The Stafford (TX) varsity football team will play a neutral playoff game against Wheatley (Houston, TX) today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships, Conference 4A Division 1 tournament.

Stafford vs Wheatley Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Stafford vs Wheatley
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 4A D1
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Game preview: Stafford vs Wheatley

As the football season progresses, the Wheatley and Stafford teams have both shown resilience, finishing with identical 6-4 records. Despite their equal win-loss ratio, a closer look at their team statistics, rankings, and individual performances reveals some key differences and strengths.

Overall Record and District Performance

Both Wheatley and Stafford posted solid overall records of 6-4 during the season. Wheatley performed well in their district with a 5-3 record, while Stafford excelled in district play, finishing 4-1. Wheatley played a strong home schedule, finishing 2-2, and proved tough on the road with a 4-2 away record. Stafford, on the other hand, was dominant at home, finishing 4-1, but struggled somewhat on the road, with a 2-3 record.

Offensive Comparison

When comparing the offensive performances of both teams, Wheatley holds a slight edge in total yards per game, averaging 157.8 yards, while Stafford comes in higher with 192.4 yards per game. Wheatley’s offensive strength comes from their rushing game, with standout running back Vincent Dorsey averaging 92.3 rushing yards per game. Stafford, however, relies on a more balanced offensive attack, with a combination of solid rushing and passing yards. Their quarterback, Zachary Brown, leads the team in passing with 107 yards per game, contributing significantly to their higher total yardage.

In terms of scoring, Wheatley outperforms Stafford with an impressive 28.6 points per game, compared to Stafford’s 13.8. This scoring differential highlights Wheatley’s explosive offensive capabilities, especially in the latter stages of games, where they score an average of 19.3 points in the fourth quarter alone. Stafford, conversely, has struggled to generate consistent points throughout the game, with their highest scoring quarter being the first at 7.0 points.

Defensive Breakdown

On the defensive side, Wheatley averages 6.8 tackles per game, with Larry Dorsey leading the charge with 5.0 tackles per game. While Stafford has a stronger presence in terms of sacks, averaging 1.6 per game, Wheatley is more consistent in their overall defensive performance.

Wheatley’s defense has shown resilience in limiting opposing offenses, allowing only 175 points over the season (17.5 points per game). Stafford, however, has struggled defensively, allowing 181 points (18.1 points per game), which has contributed to their lower overall points per game.

Key Players and Standouts

Wheatley’s Vincent Dorsey has been a star performer, with his 92.3 rushing yards per game leading the team’s offensive charge. Dorsey’s ability to break through defensive lines has been a major factor in Wheatley’s offensive success. Additionally, quarterback Joseph Andrews has contributed 56 yards per game through the air, rounding out their offensive threat.

For Stafford, Zachary Brown’s passing game has been essential to their offensive strategy, with his 107 passing yards per game helping to diversify the team’s attack. Dillan Tatum has been Stafford’s top rusher, averaging 24.5 yards per game, while Christian Getz leads in receiving with 36.4 yards per game.

Conclusion

While both teams boast similar overall records, Wheatley’s offensive firepower and higher points per game give them an advantage in this matchup. However, Stafford’s strong defensive presence, particularly in their pass rush, could make for a challenging contest if they can capitalize on Wheatley’s occasional defensive lapses. The contrast in their playing styles—Wheatley’s high-scoring offense versus Stafford’s balanced approach—sets the stage for an exciting future encounter.

As both teams head toward the postseason, their ability to tighten up their defenses and improve consistency in all quarters will be key to advancing further in the state rankings.