The Point Pleasant (WV) varsity football team will host St. Albans (WV) for a non-conference game on Friday, November 15, at 7:00 PM.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: West Virginia High School Football
Who: Point Pleasant vs St. Albans
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network
Football Season Preview: St. Albans vs. Point Pleasant
As the 2024 football season heats up, fans are looking ahead to the key matchups and potential rivalries between teams in the region. Two teams that have shown flashes of promise but also faced struggles in recent seasons are St. Albans and Point Pleasant. Let’s break down the key stats and figures for both teams heading into the new season.
St. Albans (24-25 Season Record: 3-7)
St. Albans enters the season with a challenging recent track record of 3 wins and 7 losses, struggling particularly in the region with a 2-6 record. The team has faced a tough schedule, as reflected by their overall performance metrics. The Red Dragons scored just 105 points last season while allowing 327 points, giving them a points-per-game average of 7.6, far below their opponents’ total.
In terms of performance, St. Albans’ scoring averages were low across the board. Their offense struggled to gain consistent momentum, scoring 1.5 points in the first quarter, 0.9 in the second, 2.3 in the third, and finally, 4.3 in the fourth quarter for an average of 10.5 points per game.
Looking at individual contributions, the team’s star player, Deshaun Stotts, led in rushing with 44.5 yards per game, while Reece Lilly contributed with 75.9 passing yards per game. Deuce McClain was another standout with 33.9 receiving yards per game. Defensively, McClain also led the team in tackles per game with 9.0, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities.
Point Pleasant (24-25 Season Record: 4-5)
Point Pleasant, on the other hand, had a slightly more successful season with a 4-5 overall record. The Big Blacks had a better regional record of 1-2, although their win percentage of 0.444 was still modest. The team’s offense was significantly more productive than St. Albans’, scoring 245 points while allowing 261, giving them an average of 27.2 points per game. This was a dramatic contrast to St. Albans’ low output.
In comparison to St. Albans, Point Pleasant had a more balanced offensive attack. Their scoring averages reflected more consistent play, with the team scoring 1.8 points in the first quarter, 5.0 in the second, 8.5 in the third, and 4.3 in the fourth quarter. Their high-scoring third quarter was particularly notable, showing the team’s ability to adjust and ramp up the offense.
Point Pleasant’s offensive leader was also a standout in the rushing game, though statistics were not provided for their rushing yards per game. Reece Lilly, who also played a significant role for St. Albans, had a total of 67.2 yards per game for Point Pleasant, while Tyrell Ellis was their top sack contributor with 1.1 sacks per game.
Head-to-Head Comparison
When we look at the head-to-head matchup between St. Albans and Point Pleasant, there’s no clear history of dominance. Both teams have similar win-loss records in recent years, with St. Albans struggling in the region and Point Pleasant looking to build on their success. Their common opponents’ records remain neutral, making it difficult to predict which team holds the upper hand going into the season.
St. Albans and Point Pleasant both have crucial games against teams like Fairmont Senior, but without prior matchups to gauge performance against each other, predicting the winner of their upcoming game is tricky.
Team Stat Comparison
| Stat Category | St. Albans | Point Pleasant |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 107.1 | – |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 77.2 | – |
| Receiving Yards Per Game | 81.6 | – |
| Total Yards Per Game | 184.3 | – |
| Tackles Per Game | 59.9 | – |
| Sacks Per Game | 2.0 | – |
| Points Per Game | 7.6 | 27.2 |
Key Takeaways
The matchup between St. Albans and Point Pleasant will depend on which team can leverage their strengths. St. Albans will need to improve their offensive output significantly if they are to compete with Point Pleasant, who has a stronger scoring offense. If the Red Dragons can find a way to break through Point Pleasant’s defense early and keep their pace up through all four quarters, they may have a shot at closing the gap.
On the other hand, Point Pleasant will look to build on their offensive efficiency and maintain their third-quarter momentum, while improving their defensive metrics to prevent any surprises from a low-scoring St. Albans side.
As both teams have a history of struggles and flashes of brilliance, their upcoming match could provide a crucial insight into whether either team has made the necessary strides to be competitive in the region. Whether St. Albans can build on its young talent or Point Pleasant can capitalize on its offensive strength remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: the 2024 season will be an exciting one for both teams.
