The Jefferson High School (Shenandoah Junction, WV) varsity football team will host Parkersburg (WV) for a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7:30 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: West Virginia High School Football
Who: Parkersburg vs Jefferson
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:30. p.m. ET
“2024 WVSSAC Football Playoffs – AAAA”
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network

Football Team Comparison: Parkersburg vs. Jefferson

As the 2024-2025 football season progresses, two West Virginia teams, Parkersburg and Jefferson, stand out with distinct strengths and challenges. With their unique records and different styles of play, let’s break down how these two teams compare across various statistics, including team records, scoring averages, and key player performances.

Team Records and Performance

Parkersburg (4-6) and Jefferson (7-3) both have notable achievements, but their paths have been different this season.

Parkersburg has faced a challenging schedule, registering a 4-6 overall record, with a regional performance of 3-4. Their home and away records reflect some inconsistencies, as they won 2 of 3 home games but struggled on the road with only 2 wins in 5 away contests. Despite these challenges, Parkersburg has managed to put up 224 points while allowing 251 over the course of the season, which reflects a slight negative scoring differential.

In contrast, Jefferson has been much more successful, holding a 7-3 record overall and a solid 3-2 performance in their region. Their away record (4-1) has been a particular strength, showcasing their ability to win on the road. Jefferson has scored 350 points while allowing 279, demonstrating a much stronger offensive game and better overall team efficiency compared to Parkersburg.

Scoring and Offensive Production

A closer look at the teams’ scoring averages highlights the offensive differences between Parkersburg and Jefferson.

Parkersburg has an average of 22.4 points per game, with their scoring spread out across the four quarters of the game. They score an average of 6.2 points in the first quarter, 9.2 in the second, and then have a dip to 5.8 in the third quarter before finishing with just 3.5 points in the fourth. This inconsistency in scoring production could be a key factor in their struggles throughout the season.

Jefferson, on the other hand, averages 35.0 points per game, a significant difference. Although their point distribution across quarters is more even, with scores ranging between 4.0 and 4.7 points per quarter, their total output is far higher. This suggests that Jefferson has the capacity to consistently maintain offensive pressure and score across all game phases.

Key Stat Comparison

In terms of offensive and defensive production, there are clear distinctions between the two teams:

• Parkersburg has been more reliant on rushing, averaging 164.8 rushing yards per game, with Jakel Shelton contributing 92.5 rushing yards per game individually. Additionally, Cooper Cancade has been a significant threat in the passing game, averaging 147.7 passing yards per game, while Brady Thorn leads receiving yards with an average of 34.6 per game.
• Jefferson’s stats are not as detailed in rushing or passing yards, but they excel in overall offensive yards per game, averaging 314.5 total yards per game. Their total offensive output has been much more consistent across all areas, compared to Parkersburg’s reliance on specific facets of the game.

On the defensive side, Parkersburg has averaged 62.1 tackles per game, and Ethan Jones has been their standout in terms of sacks with 0.3 per game. Meanwhile, Jefferson has had a strong defensive presence as well, with Devin Widman averaging 9.5 tackles per game, and their defense as a whole has been able to minimize scoring threats from their opponents.

Key Players to Watch

• Jakel Shelton (Parkersburg) has been a standout running back for the team, averaging 92.5 rushing yards per game. He will be central to their offensive game plan as they look to establish the run against Jefferson’s defense.
• Cooper Cancade (Parkersburg) has shown promise in the air, averaging 147.7 passing yards per game. His ability to connect with receivers like Brady Thorn will be vital if Parkersburg hopes to challenge Jefferson’s defensive schemes.
• Devin Widman (Jefferson) has been a force on the defensive side, with nearly 10 tackles per game. His leadership on defense will be key as Jefferson looks to limit Parkersburg’s offensive production.
• Ethan Jones (Jefferson), with his ability to pressure the quarterback and tally sacks, adds another layer to Jefferson’s strong defensive game plan.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced Musselman this season, and both emerged victorious. Parkersburg defeated Musselman 29-6, while Jefferson won a more dominant 54-27 victory. This shared win against Musselman highlights the teams’ ability to perform against similar competition, but Jefferson’s higher score differential suggests they may have had more explosive performances overall.

Record Breakdown

• Parkersburg has a 3-4 regional record, showing that while they have had some success in their league, they have not been able to consistently win against regional foes. Their 1-2 non-league record also demonstrates some vulnerability in games outside their region.
• Jefferson, conversely, has been more successful both regionally (3-2) and in non-league play (4-1), showcasing a balanced approach and strong all-around team performance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Jefferson stands as the more balanced and dominant team this season with a strong offensive attack and solid defensive play. Their ability to win on the road and control games offensively gives them a clear edge over Parkersburg, who, while competitive, have struggled to maintain consistent scoring. As the season progresses, Jefferson’s deeper roster and more reliable offensive game should give them an advantage in their upcoming matchups. However, Parkersburg’s strong individual performances, particularly in rushing, could still surprise teams if they can find more consistency across all areas of play.