The Olentangy Liberty Patriots (10-2) will host the Upper Arlington Golden Bears (10-2) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7:00 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 OHSAA High School Football Playoff Brackets (Ohio) – Region 3 tournament. The game will take place in Powell, OH.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Ohio High School Football
Who: Olentangy Liberty vs Upper Arlington
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7 PM
Bracket: 2024 OHSAA High School Football Playoff Brackets (Ohio) – Region 3
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Game preview: Olentangy Liberty vs Upper Arlington

The Ohio high school football playoff scene is heating up, and this Friday’s matchup between Upper Arlington and Olentangy Liberty is poised to be a thrilling contest. Both teams come into this game with identical 10-2 records, making this an intriguing battle between two top-tier programs. The game will take place at Olentangy Liberty, where the stakes are high in a rematch of their October 4 meeting, which Upper Arlington won 31-28.

Season Overview

Both teams had impressive regular seasons, finishing strong with identical overall and conference records. Upper Arlington finished 10-2, with a 4-1 record in the conference and an overall win percentage of .833. They scored 302 points on the season while allowing 147. Olentangy Liberty also posted a 10-2 record, including a 4-1 conference mark, with a win percentage of .833. They scored an impressive 381 points, surrendering 152 in the process.

• Upper Arlington’s Season Stats:
  • Overall Record: 10-2
  • Conference Record: 4-1
  • Points For: 302
  • Points Against: 147
• Olentangy Liberty’s Season Stats:
  • Overall Record: 10-2
  • Conference Record: 4-1
  • Points For: 381
  • Points Against: 152

Scoring Trends

When looking at how these teams score throughout the game, Upper Arlington averages 25.2 points per game, with their strongest quarters being the second and fourth, where they score an average of 8.9 and 8.6 points, respectively. In comparison, Olentangy Liberty scores an average of 31.8 points per game. Their highest-scoring quarters are in the second (12.0) and first (7.7), showing their ability to strike early and maintain pressure throughout the game.

• Upper Arlington Scoring Averages:
  • Q1: 4.7, Q2: 8.9, Q3: 4.1, Q4: 8.6, Final: 25.2
• Olentangy Liberty Scoring Averages:
  • Q1: 7.7, Q2: 12.0, Q3: 2.9, Q4: 4.9, Final: 31.8

Head-to-Head History

The teams met earlier this season on October 4, when Upper Arlington emerged victorious in a tightly contested game, winning 31-28 at home. In that game, Olentangy Liberty took an early 21-7 lead, but Upper Arlington fought back, outscoring Liberty 24-7 in the second half to secure the win. This victory adds a layer of intrigue to their upcoming playoff rematch, as Olentangy Liberty will be looking to avenge their regular-season loss.

• October 4 Score:
  • Upper Arlington 31, Olentangy Liberty 28

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced several of the same opponents, with a record that reflects their similar strength throughout the season. Against common opponents, Upper Arlington holds a 5-2 record, while Olentangy Liberty is slightly better at 5-1. Notably, both teams defeated Hilliard Bradley, Dublin Coffman, and Olentangy Orange, but Olentangy Liberty had a hard-fought loss to Olentangy Berlin, while Upper Arlington lost to them earlier in the season.

Record Breakdown

• Upper Arlington (24-25):
  • Overall Record: 10-2
  • League Record: 4-1
  • Common Opponent Record: 5-2
  • Playoff Record: 2-0
• Olentangy Liberty (24-25):
  • Overall Record: 10-2
  • League Record: 4-1
  • Common Opponent Record: 5-1
  • Playoff Record: 2-0

What to Expect

With both teams boasting impressive records, strong offenses, and a history of close games, this playoff matchup promises to be a nail-biter. Upper Arlington’s ability to make second-half adjustments, as seen in their October victory, could play a crucial role, while Olentangy Liberty will need to capitalize on their early-game momentum and improve on their second-half performance to reverse their earlier loss.

This game will likely come down to which team can execute their game plan more effectively and minimize mistakes under the pressure of playoff football. With both teams featuring potent offenses and strong defenses, expect a high-energy game full of momentum swings and key plays.

Conclusion

As the playoff picture intensifies, the rematch between Upper Arlington and Olentangy Liberty is set to be one of the most exciting games of the postseason. Both teams have proven their mettle throughout the regular season, and now, it’s time to see which squad will emerge victorious and continue their journey to the state finals. Don’t miss this thrilling Friday night showdown!