The St. James Academy varsity football team (Lenexa, KS) will play a neutral-site playoff game against Blue Valley North (Overland Park, KS) on Friday, November 15, at 7:00 PM.
What: Kansas High School Football
Who: St. James Academy (KS) vs Blue Valley Northl (KS)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
Football Showdown: Blue Valley North vs. St. James Academy – Playoff Preview
The Blue Valley North (BVN) and St. James Academy (SJA) varsity football teams are set to face off in a highly anticipated neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 15 at 7 p.m. With the two teams having faced each other recently, the upcoming match promises to be an exciting contest between two schools looking to advance in the postseason.
Team Overview
Blue Valley North (3-7 overall, 0-7 in district play) has had a challenging season. Despite impressive individual performances, the team has struggled to find consistency, especially in district games where they remain winless. With a scoring average of just 21.2 points per game and allowing 30.5 points per game, BVN has had difficulty both offensively and defensively. Their offense, led by standout players like Frankie Tryban (137.0 rushing yards per game), has managed 337.3 total yards per game, but inconsistency has been a recurring issue. On defense, the team averages 65.5 tackles per game, led by Adam Wang’s 10.8 tackles per game.
St. James Academy, on the other hand, has posted a 5-5 record, with a more balanced performance in their district (2-4). They have averaged 26.9 points per game, while allowing 20.8 points per game. Their offense, featuring quarterback Tyson Beashore (121.3 passing yards per game) and wide receiver Sam Niesen (82.7 receiving yards per game), is more potent than BVN’s. The team averages 329.9 total yards per game and is known for its strong passing game, with Beashore leading the charge. On defense, SJA has been more effective with 51.1 tackles per game and an average of 2.3 sacks per game, suggesting a stronger pass rush than BVN.
Recent Meeting
In their last meeting on October 11, 2024, St. James Academy delivered a dominant performance, defeating Blue Valley North 28-0 in a conference game. This victory marked a one-sided affair, with BVN failing to put up any points in the contest. The St. James Academy defense held strong, while their offense controlled the game throughout all four quarters. This result will certainly add to the motivation for Blue Valley North as they look for redemption in the playoff rematch.
Key Matchup: Offense vs. Defense
The key to this game could very well lie in the battle between St. James Academy’s passing offense and Blue Valley North’s defensive front. SJA’s aerial attack, led by Beashore, will test BVN’s ability to defend the pass. While BVN has shown some defensive promise with Wang’s high tackle numbers, they have struggled against high-powered offenses this season. On the other hand, Blue Valley North will rely on Tryban’s powerful running game to control the clock and keep the ball out of Beashore’s hands.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced a number of common opponents this season, and the results have highlighted the differences in their performances. Blue Valley North has struggled, going 0-5 against these common teams, while St. James Academy has had a slightly better record of 2-4. Notable matchups include losses to top teams like Blue Valley Northwest and Bishop Miege for both teams. St. James Academy also has a win over Bishop Miege, a result that stands out in their season.
Playoff Picture
Blue Valley North enters this game with a 2-0 playoff record, showing resilience in the postseason despite their overall struggles. St. James Academy, meanwhile, is 3-7 in the postseason, but with a history of success in district play, they will be eager to extend their playoff run.
Conclusion
The upcoming matchup between Blue Valley North and St. James Academy is shaping up to be an exciting playoff clash, with the latter entering as the favorites. St. James Academy’s balanced offense and strong defensive play give them an edge, but Blue Valley North will be hungry to turn their season around with a playoff upset. Fans can expect a hard-fought game with plenty of action on both sides.
