The St. Francis (Hamburg, NY) varsity football team will play a home playoff game against St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute (Buffalo, NY) today at 4 p.m. at St. Francis High School. This game is part of the 2024 Fall Boys Football New York Monsignor Martin State Tournament – Class A.

St. Francis vs St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute Game Info:

What: New York High School Football Playoffs
Who: St. Francis vs St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Fall Boys Football New York Monsignor Martin State Tournament – Class A
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Game preview: St. Francis vs St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute

As the high school football season enters its final stretch, the St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute (SJCI) faces off against St. Francis in what promises to be an intense playoff matchup. With both teams coming off solid seasons, the rivalry continues to heat up after St. Francis claimed a 28-7 victory in their last meeting on October 11, 2024.

Team Overview and Season Recap

St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute (SJCI) enters the game with a 5-3 record overall and a 1-2 record in league play. While their league performance has been a bit shaky, their away form has been impressive, with a strong 4-1 record. The team has put up an average of 27.5 points per game, driven by strong offensive performances and solid rushing attack. Leading the charge for SJCI are key players like Giorgio Panepinto, who has racked up 85.8 rushing yards per game, and Nolan Klein, who has averaged 64.1 passing yards per game. The team also boasts impressive defensive efforts, with David Amuka contributing 9.1 tackles per game, helping to keep opposing offenses in check.

On the other hand, St. Francis holds a slightly better overall record at 5-4, with a strong 2-1 league performance. The team has averaged 29.9 points per game and has been especially potent in the passing game, led by Landon Welka, who is averaging 210.9 passing yards per game. Additionally, Damone Allen has been a key offensive contributor with 91.3 receiving yards per game, further bolstering the team’s offensive firepower. Defensively, Eli Greenough has been strong with 8.6 tackles per game, helping to control the line of scrimmage.

Head-to-Head Comparison

In their previous meeting, St. Francis emerged victorious with a dominant 28-7 win. The game started with St. Francis leading at halftime, and despite a late 7-point surge from SJCI in the third quarter, they couldn’t overcome St. Francis’ balanced offense. SJCI struggled to find the end zone, with only a single touchdown in the entire game, while St. Francis capitalized on strong offensive plays across all quarters, especially in the third.

Key Matchup: Offense vs. Defense

One of the most intriguing aspects of this game is the clash between St. Joseph’s rushing attack and St. Francis’ passing game. SJCI has averaged 187.3 rushing yards per game, relying heavily on their ground game to control the tempo of the game. However, St. Francis has been more proficient through the air, with a significantly higher passing yard average of 195.2 per game. This dynamic presents a unique challenge for SJCI’s defense, who will need to focus on containing both the pass and the run.

Defensively, SJCI’s 45.8 tackles per game rank lower than St. Francis’ 51.4 tackles per game, suggesting that St. Francis has been more aggressive in stopping opponents. Additionally, SJCI has slightly better sack production with 2.3 sacks per game compared to St. Francis’ 1.1, which could play a crucial role in disrupting St. Francis’ passing attack.

Players to Watch

• SJCI:
  • Giorgio Panepinto (RB): With 85.8 rushing yards per game, Panepinto is the key player for SJCI on offense. He’ll need to keep the chains moving and control the clock against a potent St. Francis defense.
  • Nolan Klein (QB): Klein’s ability to mix the passing and running game will be crucial, especially in the face of St. Francis’ strong defense.
• St. Francis:
  • Landon Welka (QB): With 210.9 passing yards per game, Welka’s ability to connect with receivers downfield will be vital for St. Francis’ offensive success.
  • Damone Allen (WR): As the team’s leading receiver, Allen will be a primary target for Welka. His 91.3 receiving yards per game make him a consistent playmaker for the offense.

Common Opponents Breakdown

Both teams have faced common opponents this season, including Bishop Timon-St. Jude and Canisius. SJCI holds a 2-2 record against these teams, while St. Francis has a 1-2 record, highlighting a slight edge for SJCI in head-to-head matchups with shared opponents. However, St. Francis has shown resilience, particularly in non-league games, where they’ve posted a 3-3 record, compared to SJCI’s 4-1 record in non-league games.

Conclusion: What’s at Stake

The stakes are high as both teams prepare for this playoff clash. With both teams scoring near 30 points per game, it’s expected to be a high-energy contest. For St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, getting a strong performance from their rushing game and tightening up their defense will be key to upsetting the higher-ranked St. Francis. Meanwhile, St. Francis will look to leverage their passing attack and aggressive defense to continue their dominance.

As the teams meet on the field at St. Francis today at 4:00 PM, fans can expect another exciting chapter in this fierce rivalry.