The Hickory (NC) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against Statesville (NC) on Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: North Carolina High School Football
Who: Statesville vs Hickory
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 NCHSAA Football Championships – 3A
Live Stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Statesville vs. Hickory
On Friday, November 22, Statesville (9-2) will face Hickory (11-0) in a playoff matchup. Hickory enters the game undefeated and is coming off a dominant regular season, while Statesville has a strong 9-2 record, including a recent 35-20 loss to Hickory earlier in the month. This game will be a chance for Statesville to avenge that loss, but they’ll have their work cut out for them against a powerhouse Hickory team.
Season Recap: Statesville
- Record: 9-2
- Conference: 5-2
- Points For/Against: 285 PF, 170 PA
- Scoring Average: 25.9 points per game
Statesville has had a solid season but will need to play nearly flawless football against an undefeated Hickory team. Their offense, while effective at times, will need to step up and find a way to break through Hickory’s defense. Statesville has struggled in big moments, as seen in their previous meeting with Hickory, where they lost 35-20.
Key Players:
- Allen Jones (#20): Leading rusher with 73.8 rushing yards per game, important for establishing the ground game.
- Manuel Gladden (#19): Quarterback with 116.0 passing yards per game, responsible for keeping the offense balanced.
- Dexter Rucker (#8): Leading receiver with 44.3 receiving yards per game, crucial for stretching the field.
Season Recap: Hickory
- Record: 11-0
- Conference: 7-0
- Points For/Against: 571 PF, 116 PA
- Scoring Average: 51.9 points per game
Hickory enters this playoff matchup undefeated, having dominated their regular season. Their offense has been explosive, averaging over 50 points per game, and their defense has been suffocating, allowing just 10.5 points per game. Hickory’s performance across the board has been nearly flawless, making them a heavy favorite in this matchup.
Key Players:
- Isaiah Lackey (#34): Leading rusher with 94.6 rushing yards per game, a key component of their potent ground attack.
- Brady Stober (#10): Quarterback with 231.9 passing yards per game, a dual-threat capable of doing damage both in the air and on the ground.
- Jamien Little (#2): Leading receiver with 77.5 receiving yards per game, a major weapon in the passing game.
Team Stat Comparison
| Category | Statesville | Hickory |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring Average | 25.9 | 51.9 |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 132.8 | 172.4 |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 83.8 | 243.1 |
| Total Yards Per Game | 216.6 | 415.5 |
| Points Allowed Per Game | 15.5 | 10.5 |
| Sacks Per Game | 0.9 | 1.0 |
| Tackles Per Game | 37.0 | 67.8 |
Record Breakdown
| Category | Statesville | Hickory |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 9-2 | 11-0 |
| Conference Record | 5-2 | 7-0 |
| Non-Conference Record | 3-0 | 0-1 |
| Points For | 285 | 571 |
| Points Against | 170 | 116 |
| Home Record | 4-0 | 7-0 |
| Away Record | 5-2 | 4-0 |
Key Matchups
- Hickory’s High-Powered Offense vs. Statesville’s Defense
- Hickory has been averaging over 50 points per game, with an impressive combination of Brady Stober’s passing and Isaiah Lackey’s running. Statesville’s defense will need to be at its best to slow down this explosive unit.
- Statesville’s Ground Game vs. Hickory’s Run Defense
- Allen Jones and the Statesville rushing attack will need to control the clock and keep Hickory’s offense off the field. However, Hickory’s defense has been stellar all season and will look to shut down any ground game early.
- Quarterback Play: Manuel Gladden vs. Brady Stober
- Both teams rely heavily on their quarterbacks, with Gladden leading Statesville and Stober doing it all for Hickory. Stober’s ability to attack both through the air and on the ground will be key to Hickory’s success. Gladden will need to make plays for Statesville to have a chance.
Prediction
Hickory enters this matchup as a clear favorite, with their undefeated record and balanced offensive and defensive units. Statesville has shown promise but will need to execute at a high level to keep up with Hickory. Given Hickory’s offensive firepower and defensive dominance, they are expected to advance to the next round.
