The Northwestern Lehigh (New Tripoli, PA) varsity football team is set to play a neutral playoff game against Conwell-Egan Catholic (Fairless Hills, PA) today at 7:00 PM. This game is part of the 2024 PIAA Football Championship – 3A tournament.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Pennsylvania High School Football
Who: Northwestern Lehigh vs Conwell-Egan Catholic
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7 PM
Bracket: 2024 PIAA Football Championship – 3A
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Game preview: Northwestern Lehigh vs Conwell-Egan Catholic
As the high school football season reaches its thrilling conclusion, Conwell-Egan Catholic and Northwestern Lehigh stand as two of the most dominant teams in Pennsylvania, each bringing their unique strengths and impressive records to the table. The teams’ stats offer a fascinating contrast, with Conwell-Egan Catholic showcasing a balanced offensive approach and Northwestern Lehigh flexing their defensive might and scoring power. Let’s break down the head-to-head matchup, comparing the teams’ performances, key players, and stats to understand what each brings to the field.
Records and Rankings: A Tale of Two Dominant Teams
Conwell-Egan Catholic enters the game with a solid 8-3 record, finishing 5-2 in their conference. Known for their ability to grind out wins, they’ve demonstrated resilience in both home and away games, holding a .727 win percentage overall and a .714 conference win percentage. Their offense, while steady, has shown potential to come alive in key moments, particularly in the second half.
In contrast, Northwestern Lehigh has been nothing short of perfect this season. With an undefeated 12-0 record, they’ve swept through their conference with an unblemished 8-0 mark. Their dominance extends to both home and away games, as they’ve yet to drop a contest in any setting. The Lions’ remarkable ability to dominate their opponents, both offensively and defensively, has made them the team to beat this season, with a flawless win percentage of 1.000 across all competitions.
Scoring Trends: Offense vs. Defense
One of the most telling differences between these two teams lies in their scoring patterns. Conwell-Egan Catholic has averaged 23.2 points per game, with a notable surge in the fourth quarter (14.0 points), indicating their ability to finish strong. However, their first three quarters have been relatively quiet in terms of scoring, which could be a potential area of concern against a high-powered team like Northwestern Lehigh.
On the other hand, Northwestern Lehigh has been a scoring machine all season. Averaging a staggering 43.3 points per game, their offense is explosive, especially in the first half, where they average 32.5 points between the first and second quarters alone. The Lions’ ability to keep the pressure on throughout the game, including a steady 3.7 points per game in the fourth quarter, demonstrates their depth and offensive consistency.
Statistical Breakdown: Offense and Defense Comparisons
When comparing team stats, it’s clear that Conwell-Egan Catholic relies on a solid, well-rounded offensive approach, particularly in the run game. They’ve averaged 276.9 rushing yards per game, led by Eli Zimmerman, who has amassed 153.3 rushing yards per game, showing he can take over the game. Their passing game has also been effective, with Shane Leh throwing for 105.6 yards per game, while Mason Bollinger leads the receiving corps with 42.3 receiving yards per game.
In contrast, Northwestern Lehigh has been dominating on both sides of the ball, especially defensively. Their balanced attack has seen them put up 520 total points, averaging 384.9 yards per game, with a well-rounded offense of 276.9 rushing yards and 108.2 passing yards per game. While their offensive yardage is impressive, it’s their defense that stands out, limiting opponents to just 72 points total for the entire season, or a mere 6.0 points per game.
Key Players to Watch
For Conwell-Egan Catholic, look for Eli Zimmerman to continue his strong season, both on the ground and in total yards, where he averages 171.0 total yards per game. Zimmerman has been the focal point of the offense and will need to have a big game to keep up with Northwestern Lehigh’s scoring. Additionally, Shane Hulmes, with 8.1 tackles per game, will be key on defense to slow down the Lions’ explosive attack.
Northwestern Lehigh’s offensive juggernaut is spearheaded by QB Shane Leh, who has 105.6 passing yards per game, and RB Matt Reichard, contributing with both rushing and receiving yards. Defensively, their entire unit has been airtight, with contributions from multiple players to keep the opposition from scoring. Their sack leaders have done a good job of pressuring quarterbacks, and their collective effort in keeping opponents under 10 points per game is formidable.
Home and Away Performance
Both teams have proven themselves to be formidable at home, but Northwestern Lehigh has been nearly perfect on the road as well, finishing 5-0 away from home. In contrast, Conwell-Egan Catholic has shown they can win away, with a 4-1 record on the road. However, when it comes to high-stakes games, Northwestern Lehigh’s flawless record away from home could give them a psychological edge.
Conclusion: What’s at Stake
As Conwell-Egan Catholic and Northwestern Lehigh face off, the stakes are high for both teams. Northwestern Lehigh’s undefeated season makes them a team to be reckoned with, but Conwell-Egan Catholic will bring their gritty, well-balanced approach to challenge the Lions. With both teams bringing explosive offense, solid defense, and top-tier playmakers, this game promises to be an intense clash, with each team looking to prove their dominance in what could be one of the most exciting matchups of the season.
