The Sugar-Salem varsity football team from Sugar City, Idaho, will face Homedale in a neutral playoff game on Saturday, November 23, at 1:00 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 IDHSAA Idaho Football State Championship for the 4A division.
What: Idaho High School Football
Who: Sugar-Salem (ID) vs Homedale (ID)
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Where: Middleton High School
Bracket: 2024 IDHSAA Idaho Football State Championship – 4A
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
Homedale vs. Sugar-Salem: A Comprehensive Comparison for the 2024-2025 Season
The Homedale Trojans and Sugar-Salem Diggers have both enjoyed highly successful seasons in the 2024-2025 campaign. With dominant performances on both offense and defense, these teams are set to make waves in their respective divisions. Let’s break down their rankings, records, and key statistics to understand what sets them apart and what to expect when they compete.
Rankings and Records
Homedale (Class 2, ID)
- Overall Record: 10-1
- Conference Record: 4-1
- Home Record: 6-0
- Away Record: 4-1
- Win Percentage: 90.9%
- Points For: 409
- Points Against: 122
Sugar-Salem (Class 1, ID)
- Overall Record: 8-2
- Conference Record: 2-0
- Home Record: 2-2
- Away Record: 3-0
- Neutral Record: 3-0
- Win Percentage: 80.0%
- Points For: 400
- Points Against: 96
Homedale’s single loss came in a competitive conference matchup, while Sugar-Salem showed resilience by maintaining a perfect conference record. Despite Sugar-Salem’s two losses, their dominance in neutral-site games highlights their adaptability.
Scoring Trends and Averages
| Quarter | Homedale Avg. Points | Sugar-Salem Avg. Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Quarter | 13.5 | 12.7 |
| 2nd Quarter | 11.1 | 10.6 |
| 3rd Quarter | 7.8 | 10.4 |
| 4th Quarter | 4.7 | 7.0 |
| Final Avg. | 37.2 | 40.0 |
Sugar-Salem edges Homedale in overall scoring, with a notable strength in the second half of games. Homedale, however, has a stronger start, often building early momentum.
Team Stat Comparison
| Category | Homedale | Sugar-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 182.1 | 253.4 |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 160.6 | 114.5 |
| Total Yards Per Game | 342.7 | 367.9 |
| Tackles Per Game | 53.7 | 57.4 |
| Sacks Per Game | 1.9 | 1.0 |
| Points Per Game | 37.0 | 40.0 |
Sugar-Salem’s ground game stands out with 253.4 rushing yards per game, led by star player Dawson McInelly. Homedale’s balanced attack combines solid rushing (182.1 yards per game) and an effective passing game (160.6 yards per game). On defense, both teams excel, with Sugar-Salem averaging more tackles and Homedale generating more pressure via sacks.
Key Players
Homedale
- Javid Blewett (#32): 59.6 rushing yards per game
- Xavier Uranga (#14): 153.3 passing yards per game, 154.1 total yards per game
- Luke Henry (#9): 66.4 receiving yards per game, 10.2 points per game
Sugar-Salem
- Dawson McInelly (#17): 107.3 rushing yards per game, 129.6 total yards per game, 13.2 points per game
- Jack Gardner (#12): 100.3 passing yards per game
- Abe Baldwin (#2): 41.2 receiving yards per game
Both teams boast exceptional talent, but McInelly’s dual-threat ability as a runner and scorer makes him a standout. Homedale’s Uranga shines as a versatile quarterback capable of driving the offense both in the air and on the ground.
Performance Against Common Opponents
Homedale and Sugar-Salem faced Snake River and Kimberly this season, with differing results:
- Snake River: Both teams defeated Snake River convincingly. Homedale won 22-6, while Sugar-Salem triumphed twice with scores of 41-6 and 49-7.
- Kimberly: Homedale beat Kimberly 47-21, but Sugar-Salem split their games, losing 17-14 before dominating in a playoff rematch with a 27-0 victory.
Sugar-Salem’s ability to adjust and deliver a decisive playoff win against Kimberly demonstrates their growth over the season.
Conclusion
Both Homedale and Sugar-Salem are formidable teams with contrasting strengths. Homedale thrives on a balanced offense and strong starts, while Sugar-Salem relies on a dominant rushing game and second-half endurance. If these teams face off, the matchup could come down to how well each team can neutralize the other’s strengths and exploit weaknesses.
As the postseason heats up, fans can anticipate an exciting clash should these powerhouses meet, with both teams bringing championship-caliber talent to the field.
