The O’Dea varsity football team (Seattle, WA) will host Mercer Island (WA) for a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 5:00 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Washington High School Football
Who: O’Dea vs Mercer Island
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 5:00. p.m. ET
“2024 Football Washington State Championships – 3A State Football”
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network

Mercer Island and O’Dea: A High School Football Rivalry in the Spotlight

The 2024-2025 high school football season has seen two powerhouse teams, Mercer Island and O’Dea, dominating their respective leagues and racking up impressive records. Both teams have displayed exceptional skill, strength, and determination, making them the top contenders in Washington State. Let’s take a deep dive into their rankings, team comparisons, and key players to understand what has made these teams so successful this season.

Mercer Island Islanders: Unstoppable Force

Mercer Island has been flawless this season, finishing the regular season with a perfect 10-0 record. The Islanders have shown incredible consistency, sweeping their district with a 5-0 record while maintaining a perfect 4-0 record in away games. Their dominance is reflected in their stats, with the team scoring an average of 44.0 points per game.

• Scoring Breakdown:
  • 1st Quarter: 15.5 points
  • 2nd Quarter: 12.5 points
  • 3rd Quarter: 6.5 points
  • 4th Quarter: 11.8 points
  • Total: 44.0 points per game

Mercer Island’s offense is led by their quarterback, Youngmin Lee, who is a key contributor to their high-scoring offense. Lee is averaging 274.9 passing yards per game and 284.9 total yards per game. He’s been a standout performer, throwing for an average of 24.0 points per game, cementing his position as one of the top quarterbacks in the state. On the receiving end, Elan Gotel leads the way with 97.3 yards per game, while Parker Blosch leads the team in rushing with 65.6 yards per game.

Defensively, Mercer Island has been just as dominant, averaging 39.7 tackles per game. Jack Buchan, a standout linebacker, is contributing 8.5 tackles per game, helping to stifle any opposing offenses.

O’Dea Fighting Irish: A Season of Perfection

Not to be outdone, O’Dea has also delivered a perfect season with a 9-0 record. The Fighting Irish have been equally impressive in all aspects of their game, finishing with a 7-0 district record and a 3-0 record in away games. O’Dea’s high-powered offense averages 44.3 points per game, with a strong performance in the opening quarter.

• Scoring Breakdown:
  • 1st Quarter: 20.7 points
  • 2nd Quarter: 9.3 points
  • 3rd Quarter: 7.3 points
  • 4th Quarter: 9.3 points
  • Total: 44.3 points per game

The key to O’Dea’s offensive success has been Youngmin Lee (yes, a different Youngmin Lee!), whose exceptional passing ability has driven their high-scoring plays. Averaging 274.9 yards per game in passing, Lee has led his team to a perfect 9-0 record while racking up 284.9 total yards per game. On defense, King Allah has been O’Dea’s standout, averaging 11.0 tackles per game and helping stifle opposing offenses.

A Clash of Titans

Both teams have shown they are forces to be reckoned with. While Mercer Island has the edge in rushing yards, with Parker Blosch leading the way with 65.6 yards per game, O’Dea’s passing game is more efficient, with Youngmin Lee managing a remarkable 274.9 passing yards per game. In terms of total yards, both teams are nearly neck-and-neck, with O’Dea averaging 407.6 yards per game compared to Mercer Island’s 407.6 yards per game.

Defensively, Mercer Island holds the edge in tackles per game, averaging 39.7 compared to O’Dea’s 36.7. However, O’Dea has been the more aggressive team, recording more sacks per game, with King Allah leading the way.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Looking at common opponents, both teams have faced Liberty this season, with Mercer Island defeating them 35-21 on 9/20/24, and O’Dea overcoming Liberty with a 45-7 victory on 11/8/24. This head-to-head result showcases how dominant both teams have been in their respective matchups, further fueling anticipation for a potential meeting between these two titans.

Records and Playoff Potential

• Mercer Island: 10-0 (District: 5-0, Home: 4-0, Away: 6-0, Playoff: 0-0)
• O’Dea: 9-0 (District: 7-0, Home: 6-0, Away: 3-0, Playoff: 0-0)

Both teams are on track for deep playoff runs, with Mercer Island finishing the regular season undefeated and O’Dea right behind them with a perfect 9-0 mark. The potential for a postseason clash between these two juggernauts is high, and it would certainly be a thrilling spectacle for fans across Washington.

Conclusion

The 2024-2025 football season has seen Mercer Island and O’Dea rise to the top, both teams playing exceptional football and dominating their respective opponents. With a focus on strong offensive plays, standout individual performances, and rock-solid defense, these two teams are proving why they are among the best in the state. As the playoffs loom, fans can only hope for an epic showdown between these undefeated powerhouses.