The La Vernia (TX) varsity football team will play a neutral playoff game against Bay City (TX) on Friday, December 6 at 7:00 PM at Bastrop Memorial Stadium, located at 755 TX-21, Cedar Creek, TX. This game is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships for the 2024 Football Conference 4A Division 1 tournament.
La Vernia vs Bay City Game Info:
What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: La Vernia vs Bay City
When: Friday, December 6, 2024
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 4A D1
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game preview: La Vernia vs Bay City
As the 2024 Texas high school football season intensifies, two powerhouse teams, Bay City and La Vernia, are gearing up for a thrilling postseason showdown. With both teams coming off successful regular seasons, this playoff matchup promises to deliver excitement and high-level competition.
Team Overview: Bay City
Bay City, ranked 178th in the state and 80th in their section, has been a dominant force this season with a 12-1 record, boasting an impressive 92.3% win rate. Their victory against La Vernia earlier in the season (40-21) only highlights their strength. The team is powered by an explosive offense led by quarterback Alex Estrada, who has thrown for an average of 267.6 yards per game. Meanwhile, running back Jada Andrews has been a key contributor on the ground with 119.2 rushing yards per game. Bay City’s offense averages a solid 45.4 points per game, showcasing their ability to score quickly and efficiently.
Defensively, Bay City is no slouch. The team averages 78.7 tackles per game and has seen significant contributions from linebacker Jaden Malone, who leads the team with 12.3 tackles per game. Their balanced offensive and defensive units make them a formidable opponent, particularly as they head into the playoff matchup with a flawless 1-0 neutral-site record.
Team Overview: La Vernia
La Vernia, ranked 235th in the state and 104th in their section, enters the postseason with a 10-3 overall record. The team has shown resilience, especially with a perfect 7-0 record at home. Quarterback Keegan Hajek has been a crucial part of La Vernia’s offense, throwing for an average of 74.4 yards per game, while running back Sean Garza has racked up 145.8 rushing yards per game. The La Vernia offense averages 34.6 points per game, which, while strong, will need to fire on all cylinders if they are to overcome the Bay City defense.
Defensively, La Vernia has been tough but will need to improve its tackling consistency as they average 36.8 tackles per game. Linebacker Dedric Williams leads the team with 9.2 tackles per game, providing the necessary leadership on that side of the ball.
Recent Matchup and Head-to-Head Record
In their most recent meeting on October 18, 2024, Bay City delivered a decisive 40-21 victory over La Vernia. Bay City’s defense shut down La Vernia’s offense for much of the game, with La Vernia only managing to score 21 points, all of which came in the second half. This victory bolstered Bay City’s confidence as they now head into the playoff game with the upper hand.
Despite the head-to-head loss, La Vernia has shown resilience in their playoff run. With a solid defensive unit and an offense capable of explosive plays, they will be looking to avenge their earlier loss and advance further in the playoffs.
Team Stat Comparison
Both teams come into the playoff matchup with potent offenses, but Bay City holds the edge in passing and total yards per game. While Bay City averages 271.7 passing yards per game, La Vernia’s passing game is much less prolific, with only 79.3 yards per game. However, La Vernia compensates with a strong running game, averaging 299.9 rushing yards per game compared to Bay City’s 133.2 rushing yards.
Key Players to Watch
For Bay City, keep an eye on quarterback Alex Estrada and running back Jada Andrews, who have both been exceptional this season. Estrada’s ability to move the ball through the air and Andrews’ dominance on the ground could make the difference in this playoff matchup.
On the La Vernia side, Sean Garza’s powerful running game will be crucial in controlling the tempo. If Garza can find success on the ground, it could open up opportunities for the passing attack to find some rhythm.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced a similar slate of common opponents, with Bay City finishing 4-0 and La Vernia going 4-1. Both teams secured convincing victories over schools like Floresville and El Campo, but La Vernia’s loss to Calhoun (22-20) in a close matchup raises questions about their ability to close out tough games.
Looking Ahead
This playoff matchup between Bay City and La Vernia is shaping up to be a thrilling contest between two teams with contrasting strengths. Bay City’s balanced attack and high-powered offense face off against La Vernia’s aggressive ground game and resilient defense. The team that can impose its will in the trenches and execute under pressure will likely come out on top.
Fans of high school football in Texas can expect a competitive, hard-hitting affair as these two teams fight for a chance to continue their championship aspirations. The game kicks off on Friday, December 6 at 7:00 PM at a neutral site, with both teams hungry for victory.
