The Northern Garrett (Accident, MD) varsity football team will face SEED (Baltimore, MD) in a neutral-site playoff game today at 12 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 Maryland High School Football Playoff Brackets: MPSSAA – 1A tournament.

What: Maryland High School Football
Who: Northern Garrett (MD) vs SEED (MD)
When: Saturday, November 30, 2024
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Maryland High School Football Playoff Brackets: MPSSAA – 1A
Live stream: Watch here

SEED and Northern Garrett: A Season Overview

The current season’s matchup between SEED and Northern Garrett has drawn considerable attention due to their impressive performances and contrasting styles. Analyzing their rankings, records, and team statistics reveals what sets them apart and how they stack up against each other.

Season Records and Standings

SEED has had an outstanding season, posting a record of 10-1 overall. Their home performance has been particularly dominant, with a perfect 6-0 record, showcasing their prowess on familiar turf. On the road, they are a formidable 3-1, and their neutral site play has also been perfect at 1-0, reflecting their adaptability across different game conditions. Their season win percentage stands at .909, with an impressive 358 points scored (PF) compared to only 80 points allowed (PA).

Northern Garrett, on the other hand, finished the season with a 7-5 record, underlining their competitive spirit despite a challenging year. Their regional record is 1-3, indicating a struggle against tougher competition. However, their away performance shows some resilience, going 4-3. The team has a win percentage of .583 and a regional win percentage of .250. They have scored 375 points (PF) and allowed 225 points (PA) throughout the season.

Scoring and Game Trends

When analyzing scoring averages across quarters, SEED consistently outpaces Northern Garrett:

• SEED averages 5.8 points in the first quarter, 8.3 in the second, and 5.3 in the third, with no scoring in the fourth quarter, leading to a final average of 32.5 points per game.
• Northern Garrett has a more varied scoring trend, with 12.3 points in the first quarter but significantly less in the second (3.9) and third quarters (6.3), and 4.6 in the fourth. Their final average is 31.3 points per game, highlighting a reliance on a strong start and fluctuating output in the later stages.

Statistical Comparisons

The comparison of key performance stats between SEED and Northern Garrett paints a picture of their different strengths:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: SEED averages 136.3 yards, while Northern Garrett leads with 208.9 yards per game.
• Passing Yards Per Game: SEED outpaces Northern Garrett with 112.8 yards compared to 53.6 yards.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: SEED averages 110.9 yards, just ahead of Northern Garrett’s 53.3 yards.
• Total Yards Per Game: SEED accumulates 249.1 yards on average, slightly behind Northern Garrett at 262.5 yards.
• Tackles Per Game: SEED averages 35.1, while Northern Garrett’s average is notably higher at 51.1, indicating a more aggressive defensive play.
• Sacks Per Game: SEED leads with 1.4 sacks per game compared to 0.9 for Northern Garrett.
• Points Per Game: SEED edges out Northern Garrett with 32.5 points, as opposed to 30.3 points.

Key Players to Watch

SEED relies on standout performances, particularly from:

• Malcom Smith, Jr., who leads in rushing yards with 45.8 yards per game, also boasting 121.3 passing yards and 167.1 total yards.
• Deonze Eldridge contributes significantly in the receiving game with 39.1 yards per game.
• Defensive efforts are highlighted by Jaleel Moss, averaging 5.8 tackles per game.

Northern Garrett‘s offensive game is anchored by:

• Luke Ross, the leading rusher with 79.3 yards per game and key contributor to total yards at 100.2 per game.
• Liam Stewart supports the passing game with 52.6 yards per game.
• The defense relies on Nick Riley, who averages 9.5 tackles per game.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

SEED and Northern Garrett have each faced Hancock as a common opponent, with both teams securing victories: SEED won 57-8 on October 17, and Northern Garrett prevailed 49-6 on September 20. This indicates that both teams are capable of dominating their matches but with different levels of intensity and strategies.

Conclusion

As the season wraps up, SEED’s impressive record and scoring ability set them apart as a strong contender. Northern Garrett, despite challenges, has shown resilience and capability, particularly in their rushing attack and defensive efforts. The two teams may not have faced each other during the regular season, but their performances suggest an exciting potential matchup should they meet in future tournaments or playoffs.