A Closer Look at Hedgesville vs. Spring Mills: The Playoff Showdown

As the football season reaches its climax, the Hedgesville Eagles and Spring Mills Cardinals are gearing up for a high-stakes playoff game that promises excitement. The two teams, both from Martinsburg, WV, bring distinct records and histories to this matchup, setting the stage for what could be a thrilling contest. Let’s break down their performances and key statistics ahead of the Friday night showdown.

Team Records & Rankings

Hedgesville Eagles (24-25)

• Overall Record: 2-8
• Region Record: 0-5
• Home Record: 1-3
• Away Record: 1-5
• Win Percentage: .200
• Region Win Percentage: .000
• Points For (PF): 110
• Points Against (PA): 365

Hedgesville has struggled this season with just two wins to their name, both coming outside of the region. Their offensive and defensive statistics reflect a tough season, as they’ve averaged just 11 points per game while giving up an average of 36.5. Their region performance has been particularly challenging, failing to secure a win in five attempts.

Spring Mills Cardinals (24-25)

• Overall Record: 10-1
• Region Record: 4-1
• Home Record: 6-1
• Away Record: 4-0
• Win Percentage: .909
• Region Win Percentage: .800
• Points For (PF): 477
• Points Against (PA): 23

In stark contrast, Spring Mills has had a phenomenal season, finishing with an impressive 10-1 record. The Cardinals have been dominant both at home and on the road, particularly in their regional matchups where they boast an 80% win rate. Spring Mills’ defense has been especially suffocating, allowing an average of just 2.3 points per game, a statistic that will give Hedgesville’s offense plenty to worry about.

Head-to-Head: A Dominant Performance by Spring Mills

The most recent meeting between these two teams took place on November 8, when Spring Mills delivered a resounding 33-0 victory on the road. The game was a one-sided affair, with Hedgesville failing to score in any quarter. Spring Mills was relentless in its attack, winning each quarter decisively. With this victory, Spring Mills leads the head-to-head series 1-0 for the season.

Team Scoring Averages

• Hedgesville
  • Quarter 1: 0
  • Quarter 2: 0
  • Quarter 3: 0
  • Quarter 4: 0
  • Final: 11.0 points per game

Hedgesville has faced challenges in both scoring and consistency throughout the season. Their scoring efforts have been minimal, with an average of just 11 points per game. Without a reliable offensive output, they will have to dig deep to keep up with a high-scoring team like Spring Mills.

• Spring Mills
  • Quarter 1: 9.7
  • Quarter 2: 20.7
  • Quarter 3: 9.0
  • Quarter 4: 5.3
  • Final: 43.4 points per game

Spring Mills, on the other hand, has been a powerhouse offensively, averaging over 43 points per game. Their ability to put up points early and sustain their lead throughout the game has been a hallmark of their success. In their most recent win against Hedgesville, they scored consistently in the first three quarters, finishing strong despite not needing to score in the final period.

Common Opponents: A Tale of Two Teams

Both teams faced several common opponents this season, and the differences in their performances are telling.

• Hedgesville vs. Martinsburg: Lost 66-0
• Spring Mills vs. Martinsburg: Lost 17-12
  Spring Mills showed more competitiveness against the region powerhouse, losing by a much smaller margin.
• Hedgesville vs. Washington: Lost 42-7
• Spring Mills vs. Washington: Won 43-0
  Spring Mills’ dominant win showcases their superiority over teams Hedgesville has struggled with.
• Hedgesville vs. Jefferson: Lost 42-13
• Spring Mills vs. Jefferson: Won 50-0
  Spring Mills also outclassed Jefferson, another team Hedgesville couldn’t manage to beat.
• Hedgesville vs. Musselman: Lost 26-12
• Spring Mills vs. Musselman: Won 62-0
  Spring Mills trounced Musselman, while Hedgesville could not keep up.

What’s at Stake

With a place in the playoffs on the line, Hedgesville is looking for an upset against a team they’ve struggled with throughout the season. While their chances might seem slim, upsets do happen in sports, and Hedgesville will need to play a flawless game to stand a chance.

Spring Mills enters as the clear favorite, riding the momentum of an outstanding season and a dominant performance earlier in November. Their defense will be key to keeping Hedgesville’s offense from finding any rhythm, while their explosive offense is likely to continue its high-scoring ways.

Conclusion

As Hedgesville and Spring Mills prepare for their November 22 playoff game, the contrast in their seasons could not be starker. Spring Mills has been a juggernaut, while Hedgesville has faced numerous struggles. Yet, in the world of high school football, anything can happen. Fans are eagerly awaiting what promises to be an exciting matchup as both teams give it their all in the pursuit of postseason glory.