The St. Joseph Catholic varsity football team (Bryan, TX) will play a neutral-site playoff game against Heritage Christian (Fredericksburg, TX) on Friday, November 29 at 7:00 PM. This matchup is part of the TAPPS 2024 High School Football Playoff, in the TAPPS 6 Man III division.
St. Joseph Catholic vs Heritage Christian Game Info:
What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: St. Joseph Catholic vs Heritage Christian
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: TAPPS 2024 High School Football Playoff – TAPPS 6 Man III
Live stream: Watch here
Game preview: St. Joseph Catholic vs Heritage Christian
As the Texas high school football season heats up, two teams stand out with contrasting records and styles of play. Heritage Christian and St. Joseph Catholic are preparing for a pivotal matchup that promises to be both thrilling and revealing. While Heritage Christian enters the game as an undefeated powerhouse, St. Joseph Catholic has been grinding through a tougher season, with a more balanced mix of victories and losses. Let’s break down the key stats, trends, and what fans can expect from this exciting matchup.
Heritage Christian: Dominance and Consistency
Heritage Christian (24-25) has been nothing short of dominant this season. With a perfect 11-0 record, they’ve proven themselves as one of the top teams in their division, sitting at an impressive National Rank of 60 and State Rank of 2. In district play, they’ve been flawless with a 3-0 record, and they’ve been just as lethal at home (5-0) and on the road (4-0).
Their scoring prowess is evident, averaging a staggering 50.2 points per game, with a particularly strong first half—18.3 points in Q1 and 16.0 points in Q2. Led by standout players like Aidan Cruz, who is putting up 224.9 passing yards per game, and Colt Bundick, with 97.9 receiving yards per game, the offense has been nearly unstoppable. Heritage Christian also boasts strong defense, with Noah Umanzor leading the team with 9.4 tackles per game.
The team’s ability to shut down opponents is reflected in their game results, where they have outscored their opponents by a wide margin. For instance, in their most recent victory against Faith Academy (58-24), they showed both offensive firepower and defensive strength. The team has been nearly flawless, and their 552 points scored this season compared to only 113 allowed is a testament to their dominance.
St. Joseph Catholic: A Resilient Force
In contrast, St. Joseph Catholic (24-25) has had a mixed season, with a record of 6-5, ranking 268th nationally and 5th in the state. While their record may not jump off the page, they’ve had some standout performances, especially in district play where they sit at 3-1. Their offense has been just as potent as Heritage Christian’s, averaging 59.5 points per game, with 247.3 passing yards per game and 109.2 rushing yards per game.
The team has had its share of struggles, particularly with their defense, as they’ve allowed 563 points this season, and have a more inconsistent performance in the first half of games. However, they’ve shown resilience, particularly in close matchups, including their hard-fought victory over Hill Country Christian (84-70). Against common opponents, they’ve posted a 1-2 record, with a notable win over Faith Academy (93-82).
While David Hagerman leads the team with 0.2 sacks per game, it’s the offensive contributions of players like Colt Bundick, who has tallied 31.9 points per game, that have kept the team competitive despite some setbacks.
Team Comparison: Powerhouse Offense vs. Battle-Tested Grit
When comparing the two teams, Heritage Christian’s superior defense and first-half domination give them an edge in most areas. With a win percentage of 1.000 and an ability to win both at home and away, they’ve built a reputation as one of the most formidable teams in the state. On the other hand, St. Joseph Catholic has a potent offense but has struggled with consistency, as evidenced by their 5-3 record in non-league games. However, the team has shown resilience in close games, and their offensive firepower will be a challenge for Heritage Christian.
Head-to-Head: Can St. Joseph Catholic Break Through?
When comparing the performance against common opponents, Heritage Christian has proven themselves the stronger team. With a 3-0 record against common opponents (including wins over Hill Country Christian, Baytown Christian, and Faith Academy), Heritage Christian has shown they are capable of overwhelming teams across all facets of the game. St. Joseph Catholic, however, has struggled, posting a 1-2 record against the same set of teams.
Yet, this matchup is far from one-sided. St. Joseph Catholic’s high-powered offense and ability to score in bunches could pose a challenge for Heritage Christian’s defense, especially if the game becomes a shootout. Their experience in close, high-scoring games could give them the edge in a back-and-forth battle.
The Big Picture: What’s at Stake?
As the two teams head into this matchup, it’s clear that Heritage Christian has the advantage on paper with a perfect record and a dominant overall performance. However, St. Joseph Catholic will bring a competitive edge, hoping to knock off the undefeated team and prove that their hard-fought season has prepared them for this moment. If St. Joseph Catholic can capitalize on their offensive strengths and improve their defensive consistency, they could surprise the league with a massive upset.
For now, Heritage Christian remains the team to beat, but in the unpredictable world of high school football, anything can happen on game day. Fans will be watching closely to see which team can rise to the occasion.
