The Pleasant Grove Hawks (8-2) will host the Bullard Panthers (2-8) for a home playoff game on Thursday, November 14 at 6:30 PM. The game will take place at Pleasant Grove High School and is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships, Conference 4A Division 2 tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Pleasant Grove vs Bullard
When: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships, Conference 4A Division 2
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Game preview: Pleasant Grove vs Bullard

As the 2024-2025 high school football season progresses, two teams in the Texas Section are drawing attention for their contrasting records and performances: Bullard and Pleasant Grove. Let’s dive into their rankings, statistics, and head-to-head comparison as we analyze these two teams’ journeys so far.

Bullard: Struggling to Find Consistency

The Bullard football team has had a tough season, finishing with an overall record of 2-8. In district play, they posted a 1-4 record, and they struggled significantly when playing on the road, securing only 2 wins out of 6 games away from home. Their scoring average reflects these difficulties, as they’ve managed just 17 points per game, with their highest-scoring quarter being the third (7.1 points).

Offensively, Bullard averages 139.1 rushing yards per game, led by Trey Wheeler, who contributes an impressive 41.4 yards per game. Quarterback Crew Bowman adds 104.3 passing yards, with Hendrix Smith catching 36.6 receiving yards on average per game. However, the team has faced challenges with both their defensive and offensive consistency, evidenced by their 316 points allowed across the season.

Pleasant Grove: Dominating the Competition

In contrast, Pleasant Grove has enjoyed a standout season, with an 8-2 overall record. They have been especially dominant in district play, finishing a perfect 5-0, including a strong 4-0 record at home. Their offense has been a powerhouse, averaging 36.6 points per game, with a balanced attack that excels in the first and second quarters, both averaging 10.5 points per quarter.

Pleasant Grove’s offense is led by dynamic quarterback Crew Bowman, who racked up 142.3 total yards per game and 104.3 passing yards per game. They also have a strong defense, allowing just 108 points over the course of the season. Their ability to both score and shut down opponents has helped them dominate, with their highest-scoring quarter being the first (10.5 points). The team is perfect at home, showcasing their dominance at their home field with a 4-0 record.

Head-to-Head Comparison

While Bullard has struggled in nearly every aspect of the game this season, Pleasant Grove has flourished, especially in district matchups. Here’s a breakdown of their stats and how they compare:

• Scoring: Bullard averages 16 points per game, while Pleasant Grove averages a whopping 36.6 points.
• Offensive Yards: Bullard’s offense, led by Trey Wheeler’s rushing ability and Crew Bowman’s passing yards, has put up 234.7 total yards per game. Pleasant Grove, on the other hand, has been significantly more productive but has not been fully detailed in terms of total yards.
• Defense: Bullard’s defense has struggled to keep pace with their opponents, allowing an average of 316 points. Pleasant Grove’s defense has been much more effective, conceding only 108 points on the season.
• Tackles and Sacks: Both teams are relatively consistent in tackles per game, with Trey Martin from Bullard contributing 12.1 tackles per game, and the team averaging 56.2 tackles per game overall.

Team Leaders

• Bullard:
  • Trey Wheeler (41.4 rushing yards per game)
  • Crew Bowman (104.3 passing yards per game)
  • Hendrix Smith (36.6 receiving yards per game)
  • Trey Martin (12.1 tackles per game)
• Pleasant Grove:
  • Crew Bowman (142.3 total yards per game)
  • Crew Bowman (104.3 passing yards per game)
  • Pleasant Grove does not have other individual stats fully outlined, but their collective performance has been exemplary.

Looking Ahead

The contrasting seasons for these two teams reflect their differing levels of success in the 2024-2025 football campaign. Bullard will need to regroup and address both offensive and defensive issues, while Pleasant Grove looks poised to continue its winning ways, leveraging its high-powered offense and solid defense as they progress through the rest of the season.

As the playoffs approach, it’s clear that Pleasant Grove is one of the stronger teams in their district, while Bullard will need to find a way to pull off upsets in the remaining games if they are to turn their season around. It will be interesting to see how these two teams fare in their next matchups, with Bullard hoping to improve and Pleasant Grove aiming for continued dominance.