The Thomas Heyward Academy varsity football team (Ridgeland, SC) is set to play a neutral-site playoff game against Williamsburg Academy (Kingstree, SC) today at 12 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 South Carolina High School Football Playoff Brackets: SCISA – A tournament.

Thomas Heyward Academy vs Williamsburg Academy Football Game Info:

What: South Carolina High School Football
Who: Thomas Heyward Academy vs Williamsburg Academy
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 12 PM
Bracket: 2024 South Carolina High School Football Playoff Brackets: SCISA – A
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Game preview: Thomas Heyward Academy vs Williamsburg Academy

As the 2024 high school football season unfolds, two powerhouse teams from South Carolina—Williamsburg Academy and Thomas Heyward Academy—stand out as top contenders. With nearly identical records and a head-to-head clash on the horizon, their battle for supremacy in the state’s football scene is heating up.

Williamsburg Academy (10-1) enters this pivotal matchup boasting an impressive 0.909 win percentage. Their performance in the region has been flawless, winning all three of their regional games and achieving a perfect 5-0 at home. With a high-powered offense and stingy defense, they’ve scored 334 points while allowing just 122, a testament to their overall balance.

Thomas Heyward Academy (11-1) is no slouch either. With an even higher win percentage of .917, they’ve dominated their region with a perfect 5-0 record and have posted a staggering 479 points compared to 163 allowed. The team’s offensive juggernaut, led by standout players, has been particularly lethal in the first and third quarters, outscoring opponents 14.4 points in the first quarter alone.

Key Matchup: Head-to-Head Performance

These two teams squared off earlier in the season on September 13, 2024, in a thrilling non-conference game. Williamsburg Academy emerged victorious in a close contest, edging out Thomas Heyward Academy with a 28-26 scoreline. Williamsburg’s ability to make a late-game push in the fourth quarter—scoring 11.5 points per game in the final period—proved pivotal. The victory underscored Williamsburg’s resilience and balanced approach to both offense and defense.

Team Strengths: Scoring and Defense

The two teams have strikingly different approaches to offense. Williamsburg Academy averages 30.4 points per game, with their strong rushing attack led by Travis Bennett Jr. (109.5 rushing yards per game) and passing efficiency from Micah Balder (85.4 passing yards per game). On the other hand, Thomas Heyward Academy is an offensive powerhouse, averaging 39.9 points per game, with Tony O’Banner putting up 146.3 rushing yards per game. Both teams are excellent at maintaining control of the game, as their defenses allow an average of just 21.4 and 38.9 points per game, respectively.

While Williamsburg Academy’s offense relies on balance and control, Thomas Heyward Academy’s offensive scheme is built around explosive plays, particularly in the running game. Williamsburg’s defense, led by Ty Tilton (6.9 tackles per game), will need to contain O’Banner and force the team into a passing game they aren’t as reliant on.

Common Opponents: Unbeaten and Dominant

Both teams have faced a tough slate of common opponents, and in each case, they have emerged victorious. Williamsburg Academy defeated Carolina Academy, Lee Academy, Faith Christian, Dorchester Academy, Patrick Henry Academy, and Beaufort Academy—all by sizable margins. Likewise, Thomas Heyward Academy has posted dominant wins over the same teams, including a 51-6 thrashing of Carolina Academy and a 49-14 victory over Dorchester Academy.

This similarity in schedule, along with identical undefeated records against these teams, highlights the strength of both programs heading into this playoff showdown.

Playoff Picture and Records Breakdown

As both teams prepare for the playoff clash, Williamsburg Academy and Thomas Heyward Academy are both 2-0 in neutral-site playoff games this season. Williamsburg enters with a 10-1 record and a 5-0 home record, while Thomas Heyward Academy is a perfect 6-0 on the road this year. The contrasting home and away performance of both teams will be an important factor as they prepare for what promises to be an intense playoff battle.

Key Players to Watch

• Williamsburg Academy: Rushing leader Travis Bennett Jr., passing standout Micah Balder, and defensive force Ty Tilton will all be crucial in stopping the explosive Thomas Heyward offense and controlling the game.
• Thomas Heyward Academy: Look for Tony O’Banner to carry the load in the backfield, with Joshua Gibson and Kiran Boggess playing key roles in both the receiving and defensive units.

Conclusion

The matchup between Williamsburg Academy and Thomas Heyward Academy is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated games of the 2024 season. Both teams have the talent and track records to claim victory, but it will be Williamsburg’s late-game tenacity and balanced offense against Thomas Heyward’s dynamic and explosive offensive attack. With high stakes in the state playoffs, this game will be one to watch as two of South Carolina’s top football programs battle it out for supremacy.