The Northern (Owings, MD) varsity football team is playing a neutral-site playoff game against Arundel (Gambrills, MD) today. This matchup is part of the “2024 Maryland High School Football Playoff Brackets: MPSSAA – 3A” tournament.
What: Maryland High School Football
Who: Northern (MD) vs Arundel (MD)
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: Today
Bracket: 2024 Maryland High School Football Playoff Brackets: MPSSAA – 3A
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
Arundel vs. Northern: A Tale of Two Maryland High School Football Teams
As the 2024-2025 high school football season continues, two teams in Maryland have stood out with impressive records and compelling performances. Arundel and Northern, both contenders in their region, boast contrasting styles and statistics that make a potential head-to-head matchup an intriguing affair. Below, we’ll dive into the rankings, team statistics, and leaders of both squads, offering a comprehensive look at their season thus far.
Rankings & Records
Arundel has established itself as a powerhouse this season with a 9-1 overall record. Their region performance has been even more impressive, with an 8-1 record in regional play. Their overall success is highlighted by a robust offense, averaging 51.7 points per game, and a stout defense that has allowed just 115 points across 10 games. This team’s success is underscored by their ability to perform both at home and on the road, with a perfect record in neutral-site games (1-0).
Northern, meanwhile, is having a solid season as well, finishing with a 7-4 overall record. In the regional standings, they are 4-3, showing their competitiveness but falling slightly behind the top teams in their league. Northern’s defense has allowed 281 points over the course of their season, and their offensive production has been a bit more modest compared to Arundel, averaging 37.4 points per game.
Team Scoring Averages
Looking at the scoring breakdown for both teams, Arundel consistently puts up strong numbers across the first three quarters, with a particularly strong first quarter, averaging 19.4 points. This early-game momentum has been key to their success. Northern, on the other hand, has shown resilience in the second and fourth quarters, averaging 18.0 and 10.5 points, respectively, but struggles significantly in the third quarter, where they are held scoreless.
| Quarter | Arundel | Northern |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 19.4 | 10.0 |
| Q2 | 14.9 | 18.0 |
| Q3 | 7.5 | 0.0 |
| Q4 | 9.9 | 10.5 |
| Final | 51.7 | 37.4 |
Team Stat Comparison
Both teams excel in different areas of the game, and these differences are apparent when we compare their offensive and defensive stats.
- Arundel boasts impressive offensive averages, with 217.7 rushing yards per game, 212.0 passing yards, and 212.2 receiving yards. This balanced offensive attack contributes to their 429.7 total yards per game. Defensively, their tackling (1.7 tackles per game) and sack numbers (0.1 sacks per game) are modest, but their ability to limit points—allowing just 115 total points this season—is a testament to their overall defensive discipline.
- Northern has struggled in comparison in the rushing game, averaging just 11.1 yards per game. However, their passing game has been slightly more productive with 8.5 passing yards per game. Northern’s defense has been more aggressive, registering 6.9 tackles per game and 0.1 sacks per game. But their offensive inconsistency—particularly in the third quarter—has hurt them in some games.
| Stat | Arundel | Northern |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 217.7 | 11.1 |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 212.0 | 8.5 |
| Receiving Yards Per Game | 212.2 | 34.5 |
| Total Yards Per Game | 429.7 | 19.6 |
| Tackles Per Game | 1.7 | 6.9 |
| Sacks Per Game | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Points Per Game | 7.7 | 2.5 |
Team Leaders
- Arundel’s standout players include Tj Mordecai, who leads the team with 113.5 rushing yards per game, and Ahmir Lowery, who has been exceptional both in passing (209.9 yards per game) and total yards (272.3). On defense, Russell Bonham leads the team with 7.0 tackles per game.
- Northern’s key players include Tyler Collins with 111.0 rushing yards per game and Alex Moskios, who has contributed 94.0 passing yards per game. Miles Halbert is Northern’s top receiver with 161.0 receiving yards per game and a total of 167.0 total yards per game. On defense, Ryan McGovern leads with 8.0 tackles per game.
Common Opponents
Both teams share a few common opponents this season, and both have shown dominance over these teams.
- Arundel defeated Northeast 70-0 and South River 70-6.
- Northern triumphed over Northeast 49-0 and South River 49-14.
These victories highlight that both teams are more than capable of putting up large margins against common foes, though Arundel has consistently posted higher scores.
Record Breakdown
The season has been a good one for both teams, but Arundel holds the edge in most categories:
| Record Breakdown | Arundel | Northern |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 9-1 | 7-4 |
| League | 8-1 | 4-3 |
| Non-League | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| Head to Head | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Common Opponents | 2-0 | 2-0 |
| Home | 5-0 | 4-3 |
| Away | 3-1 | 3-1 |
| Neutral | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Playoff | 2-0 | 0-0 |
Conclusion
In terms of overall success, Arundel has proven to be a more dominant force this season, especially in terms of scoring and yardage. Northern, however, has displayed solid defense and resilience, making them a team to watch as the season progresses. If these teams were to face off, it would certainly be a thrilling matchup, with Arundel’s high-scoring offense challenging Northern’s defense and grit. Fans of Maryland high school football will want to keep an eye on these two teams as the season enters its final stretch.
