The Manchester (Midlothian, VA) varsity football team is set to host a home playoff game against Thomas Dale (Chester, VA) today at 7 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Virginia High School Football
Who: Thomas Dale vs Manchester
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
“2024 VHSL Football State Brackets (Virginia) – Class 6”
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network

Thomas Dale vs. Manchester: A Comparative Breakdown of Their 2024-2025 Football Seasons

As the high school football season progresses, the match-up between Thomas Dale and Manchester high schools has drawn considerable attention. Both teams have delivered strong performances in the 2024-2025 season, with notable strengths and weaknesses shaping their respective records. Here’s a closer look at how both teams have fared thus far, with an in-depth analysis of their rankings, stats, and team performance.

Team Records and Performance

Thomas Dale (6-4 Overall, 3-3 Region)

• Record Breakdown: Thomas Dale has a 6-4 overall record, with a balanced region performance at 3-3. Their success is mostly attributed to solid performances in both home and away games, with a respectable 3-2 record in both categories. The team’s total points scored (216) and points allowed (147) indicate a steady, though sometimes inconsistent, season.
• Scoring Breakdown: On average, Thomas Dale scores 21.6 points per game. The team’s scoring distribution is relatively even across all four quarters, with slight drops in the third and fourth quarters (4.9 points per quarter). Their offense is powered by standout players such as Jaiden Hite (rushing) and Ethan Medley (passing).

Manchester (7-3 Overall, 7-2 Region)

• Record Breakdown: Manchester has had a slightly more successful season with a 7-3 overall record, showing dominance within their region (7-2). The team has been especially impressive in home games, with a 5-2 record, and has maintained strong away performances as well, winning 2 of 3 games on the road. They’ve scored significantly more points (334) than Thomas Dale, while allowing fewer (185).
• Scoring Breakdown: Manchester’s offense averages 33.4 points per game, showcasing a potent and high-scoring unit. Their scoring per quarter (7.4, 10.7, 7.6, 7.7) reveals a consistently strong attack throughout the game, with an explosive second quarter. The team’s offense is led by standout performers like Landen Abernethy and Donovan Artis.

Team Stat Comparison

• Rushing Yards: Thomas Dale averages 134.1 rushing yards per game, which slightly outpaces Manchester’s 130.2 yards. Jaiden Hite is the primary rusher for Thomas Dale, contributing significantly to their ground game. In comparison, Manchester’s Jakai Moore has been the lead rusher, recording an average of 56.2 yards per game.
• Passing Yards: Manchester holds the advantage in the passing game, averaging 140.7 passing yards per game, well ahead of Thomas Dale’s 95.3 yards. Quarterback Landen Abernethy has been a crucial part of this success, throwing for 140.7 yards per game. On the other hand, Thomas Dale relies on Ethan Medley, who has averaged 108.5 yards per game.
• Receiving Yards: Both teams show relatively balanced receiving stats. Thomas Dale averages 93.4 yards per game, with Delwan Waller contributing 41.6 yards. Meanwhile, Manchester’s receiving game is led by Donovan Artis, averaging 35.1 yards per game, helping them achieve 126.3 receiving yards per game.
• Defensive Stats: Thomas Dale has a slight edge in tackles per game, averaging 63.3 compared to Manchester’s 38.7. However, Manchester’s defensive line has been effective in sacking the quarterback, recording 1.3 sacks per game compared to Thomas Dale’s 2.5.

Head-to-Head & Common Opponents

Both Thomas Dale and Manchester have faced the same two common opponents: Cosby and L.C. Bird. In their match-ups:

• Against Cosby: Thomas Dale defeated Cosby 39-8 on August 29, 2024, while Manchester triumphed 54-10 on November 8, 2024. Both teams posted dominant victories in these encounters.
• Against L.C. Bird: Thomas Dale won 27-16 on September 6, 2024, while Manchester earned a 16-7 victory on October 25, 2024. Despite different scorelines, both teams successfully overcame L.C. Bird.

Individual Leaders

• Thomas Dale: Jaiden Hite leads the team in rushing with 70.4 yards per game, while Ethan Medley is the team’s top passer (108.5 yards per game). Defensively, Michael Davis leads with 9.4 tackles per game.
• Manchester: Jakai Moore leads Manchester’s rushing attack with 56.2 yards per game. Quarterback Landen Abernethy has thrown for an impressive 140.7 yards per game. On defense, Camden Chalkley has recorded 7.3 tackles per game and leads the team in sacks with 0.8 per game.

Conclusion

As the season continues, both Thomas Dale and Manchester have demonstrated considerable skill and promise. Manchester’s overall performance, highlighted by strong offensive statistics and a dominant region record, positions them as the more formidable team overall. However, Thomas Dale’s balanced offense and solid defense have shown they are more than capable of competing against tough opponents.

The upcoming matchups, especially in the postseason, will be critical for both teams as they aim to leverage their strengths and improve upon their weaknesses. With exciting individual talents and cohesive team dynamics, both squads remain in the hunt for success in the 2024-2025 football season.