The Pope John Paul II (Slidell, LA) varsity football team will host Holy Savior Menard (Alexandria, LA) for a playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division III Select tournament.

What: Louisiana High School Football
Who: Pope John Paul II (LA) vs Holy Savior Menard (LA)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division III Select
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Holy Savior Menard vs. Pope John Paul II: A Comparative Analysis of Football Programs

As the 2024 football season progresses, a closer look at the Holy Savior Menard and Pope John Paul II teams reveals notable differences in performance, team statistics, and overall achievements. Both teams have had varying degrees of success, with Holy Savior Menard struggling through a challenging season and Pope John Paul II enjoying a stronger record. Here’s a breakdown of both teams, highlighting their performance metrics and statistical leaders.

Record Overview

• Holy Savior Menard:
  • Overall: 4-6
  • District: 2-2
  • Home: 4-1
  • Away: 0-5
  • Win %: .400
  • District %: .500
  • Points For (PF): 144
  • Points Against (PA): 216
• Pope John Paul II:
  • Overall: 8-2
  • District: 3-1
  • Home: 4-1
  • Away: 4-1
  • Win %: .800
  • District %: .750
  • Points For (PF): 350
  • Points Against (PA): 208

Pope John Paul II boasts a significantly stronger record than Holy Savior Menard, winning 8 of their 10 games compared to Menard’s 4-6 record. Both teams perform similarly at home (4-1), but Holy Savior Menard has faced difficulty on the road, losing all five away games. On the other hand, Pope John Paul II has found success both at home and away, showcasing a more balanced team.

Team Scoring Averages

• Holy Savior Menard:
  • Q1: 2.3
  • Q2: 4.3
  • Q3: 2.0
  • Q4: 0
  • Final: 14.4 PPG
• Pope John Paul II:
  • Q1: 14.6
  • Q2: 5.4
  • Q3: 8.2
  • Q4: 5.4
  • Final: 35.0 PPG

Pope John Paul II demonstrates offensive dominance with a hefty 35 points per game (PPG) average, led by a potent first quarter performance (14.6 PPG). In contrast, Holy Savior Menard struggles to put points on the board, averaging just 14.4 PPG, with a stark drop-off in the second half where they fail to score in the final quarter.

Team Statistical Comparison

• Holy Savior Menard:
  • Rushing Yards Per Game: 116.5
  • Passing Yards Per Game: 70.1
  • Receiving Yards Per Game: 67.4
  • Total Yards Per Game: 186.6
  • Tackles Per Game: 46.3
  • Sacks Per Game: 0.3
  • Points Per Game: 7.6
  • Pancake Blocks: 35
• Pope John Paul II:
  • Rushing Yards Per Game: – (Not Available)
  • Passing Yards Per Game: – (Not Available)
  • Receiving Yards Per Game: – (Not Available)
  • Total Yards Per Game: – (Not Available)
  • Tackles Per Game: – (Not Available)
  • Sacks Per Game: – (Not Available)
  • Points Per Game: – (Not Available)
  • Pancake Blocks: 35

Unfortunately, detailed statistical comparisons such as rushing, passing, and receiving yards are unavailable for Pope John Paul II, which limits the analysis in some areas. However, the team stands out with their pancake block statistic, matching Holy Savior Menard’s 35 despite lacking other detailed figures.

Team Leaders

Holy Savior Menard:

• Aidyn Moran (Rushing Yards Per Game): 85.7
• Jake Vaughan (Passing Yards Per Game): 68.9
• Matthew Hicks (Receiving Yards Per Game): 35.0
• Jake Vaughan (Total Yards Per Game): 111.8
• Sam Brocato (Tackles Per Game): 7.5
• Jack Simpson (Sacks Per Game): 0.1
• Aidyn Moran (Points Per Game): 6.0

Pope John Paul II:

• No specific stats available for key players in rushing, passing, or receiving categories.

Despite Holy Savior Menard’s clear individual leaders in multiple categories, the absence of detailed player stats for Pope John Paul II makes it difficult to pinpoint specific players who stand out. However, their overall success suggests strong performances across the board.

Conclusion

Pope John Paul II’s impressive 8-2 record and 35.0 PPG average make them the superior team in this comparison. Their strong performance both at home and away, combined with a balanced attack and solid defense, places them in a favorable position as they advance through the season. Holy Savior Menard, while struggling to put together consistent results, shows potential through key players like Aidyn Moran and Jake Vaughan. However, their overall lack of scoring, particularly in the second half, remains a hurdle to overcome if they are to improve their performance going forward.