The Rouse (Leander, TX) varsity football team will play a neutral playoff game against Highland Park (Dallas, TX) on Friday, November 15, at 7:00 PM. This game is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships for the 5A Division 1 tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Rouse vs Highland Park
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 5A D1
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Game preview: Rouse vs Highland Park

As the football season progresses, two teams are standing out with impressive records and dynamic performances: Highland Park and Rouse. Both teams have demonstrated exceptional capabilities, but their paths to success have been marked by unique strengths and challenges.

Team Overview

• Highland Park (24-25)
  • Overall Record: 9-1
  • District Record: 6-0
  • Home Record: 4-1
  • Away Record: 4-0
  • Neutral Record: 1-0
  • Points For: 363
  • Points Against: 175
  • Win Percentage: 90%
  • District Win Percentage: 100%

Highland Park has dominated the season with a near-perfect 9-1 record. Their ability to maintain an undefeated district record (6-0) highlights their dominance within the local competition. The team’s overall offensive strategy and defensive strength are evident in their point totals, with 363 points scored and only 175 points allowed.

• Rouse (24-25)
  • Overall Record: 6-4
  • District Record: 5-2
  • Home Record: 4-1
  • Away Record: 2-3
  • Points For: 330
  • Points Against: 239
  • Win Percentage: 60%
  • District Win Percentage: 71%

Rouse, with a 6-4 overall record, has had a solid season but faced challenges on the road, evident in their 2-3 away record. Despite this, the team has proven strong in district play with a 5-2 district record. Rouse has been a competitive force but has given up more points (239) than Highland Park.

Scoring Breakdown

• Highland Park averages 36.3 points per game, showing consistency across the four quarters:
  • Q1: 11.8
  • Q2: 12.5
  • Q3: 5.3
  • Q4: 6.3

Their offensive strength is especially noticeable in the first two quarters, where they rack up a combined 24.3 points per game. The team slows down slightly in the second half but remains highly effective.

• Rouse averages 33.0 points per game, with a slightly different distribution:
  • Q1: 10.8
  • Q2: 8.2
  • Q3: 7.7
  • Q4: 9.2

Rouse’s offense shows a more balanced attack, staying competitive throughout the game with a particular strength in the fourth quarter, where they score an average of 9.2 points.

Key Team Stats Comparison

• Rushing Yards Per Game:
  • Highland Park: 159.3
  • Rouse: 159.3

Both teams show strong ground games, each averaging similar rushing yards per game.

• Passing Yards Per Game:
  • Highland Park: 272.8
  • Rouse: 272.8

Passing plays are equally vital for both teams, with both exceeding 270 yards per game in passing offense.

• Total Yards Per Game:
  • Highland Park: 432.1
  • Rouse: 432.1

The total yards per game are identical, reflecting a balanced offensive strategy for both teams.

• Tackles Per Game:
  • Highland Park: 60.5
  • Rouse: 60.5

The teams are also matched defensively in terms of tackles per game, showing that both have strong defensive lines.

• Sacks Per Game:
  • Highland Park: 1.9
  • Rouse: 1.9

Both teams are capable of putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, with 1.9 sacks per game each.

Star Players

• Highland Park:
  • London Morgan: The star quarterback leads the team with 273.6 passing yards per game and is responsible for 293.6 total yards per game, showing a deep passing game and versatility.
  • Leland Smit: A standout receiver, Smit racks up 92.7 yards per game, making him a key offensive weapon.
  • Reed Henson: A top defender with 9.6 tackles per game, Henson is a defensive leader on the field.
• Rouse:
  • London Morgan: Also a key player for Rouse, Morgan’s offensive stats are a mirror image of Highland Park’s star, with a significant impact on passing yards and total yards per game.
  • Leland Smit: Another dynamic player, Smit leads his team with 7.6 points per game, reflecting his importance on the field.

Record Breakdown

Both teams have strong records but vary in their overall and district performances. Highland Park has a perfect district record, whereas Rouse’s 5-2 district performance places them slightly behind. Highland Park’s strength at home (4-1) and away (4-0) has been crucial to their success, while Rouse has been less consistent in away games.

• Highland Park:
  • In-State: 9-0
  • Out-of-State: 0-1
• Rouse:
  • In-State: 6-4
  • Out-of-State: 0-0

Conclusion

This matchup between Highland Park and Rouse promises to be an exciting one. Highland Park enters the game with an overwhelming advantage in terms of record and scoring, but Rouse is a formidable team that could surprise with its consistency and ability to perform under pressure. Both teams share similar statistics in key areas, such as rushing and passing yards, making it a clash of titans in Texas football. Fans can expect a thrilling contest where every play will count.