The Peoria (IL) varsity football team will play a neutral playoff game against Joliet Catholic (Joliet, IL) on Saturday, November 16, at 2:00 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 Illinois High School Football Playoff Brackets for Class 5A.

What: Illinois High School Football
Who: Peoria (IL) vs Joliet Catholic (IL)
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Illinois High School Football Playoff Brackets: IHSA – Class 5A
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Analyzing the 2024-2025 Basketball Seasons of Joliet Catholic and Peoria High School

As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season unfolds, two teams that have captured attention for their impressive performances are Joliet Catholic and Peoria. Both teams have showcased strength in different aspects of their game, but each carries its own distinct set of successes and challenges. In this article, we’ll break down the records, performance averages, and other key stats to understand how these teams have fared so far and what we can expect moving forward.

Season Records: A Look at Joliet Catholic and Peoria

• Joliet Catholic (24-25):
  Overall, Joliet Catholic has put together a solid 8-3 record. Their performance in league play has been flawless, going 3-0 and dominating their conference competition. However, their non-league record sits at 3-3, with two losses on the road, pointing to some vulnerability when playing away from home. Their strong start in the playoffs (2-0) indicates they are gearing up for a deep postseason run. The team has averaged 26.1 points per game, with a scoring distribution that sees them often finish strong in the final quarter, thanks to an impressive 14.0-point average in overtime.
• Peoria (24-25):
  Peoria, with a 9-2 record overall, has been a force to reckon with, especially in their conference, where they boast a 6-2 mark. Their overall win percentage of 81.8% showcases their consistency. Peoria’s strengths are seen in their strong offense, posting 49.1 points per game across four quarters. However, like Joliet Catholic, Peoria has had challenges in some non-league matchups, with a 3-2 record on the road. The team’s exceptional performance at home (5-0) suggests they are formidable when they have home court advantage. Peoria’s playoff record is also perfect, with 2-0, showing their ability to perform when the stakes are highest.

Team Scoring Breakdown: How Joliet Catholic and Peoria Approach the Game

When it comes to scoring, Peoria stands out with a far more aggressive offensive approach. Their first-quarter scoring average of 14.8 points indicates that they often start strong, setting the tone for the game early. This high-scoring pace continues through the second and third quarters with averages of 12.4 and 11.6 points, respectively. However, Peoria’s scoring drops slightly in the final quarter, with 2.8 points, suggesting that while they are excellent at starting strong, they sometimes struggle to maintain momentum in the closing moments of the game.

In contrast, Joliet Catholic seems to take a more measured approach to scoring, starting slower with just 4.6 points in the first quarter, but gradually increasing their output, particularly in the second quarter (11.1 points). Their biggest surge comes in overtime, where they average 14.0 points, a testament to their ability to perform under pressure. While they are more inconsistent in terms of scoring (with 3.4 points in the third quarter and 2.4 in the fourth), their late-game focus and ability to close strong make them dangerous opponents.

Home, Away, and Neutral Games: The Impact of Venue on Performance

Both teams perform strongly at home, but it’s clear that Peoria is particularly dominant on their own turf, posting an unblemished 5-0 record. Joliet Catholic also thrives at home, with a perfect 5-0 record, suggesting that home court advantage plays a crucial role in their success.

On the road, Joliet Catholic faces more difficulty, with a 2-3 away record. Their away losses indicate that the team might struggle in hostile environments. Peoria, however, has had more success on the road, posting a 3-2 record, further indicating their resilience and ability to perform outside of their comfort zone.

In neutral site games, both teams are undefeated (1-0 for Joliet Catholic and 1-0 for Peoria), showing that neither team is fazed by neutral-site conditions.

In-State vs. Out-of-State Performance

• Joliet Catholic:
  When playing in-state, Joliet Catholic holds a 7-3 record, showcasing a strong presence in Illinois competitions. Their success in state matchups bodes well for their postseason chances. However, they are yet to face any out-of-state competition this season.
• Peoria:
  Peoria has also performed well within the state, with a 9-2 record against in-state teams. Their single out-of-state game has yet to be played, so their ability to perform outside Illinois remains untested.

Conclusion: A Look Ahead

With the season still unfolding, both Joliet Catholic and Peoria are positioned for a strong postseason push, each with its own strengths and areas for improvement. Joliet Catholic’s ability to close games and their perfect conference record make them a team to watch in the coming months. On the other hand, Peoria’s powerful offense and near-perfect overall record highlight their capability to make a deep run.

As these teams head into the latter part of the season, their ability to maintain or improve their performance, particularly in high-pressure situations and on the road, will determine how far they can go. With both teams holding strong records and playoff experience, the matchup between these two could prove to be a thrilling showdown later in the season.