slight edge heading into this playoff contest.

Key Players to Watch

• Tigard: The Tigers will need to rely on their defense and hope for explosive plays from their offense, especially in the second and third quarters. Look for playmakers to step up in these critical periods.
• North Medford: With a more dynamic offense, North Medford will look to control the game early, especially in the first half. Their ability to score quickly and often could prove too much for Tigard’s defense to handle.

Playoff Implications

The winner of this playoff game will move on to the next round with the hope of advancing further in the postseason. North Medford, with its stronger record and more potent offense, enters as the favorite, but Tigard is determined to prove they belong, making this a matchup to watch.

Conclusion

Friday’s game between Tigard and North Medford is poised to be a thrilling contest. Tigard will need to overcome their inconsistency and rely on their defense to stifle the high-scoring North Medford attack. Meanwhile, the Black Tornado will look to build on their solid offensive performance and capitalize on their home-field advantage. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and both teams are eager to make their mark in the postseason.