The Salamanca (NY) varsity football team will face Schuylerville (NY) in a neutral playoff game on Saturday, December 7, at 12:00 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: New York High School Football
Who: Schuylerville vs. Salamanca
When: Saturday, December 7, 2024
Time: 12:00 PM ET
Bracket: 2024 NYSPHSAA Football Championships – Class C
Live Stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Schuylerville vs. Salamanca

The Schuylerville Black Horses (14-1) are set to face the Salamanca Warriors (13-0) in a battle of undefeated teams. Schuylerville has been highly effective this season, but Salamanca, with their perfect record, will look to maintain their momentum. Both teams have had impressive seasons, with strong performances in both offense and defense.

Season Recap: Schuylerville Black Horses

• Record: 14-1
• League Record: 3-0
• Points For/Against: 633 PF, 175 PA
• Scoring Average: 42.2 points per game

Schuylerville has been a dominant force, averaging 42.2 points per game. Their offense is well-rounded, and they’ve managed to balance their scoring across all four quarters, with particularly strong performances in the first half (14.0 in the first quarter and 16.5 in the second). Schuylerville’s defense has also been impressive, allowing only 175 points all season.

Season Recap: Salamanca Warriors

• Record: 13-0
• League Record: 7-0
• Points For/Against: 541 PF, 172 PA
• Scoring Average: 41.6 points per game

Salamanca has also had an exceptional season, with their offense averaging 41.6 points per game. They’re particularly strong in the early stages of games, scoring an average of 19.0 points in the first quarter. Salamanca’s defense has been solid, allowing only 172 points throughout the season.

Key Matchups

1. Schuylerville’s Balanced Attack vs. Salamanca’s Early-Game Explosiveness
   Schuylerville has the advantage of a consistent offense throughout the game. However, Salamanca tends to start strong with a 19.0-point average in the first quarter, so Schuylerville will need to match their pace early on to prevent the Warriors from gaining momentum.
2. Rushing Game: Schuylerville’s Landen Cumm vs. Salamanca’s Defense
   Schuylerville’s top rusher, Landen Cumm, has been a force with an average of 139.6 yards per game. Salamanca’s defense will need to contain Cumm to limit Schuylerville’s scoring chances.
3. Turnover Battle
   In close matchups like this, turnovers can play a crucial role. Both teams will need to protect the ball and take advantage of any turnovers they can force. Schuylerville’s defense will need to limit big plays and mistakes, especially from Salamanca’s offense.

Common Opponent Analysis

Both teams have faced a challenging set of opponents, though they haven’t matched up directly against each other or common opponents during the season. The ability to handle in-state competition will be key for both teams as they look to face off against one another.

Key Statistics

Prediction

This is a close matchup, with both teams having powerful offenses and solid defenses. Schuylerville has the advantage in total offense, but Salamanca’s early-game explosiveness could give them a slight edge. Both teams are well-rounded, so this game will likely come down to which team can execute more efficiently in key moments.