The St. John’s Prep (Danvers, MA) varsity football team will host Needham (MA) in a home playoff game today at 6 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 MIAA Football State Championship – Division 1 tournament.

What: Massachusetts High School Football
Who: St. John’s Prep (MA) vs Needham (MA)
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Where: Burlington HS
Bracket: 2024 MIAA Football State Championship – Division 1
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

A Look at Needham and St. John’s Prep: A Football Season Breakdown

As the high school football season progresses, two teams from Massachusetts are standing out for their impressive performances: Needham (24-25) and St. John’s Prep (24-25). With similar records but different styles of play, both teams have proven themselves to be formidable opponents in their respective divisions.

Needham (24-25): A Perfect Record So Far

Needham has had a standout season, going undefeated with a perfect 10-0 overall record. They’ve shown their dominance both in the league and in non-league games. In league play, Needham has maintained an unblemished 5-0 record. In addition to their league success, they have also been perfect at home (4-0), away (5-0), and on neutral ground (1-0). Their incredible defense has allowed only 63 points over the course of the season, while their offense has scored 311 points. Their average score per game is an impressive 31.1 points, with their highest scoring quarter being the third, where they put up 10 points on average.

St. John’s Prep (24-25): A Dominant Force

St. John’s Prep has also enjoyed a successful season, with a 9-1 overall record. They have been particularly strong at home, where they boast a 7-0 record, while their away games have seen a more mixed performance with a 2-1 record. With a league record of 3-1, their only loss came in a tough matchup. Despite this, St. John’s Prep has managed to score 329 points this season, averaging 32.9 points per game. The team’s best quarter has been the first, where they average 13.6 points, showcasing their strong start. In their only common opponent matchup, they faced Central Catholic and came out victorious with a 31-24 win, similar to Needham’s dominant 31-7 victory against Central Catholic earlier in the season.

Comparing Team Scoring Averages

One notable difference between the two teams is their scoring distribution. Needham scores consistently across all four quarters, with a slight dip in the fourth quarter (4.7 points). Their offensive efficiency has been solid, allowing them to build comfortable leads early and maintain them. On the other hand, St. John’s Prep shows a stronger start in the first quarter, averaging 13.6 points, but their performance drops off in the later stages, especially in the fourth quarter, where they score just 2.8 points per game.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

When it comes to their common opponents, both teams share a 1-0 record, having faced off against Central Catholic. Needham’s dominant 31-7 victory and St. John’s Prep’s 31-24 win suggest that both teams are evenly matched when facing similar competition. However, the fact that St. John’s Prep allowed 24 points while Needham allowed just 7 may indicate a difference in defensive prowess between the two teams.

Record Breakdown

• Needham has an unblemished 10-0 overall record, with a 5-0 mark in league play, and they have been equally impressive at home (4-0) and away (5-0).
• St. John’s Prep sits at 9-1, with a strong 7-0 record at home. However, their loss came in a tough league match-up, where they finished 3-1 in the league. Their away record stands at 2-1.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Both Teams?

As the season continues, both teams are strong contenders for state honors. Needham’s defense has been rock-solid, and their perfect record speaks to their consistency across all facets of the game. Meanwhile, St. John’s Prep is always a threat with their explosive offense, especially in the early stages of games. With both teams maintaining perfect records in their respective leagues and showing resilience against tough opponents, their future matchups should be ones to watch closely.

In conclusion, Needham and St. John’s Prep are two high school football programs to keep an eye on as the season advances. With balanced performances and impressive individual and team stats, these teams are setting themselves up for successful post-seasons, likely leading to exciting playoff runs.