The Pee Dee Academy (Mullins, SC) varsity football team will play a neutral-site playoff game against Bethesda Academy (Savannah, GA) today at 3:30 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 South Carolina High School Football Playoff Brackets: SCISA – AA tournament.
Pee Dee Academy vs Bethesda Academy Football Game Info:
What: South Carolina High School Football
Who: Pee Dee Academy vs Bethesda Academy
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 3:30 PM
Bracket: 2024 South Carolina High School Football Playoff Brackets: SCISA – AA
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Game preview: Pee Dee Academy vs Bethesda Academy
As the 2024 football season heats up, the matchup between Pee Dee Academy and Bethesda Academy has captured the attention of fans and analysts alike. Both teams have had stellar seasons, with Pee Dee Academy standing undefeated at 11-0 and Bethesda Academy bringing a 9-3 record into the game. The two schools, hailing from Mullins, SC, and Savannah, GA, respectively, will meet in a pivotal playoff game today at 3:30 p.m. after a closely contested game just weeks ago.
Season Records & Standings
Pee Dee Academy, with a perfect 5-0 region record, has dominated its opponents all season, averaging a staggering 43.5 points per game. Their offense, led by standout players like Colby Richardson and Miles Trussell, has been a well-oiled machine, scoring consistently in all four quarters. Their defense, averaging 50.8 tackles per game, has been equally formidable, allowing just 183 points all season.
Bethesda Academy, meanwhile, enters the game with a 9-3 record and a solid 4-1 region performance. The team has been competitive, with an offense averaging 29.7 points per game. The squad is led by Assir Best, Jordan Turner, and Raleigh Wesley, who have all been standout performers. Their defense averages 39.3 tackles per game, and while not as dominant as Pee Dee’s, it has been effective in limiting opposing offenses.
Recent Matchup
In their most recent meeting on October 25, Pee Dee Academy narrowly edged out Bethesda Academy 25-22 in a thrilling game. Bethesda Academy fought hard, but despite a strong finish in the fourth quarter, they couldn’t overcome Pee Dee’s balanced attack. The game saw Pee Dee take a 25-22 victory, with a strong second-half performance led by Richardson and Trussell. This loss will surely fuel Bethesda’s motivation as they face Pee Dee again in this high-stakes playoff matchup.
Key Statistical Comparisons
The offensive and defensive stats paint an interesting picture ahead of the game. Pee Dee Academy leads in nearly every major statistical category. Their rushing game, averaging 208.5 yards per game, is one of the strongest in the region, while their passing attack has been just as potent at 187.5 yards per game. Bethesda Academy, while effective, averages 182.4 rushing yards per game and 133.8 passing yards.
Defensively, Pee Dee’s linebackers, including standout Tristan Heckman, have been all over the field, with the team averaging 50.8 tackles per game. Bethesda has been competitive defensively, but their 39.3 tackles per game may face a serious challenge against Pee Dee’s high-powered offense.
Team Leaders
Bethesda Academy’s Assir Best has been a workhorse, rushing for an impressive 92.3 yards per game, while Jordan Turner has been prolific in the passing game, averaging 123.9 yards per game. Pee Dee’s Tristan Heckman has been a dynamic force on both sides of the ball, contributing 84.1 rushing yards per game and leading the defense with 7.9 tackles per game.
Other notable players include Pee Dee’s Colby Richardson, who has been outstanding in the passing game with 182.2 yards per game, and Miles Trussell, who has helped lead the receiving corps with 101.1 yards per game.
Playoff History
In terms of playoff performance, both teams have proven themselves on the big stage. Pee Dee Academy has yet to lose a playoff game this season, holding a 2-0 record. Bethesda Academy, on the other hand, has been dominant in neutral-site games, maintaining an undefeated 2-0 playoff record.
Bethesda Academy’s season has been a mix of strong victories and a few close losses, but they’ve shown resilience in every game. They will need to bring their A-game to overcome Pee Dee Academy’s explosive offense and tight defense in this playoff contest.
Prediction
While Pee Dee Academy enters the game as the clear favorite due to their undefeated record and overall dominance, Bethesda Academy has the tools to pull off an upset. With key players like Assir Best and Jordan Turner, the team’s offense has the potential to outpace Pee Dee’s defense. However, Pee Dee’s depth, coupled with their experience in big games, will likely give them the edge in this highly anticipated playoff clash.
Expect a fierce and competitive game with both teams pushing hard for a spot in the next round of the playoffs. With the stakes this high, it’s sure to be an exciting finish.
