The Weddington (Matthews, NC) varsity football team will play Northern Guilford (Greensboro, NC) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 29, at 7:00 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: North Carolin High School Football
Who: Northern Guilford vs Weddington
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m ET
Bracket: 2024 NCHSAA Football Championships – 4A
Live Stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Northern Guilford vs. Weddington

The Northern Guilford (11-1) team will face Weddington (11-0) in a highly anticipated matchup between two strong programs. Both teams have shown dominance in their respective leagues, and this game promises to be an exciting battle for playoff supremacy. Let’s take a look at how the teams stack up in this crucial playoff contest.

Season Recap

Northern Guilford

• Record: 11-1
• Conference Record: 6-1 (Second in the conference)
• Points Scored: 364
• Points Allowed: 201
• Key Player: Christian Leach, the standout rusher with 89.0 yards per game, is Northern Guilford’s primary offensive weapon.
• Strengths:
  • Strong rushing attack, with Leach leading the charge.
  • Solid passing game with Jaxson Kemp contributing 173.6 yards per game.
  • Strong overall team play, with a balanced offense and defense.

Weddington

• Record: 11-0 (Undefeated)
• Conference Record: 4-0 (Undefeated in conference)
• Points Scored: 423
• Points Allowed: 92
• Key Player: Jaxson Kemp, the versatile quarterback who averages 206.4 total yards per game.
• Strengths:
  • High-scoring offense, averaging 38.5 points per game.
  • Strong defense, allowing only 92 points on the season.
  • Balanced offensive attack, combining both the passing and running game effectively.

Key Stats and Comparisons

Players to Watch

Northern Guilford

• Christian Leach (RB): Leach has been the heart of the Northern Guilford offense, rushing for 89.0 yards per game. If he can find success on the ground, it will open up opportunities for the passing game.
• Jaxson Kemp (QB): Kemp has been effective both in the air and on the ground, averaging 206.4 total yards per game. His ability to manage the game and distribute the ball will be key to Northern Guilford’s chances.
• Noah Smith (LB): Smith has been the anchor for the defense with 11.3 tackles per game, and his ability to stop Weddington’s offense will be vital for Northern Guilford’s success.

Weddington

• Jaxson Kemp (QB): Kemp is also the standout player for Weddington, putting up 206.4 total yards per game. His dual-threat ability makes him a dangerous weapon that Northern Guilford will need to contain.
• Chance Crews (DE): Crews has been effective in getting to the quarterback with 0.5 sacks per game and will look to disrupt Northern Guilford’s offense.
• Weddington’s Defense: With a 8.4 points per game defense, Weddington has been solid all season. The defensive line and secondary have been tough, making it difficult for opponents to put up points.

Key Matchup: Defense vs. Offense

Northern Guilford’s offense, led by Leach and Kemp, will be up against Weddington’s tough defense, which has allowed just 8.4 points per game all season. Northern Guilford’s ability to run the ball effectively with Leach and mix in some play-action passing with Kemp will be crucial to test the Weddington defense.

On the other hand, Weddington’s offense, averaging 38.5 points per game, will be difficult to stop. With Kemp orchestrating the offense, Northern Guilford will need to rely on their defense, especially players like Noah Smith, to slow down the Weddington attack.

Prediction

Weddington enters this game undefeated, with a high-powered offense and a rock-solid defense. Their balanced game plan and depth make them the favorites, but Northern Guilford’s offense will present a challenge. If Leach and Kemp can control the tempo of the game and keep the ball out of Weddington’s hands, they could pull off the upset.