The Rio Hondo (TX) varsity football team will face London (Corpus Christi, TX) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7:00 PM at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen. This matchup is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 3A Division 1 tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Rio Hondo vs London
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 3A D1
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Game preview: Rio Hondo vs London

As the 2024-2025 football season continues, the performance of two teams in the Texas Section 24-25 Division has caught the attention of fans and analysts alike. London and Rio Hondo have both had notable seasons, with contrasting records and performances. Here, we break down their respective seasons, statistics, and head-to-head comparison.

Team Overview

• London (5-5 overall, 4-3 district): London had a solid season with an equal win-loss record, finishing in the middle of their district. Despite a .500 overall win percentage, their district performance of .571 indicates that they were competitive in their league.
• Rio Hondo (8-2 overall, 6-1 district): In contrast, Rio Hondo had a remarkable season, securing an .800 win percentage and dominating their district with an impressive .857 district win rate. Their overall record showcases their dominance in both home and away games.

Scoring Averages

When it comes to scoring, Rio Hondo has the edge, averaging 43.9 points per game compared to London’s 31.4. However, London has demonstrated more consistency across the game’s quarters, with scoring averages of 10.5 in the first quarter, 6.8 in the second, 12.8 in the third, and 5.0 in the final quarter. Rio Hondo, on the other hand, has a more explosive fourth quarter, averaging 14 points, contributing to their higher overall score.

Team Stat Comparison

In terms of offensive and defensive statistics, both teams show strengths and weaknesses:

• London excels in passing, averaging 189.3 yards per game, and has a total offensive yardage of 337.2 yards per game. However, they give up a considerable amount of points (42.5 per game) and have a defense that records 78.2 tackles per game with 3.9 sacks.
• Rio Hondo focuses on a balanced offense with 147.9 rushing yards per game, supported by solid passing (189.0 yards per game) and a total of 439 yards per game. Defensively, Rio Hondo gives up significantly fewer points (only 13.9 per game), which has contributed to their strong season.

Team Leaders

• London:
  • Rushing Leader: Mario Lopez with 92.9 yards per game
  • Passing Leader: Ruben Atkinson with 167.6 yards per game
  • Receiving Leader: Keyan Lopez with 95.5 yards per game
  • Defensive Leader: Keyan Lopez with 14 tackles per game and 1.0 sacks per game
  • Points Leader: Mario Lopez with 10.0 points per game
• Rio Hondo:
  • Rushing Leader: No standout rushing leader, as the team utilizes a well-balanced rushing attack.
  • Passing Leader: No standout passing leader.
  • Receiving Leader: No standout receiving leader.
  • Defensive Leader: No standout defensive leader in terms of tackles or sacks.

Common Opponents

Both teams faced Bishop during the season, but with different outcomes:

• London played Bishop at home on August 29, 2024, and secured a dominant 45-13 win.
• Rio Hondo, meanwhile, hosted Bishop on September 27, 2024, but fell short, losing 20-13. This gives London the advantage in their head-to-head matchup against Bishop.

Head-to-Head Breakdown

London and Rio Hondo have yet to face each other this season, but they both have similar records against common opponents. London holds a 1-0 record against their shared opponent, while Rio Hondo is 0-1. If they were to meet, it would certainly be an exciting matchup given their contrasting playing styles.

Record Breakdown

• London:
  • Overall: 5-5
  • District: 4-3
  • Home: 3-3
  • Away: 2-2
• Rio Hondo:
  • Overall: 8-2
  • District: 6-1
  • Home: 6-0
  • Away: 2-2

Conclusion

In this season’s showdown, Rio Hondo emerges as the more dominant team with a stronger record, better overall stats, and an undefeated home performance. London, while competitive, faces an uphill battle against a team that has excelled across various categories, particularly in scoring and defense. Both teams have shown they can compete, but Rio Hondo’s consistent offensive production and defense might give them the edge should these two teams eventually meet on the field.