The St. Mary’s Ryken varsity football team (Leonardtown, MD) will host Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, VA) in a home conference game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m.

What: Maryland High School Football
Who: St. Mary’s Ryken (MD) vs Bishop O’Connell (MD)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Bishop O’Connell vs. St. Mary’s Ryken: A Comparative Analysis of the 2024-2025 Football Season

As the 2024-2025 high school football season heats up, two teams from the Mid-Atlantic region, Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, VA) and St. Mary’s Ryken (Leonardtown, MD), have had contrasting performances, making their upcoming conference clash on November 15 a crucial one for both programs.

Team Overview:

Bishop O’Connell (2-8 Overall, 2-3 Region) The Bishop O’Connell football team has faced a challenging season with a 2-8 overall record. Their region record of 2-3 reflects some strong efforts, though they have struggled on the road with a 0-5 away record. The team’s scoring average is low, with just 13.6 points per game, and their defense has allowed an average of 29.6 points.

St. Mary’s Ryken (8-1 Overall, 5-0 Region) In stark contrast, St. Mary’s Ryken has been a dominant force this season. With an 8-1 record, including a perfect 5-0 in the region, they have displayed both offensive firepower and defensive prowess. Averaging an impressive 33.6 points per game and allowing only 9.8 points, their strong performance across all facets of the game makes them a formidable opponent.

Recent Matchup History:

The two teams met recently on October 18, where St. Mary’s Ryken delivered a decisive 38-7 victory over Bishop O’Connell. This blowout game demonstrated the gap in performance between the two schools, with St. Mary’s Ryken showcasing their offensive depth and defensive dominance.

Team Scoring Averages:

• Bishop O’Connell
  • Q1: 3.0
  • Q2: 2.9
  • Q3: 7.7
  • Q4: 1.0
  • Total: 13.6 points per game
• St. Mary’s Ryken
  • Q1: 9.3
  • Q2: 12.0
  • Q3: 9.7
  • Q4: 4.7
  • Total: 33.6 points per game

Bishop O’Connell has struggled to score consistently, with particularly weak performances in the first and fourth quarters. On the other hand, St. Mary’s Ryken excels in all four quarters, maintaining high scoring across the board.

Key Player Comparisons:

• Bishop O’Connell:
  • Chris Connolly: 126.0 rushing yards per game, 121.0 total yards per game
  • Graham Deaton: 97.9 passing yards per game
  • Joseph Williams: 44.1 receiving yards per game
  • Brandon Green: 7.2 tackles per game
• St. Mary’s Ryken:
  The team has been strong across the board, although specific individual stats were not listed, their collective performance as a unit has propelled them to a strong record.

Performance Against Common Opponents:

Both teams faced the same set of opponents at different times this season, and their records against those teams have been telling:

• Bishop O’Connell: 2-2 record against common opponents
• St. Mary’s Ryken: 4-0 record against the same teams

In notable matchups:

• St. Mary’s Ryken defeated Saint John Paul the Great Catholic 49-0, while Bishop O’Connell won 35-7.
• Both teams faced Archbishop Carroll, but St. Mary’s Ryken won 51-12, whereas Bishop O’Connell lost 34-17.

Head-to-Head Record:

In their head-to-head competition, St. Mary’s Ryken leads with a 1-0 advantage this season, having defeated Bishop O’Connell 38-7 in their October matchup.

Final Thoughts:

As the two teams prepare for their second meeting of the season on November 15, the odds appear stacked in favor of St. Mary’s Ryken. Their strong regional performance, excellent offense, and solid defense give them a clear edge over Bishop O’Connell. However, Bishop O’Connell will be looking to build on their few successes this season, hoping to capitalize on the experience of their key players like Connolly and Deaton.

With their postseason aspirations on the line, Bishop O’Connell must find a way to overcome their road struggles and improve their offensive efficiency. For St. Mary’s Ryken, maintaining their undefeated region record and keeping their momentum going will be critical as they close out the regular season.

This November 15th matchup promises to be a significant test for both teams as they aim to finish strong and potentially prepare for postseason opportunities.