The Holy Spirit (Absecon, NJ) varsity football team is facing off against St. Thomas Aquinas (Edison, NJ) in a neutral playoff game today at 6 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 New Jersey High School Football Playoff Brackets: NJSIAA – Non-Public B tournament.

St. Thomas Aquinas vs Holy Spirit Football Game Info:

What: New Jersey High School Football Playoffs
Who: St. Thomas Aquinas vs Holy Spirit
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m.
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Game preview: St. Thomas Aquinas vs Holy Spirit

As the high school football season heats up, fans and players alike are gearing up for an intense matchup between two powerhouse teams: St. Thomas Aquinas and Holy Spirit. Both teams are performing exceptionally well this season, with impressive records and remarkable team stats. Let’s dive into the details of these two teams and what makes their showdown one to watch.

Team Records & Rankings

• St. Thomas Aquinas (24-25)
  • Overall Record: 8-2
  • League Record: 4-0
  • Home: 4-0
  • Away: 3-1
  • Neutral: 1-1
  • Win Percentage: .800
  • League Percentage: 1.000
  • Points Scored (PF): 431
  • Points Allowed (PA): 172

  St. Thomas Aquinas is having an excellent season, winning 80% of their games overall. Their defense has been stellar, allowing only 172 points, while their offense has exploded for 431 points. They are perfect in league play so far with a 4-0 record, demonstrating dominance in the competitive league.

• Holy Spirit (24-25)
  • Overall Record: 8-1
  • League Record: 3-0
  • Home: 4-0
  • Away: 4-0
  • Neutral: 0-1
  • Win Percentage: .889
  • League Percentage: 1.000
  • Points Scored (PF): 239
  • Points Allowed (PA): 84

  Holy Spirit is having a near-perfect season with an 8-1 record. Their defense has been formidable, allowing just 84 points across nine games, an average of just 9.33 points per game. Their offense has been steady, but it’s their defense that has really shined, particularly in league play where they remain unbeaten.

Scoring Averages and Key Statistics

• St. Thomas Aquinas averages a high-scoring 43.1 points per game, with an especially strong second-quarter performance (15.0 points). They are a team that can pile on the points quickly and wear down opponents.
• Holy Spirit averages 26.6 points per game but has a more balanced scoring approach, with most of their points coming in the latter half of games. Their fourth-quarter scoring is a key part of their strategy, adding 5.7 points per game during the final period.

Offensive and Defensive Breakdown

When comparing the offensive and defensive statistics, St. Thomas Aquinas holds a strong advantage in total yards per game (434.9), with 284.4 yards coming from rushing, while Holy Spirit has not posted comparable stats. However, Holy Spirit’s defense has been exceptional, as they’ve kept opponents to a mere 84 points across the season.

Here’s a closer look at some standout players:

• St. Thomas Aquinas
  • Chukwuma Odoh: 126.4 rushing yards per game
  • Roman Blanks: 111.9 passing yards per game
  • Josiah Zayas: 95.1 receiving yards per game
  • Anwar Witherspoon: 9.2 tackles per game
  • Jose Tejeiro: 1.3 sacks per game
• Holy Spirit
  • Top Offensive Players: Holy Spirit’s key stats are largely unreported in this breakdown, but their defense, led by strong tacklers and sack leaders, has been their main source of success this season.

Head-to-Head and League Play

In terms of league performance, both teams have been dominant. St. Thomas Aquinas has swept its league games with a 4-0 record, while Holy Spirit is also undefeated in league play with a 3-0 record. As these two teams prepare to face off, the stakes are high as both teams aim to extend their dominance.

While St. Thomas Aquinas has had a slight edge in overall points scored and offensive statistics, Holy Spirit’s defense will be the key to this matchup. Their ability to contain powerful offenses, like that of St. Thomas Aquinas, will determine how competitive the game is.

Conclusion: Who Will Prevail?

This game will showcase two of the most formidable teams in high school football. St. Thomas Aquinas brings explosive offense and a well-rounded game, while Holy Spirit has the defensive strength to slow down their opponents. If Holy Spirit can continue its defensive dominance, they may very well have a chance to upset St. Thomas Aquinas. However, St. Thomas Aquinas’ ability to score early and often could prove difficult for Holy Spirit to overcome.

With both teams on the rise and performing at such a high level, this game promises to be an unforgettable spectacle for high school football fans.