The Riverbend High School varsity football team will host Briar Woods High School for a home playoff game on Friday, November 29, at 1:00 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Virginia High School Football
Who: Riverbend vs Briar Woods
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Time: 1:00. p.m. ET
“2024 VHSL Football State Brackets (Virginia) – Class 5 “
Live stream: Watch here

Briar Woods vs. Riverbend: A Statistical Breakdown of Two High-Performing Virginia Teams

As the Virginia high school football season progresses, two teams that stand out for their impressive performances are Briar Woods and Riverbend. Both teams boast identical overall records of 8-3 and have demonstrated strong showings in their respective regions. Let’s take a closer look at how these two teams compare in terms of their rankings, scoring averages, Watch Here and team statistics, as well as their common opponents and head-to-head matchups.

Rankings & Records

• Briar Woods: A strong contender in Virginia’s Division 47, Briar Woods has a region record of 4-1 and an overall record of 8-3. The team has shown an impressive performance at home, boasting a perfect 5-0 record, and excels in the region with an 80% win percentage. They have accumulated 276 points while allowing 134 across the season.
• Riverbend: Riverbend, also with a 8-3 overall record, has performed well in the region with a 5-1 record, giving them a win percentage of 83.3%. Like Briar Woods, Riverbend is solid at home, with a 4-1 record, but has a slightly higher points scored tally at 324, though they’ve allowed 250 points over the season.

Scoring Averages: A Tale of Two Offenses

When it comes to scoring averages, Briar Woods and Riverbend are quite competitive, but their scoring distribution across quarters tells a more nuanced story.

• Briar Woods: The team averages 25.1 points per game, with a scoring spread that’s heavily front-loaded in the second quarter (13.5 points) but dips in the second half. Their final-quarter scoring is notably low at 3.0 points, suggesting a tendency to either finish strong or simply maintain a lead.
• Riverbend: Riverbend has a higher overall scoring average of 29.5 points per game. Their strongest quarter comes in the first, where they average 10.3 points, but their scoring balance is more consistent throughout the game, including solid production in the second and third quarters.

Team Stat Comparison: Strengths and Weaknesses

A comparison of key team stats further underscores the strengths of both teams.

• Briar Woods: This team has a notable strength in rushing with 147.6 yards per game. Their passing game averages 187 yards per game, and they total 334.6 yards per game overall. On defense, Briar Woods maintains a solid average of 58.3 tackles per game and records 1.5 sacks per game, but their offensive production is where they excel. Notably, they average 23 points per game.
• Riverbend: While Riverbend does not have detailed rushing yardage stats, their total offensive output is more diverse. They rely heavily on their passing game, averaging 184.5 passing yards per game. Their total yards per game are slightly higher than Briar Woods, coming in at 241.6 yards. On the defensive side, Riverbend averages 9.5 tackles per game and records 1 sack per game.

Team Leaders

Both teams have standout players who make a significant impact on both sides of the ball:

• Briar Woods:
  • Trey Dudley leads the team with 62.3 rushing yards per game.
  • Brady Carmical stands out as a dual threat, contributing 184.5 passing yards per game.
  • Colin Capistrant leads receiving with 75 yards per game.
  • On defense, Lucas Roser’s 9.5 tackles per game is impressive, while Paul Gifford stands out with 1.0 sack per game.
• Riverbend:
  • Although specific rushing leaders are not listed, Riverbend relies heavily on their passing game, with Brady Carmical contributing 241.6 total yards per game.
  • Riverbend’s overall defensive stats are solid, but their offensive leader is their quarterback, ensuring a balanced game strategy.

Head-to-Head Matchups and Common Opponents

Looking at how both teams performed against common opponents reveals some interesting insights:

• Briar Woods: Their common opponents include North Stafford, Stone Bridge, and Massaponax. They lost to North Stafford and Stone Bridge, but secured a victory over Massaponax.
• Riverbend: Riverbend also faced North Stafford, Stone Bridge, and Massaponax. They lost to North Stafford but won against both Stone Bridge and Massaponax, demonstrating a slightly stronger performance against common opponents.

Record Breakdown: A Comparison of Schedules

• Briar Woods: With a region record of 4-1 and a 3-3 non-league record, Briar Woods has been consistent in their region, particularly on the road, where they have a strong 5-0 record. Their overall performance across the season has been solid, especially in-state, where they are 7-3.
• Riverbend: Riverbend, like Briar Woods, is 8-3 overall and also has a strong 5-1 region record. Their 4-1 away record is impressive, and they’ve managed a 2-2 non-league record. Riverbend has also posted a perfect 1-0 playoff record, showcasing their readiness for postseason play.

Conclusion

Both Briar Woods and Riverbend have been consistent and competitive throughout the season. Briar Woods leans more on a balanced offensive attack, particularly in the rushing game, while Riverbend excels with a strong passing game and a slightly more balanced offensive output across all four quarters. With similar records and strengths, both teams look to be formidable competitors, and any head-to-head clash in the postseason would be an exciting match-up. Their ability to maintain strong performances against common opponents sets the stage for high-stakes games ahead.