The Union varsity football team from Union, MS, will play against North Side from Shelby, MS, in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7:00 PM.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Mississippi High School Football
Who: North Side vs Union
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Bracket: 2024 Football Championships – 2A
Live Stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: North Side vs. Union
The North Side (9-3) vs. Union (5-7) matchup in the playoffs presents a tale of two teams with contrasting seasons. North Side has been dominant, especially in district play, finishing with a 3-1 district record. Union, on the other hand, has struggled with a losing record but has shown some resilience in key district games. North Side enters the playoffs as a heavy favorite, but Union will be looking to pull off an upset.
Season Recap: North Side
- Record: 9-3
- District Record: 3-1
- Points For/Against: 482 PF, 158 PA
- Scoring Average: 40.2 points per game
North Side has had an impressive season, with a high-powered offense averaging over 40 points per game. Their defense has been solid as well, allowing only 158 points all year. They come into the playoffs on a strong note, winning their last two games convincingly.
Key Performances:
- Offense: North Side has been explosive, particularly in the first and fourth quarters, where they average a combined 25.3 points per game.
- Defense: With only 158 points allowed, North Side’s defense has been able to contain high-scoring teams.
Season Recap: Union
- Record: 5-7
- District Record: 2-2
- Points For/Against: 321 PF, 349 PA
- Scoring Average: 26.8 points per game
Union has had an up-and-down season with more struggles than successes. However, they have shown some sparks, especially in their district games, where they’ve been able to secure a couple of victories. They’ll need to step up their game to challenge North Side’s potent offense.
Key Performances:
- Offense: Union has been inconsistent offensively but can put up points when they’re clicking, averaging 26.8 points per game.
- Defense: Union’s defense has allowed a fair amount of points this season, which could be problematic against a high-scoring team like North Side.
Head-to-Head:
The two teams have faced common opponents this season, with North Side winning both of their matchups against Leflore County and Philadelphia, while Union secured a win against Leflore County but lost to Philadelphia. This suggests that North Side has had the upper hand against similar opponents.
Team Stat Comparison
| Stat | North Side | Union |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards Per Game | – | – |
| Passing Yards Per Game | – | – |
| Total Yards Per Game | – | – |
| Points Per Game | 40.2 | 26.8 |
| Tackles Per Game | – | – |
| Sacks Per Game | – | – |
Key Players to Watch
- North Side:
- Offense: North Side’s offense has been a juggernaut, and their ability to score quickly will be crucial. They’ll need their offensive playmakers to continue executing at a high level.
- Defense: Their defense has been solid, and they’ll need to continue stifling Union’s offense, which has been inconsistent all year.
- Union:
- Offense: Union will need a strong performance from their quarterback and skill players to keep up with North Side’s scoring ability.
- Defense: Union’s defense must focus on slowing down North Side’s potent offense and prevent big plays.
Keys to Victory
For North Side:
- Exploit Offensive Firepower: North Side will need to continue using their high-scoring offense to dominate the game, especially early and late in the game when they tend to score the most.
- Limit Union’s Big Plays: Union has shown some explosive plays this season, and North Side will need to contain those to keep control of the game.
For Union:
- Control the Clock: To avoid getting into a shootout with North Side, Union needs to control the clock with a strong running game and sustained drives.
- Play Tough Defense: Union will need to limit North Side’s scoring opportunities, especially in the first and fourth quarters, where North Side has been most successful.
Prediction:
North Side enters this game as the clear favorite. Their offense has been explosive, averaging 40.2 points per game, and their defense has been just as solid. Union has struggled this season and will need to play a near-perfect game to compete with North Side. Despite Union’s determination, North Side’s firepower should prove too much for Union to handle.
