The Aquinas Institute varsity football team from Rochester, NY, will play against Rush-Henrietta from Henrietta, NY, in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7:00 PM.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: New York High School Football
Who: Rush-Henrietta vs Aquinas Institute
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Live Stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Rush-Henrietta vs. Aquinas Institute
The Rush-Henrietta and Aquinas Institute football teams will meet in a crucial neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. The stakes are high for both teams, as they look to advance in the postseason. With a solid mix of individual talent and team history on both sides, this promises to be an exciting matchup.
Team Overview
Rush-Henrietta (Henrietta, NY)
- Overall Record: 5-6
- League Record: 2-6
- Home Record: 1-3
- Away Record: 3-3
- Neutral Record: 1-0
- Win Percentage: 0.455
- Points Scored (PF): 260
- Points Allowed (PA): 255
Rush-Henrietta enters the playoff game with a 5-6 record, reflecting a challenging season with some competitive games. Despite a 2-6 mark in the league, Rush-Henrietta has proven capable of upsetting opponents and has managed to score an average of 21.2 points per game. Their ability to rally in the second half, scoring an average of 12.1 points per fourth quarter, will be key to success in this knockout game. With standout players like Justin Medina, the team will need to rely on its offensive firepower to keep pace with Aquinas’ high-scoring attack.
Aquinas Institute (Rochester, NY)
- Overall Record: 8-2
- League Record: 7-2
- Home Record: 5-1
- Away Record: 3-1
- Neutral Record: 1-0
- Win Percentage: 0.800
- Points Scored (PF): 286
- Points Allowed (PA): 112
Aquinas Institute has been a dominant force this season, finishing with an 8-2 record. With a 7-2 record in league play, they’ve been impressive both offensively and defensively, allowing only 112 points all season, which is one of the best defensive records in the state. Aquinas’ offense is potent, averaging 28.6 points per game, led by standout players like Derrion Battle. They will enter this game as favorites, having already beaten Rush-Henrietta 50-24 in their previous meeting this season.
Team Scoring Averages
| Quarter | Rush-Henrietta | Aquinas Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 4.3 | 8.5 |
| Q2 | 4.5 | 6.5 |
| Q3 | 2.9 | 6.9 |
| Q4 | 12.1 | 6.7 |
| OT1 | 7.0 | – |
| Final | 23.6 | 28.6 |
Rush-Henrietta’s scoring pattern shows a marked increase in the fourth quarter, where they average 12.1 points per game. This late-game surge will be crucial as they face an Aquinas defense that has allowed very few points all season. Meanwhile, Aquinas maintains a steady scoring attack throughout the game, with 8.5 points per first quarter and a consistent second-half effort. Rush-Henrietta will need to find a way to match Aquinas early on to avoid playing from behind.
Key Players to Watch
Rush-Henrietta
- Justin Medina – Rushing leader with 99.7 yards per game, Medina is a key offensive weapon who will need to carry the team’s ground game.
- Brendan Mangone – Leading the team in both passing yards (158.4 per game) and total yards (223.1 per game), Mangone will be the player to watch in the passing game.
- Ronin Walker – With 13.5 tackles per game, Walker anchors the Rush-Henrietta defense, and his ability to make stops in key situations will be vital.
Aquinas Institute
- Derrion Battle – The dynamic running back, averaging 110.3 yards per game, is the focal point of Aquinas’ offense.
- Trent Buttles – Quarterback for Aquinas, Buttles has accounted for 135.6 passing yards per game, and his leadership in the passing attack will be key for the team.
- Lucas Leone – Defensive standout with 9.2 tackles per game, Leone plays a critical role in maintaining the team’s stellar defensive performance.
Common Opponents
| Opponent | Rush-Henrietta Result | Aquinas Institute Result |
|---|---|---|
| McQuaid Jesuit | Lost 40-37 | Lost 23-9 |
| Hilton | Lost 21-14 | Won 31-14 |
| University Prep | Lost 36-20 | Won 21-2 |
| Fairport | Lost 21-7 | Lost 21-20 |
| Penfield | Lost 29-28 | Won 28-15 |
| Pittsford | Won 28-17 | Won 35-7 |
Both teams have faced off against several common opponents, with Aquinas Institute securing the majority of victories, including a dominant win over Penfield and Hilton. Rush-Henrietta, on the other hand, has had mixed results against these teams, showing the challenge they will face against a team like Aquinas.
Record Breakdown
| Category | Rush-Henrietta | Aquinas Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 5-6 | 8-2 |
| League | 2-6 | 7-2 |
| Non-League | 2-0 | 1-0 |
| Head-to-Head | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| Common Opponents | 3-5 | 6-2 |
| Home | 1-3 | 3-3 |
| Away | 3-3 | 3-1 |
| Neutral | 1-0 | 1-0 |
Aquinas Institute boasts a strong overall record of 8-2, with significant success against common opponents, including Rush-Henrietta‘s earlier defeat. Rush-Henrietta, with a 5-6 overall record, has shown resilience despite the losses and will look to surprise their opponents in the neutral-site playoff game.
Prediction and Keys to Victory
Rush-Henrietta will need to execute on offense, especially with Brendan Mangone and Justin Medina stepping up to provide a balanced attack. They must also limit turnovers and capitalize on any mistakes Aquinas might make. Their late-game scoring surge can help them remain competitive, but they will need to stay close through the first three quarters to make the fourth-quarter comeback possible.
For Aquinas Institute, their balanced offensive approach, with Derrion Battle and Trent Buttles, will be key. Their defense, led by Lucas Leone, has been one of the best in the state, and they will need to control the line of scrimmage to limit Rush-Henrietta’s scoring chances. Maintaining their early-game momentum will be crucial for avoiding a late-game scare.
Both teams have shown they can rise to the occasion, but Aquinas Institute’s depth and consistency throughout the season make them the favorites. However, Rush-Henrietta’s ability to perform under pressure could make this playoff game one to remember. The winner of this matchup will advance with their playoff hopes alive, while the loser will face the end of the road.
