The Joaquin (TX) varsity football team will face Honey Grove (TX) in a neutral playoff game on Thursday, December 5 at 7:30 PM at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco. This matchup is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships, 2A Division 1 tournament.

Joaquin vs Honey Grove Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Joaquin vs Honey Grove
When: Thursday, December 5, 2024
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 2A D1
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Joaquin vs Honey Grove

The football teams from Honey Grove and Joaquin (TX) have had standout seasons in the 2024-2025 school year, and a deep dive into their statistics reveals how both squads stack up against each other.

Overall Record and Performance

Honey Grove has proven to be a dominant force, boasting an impressive overall record of 12-1. Their district performance has been flawless, with a perfect 6-0 record. The team has been undefeated at home, with an 8-0 mark, and their 4-1 road performance gives them a .923 win percentage.

On the other hand, Joaquin has a solid 9-4 record, with a slightly less dominant district record of 3-2. While the team has performed well at home (7-2), their away performance has been more mixed (2-2), leading to a win percentage of .692 overall and a .600 district win percentage.

Offensive and Defensive Breakdown

When we look at team averages, Honey Grove has shown consistency across all quarters, putting up an average of 41 points per game (PF), with significant contributions in the first quarter (15.4 points). The offense is powered by Ryelan Morris, who leads the team with 150.1 rushing yards per game and 216.3 total yards per game. He’s been instrumental in pushing Honey Grove to the top with an average of 20.6 points per game.

Joaquin, on the other hand, is a more explosive team, scoring an average of 42.2 points per game. While their first quarter performance is much lower (5.3 points), they tend to heat up in the second and fourth quarters, where they average 21.0 and 15.3 points, respectively. Joaquin’s offense is led by Elijah Hardison, who averages 144.1 rushing yards per game and 145.0 total yards per game.

In terms of team stats, Honey Grove excels in rushing, with 260.3 yards per game compared to Joaquin’s 357.9 yards. However, Joaquin struggles in the passing game, with only 67.2 yards per game, far below Honey Grove’s 137.1 passing yards per game. Despite this, Joaquin leads in total yards per game (425.1) compared to Honey Grove’s 397.4.

On the defensive side, Honey Grove holds a slight edge with 83.7 tackles per game, compared to Joaquin’s 65.5 tackles per game. The teams are fairly close in sacks, with Honey Grove averaging 1.6 sacks per game, while Joaquin averages 0.8.

Key Players to Watch

For Honey Grove, Ryelan Morris is undoubtedly the player to watch. His all-around performance—leading the team in rushing, total yards, and points per game—makes him one of the most influential players on the field. His rushing yards per game (150.1) rank him 5th nationally, a remarkable feat at the high school level.

Joaquin has its own standout in Elijah Hardison, who ranks 22nd nationally for rushing yards per game (144.1). Justyn Brown and Cooper Bragg have also been key contributors, especially in the receiving and total yardage categories.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Both teams have faced off against common opponents, with each securing victories. On November 1st, 2024, Honey Grove defeated Cooper 26-14 at home, while Joaquin triumphed over Cooper 32-24 at home on November 22nd, 2024. This common opponent result shows that both teams have the ability to rise to the occasion in tough matchups.

Conclusion

While both Honey Grove and Joaquin have impressive records and strong performances, Honey Grove’s near-perfect season and outstanding offensive numbers make them the favorites. Joaquin’s high-scoring potential and defensive capabilities, however, should not be overlooked. As both teams move forward, their matchup could be one to watch closely, especially as the playoff season progresses.

In the world of high school football, both Honey Grove and Joaquin stand as testament to the power of determination, teamwork, and exceptional talent. Whether or not they meet in a crucial playoff game remains to be seen, but their paths this season have certainly shown promise for exciting football ahead.