The Spartanburg (SC) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against J.L. Mann (Greenville, SC) on Friday, November 29, at 7:30 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class AAAAA Football: Division 1 tournament.

Spartanburg vs J.L. Mann Football Game Info:

What: South Carolina High School Football
Who: Spartanburg vs J.L. Mann
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM
Bracket: 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class AAAAA Football: Division 1
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Spartanburg vs J.L. Mann

As the high school football season heats up, the rivalry between J.L. Mann and Spartanburg stands out as one of the most thrilling matchups in South Carolina. Both teams have put up impressive records this season, and while they haven’t faced off head-to-head yet, their overall stats and common opponents paint a picture of a fierce competition ahead.

Team Records & Rankings

J.L. Mann has been dominant this season, posting an overall record of 10-2 with a stellar 6-1 mark in region play. Their impressive win percentage of .833 highlights their strength on both sides of the ball. They have scored 474 points, averaging 39.5 points per game, while allowing just 173 points—giving them an outstanding .857 region win percentage.

On the other hand, Spartanburg is no slouch either, with an 8-2 record and a 5-1 region record. They boast a solid .800 win percentage and a .833 region win percentage. With 354 total points scored and 153 points allowed, Spartanburg has a defensive edge, allowing fewer points per game than J.L. Mann. However, they still face an uphill battle when it comes to matching J.L. Mann’s explosive offense.

Scoring & Team Averages

J.L. Mann’s offense is a juggernaut, averaging 39.5 points per game, with strong contributions across the board. The team has shown consistency in all four quarters, scoring 12.5 points in the first quarter, 8.8 in the second, 7.3 in the third, and finishing strong with 10.0 points in the fourth. They also scored an impressive 6.0 points in overtime, which speaks to their resilience in crunch time.

Spartanburg, while scoring fewer points per game at 35.4, has a noticeable second-quarter surge with 15.4 points per game in that period. Their offense is most dangerous early on, scoring 7.0 points in the first quarter, but they tend to slow down in the second half, with only 6.8 in the third and 6.2 in the fourth quarter.

Statistical Comparison

Looking at the teams’ statistical performance, J.L. Mann excels in total yards, averaging 348.9 yards per game, including a robust 205.6 rushing yards. Spartanburg lags behind with just 253.0 total yards per game, but their rushing attack is respectable, averaging 141.9 yards per game.

Passing yards are another area of strength for J.L. Mann, who average 143.3 yards per game. Spartanburg, in contrast, has a slightly lower passing yard average of 111.1, but both teams have shown the ability to move the ball through the air.

Defensively, Spartanburg leads in tackles per game with an average of 43.8, while J.L. Mann averages 36.6. In terms of sacks, J.L. Mann has been more aggressive, averaging 2.5 sacks per game compared to Spartanburg’s 0.8.

Key Players

Both teams feature standout players who have been key to their success. For J.L. Mann, Ladainnian Martin leads the rushing attack with an impressive 106.1 yards per game. Quarterback McLeod Darnell has been exceptional, passing for 181.7 yards per game and totaling 188.5 yards of offense per game. On the receiving end, Keyshun Henderson leads with 69.0 yards per game.

For Spartanburg, the dynamic duo of Trenton Lynch and Trey Burke leads the charge. Lynch averages 104.4 rushing yards per game, while Burke has been a standout performer with 133.1 passing yards per game. Spartanburg also has playmakers like Zy’keyeis Williams-Bonds, who has contributed 35.8 receiving yards per game, and Quincy Haywood, who leads the team with 8.0 tackles per game.

Common Opponents & Results

Both teams faced the powerhouse Gaffney this season, and their results were strikingly similar. J.L. Mann fell short against Gaffney on 8/30/24 with a narrow loss of 42-40, while Spartanburg also lost to Gaffney on 11/8/24 in a 27-24 defeat. This shows that both teams have had challenges against some of the state’s top competition, but they have bounced back strongly in other games.

Conclusion

With both teams riding strong seasons, the upcoming showdown between J.L. Mann and Spartanburg promises to be an exciting and highly competitive match. J.L. Mann’s explosive offense and overall balance will be tested by Spartanburg’s strong defense and ability to make big plays when it matters. If J.L. Mann can continue its high-scoring ways, they may have the edge, but Spartanburg’s resilience and defensive prowess could make them a tough challenge. Regardless of the outcome, this game is set to be a thrilling chapter in South Carolina high school football.