The Saint Jo (TX) varsity football team will play a neutral-site playoff game against Avalon (TX) today at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships, in the 6-Man 1A Division 1 tournament.

Saint Jo vs Avalon Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Saint Jo vs Avalon
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: Saint Jo vs Avalon

As the 2024-25 Texas high school football season nears its climactic moments, Avalon and Saint Jo have emerged as dominant forces in their respective divisions. With both teams boasting impressive records and high-powered offenses, their paths seem set for an exciting showdown.

Avalon: A Perfect Record and Unstoppable Offense

Avalon has been the definition of excellence this season, finishing with a perfect 10-0 overall record. Their dominance has been reflected not only in their wins but also in their impressive scoring averages and offensive stats. With an average of 58.8 points per game, Avalon has been a scoring machine, particularly in the first two quarters, where they average a combined 43.2 points. The offense is spearheaded by senior running back Josh Novak, who leads the team with 175.4 rushing yards per game, contributing to a total offense of 342.2 yards per game. The team’s defense is also solid, with 44 tackles per game, and they’ve been virtually untouchable in district play, finishing with a 4-0 record within their league.

Avalon’s offensive balance is key to their success. While Novak leads the ground game, quarterback Kade Johnson adds to the mix with 59.5 passing yards per game, making the team a versatile threat on both ends of the field. Avalon’s team-wide effort is evident, and they enter each game with confidence—especially on their home turf, where they’ve been perfect this season, winning all five of their home games.

Saint Jo: A High-Scoring Contender with Depth

Though Avalon may have a perfect record, Saint Jo is not far behind. With a 9-1 overall record, including a solid 3-1 district showing, Saint Jo has proven to be one of the toughest teams in the region. Averaging 49.6 points per game, Saint Jo also has a high-octane offense, with standout players like Devin Stewart, who runs for an average of 93.8 yards per game and contributes 121.0 total yards per game. The team’s total offensive production of 357.4 yards per game is just a slight improvement over Avalon’s, showing how efficient their unit has been this season.

Saint Jo’s defense has also been formidable, with 51.4 tackles per game, and linebacker Lee Yeley has been a standout on that front, registering 10.6 tackles per game. Although Saint Jo’s sack numbers (1.4 per game) are lower compared to Avalon’s, the defense’s ability to limit opposing offenses remains a key component of their success. With a balanced offense and strong defense, Saint Jo has proven itself as a worthy contender in the race for postseason glory.

Key Statistical Comparisons

When looking at their offensive and defensive stats, both teams show notable strengths:

• Rushing yards per game: Avalon averages 231.1 yards per game, while Saint Jo follows closely with 227.5.
• Passing yards per game: Avalon’s 111.1 yards per game is a bit lower than Saint Jo’s 129.9, reflecting Saint Jo’s slightly more pass-heavy attack.
• Total yards per game: Avalon averages 342.2 yards per game, but Saint Jo leads with 357.4 yards per game, indicating their overall efficiency on offense.
• Defensive comparison: Avalon averages 44 tackles per game, while Saint Jo is slightly stronger with 51.4.

Players to Watch

• Josh Novak (Avalon): With 175.4 rushing yards per game and a total of 223.7 yards per game, Novak is the key player for Avalon’s offense. His ability to break through defenses and accumulate yards quickly makes him a constant threat.
• Devin Stewart (Saint Jo): The star rusher for Saint Jo, Stewart has been an all-around contributor, adding 93.8 rushing yards and 121.0 total yards per game. He is crucial to the team’s offensive success.
• Lee Yeley (Saint Jo): Yeley leads the Saint Jo defense with 10.6 tackles per game and has been one of the top defensive players this season.

Home vs. Away Performance

Both teams have been nearly flawless in their home games. Avalon has a perfect 5-0 record at home, while Saint Jo has a strong 4-1 record in away games, demonstrating their resilience on the road. With both teams maintaining unblemished home records, the outcome of any postseason matchups could heavily depend on the location and environment.

Conclusion

As the season heads into its final stretch, both Avalon and Saint Jo have firmly established themselves as two of Texas’ top high school football teams. Avalon, with their perfect record and high-scoring offense, and Saint Jo, with their own powerful attack and solid defense, will be teams to watch in the coming weeks. With both teams poised for deep runs in the playoffs, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to what has already been a remarkable season for both programs.