The Pearl River (LA) varsity football team will play a home playoff game against Cecilia (LA) today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division II Non-Select tournament.

What: Louisiana High School Football
Who: Pearl River (LA) vs Cecilia (LA)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division II Non-Select
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Cecilia vs. Pearl River: A Comparison of 2024-2025 Football Seasons

The football programs of Cecilia and Pearl River are showing promise for the 2024-2025 season, each boasting impressive records. Here’s a breakdown of their performances so far and how they stack up against each other.

Cecilia’s Strong Performance

With a 7-3 overall record, Cecilia has had a solid season, showcasing both consistency and strength. The team’s district record stands at 3-1, with a notable home record of 5-1. The Bulldogs have proven to be formidable at home, and their ability to perform on the road (2-2) has helped them maintain a respectable overall win percentage of .700, or 70%. Cecilia has demonstrated a potent offense, putting up 440 points (averaging 44.0 points per game) while allowing 210 points (21.0 points per game). Their scoring distribution across the quarters is also a key indicator of their offensive balance, starting with 11.0 points in the first quarter and finishing strong with 3.3 points in the final quarter, securing their victories.

Pearl River’s Competitive Edge

On the other hand, Pearl River has shown resilience despite a slightly lower overall record of 5-4. Their district performance mirrors their overall season, with a 2-2 record. While the team has been solid at home (3-2), their away performance (2-2) hasn’t been as strong. Pearl River’s win percentage stands at .556, or 55.6%. Their offense has scored 304 points, averaging 33.8 points per game, but their defense has been somewhat less effective, allowing 256 points. Pearl River’s scoring trends reveal a much slower start in comparison to Cecilia, with only 7.0 points in the first quarter but a huge surge in the final quarter, where they put up 21.0 points. This late-game scoring surge indicates that Pearl River can rally when needed, but their slow starts have sometimes placed them at a disadvantage.

Key Statistical Comparison

Looking deeper into the numbers:

• Cecilia excels in the first half of the game, particularly in the third quarter, where they score 12.3 points on average, compared to Pearl River’s 8.0.
• Pearl River shows a clear late-game push, scoring an impressive 21.0 points in the fourth quarter. This could make them a dangerous team in close contests, especially if they can tighten up their early-game performance.

Head-to-Head and Record Breakdown

While both teams have performed well within their districts, Cecilia holds a slight edge over Pearl River in their overall record. In head-to-head matchups this season, both teams are tied at 0-0, meaning their upcoming game will be crucial for establishing dominance between the two.

• Cecilia has a well-balanced mix of victories, with 5-1 at home and 3-2 away. They’ll be looking to maintain their strong performance, especially in their next district games.
• Pearl River, with a 2-2 district record, will be hoping to capitalize on their late-game strength and improve their consistency throughout all four quarters.

Conclusion

As the season progresses, Cecilia looks poised to be a contender with its balanced offense and strong early-game scoring. Pearl River, however, has proven it can fight back in the latter parts of games, making them a team to watch. Both teams will look to fine-tune their strategies, with Cecilia aiming to continue its dominance at home and Pearl River hoping to fix its slow starts and maintain its fourth-quarter resilience. Their upcoming matchup could be a defining moment for both programs as they aim to solidify their playoff hopes.