The St. Frances Academy varsity football team (Baltimore, MD) will host a non-conference game against Mt. Zion Prep Academy (Lanham, MD) on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m.

What: Maryland High School Football
Who: St. Frances Academy (MD) vs Mt. Zion Prep Academy (MD)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Comparing Mt. Zion Prep Academy and St. Frances Academy Football Programs (24-25 Season)

As we look at the performance of two prominent football programs in Maryland, Mt. Zion Prep Academy and St. Frances Academy, it’s clear that both teams have had their ups and downs in the 2024-2025 season. The contrast between their results and statistical breakdowns highlights differences in overall team performance, individual contributions, and how they measure up against common opponents.

Season Records Overview

• Mt. Zion Prep Academy (3-9 overall, 1-2 region): The Mt. Zion Prep team has struggled this season, with a 3-9 record. They’ve been particularly challenged in away games, where they hold a 2-7 record. Their point total (129 points scored, 460 points allowed) suggests a difficult year both offensively and defensively. The team has also faced a significant scoring gap, averaging only 10.8 points per game, making it difficult to secure victories.
• St. Frances Academy (7-3 overall): In contrast, St. Frances Academy has enjoyed a more successful season, with a 7-3 record. Their impressive away performance (5-3) and solid home record (2-0) have helped them maintain a .700 winning percentage. With 324 points scored and just 165 points allowed, St. Frances has been effective both offensively and defensively. Their average of 32.4 points per game shows that their offense is potent, especially in the second half of games.

Scoring Averages by Quarter

• Mt. Zion Prep Academy has been slow to start in games, scoring only 0 points in the first quarter on average and 2.5 points in the second quarter. Their second-half performance isn’t much stronger, with averages of 1.5 points in the third quarter and 1.8 points in the fourth quarter. They do show a slight improvement in overtime, averaging 6 points, but these small bursts haven’t been enough to put them ahead in most contests.
• St. Frances Academy, on the other hand, has been much more consistent throughout the game. They score 5.0 points in the first quarter and ramp up their scoring in the second (7.3 points), third (5.5 points), and fourth (8.8 points) quarters. This suggests that they are not only better at starting games but also excel in maintaining offensive pressure throughout.

Statistical Comparison

When comparing key stats, there are notable differences between the two programs.

• Offensive Yardage:
  • Mt. Zion Prep has had more success on the ground, averaging 106.3 rushing yards per game, though they have been less successful in the passing game, with just 134.8 passing yards per game. Their total yardage of 241.2 yards per game reflects their struggles to sustain drives.
  • St. Frances Academy, however, has yet to show specific rushing, passing, and receiving yard averages but has posted an impressive total of 324 yards in 2024, showing a more well-rounded and efficient offensive approach.
• Defensive Effort:
  • Mt. Zion Prep’s defensive performance has been another area of concern, with 44.8 tackles per game and only 1.9 sacks per game. Their inability to consistently pressure the quarterback and stop opponents on the ground likely contributes to their high points allowed.
  • St. Frances Academy has a much more formidable defense, with their strong tackling ability (6.7 tackles per game) and solid pass rush (0.5 sacks per game).

Team Leaders

• Mt. Zion Prep Academy:
  • Nahshon Wilson has been a standout player, leading in multiple categories: 41.0 rushing yards per game, 183.4 passing yards per game, and 224.4 total yards per game. Despite his individual efforts, the team’s overall struggles have limited his impact on the scoreboard.
  • Isaiah Martin also contributes with 55.8 receiving yards per game and 6.0 points per game, but the overall team performance has not supported his contributions sufficiently.
• St. Frances Academy:
  • While individual statistics for players like those at Mt. Zion Prep were not fully detailed for St. Frances, the team’s collective success indicates a balanced and effective offense. Their scoring distribution throughout games, as well as their defensive capabilities, point to a well-rounded and resilient squad.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some common opponents this season, but their results contrast sharply:

• Mt. Zion Prep Academy lost both of their matchups against IMG Academy and Hun, with scores of 57-0 and 51-6, respectively.
• St. Frances Academy, however, has had much more success against these same teams. They defeated IMG Academy 30-3 and Hun 37-6, showing the gap between these two programs’ abilities to compete at the highest level.

Record Breakdown by Category

• Mt. Zion Prep has struggled with a tough non-league record (1-6), contributing to their overall losing season. However, their home record (1-2) shows that they’ve been more competitive when playing in familiar surroundings.
• St. Frances Academy, with a 7-3 record overall, has been dominant in non-league play, as evidenced by their 7-3 non-league record and 2-0 home record.

Conclusion

The 2024-2025 season paints a stark contrast between Mt. Zion Prep Academy and St. Frances Academy. While Mt. Zion Prep has faced a challenging year, both offensively and defensively, St. Frances Academy has shown resilience, talent, and consistency across all phases of the game. The scoring averages, statistical comparisons, and head-to-head results against common opponents all underscore the strength of St. Frances Academy in comparison to Mt. Zion Prep this season.