The Shepherd Hill Regional varsity football team (Dudley, MA) will play a home non-conference game against Tantasqua Regional (Fiskdale, MA) today at 10 a.m.

What: Massachusetts High School Football
Who: Shepherd Hill Regional (MA) vs Tantasqua Regional (MA)
When: Thursday, November 28, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. ET
Where: Shepherd Hill Regional High School
Live stream: Watch here

Tantasqua Regional vs. Shepherd Hill Regional: A 2024-25 Season Comparison

As the 2024-25 high school football season unfolds, Tantasqua Regional and Shepherd Hill Regional have shown different trajectories. Let’s dive into the statistics, team leaders, and match outcomes that outline the strengths and weaknesses of each squad.

Season Overview

Tantasqua Regional finished with a 5-5 record, marked by a 1-3 league performance and a more balanced home (4-1) versus away (1-4) record. Despite some challenges on the road, the team managed a respectable overall win percentage of .500 and a league win percentage of .250. On the other hand, Shepherd Hill Regional ended their campaign with a 3-7 record. Their league performance was slightly better, at 2-2, but their struggles were evident in home (2-3) and away (0-4) games. The Rams faced a tough season, reflected by a .300 overall win percentage and a .500 league win rate.

Team Scoring Averages

Scoring patterns illustrate a significant difference between the two teams:

• Tantasqua Regional averaged 23.7 points per game, with a late-game boost contributing to their scoring (3.0 points in Q3 and 4.0 in Q4).
• Shepherd Hill Regional averaged 21.2 points per game. Their most productive period was Q1 (8.4 points), while their performance dropped in the second quarter (1.2 points), showing inconsistency throughout games.

Statistical Comparison

Breaking down the teams’ averages reveals contrasting offensive and defensive capabilities:

• Rushing yards per game: Tantasqua led with 61.1, whereas Shepherd Hill averaged 20.1.
• Passing yards per game: Tantasqua had 15.3, closely matched by Shepherd Hill’s 15.3.
• Receiving yards per game: Tantasqua outperformed with 15.3 compared to 17.2 from Shepherd Hill.
• Total yards per game: Tantasqua’s 76.4 yards were ahead of Shepherd Hill’s 61.1.
• Tackles per game: Tantasqua stood out with 11.8, while Shepherd Hill had just 2.7.
• Sacks per game: A slight edge to Tantasqua, with 0.1 per game versus Shepherd Hill’s 0.2.
• Points per game: Tantasqua averaged 5.0, with Shepherd Hill at 3.0.

Key Player Contributions

The standout players for each team reflect their respective roles:

• Tantasqua Regional:
  • Devin Rowden dominated in multiple categories, including rushing yards (92.7), total yards (113.0), tackles (7.7), and points per game (8.7).
  • Lhee Sturtze Burrell led in passing yards (51.0), while Michael Woodson contributed notably with 35.0 receiving yards per game.
• Shepherd Hill Regional:
  • No individual standout rivaled Rowden’s multi-faceted impact, but the team showed reliance on contributions across different players to maintain competitiveness.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

When facing common opponents, Tantasqua Regional had a more favorable record of 3-1, while Shepherd Hill Regional posted a 2-2 mark. The head-to-head match was not applicable in 2024, adding to the intrigue for potential future encounters. Here are some noteworthy results against mutual foes:

• On 9/13/24, Tantasqua defeated Marlborough 34-14, while Shepherd Hill narrowly edged them out on 10/25/24, winning 52-48.
• 10/11/24 saw Tantasqua’s decisive 26-0 win over South, compared to Shepherd Hill’s 38-30 victory on 11/8/24.
• 11/1/24 highlighted challenges for both teams against Grafton, with Tantasqua losing 42-0 and Shepherd Hill falling 49-6.
• Nashoba Regional marked another tough contest for Shepherd Hill, losing 26-8 on 10/19/24, while Tantasqua triumphed 42-14 on 11/1/24.

Conclusion

The 2024-25 season showcased Tantasqua Regional’s more consistent offensive production and standout individual performances, particularly from Devin Rowden. In contrast, Shepherd Hill Regional’s season was characterized by sporadic performances and an inconsistent record. While both teams faced struggles, Tantasqua’s edge in key metrics like rushing yards, total yards, and defensive tackles set them apart. As these programs look ahead to future seasons, addressing weaknesses and leveraging their core strengths will be critical for success.