The St. Michael’s (Austin, TX) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against St. Thomas Catholic (Houston, TX) today at 6:30 p.m. at Crusader Stadium, located at 3000 Barton Creek Blvd, Austin, TX. This matchup is part of the “TAPPS 2024 High School Football Playoff – TAPPS Division I” tournament.
St. Michael’s vs St. Thomas Catholic Game Info:
What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: St. Michael’s vs St. Thomas Catholic
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Bracket: TAPPS 2024 High School Football Playoff – TAPPS Division I
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Game preview: St. Michael’s vs St. Thomas Catholic
As the Texas high school football season heads into the playoff stretch, the matchup between St. Thomas Catholic (Houston, TX) and St. Michael’s (Austin, TX) promises to be a thrilling contest. With both teams boasting strong records and explosive offenses, this game could prove to be a turning point in their respective seasons.
Team Overview
- St. Thomas Catholic (6-5, 5-2 District)
- Offensively, St. Thomas Catholic has been a powerhouse this season, averaging 31.5 points per game with a well-balanced attack. The team has amassed 347 points while allowing 232. Quarterback Roy Thomas Jenkins has been a standout, throwing for 157.1 yards per game, while Wells Granger leads the team in rushing with 46.6 yards per game.
- The team has a solid defense, with Liam McCarthy averaging 8.6 tackles per game, providing crucial stops.
- St. Michael’s (8-2, 5-2 District)
- St. Michael’s enters the playoffs with a slightly better record, having won 8 games and lost only 2. Their offense has been equally potent, averaging 31 points per game, slightly edging out St. Thomas Catholic’s offensive numbers. The St. Michael’s passing game has been exceptional, with Nico Anderson leading the charge, throwing for 212.6 yards per game. In addition, Pierce Kovacs has been a top performer with 54.5 receiving yards per game.
- On defense, Utah Anderson and Miller Bohnsack have helped anchor the team, contributing heavily to the defensive effort with 8.9 tackles per game and 1.0 sack per game, respectively.
Recent Matchups & Key Stats
The two teams met earlier this month on November 1st, where St. Michael’s triumphed in a 24-14 victory at home. This win gave St. Michael’s a 1-0 advantage in their head-to-head series this season, with St. Thomas Catholic unable to keep pace in the second half after trailing 10-7 at the break.
Head-to-Head Breakdown (11/1)
- St. Thomas Catholic: 14 points (Q1: 0, Q2: 7, Q3: 7, Q4: 0)
- St. Michael’s: 24 points (Q1: 3, Q2: 7, Q3: 0, Q4: 14)
Despite a strong first half, St. Thomas Catholic struggled to score in the second half, while St. Michael’s came alive in the final two quarters, outscoring their opponents 14-0 to secure the win.
Statistical Comparison
The game will also feature contrasting offensive styles. St. Thomas Catholic leans more on its rushing attack, averaging 136.4 rushing yards per game compared to St. Michael’s more pass-heavy approach (214.7 passing yards per game). Defensively, St. Michael’s has been slightly more aggressive, recording 3.7 sacks per game, while St. Thomas Catholic averages just 1.6 sacks per game.
| Team Stat | St. Thomas Catholic | St. Michael’s |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 136.4 | 80.3 |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 242.2 | 214.7 |
| Receiving Yards Per Game | 242.2 | 215.0 |
| Total Yards Per Game | 378.5 | 295.0 |
| Tackles Per Game | 64.3 | 68.6 |
| Sacks Per Game | 1.6 | 3.7 |
| Points Per Game | 30.5 | 31.0 |
Key Players to Watch
- St. Thomas Catholic:
- Wells Granger (RB) – The team’s leading rusher will be critical to any offensive success, especially if they aim to control the clock and wear down St. Michael’s defense.
- Roy Thomas Jenkins (QB) – His ability to pass the ball efficiently will be key, especially if the running game is stifled by St. Michael’s defense.
- St. Michael’s:
- Nico Anderson (QB) – As the team’s primary quarterback, Anderson’s passing game has been essential to their high-scoring offense.
- Utah Anderson (LB) – Leading the team in tackles, Anderson will be crucial to stopping St. Thomas Catholic’s offensive plays.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced some common opponents, with St. Thomas Catholic holding a 5-1 record against those teams, and St. Michael’s finishing with a 4-2 mark. Notable victories include wins over St. Pius X, Central Catholic, and Savio, with both teams managing to secure big margins against these teams.
The Road Ahead
St. Thomas Catholic’s performance this season has been impressive, especially considering their slightly below .500 record. They will need to capitalize on their offensive strengths, particularly in the running game, to pull off an upset in this playoff matchup. St. Michael’s, on the other hand, enters the game with momentum from their earlier victory and a balanced offensive attack, but they cannot afford to underestimate St. Thomas Catholic, given their ability to rebound in high-pressure situations.
This playoff game promises to be one of the most exciting in the area, with both teams eager to prove themselves. Kickoff is set for 6:30 PM, and the winner will advance to the next stage of the playoffs, with hopes of continuing their run toward a state championship.
