The St. Joseph Catholic (Bryan, TX) varsity football team will play a neutral playoff game against Hill Country Christian (San Marcos, TX) on Friday, November 15 at 7:00 PM. This game is part of the “TAPPS 2024 High School Football Playoff – TAPPS 6 Man III” tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: St. Joseph Catholic vs Hill Country Christian
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: TAPPS 2024 High School Football Playoff – TAPPS 6 Man III
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Game preview: St. Joseph Catholic vs Hill Country Christian

The 2024-25 season has seen Hill Country Christian and St. Joseph Catholic both record an overall record of 4-5, but their paths to this point have been quite different. While the teams are tied in overall wins, their performance across various categories reveals strengths and weaknesses that could shape their upcoming games.

Team Records and Rankings

• Hill Country Christian holds an overall record of 4-5, with a 2-1 record in district play, making them a solid competitor in their district. They have scored a total of 266 points while allowing 409 points against them. Despite a less-than-ideal overall record, Hill Country’s district record (2-1) shows that they have managed to perform better within their district.
• St. Joseph Catholic, on the other hand, also holds a 4-5 record but has a stronger district performance (3-1). With a total of 488 points scored and 441 points allowed, they have been more effective offensively than Hill Country. Their district record indicates they’ve been particularly dominant within their district competition, with only one loss.

Scoring Trends

Hill Country Christian has been more consistent in the second half of games, especially in the fourth quarter, where they average a solid 12.3 points. However, their first half scoring, especially in the first and second quarters, is lower, with averages of 2.0 and 1.0 points respectively. This could be a point of concern when facing tough opponents who can exploit slow starts.

On the other hand, St. Joseph Catholic has demonstrated an explosive offensive capability, averaging 54.2 points per game, which is significantly higher than Hill Country Christian’s average of 28.7 points. This suggests a fast-paced, high-scoring style that might overwhelm opponents if not carefully managed.

Offensive and Defensive Comparisons

When comparing team statistics, the differences in offensive and defensive performance are clear:

• Hill Country Christian tends to focus more on the run game, with 152.3 rushing yards per game. They are less potent in the air, averaging just 86.6 passing yards per game. On defense, they record 22.2 tackles per game but only 0.1 sacks, indicating a more reactive defensive strategy rather than one focused on pressure.
• St. Joseph Catholic, however, is a more balanced team in terms of yardage, with 112.7 rushing yards and a significantly stronger passing game, averaging 212.7 passing yards per game. Their total yardage per game is also higher at 325.3 compared to Hill Country’s 238.9. Their defense is more aggressive with 45.7 tackles per game and 0.8 sacks per game, showing a strong commitment to limiting opposing offenses.

Key Players to Watch

For Hill Country Christian, #11 Jonas West is the standout player, leading the team in rushing (192.6 yards per game), passing (121.6 yards per game), total yards (316.0 per game), and tackles (10.0 per game). His versatile skill set is crucial to the team’s overall performance.

On the other hand, St. Joseph Catholic boasts the dynamic duo of #8 Peter Najvar and #2 Colt Bundick. Najvar leads the team with 90.2 rushing yards per game, 186.6 total yards, and 29.2 points per game, while Bundick shines with 88.4 receiving yards per game. Defensively, Noah Umanzor and David Hagerman also stand out, averaging 9.8 and 0.3 sacks per game, respectively.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Both teams have yet to face each other in the current season, but their performances against common opponents could provide insights into how they might match up. Both teams have a relatively even record when playing non-league games, with Hill Country Christian holding a 2-4 non-league record and St. Joseph Catholic at 1-4.

Their district play has been more successful, particularly for St. Joseph Catholic, whose 3-1 district record outshines Hill Country’s 2-1 performance. In terms of home and away games, both teams have had mixed results, with Hill Country Christian going 1-2 at home and St. Joseph Catholic slightly better at 2-1 on the road.

Conclusion

As the 2024-25 season progresses, both Hill Country Christian and St. Joseph Catholic have shown flashes of potential, but each team has areas for improvement. Hill Country Christian’s reliance on a strong second half and a potent individual performance from Jonas West will be critical to their chances, especially when facing high-scoring opponents like St. Joseph Catholic. Meanwhile, St. Joseph Catholic’s balance between passing and rushing, along with their aggressive defense, could give them an edge if they maintain their momentum.

With both teams tied in overall record and showing promise, the upcoming matchups will certainly be exciting, and fans should expect some intense games as both teams push for playoff positioning.