The Parish Episcopal varsity football team (Dallas, TX) will host a playoff game against Legacy Christian Academy (Frisco, TX) today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the “TAPPS 2024 High School Football Playoff – TAPPS Division I” tournament.
Legacy Christian Academy vs Parish Episcopal Game Info:
What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Legacy Christian Academy vs Parish Episcopal
When: Saturday, November 30, 2024
Bracket: TAPPS 2024 High School Football Playoff – TAPPS Division I
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game preview: Legacy Christian Academy vs Parish Episcopal
As the high school football season progresses, two Texas powerhouses, Legacy Christian Academy (Frisco) and Parish Episcopal (Dallas), face off in a high-stakes playoff game. Both teams enter with identical overall records of 8-4, but the paths they’ve taken to get here reveal significant contrasts in style and performance.
Team Overview
Legacy Christian Academy (LCA) has had a solid season, boasting an 8-4 record overall. However, their district performance has been a bit more inconsistent, with a 2-4 mark in conference play. Their strengths lie in their balanced offense, averaging 421 total yards per game, with impressive numbers in rushing (171.1 yards per game) and passing (208.8 yards per game). Defensively, they have managed 66.7 tackles per game, while their points allowed per game stand at 30.2. LCA has proven to be a tough opponent at home, with a 5-1 record in their own stadium, but on the road, they’ve struggled to find consistency, posting a 3-3 away record.
Parish Episcopal, on the other hand, has had a dominant season. With an identical 8-4 overall record, they have been far more successful in district play, posting a 4-2 record. The team has excelled offensively, racking up 535.3 total yards per game, powered by a high-flying passing game that averages 386.3 yards per contest. While they’ve been slightly less effective on the ground with 149 rushing yards per game, their offensive firepower has been more than enough to keep them competitive in every matchup. Their defense has also been strong, averaging 80.4 tackles per game, while limiting opponents to an average of 30.8 points per game. Parish Episcopal is particularly strong at home, with a perfect 5-0 record in Dallas, but has struggled on the road, with a 1-4 mark.
Head-to-Head Comparison
In their first meeting of the season on September 27, 2024, Parish Episcopal dominated, winning 56-27. LCA fought back after a slow start, but Parish Episcopal’s 21-point second quarter and 14-point final period proved insurmountable. Despite LCA’s efforts in the second half, they were unable to recover from the early deficit, showcasing the firepower of Parish Episcopal’s offense.
The two teams’ performances throughout the season suggest that Parish Episcopal may have the upper hand heading into this matchup, with their potent offense and more consistent district play. However, LCA has shown the ability to keep games close, particularly in their wins against Nolan Catholic and Trinity Christian.
Statistical Breakdown
LCA:
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 171.1
- Passing Yards Per Game: 208.8
- Points Per Game: 34.9
- Total Yards Per Game: 379.9
- Tackles Per Game: 66.7
Parish Episcopal:
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 149.0
- Passing Yards Per Game: 386.3
- Points Per Game: 50.6
- Total Yards Per Game: 535.3
- Tackles Per Game: 80.4
Notable individual leaders for LCA include Garrett Sims, who leads the team with 67.9 rushing yards per game, and Ian Pulte, who averages 142 passing yards per game. On the other side, Parish Episcopal’s offensive stars include Sawyer Anderson, who leads the team with 381.9 passing yards per game, and Carson Darby, who has been a standout receiver with 122.3 receiving yards per game.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced a similar slate of opponents, with mixed results. LCA has a 2-3 record against common opponents, including losses to Prestonwood Christian, Bishop Lynch, and Liberty Christian. Meanwhile, Parish Episcopal has performed better in their matchups, with a 4-2 record against the same teams. Notably, both teams defeated Trinity Christian, but Parish Episcopal handed Bishop Lynch a decisive win, while LCA fell short in their contest with them.
Key to the Game
For Legacy Christian Academy to pull off an upset, they will need to contain the explosive passing attack of Parish Episcopal. Defensive consistency and limiting big plays will be crucial, especially after their earlier loss to Parish Episcopal, where they struggled to keep up with the scoring.
Parish Episcopal’s path to victory relies on continuing their offensive dominance, particularly through the air. If they can establish a rhythm early and avoid any slow starts, they will have a significant advantage in this matchup. Their defense, while not as dominant as their offense, has been strong enough to handle high-scoring games, and they’ll need to continue that trend to keep LCA in check.
Conclusion
While both teams have had strong seasons, Parish Episcopal’s high-powered offense and strong district play give them the edge heading into this playoff matchup. However, Legacy Christian Academy has proven it can compete with top-tier teams, and with the right adjustments, they could challenge Parish Episcopal for the win. Fans are in for an exciting and hard-fought game as these two Texas teams battle for playoff supremacy.
