The South River varsity football team will host a home playoff game against Northern (Owings, MD) on Friday, November 15, at 6 p.m.

What: Maryland High School Football
Who: South River (MD) vs Northern (MD)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

A Detailed Look at Northern and South River Football Teams: Season Comparison and Key Stats

As the 2024-2025 high school football season winds down, the Northern and South River teams have shown impressive performances. Both teams have earned solid records in their respective regions, with Northern sitting at 6-4 overall, and South River slightly ahead at 7-3. Let’s dive deeper into the team stats, comparisons, and performance highlights to understand what has fueled their success this season.

Team Performance Overview

Northern High School:

• Record: 6-4 (Region: 4-3)
• Points For (PF): 362 | Points Against (PA): 267
• Scoring Average: 36.2 points per game

South River High School:

• Record: 7-3 (Region: 6-3)
• Points For (PF): 281 | Points Against (PA): 292
• Scoring Average: 28.1 points per game

At first glance, Northern has had a higher overall offensive output, averaging 36.2 points per game compared to South River’s 28.1. However, South River’s balanced attack and defensive efficiency have made them a formidable opponent in the region, with a .700 win percentage and a 6-3 region record.

Key Stat Breakdown

• Rushing Yards Per Game:
  • Northern: 12.2
  • South River: 33.0 South River dominates the ground game with a significantly higher rushing yards per game, averaging 33.0 compared to Northern’s 12.2. This suggests that South River’s offensive line and running backs have been highly effective in controlling the pace of the game.
• Passing Yards Per Game:
  • Northern: 9.4
  • South River: 107.8 South River also outperforms Northern in the passing game, with 107.8 yards per game. Northern, on the other hand, has struggled to develop a potent aerial attack, only averaging 9.4 passing yards per game.
• Receiving Yards Per Game:
  • Northern: 37.9
  • South River: 67.3 South River’s receiving corps, led by standout players like Ben Adams, have managed to put up impressive yardage compared to Northern, who averages just 37.9 yards per game through the air.
• Total Yards Per Game:
  • Northern: 21.6
  • South River: 140.8 South River has a considerable edge in total yards per game, largely due to their strong running and passing game. Northern, with only 21.6 total yards per game, needs to improve in generating offensive yardage.
• Defensive Stats:
  • Tackles Per Game: Northern (7.6) vs. South River (15.5)
  • Sacks Per Game: Both teams are tied with 0.1 sacks per game, showing that their defenses are not significantly affecting the opposing quarterback.

Northern’s defense is more active in terms of tackles per game, but South River’s ability to control both sides of the ball, especially through their dynamic running game, gives them an advantage.

Team Leaders: Who’s Driving the Success?

• Northern:
  • Tyler Collins: 111.0 Rushing Yards Per Game
  • Alex Moskios: 94.0 Passing Yards Per Game
  • Miles Halbert: 161.0 Receiving Yards Per Game
  • Ryan McGovern: 8.0 Tackles Per Game
  • Miles Halbert: 18.0 Points Per Game
• South River:
  • Ben Adams: 111.0 Rushing Yards Per Game
  • Finn Mulvihill: 269.5 Passing Yards Per Game
  • Ben Adams: 69.3 Receiving Yards Per Game
  • Evan Paximadas: 9.5 Tackles Per Game
  • Ben Adams: 12.0 Points Per Game

Both teams feature standout performers. Northern’s Tyler Collins and Miles Halbert have been key contributors, with Halbert leading in receiving yards and points per game. Meanwhile, South River’s Ben Adams has been a dual-threat, excelling in both rushing and receiving, while Finn Mulvihill has shown his prowess in passing yards.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar opponents, with notable victories against Northeast High School.

• Northern defeated Northeast 49-0 on 11/9/24.
• South River won against Northeast 36-17 on 10/4/24.

These victories suggest that both teams are competitive within their region and can perform well against common opponents.

Playoff Outlook

Northern and South River both have playoff berths secured, with Northern boasting a 1-0 record in playoff games and South River also standing strong at 1-0 in the postseason. This sets the stage for potential playoff matchups that could determine the ultimate champion of their region.

Conclusion

As we approach the end of the 2024-2025 season, Northern and South River have proven themselves as two of the top contenders in their league. While Northern boasts an offensive juggernaut with a strong scoring ability, South River’s balanced attack and effective defense make them a well-rounded team. Both teams are poised for playoff success, and the upcoming weeks will be critical in determining which team will take the next step toward regional dominance.