The Shelbyville Dragons (8-2) will face off against the Leon Cougars (6-4) in a neutral-site playoff game on Thursday, November 14 at 7:00 PM. The matchup is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships, Conference 2A Division 1 tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Shelbyville vs Leon
When: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 2A D1
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Game preview: Shelbyville vs Leon

As the 2024-2025 high school football season progresses, Crane and Grape Creek have showcased competitive performances with notable differences in their overall records, scoring averages, and key players. Let’s dive into the comparison between these two teams and analyze their performance heading into the next games.

Team Records & Standings

• Crane has maintained a .500 win percentage with an overall record of 5-5. Their district performance stands at 4-2, giving them a solid position within their league. Crane has played 5 home games, winning 2, and 5 away games, winning 3. Their offensive output has been impressive, scoring a total of 285 points, while their defense has allowed 278 points.
• Grape Creek, on the other hand, has struggled with a 4-6 overall record and a .400 win percentage. Their district performance is slightly better at 2-2, but they have faced challenges on the road, with only 1 win out of 5 away games. Grape Creek’s total scoring is 242 points, with their defense conceding 268 points throughout the season.

Team Scoring Averages

• Crane’s Scoring Breakdown: The team has been strong in the first half of their games, averaging 11.7 points per quarter in both the first and second quarters. However, they tend to slow down in the second half, scoring just 6.7 points in the third and failing to score in the fourth quarter. Despite this, Crane finishes with an average of 28.5 points per game.
• Grape Creek’s Scoring Breakdown: Grape Creek has demonstrated a steadier scoring pace, particularly in the second half. Their first quarter scoring is minimal, with just 1.3 points on average, but they improve significantly as the game progresses. Grape Creek averages 4.7 points in the second quarter, 10.0 points in the third, and 6.3 points in the fourth. Their overall average is 24.2 points per game.

Team Leaders

• Crane’s Key Player: Tyson Brents has been a standout for Crane, leading in multiple categories. He averages 89.5 rushing yards per game, 100.2 passing yards per game, and 57.0 receiving yards per game. His total yards per game of 189.7 put him among the top performers in the league.
• Grape Creek’s Key Player: While specific leaders are not highlighted for Grape Creek, the team has relied on their overall offensive efforts to stay competitive, including key contributions from the ground and air game. They will need strong performances in the coming games to balance out their offense.

Common Opponents

• Crane and Grape Creek both faced Stanton this season, with each team suffering a loss. Crane played Stanton on 8/30/24 and fell 47-7, while Grape Creek hosted Stanton on 10/18/24, losing 34-12. This common result gives insight into the competitive level both teams are facing in their respective districts.

Key Statistics Comparison

• Rushing: Crane leads in rushing yards per game with 110.9, a critical factor in their success.
• Passing: Crane also excels in passing yards, averaging 66.8 yards per game, which has helped diversify their offensive attack.
• Receiving: With 76.6 receiving yards per game, Crane has a balanced offense that spreads the ball effectively.

Head-to-Head Record

Both teams have yet to play each other this season, but looking at their head-to-head and common opponent performances, the matchup promises to be a competitive one. Crane holds a slight advantage based on their overall performance this season.

Conclusion

As both teams prepare for their next stretch of games, Crane seems to be in a more favorable position with a .500 win percentage and strong offensive statistics. Grape Creek, while struggling, has demonstrated resilience, particularly in the second half of games. The rivalry between these two teams is shaping up to be a closely contested one, with both sides looking to capitalize on their strengths to finish the season strong.