The Southwestern (Somerset, KY) varsity football team will face North Laurel (London, KY) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7:30 PM.

What: Kentucky High School Football
Who: Southwestern (KY) vs North Laurel (KY)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Kentucky High School Football Playoff Brackets: KHSAA – Class 5A
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Preview: North Laurel vs. Southwestern – A Playoff Showdown

Date & Time: Friday, November 15, 2024 @ 7:30 PM
Location: Neutral Site

This Friday, the North Laurel Jaguars (5-6) will face off against the Southwestern Warriors (6-5) in a crucial playoff matchup. The two teams have already squared off during the regular season, with Southwestern emerging victorious in their previous meeting on September 27, 2024, with a dominant 23-14 win over North Laurel. As the postseason begins, both teams are looking to prove themselves on the field once again.

Regular Season Recap

North Laurel:

• Overall Record: 5-6
• District Record: 1-3
• Home Record: 2-2
• Away Record: 3-4
• Points Scored (PF): 175
• Points Allowed (PA): 286
• Win %: .455
• District Win %: .250

North Laurel enters the postseason with a modest overall record of 5-6. While the Jaguars have struggled in district play, their resilience and strong performances in non-district games, particularly on the road, have kept their hopes alive. Their offense has averaged 15.9 points per game, but their defense has allowed 286 points over the course of the season, which could pose a challenge in this high-stakes playoff contest.

Southwestern:

• Overall Record: 6-5
• District Record: 3-1
• Home Record: 3-2
• Away Record: 3-3
• Points Scored (PF): 231
• Points Allowed (PA): 227
• Win %: .545
• District Win %: .750

Southwestern enters this game with a winning record of 6-5. The Warriors have been solid throughout the season, especially in district play where they have posted a strong 3-1 record. Their offense has been more prolific, averaging 21.0 points per game. The defense has allowed slightly more points than it has scored, which could make for an exciting and high-scoring game.

Team Scoring Averages

• North Laurel:
  • Q1: 1.4
  • Q2: 2.0
  • Q3: 1.4
  • Q4: 2.8
  • OT: 20.0
  • Final: 15.9
• Southwestern:
  • Q1: 1.5
  • Q2: 3.3
  • Q3: 1.5
  • Q4: 5.0
  • Final: 21.0

Both teams have shown they can score in bursts, especially in the final quarter of games. Southwestern has averaged 5.0 points in the fourth quarter, while North Laurel has shown the ability to be dangerous in overtime, with a 20-point average in extra periods. This could play a significant role in the playoff matchup if the game is close going into the final minutes.

Head-to-Head Breakdown

In their last encounter during the regular season, Southwestern won decisively, 23-14. This victory showed the Warriors’ ability to control the game from start to finish, but North Laurel will be hungry for revenge, especially with the stakes higher in the postseason.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some of the same opponents during the regular season. Here’s a breakdown of their common matchups:

• Franklin County:
  • North Laurel lost 42-7 (9/6/24)
  • Southwestern lost 49-13 (10/11/24)
• South Laurel:
  • North Laurel lost 24-7 (10/4/24)
  • Southwestern won 28-0 (10/18/24)
• Pulaski County:
  • North Laurel lost 42-14 (10/11/24)
  • Southwestern lost 43-7 (10/25/24)
• Harlan County:
  • North Laurel won 45-26 (10/25/24)
  • Southwestern won 27-12 (10/4/24)
• Montgomery County:
  • North Laurel won 20-17 (11/8/24)
  • Southwestern will face Montgomery County on 11/15/24

With both teams facing similar opponents, the game against Montgomery County could give a better sense of Southwestern’s current form heading into the playoff showdown with North Laurel.

What to Expect

The playoff atmosphere will undoubtedly bring out the best in both teams. North Laurel will need to improve on its defensive play and find a way to score more consistently throughout the game. Southwestern, on the other hand, will aim to build on its regular-season success and use its strong finish to maintain momentum.

With a high-scoring potential and both teams looking to bounce back from tough moments in their season, this playoff game promises to be an exciting battle for a spot in the next round. Will Southwestern continue its dominance over North Laurel, or will the Jaguars rise to the challenge and prove their worth in the postseason? Tune in Friday, November 15, at 7:30 PM to find out.