The Pine (Franklinton, LA) varsity football team is set to play a home playoff game against St. Helena College and Career Academy (Greensburg, LA) today at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division III Non-Select tournament.

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

SHCACA vs. Pine: A Comparison of 2024-2025 Football Seasons

As the 2024-2025 high school football season continues, fans and analysts alike are watching with interest the performance of two teams in the Louisiana region: St. Helena College and Career Academy (SHCACA) and Pine High School. While both teams have had their share of highs and lows, their records and performances paint a contrasting picture heading into the season’s final stretch. Let’s break down how these two teams have fared so far, comparing their overall performance, key statistics, and common opponents.

Team Overview and Record Breakdown

St. Helena College and Career Academy (SHCACA)

• Record: 3-6 overall, 2-2 in district play
• Home Record: 2-3
• Away Record: 1-3
• Scoring Average: 18.9 points per game (PF), 145 total points for the season
• Defensive Average: 16.1 points per game (PA)

Despite a challenging season overall, SHCACA has managed to keep games competitive with a mid-tier district record of 2-2. With a total of 170 points scored across nine games, they have demonstrated moments of offensive spark but have struggled to find consistency, especially in away games, where they have only one win.

Pine High School

• Record: 8-3 overall, 3-2 in district play
• Home Record: 3-2
• Away Record: 5-1
• Scoring Average: 33.1 points per game (PF), 364 total points for the season
• Defensive Average: 12.8 points per game (PA)

In contrast, Pine has enjoyed a far more successful season with a solid 8-3 overall record. Their offense has been explosive, averaging over 33 points per game, and they have been particularly dominant on the road, boasting a 5-1 away record. Pine has shown impressive balance between scoring and defense, which has helped them secure a higher position in their district.

Offensive and Defensive Breakdown

While SHCACA has shown occasional flashes of brilliance, particularly in district matchups, their overall offensive output has been much lower compared to Pine. SHCACA has struggled to put up points consistently, particularly in the first and fourth quarters, where their scoring averages drop to 1.5 points in each period.

Pine, on the other hand, has demonstrated impressive offensive firepower, particularly in the second quarter where they score an average of 14 points. Their ability to score in the middle of games has played a crucial role in their success. They have also been more consistent throughout the game, with a scoring average of 7 points per quarter in most games, compared to SHCACA’s uneven distribution of points.

Performance Against Common Opponents

When comparing SHCACA and Pine against their common opponents, we see that Pine has had a better overall record (4-2) compared to SHCACA’s 2-3. This is indicative of Pine’s stronger overall performance and ability to win key games. Here’s a breakdown of how each team fared against the same schools:

• Albany: SHCACA lost to Albany, while Pine won 48-0.
• Sumner: SHCACA lost 30-0 to Sumner, while Pine lost 13-6.
• Amite: SHCACA lost 29-26 to Amite, while Pine also lost 33-14.
• Independence: SHCACA won 34-2, while Pine won 41-13.
• St. Thomas Aquinas: SHCACA defeated St. Thomas Aquinas 44-7, while Pine also had a dominant win, 47-0.
• Northlake Christian: SHCACA lost 20-14 to Northlake Christian, while Pine won 7-6.

From this, it’s clear that Pine has been more consistent and dominant when facing similar competition. SHCACA, on the other hand, has struggled against some of these teams, though their win over St. Thomas Aquinas and Independence show they are capable of pulling off strong performances.

Key Takeaways

• Pine’s Strengths: With a solid offensive attack and a well-balanced defense, Pine has proven to be one of the stronger teams in their district and beyond. Their success on the road and ability to score consistently, especially in the second and third quarters, have been key to their 8-3 record.
• SHCACA’s Challenges: While SHCACA has had moments of success, particularly in district games, their inability to score consistently, especially away from home, has limited their overall success. Their defensive record is commendable, but they need to improve offensively to compete with stronger teams like Pine.

As both teams continue through the season, it will be interesting to see how they adapt and improve. Pine’s strong finish to the season could propel them into the playoffs, while SHCACA may look to finish strong and build on their district success.