The Buchholz (Gainesville, FL) varsity football team will host Oakleaf (Orange Park, FL) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 29, at 7 p.m. at Buchholz High School. This game is part of the 2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – 6A tournament.

Oakleaf vs Buchholz High School Football Game Info:

What: Florida High School Football
Who: Oakleaf vs Buchholz
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Time: 7:00pm.
Bracket: 2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – 6A FHSAA Football
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Oakleaf vs Buchholz

The Oakleaf (Orange Park, FL) Knights are set to face the Buchholz (Gainesville, FL) Bobcats in a thrilling playoff matchup on Friday, November 29, at 7 p.m. at Buchholz High School. Both teams come into the game with impressive records, each standing at 9-3 overall, and both teams have been dominant in their respective districts.

Team Records & Rankings

• Oakleaf (9-3)
  Overall: 9-3 | District: 2-1 | Win %: .750 | Points For (PF): 388 | Points Against (PA): 184
  The Oakleaf Knights have been strong throughout the season, posting a solid 9-3 record. Their offense, led by standout players like Chris “Deuce” Foy II, has been explosive, averaging 32.3 points per game. Oakleaf’s defense, which has allowed an average of 15.3 points per game, will be critical in stopping the high-powered offense of Buchholz.
• Buchholz (9-3)
  Overall: 9-3 | District: 2-1 | Win %: .750 | Points For (PF): 412 | Points Against (PA): 244
  Buchholz has been equally impressive this season, finishing with a 9-3 record. Averaging 34.3 points per game, their offense has been a major force, led by Trace Johnson and Justin Williams. Buchholz has had some ups and downs, but they’re coming off a dominant performance against Tocoi Creek, and they’ll look to continue their strong run in the playoffs.

Head-to-Head Matchup

These teams met earlier in the season, and while Oakleaf dominated against several common opponents, Buchholz faced some tough competition. Both teams are undefeated against common opponents in the regular season, though Oakleaf holds a slight edge in their head-to-head matchups with a 2-0 record versus common opponents, while Buchholz is 1-1.

In the last encounter, Oakleaf triumphed over Tocoi Creek 56-7 and beat Nease 31-14, while Buchholz beat Tocoi Creek 63-22 but suffered a narrow loss to Nease 20-17.

Key Players to Watch

• Oakleaf
  • Chris “Deuce” Foy II – A powerhouse running back, Foy has rushed for 112.6 yards per game and 6.5 points per game. His ability to control the ground game will be crucial.
  • Jack McKissock – A strong quarterback, McKissock has thrown for 212.3 yards per game, leading the Knights’ passing attack.
• Buchholz
  • Trace Johnson – The versatile quarterback has been the engine for the Bobcats’ offense, throwing for an impressive 247 yards per game.
  • Justin Williams – With 102.7 receiving yards per game, Williams is a major threat in the air and will be a key factor in their passing attack.

Team Stats Comparison

• Offense:
  • Oakleaf averages 444.8 yards per game, with 218.3 rushing yards and 226.4 passing yards.
  • Buchholz averages 415.7 yards per game, with 164.1 rushing yards and 251.6 passing yards.
• Defense:
  • Oakleaf’s defense gives up 184 points over the season, with 109.3 tackles per game.
  • Buchholz allows 244 points, with 27.6 tackles per game.
• Points Per Game:
  • Oakleaf scores 32.3 points per game.
  • Buchholz averages 34.3 points per game.

Keys to the Game

This game will likely come down to which team can establish their offensive rhythm. Oakleaf’s ability to stop Buchholz’s passing attack and control the line of scrimmage will be critical. On the other hand, Buchholz will look to exploit Oakleaf’s defense, particularly through the air, with Trace Johnson’s strong passing game.

Conclusion

This game promises to be an exciting and hard-fought contest. With both teams entering with identical records, it’s anyone’s game. Expect a high-energy matchup between these two talented squads as they battle it out for a spot in the next round of the 2024 FHSAA 6A Football State Championships. Fans in Gainesville can look forward to a memorable playoff clash!