The River Road (Amarillo, TX) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against Vernon (TX) on Thursday, November 21, at 7:00 PM at Lowrey Field. This matchup is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships for the 3A Division 1 tournament.

River Road vs Vernon Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: River Road vs Vernon
When: Thursday, November 21, 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: River Road vs Vernon

The Vernon football team heads into their upcoming matchup against River Road with an impressive record and strong statistics, but River Road will look to pull off an upset. Here’s a breakdown of each team’s performance and how they stack up in various key areas.

Team Overview

Vernon: With a record of 8-3 overall and 4-2 in district play, Vernon has been one of the top teams in their section. Their dominance on both offense and defense has been evident, as they have managed to outscore opponents 395 to 239. At home, they are strong with a 5-2 record, while their 3-1 record on the road proves their ability to perform away from home.

River Road: River Road has struggled this season, finishing with a 5-6 overall record and an unfortunate 0-3 mark in district play. They’ve been inconsistent, with a 2-3 record at home and 3-3 on the road. Despite their difficulties, they have a number of talented players who could turn the tide in this matchup.

Team Scoring Averages

• Vernon: The team averages 35.9 points per game, scoring across all four quarters, including a strong 9.0 points in the first quarter and 10.5 in the second. Their offense is well-rounded, with consistent scoring throughout the game.
• River Road: River Road has struggled to find a rhythm, averaging only 19.3 points per game. They start strong with 10.5 points in the first quarter, but their scoring drops drastically, especially in the second half, where they average a mere 4.7 points in the third and fourth quarters.

Team Stat Comparison

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Vernon leads with 276.9 yards per game, compared to River Road’s 254.1. Vernon’s strong rushing attack, led by Tru Gipson, gives them an edge in controlling the clock and wearing down defenses.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Vernon also dominates in passing, averaging 103.5 yards per game. River Road has been limited to just 29.5 passing yards per game, showcasing their struggles in the aerial game.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Vernon gains 102.6 yards per game through the air, while River Road averages 38.5. With a dynamic receiving corps, Vernon has a clear advantage in both the running and passing game.
• Total Yards Per Game: Vernon outpaces River Road in total offense with 380.5 yards per game compared to 283.6. This comprehensive offensive approach gives Vernon the ability to attack from all angles.
• Defensive Statistics: Vernon also excels defensively, with 63.5 tackles per game compared to River Road’s 58.2. In terms of pass rush, Vernon has a slight edge with 1.8 sacks per game, while River Road averages 1.6.

Key Players

• Vernon: Tru Gipson has been a standout, with 93.1 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Ty Scott has been a key contributor in the passing game with 90.2 yards per game. Jamari Chance leads the receiving corps with 38.8 yards per game. Tyce Payne, with 7.6 tackles per game, is the team’s defensive leader.
• River Road: Alex Warren is the standout performer for River Road, with 114.5 rushing yards per game, 27.5 passing yards per game, and 142 total yards per game. Dadrian Wallace also contributes with 28.0 receiving yards per game. On defense, Elijah Urias leads the team with 11.2 tackles per game.

Head-to-Head Record Breakdown

• Vernon has dominated against River Road in past matchups, holding a 1-0 advantage in the playoff history.
• Home/Away Split: Vernon performs better both at home (5-2) and on the road (3-1), while River Road has struggled, particularly at home with a 2-3 record and a 3-3 road mark.

Conclusion

Vernon enters this matchup as the clear favorite, with their superior offense and defense. They have shown consistency in their performances, both at home and away, and their ability to score points in all phases of the game has made them a tough opponent this season. On the other hand, River Road, despite their efforts, has struggled to maintain offensive consistency and defensive strength, especially in district games.

For River Road to pull off an upset, they’ll need to find ways to exploit Vernon’s defense and improve their scoring efficiency, particularly in the second half. However, Vernon’s balanced attack and defensive stability should lead them to victory in this contest.