The Paramus Catholic (Paramus, NJ) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against Pope John XXIII (Sparta, NJ) today at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 New Jersey High School Football Playoff Brackets: NJSIAA – Non-Public B tournament.

Pope John XXIII vs Paramus Catholic Football Game Info:

What: New Jersey High School Football Playoffs
Who: Pope John XXIII vs Paramus Catholic
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
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Game preview: Pope John XXIII vs Paramus Catholic

As the high school football season heads into the final stretch, Pope John XXIII (Sparta, NJ) and Paramus Catholic (Paramus, NJ) are set to face off in a highly anticipated playoff game. This matchup, scheduled for today at 7:00 PM, comes after a thrilling non-conference encounter on September 7, 2024, where Paramus Catholic emerged victorious, winning 49-29.

Season Performance & Records

Pope John XXIII enters the game with a 3-7 overall record and a 1-3 league record in the NJ Div. 22. Despite a tough season, the team has shown resilience, averaging 28.4 points per game, with impressive offensive stats led by senior running back Tylik Hill. Hill leads the team with 185.5 rushing yards per game, making him a key player to watch in this game.

On the other hand, Paramus Catholic has a 4-6 overall record and a disappointing 0-3 league record in the NJ Div. 20. Although their league performance has been subpar, the team has a strong offensive attack, averaging 24.1 points per game, with Xavier Williams leading the charge with 189.4 rushing yards per game. Despite their overall record, Paramus Catholic has proven capable of explosive performances, especially in non-conference games.

Key Matchup: Team Scoring Averages

The two teams have contrasting scoring patterns. Pope John XXIII has an average of 29.0 points per game, with a well-balanced scoring distribution throughout the game. Their highest scoring quarter is the 4th, with an average of 7.0 points, indicating they often finish strong.

In contrast, Paramus Catholic has a steady increase in scoring as the game progresses, particularly in the second and third quarters, where they average 14 and 11.7 points, respectively. Their offense tends to gain momentum as the game unfolds, making their third-quarter performance one to watch closely.

Team Stat Comparison

• Pope John XXIII has an edge in rushing yards, averaging 224.0 per game compared to Paramus Catholic’s 174.4. However, Paramus Catholic slightly leads in passing yards with 161.7 per game, compared to Pope John XXIII’s 141.1.
• In terms of total yards, Pope John XXIII averages 365.1 per game, while Paramus Catholic is at 336.1. Defensively, Pope John XXIII averages 69 tackles per game, with Tyler Houser being a standout with 12.6 tackles per game.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

In their previous meeting on September 7, Paramus Catholic dominated in a 49-29 victory. Paramus Catholic had a strong second half, outscoring Pope John XXIII 35-15 in the final two quarters. This game featured a balanced offensive attack, with Paramus Catholic capitalizing on Pope John XXIII’s defensive lapses.

Both teams have faced tough opponents this season, with Pope John XXIII losing to powerhouse teams like DePaul Catholic, Bergen Catholic, and St. Joseph Regional. Paramus Catholic, while also facing formidable competition, managed a victory over St. Peter’s Prep but struggled against teams like Delbarton and St. Joseph Regional.

Key Players to Watch

For Pope John XXIII, the spotlight will be on Tylik Hill, who has been a dual-threat for the team both in rushing and receiving. With over 200 total yards per game, Hill will be crucial in setting the tone early.

Paramus Catholic will rely heavily on Xavier Williams, who leads their rushing attack with nearly 190 yards per game. Williams’ ability to break tackles and gain yards after contact will be pivotal in wearing down Pope John XXIII’s defense. Additionally, quarterback Crew Colon’s passing ability and connection with key receivers like Nehki Martin could prove to be a game-changer.

Conclusion

This playoff clash between Pope John XXIII and Paramus Catholic promises to be an exciting matchup, with both teams bringing dynamic offenses and strong individual performers. While Pope John XXIII will look to lean on their ground game, Paramus Catholic will rely on a more balanced offensive approach. With the postseason on the line, both teams will need to execute well across all phases of the game.

Fans should expect a high-energy contest, with both teams aiming to advance in the playoffs after a season of ups and downs. Will Pope John XXIII bounce back after their September loss, or will Paramus Catholic continue their dominant playoff push? One thing is for sure—the action is sure to be intense.