The Mooresville (NC) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against Northwest Guilford (Greensboro, NC) on Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: North Carolina High School Football
Who: Northwest Guilford vs Mooresville
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 NCHSAA Football Championships – 4A
Live Stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Northwest Guilford vs. Mooresville
On Friday, November 22, Northwest Guilford (9-2) will face off against Mooresville (10-1) in an exciting playoff matchup. Both teams have had strong seasons, with Mooresville having a near-perfect record and Northwest Guilford bringing solid offense and defense to the table. This game promises to showcase two teams with different styles, making it an intriguing contest.
Season Recap: Northwest Guilford
- Record: 9-2
- Conference: 5-2
- Points For/Against: 302 PF, 156 PA
- Scoring Average: 27.5 points per game
Northwest Guilford has been a solid, well-rounded team this season, averaging 308.5 total yards per game. Their offense is balanced, with solid contributions from both the passing and rushing games. The defense has been steady, allowing 156 points in 11 games, keeping them competitive throughout the season.
Key Players:
- Nathan Cox (#32): Leading rusher with 69.1 rushing yards per game, an essential part of their ground attack.
- Anders Mitchell (#4): Quarterback with 117.1 passing yards per game, helping to balance the offense.
- Rakem Hammock (#2): A top receiver with 72.3 receiving yards per game, providing a reliable target for Mitchell.
Season Recap: Mooresville
- Record: 10-1
- Conference: 6-0
- Points For/Against: 525 PF, 106 PA
- Scoring Average: 47.7 points per game
Mooresville has been a high-scoring machine this season, averaging nearly 48 points per game. Their offensive firepower is led by an impressive passing game, with Brody Norman connecting for 205.9 passing yards per game, complemented by a strong running attack. Mooresville’s defense has also been dominant, allowing only 106 points across 11 games.
Key Players:
- Brody Norman (#15): Quarterback with 203.8 total yards per game, leading an explosive offense.
- Ja’darius McCombs (#20): Running back with 61.0 rushing yards per game, contributing to a balanced attack.
- Dominic Morin (#8): Top receiver with 90.3 receiving yards per game, a go-to weapon for Norman.
Team Stat Comparison
| Category | Northwest Guilford | Mooresville |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring Average | 27.5 | 47.7 |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 165.3 | 201.7 |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 143.2 | 205.9 |
| Total Yards Per Game | 308.5 | 407.6 |
| Points Allowed Per Game | 14.2 | 9.6 |
| Sacks Per Game | 1.9 | 2.3 |
Record Breakdown
| Category | Northwest Guilford | Mooresville |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 9-2 | 10-1 |
| Conference Record | 5-2 | 6-0 |
| Non-Conference Record | 3-1 | 0-0 |
| Points For | 302 | 525 |
| Points Against | 156 | 106 |
| Home Record | 5-1 | 6-0 |
| Away Record | 4-1 | 4-1 |
Key Matchups
- Mooresville’s Explosive Offense vs. Northwest Guilford’s Defense
- Mooresville’s offense is scoring an average of 47.7 points per game, led by Brody Norman and Dominic Morin. Northwest Guilford’s defense will need to find a way to slow them down, especially their passing attack.
- Northwest Guilford’s Rushing Game vs. Mooresville’s Defense
- Nathan Cox is the focal point of Northwest Guilford’s rushing game, but Mooresville has been strong against the run this season. How well Northwest can establish the ground game will be crucial.
- Quarterback Play
- Anders Mitchell will need to execute efficiently and find his key targets like Rakem Hammock to balance out the offensive attack for Northwest Guilford. Meanwhile, Mooresville’s Brody Norman will look to spread the field and use his playmakers to attack from all angles.
Prediction
Mooresville’s high-powered offense and dominant defense give them a slight edge in this matchup. However, Northwest Guilford’s balanced play and ability to keep games close will make it competitive. If Nathan Cox can get going on the ground, and Anders Mitchell can manage the passing game efficiently, Northwest Guilford could keep it tight. Ultimately, Mooresville’s offense might be too much to handle for Northwest Guilford in this playoff contest.
