The St. Michael’s (Santa Fe, NM) varsity football team is playing a neutral playoff game against Thoreau (NM) today at 1 p.m. at St. Michael’s High School. This game is part of the “2024 Nusenda Credit Union State Football Championships – 3A” tournament.

Thoreau vs St. Michael’s Football Game Info:

What: New Mexico High School Football Playoffs
Who: Thoreau vs St. Michael’s
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m.
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Game preview: Thoreau vs St. Michael’s

As the high school football season heats up, the matchup between Thoreau and St. Michael’s promises to be one for the ages. Both teams have been dominant in their respective divisions, with impressive records and strong performances across the board. The Thoreau Hawks, sporting a 9-2 overall record, face off against the perfect 10-0 St. Michael’s team in what looks to be an intense showdown of offense, defense, and determination.

Team Overview

Thoreau (9-2, 6-0 District) has been nothing short of impressive this season. With a solid .818 win percentage and a perfect district record of 6-0, they have proven themselves a force to be reckoned with in their class. Offensively, they’ve put up 409 points, averaging 37.2 points per game, while defensively, they’ve only allowed 147 points, an impressive defensive effort with just 1.8 points allowed in the third quarter on average.

On the other hand, St. Michael’s (10-0, 4-0 District) has been flawless, maintaining a perfect record both overall and in district play. They’ve scored 426 points this season, averaging 42.6 points per game and allowing just 59 points overall — a remarkable defensive stat that has helped them dominate their opponents. With a perfect district record and an impressive 6-0 road record, St. Michael’s has been an unstoppable force this season.

Scoring Breakdown

The teams have contrasting scoring trends. Thoreau excels in the first quarter, averaging 26.5 points, but their scoring slows in the second half, especially in the third quarter where they score only 1.8 points on average. St. Michael’s, however, maintains a more balanced attack, averaging 16.4 points in the first quarter and finishing strong with 11.1 points in the third. Their consistency throughout the game has been key to their perfect record.

Stat Comparison

In terms of total yardage, both teams are nearly neck-and-neck. Thoreau averages 285.3 total yards per game, while St. Michael’s edges them out with 287.4 yards per game. Thoreau leans slightly more on the ground game, averaging 176.8 rushing yards per game, compared to St. Michael’s 167.9. Passing yards are comparable, with Thoreau posting 108.5 passing yards per game, just behind St. Michael’s 119.5.

Defensively, however, Thoreau boasts a higher average in tackles per game (79.7) compared to St. Michael’s 35.2. St. Michael’s does have a higher sack rate, with 1.6 sacks per game compared to Thoreau’s 0.9.

Key Players

For Thoreau, running back Elam Smith has been a standout player, averaging 103.3 rushing yards per game, and quarterback Stetson Perry has been the catalyst in the passing game, averaging 132.6 yards per game. Jordan Calladitto also plays a pivotal role in the receiving corps with 47.6 receiving yards per game.

On the St. Michael’s side, Soren Annon leads the way, with standout performances on both offense and defense. Annon averages 104.6 rushing yards per game, 129.7 total yards per game, and is also a key contributor to the team’s defense with 8.7 tackles per game and 0.9 sacks. Quarterback Reed Bass has been consistent in the air, averaging 129.3 passing yards per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams share a common opponent in Hope Christian. Thoreau faced them on November 8th and secured a hard-fought victory, 22-20, while St. Michael’s dominated Hope Christian in a 60-7 blowout on October 5th. While both teams emerged victorious, the contrasting scorelines highlight their different playing styles.

Record Breakdown

Here’s a breakdown of each team’s performance across different categories:

• Thoreau has an excellent overall record of 9-2, with 4-1 at home and 5-1 away. They have played well in-state, with a 9-2 record, and have no out-of-state games this season.
• St. Michael’s, with their perfect 10-0 record, has been flawless both at home (4-0) and on the road (6-0). They too have no out-of-state games but have been untouchable within the state.

The Showdown

As these two powerhouse teams prepare to face off, it’s clear that this game will come down to the wire. Thoreau’s explosive offense and strong defense will be tested by St. Michael’s perfect blend of offense and defense. While Thoreau’s high-scoring first quarters may give them an early edge, St. Michael’s’ consistency throughout the game and their impeccable record could give them the upper hand.

This clash between Thoreau and St. Michael’s is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling matchups of the season. Fans can expect a battle of strategy, skill, and willpower as both teams fight for supremacy.