The Stephenville (TX) varsity football team will face West Plains (Amarillo, TX) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, December 6 at 7:00 PM at Astound Broadband Stadium in Midland, TX. This matchup is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 4A Division 1 tournament.

Stephenville vs West Plains Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Stephenville vs West Plains
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: Stephenville vs West Plains

As the Texas high school football season continues to unfold, two teams stand out for their impressive records and dominant performances: West Plains and Stephenville. Both teams have shown remarkable consistency and excellence throughout the season, but with contrasting styles and strengths. Here’s a deep dive into their rankings, records, and key team stats.

Team Overview and Record Comparison

West Plains has compiled a solid 10-3 record overall and remains undefeated in district play with a 5-0 mark. The team has been impressive at home (3-1) and away (3-2), while maintaining a strong 1.000 district win percentage. They have scored a total of 515 points and allowed 308, showcasing their balance on both sides of the ball.

Stephenville, on the other hand, boasts a remarkable 12-1 record, with an unblemished 4-0 district record. The team’s perfect district win percentage stands at 1.000, and they have been dominant at home (7-0) and on the road (5-1). The Stephenville offense has exploded for 598 points while only allowing 194, reflecting their high-scoring ability and tight defense.

Scoring Averages and Key Stat Comparison

Looking at the scoring breakdown, West Plains averages 39.6 points per game, with their highest-scoring quarter being the second (13.1 points). In contrast, Stephenville averages 46.0 points per game, with their strongest quarter coming in the second (16.2 points). Despite the differences, both teams are adept at scoring, with each averaging over 39 points per game.

When comparing key statistics:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: West Plains averages 198.2 yards, while Stephenville is close behind at 189.8.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Both teams are pass-heavy, with West Plains racking up 239.8 yards and Stephenville slightly ahead at 241.5.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Each team has an impressive receiving corps, with both averaging 236.5 yards per game.
• Total Yards Per Game: West Plains leads slightly with 438.0 yards, compared to Stephenville’s 431.3.

Defensively, both teams are strong, but Stephenville stands out with 3.5 sacks per game compared to West Plains’ 1.1. This gives Stephenville a noticeable edge in disrupting opposing offenses.

Team Leaders

Key players from both teams have been vital to their success:

• West Plains:
  • Slade Russell leads the team with 113.1 rushing yards per game and contributes 11.1 points per game.
  • Reid Macon has been impressive with 230.8 passing yards per game and 268.2 total yards per game.
  • Kane White-Tinsley has 67.4 receiving yards per game.
  • On defense, Tryston Hernandez leads with 9.8 tackles per game, while Gianni Peck contributes 1.0 sack per game.
• Stephenville:
  • Sawyer Wilkerson is the offensive engine with 116.6 rushing yards per game and contributes 11.1 points per game.
  • Ryan Gafford has 220.8 passing yards per game, while Tristian Gentry leads the receiving corps with 134.4 receiving yards per game.
  • On defense, Hudson Butchee leads with 11.5 tackles per game, and Kolton Dearth provides a defensive spark with 0.7 sacks per game.

Common Opponents and Head-to-Head Comparison

Both teams faced similar challenges with common opponents, and each emerged victorious in all matchups:

• Randall: West Plains won 43-21, while Stephenville won 47-7.
• Hereford: West Plains defeated them 45-14, and Stephenville triumphed 35-7.
• Brownwood: West Plains won 49-14, while Stephenville delivered a commanding 44-0 victory.
• Lampasas: West Plains won 63-35, and Stephenville claimed a 42-31 win.

Both teams have gone 4-0 against common opponents, showcasing their similar dominance in their respective matchups.

Record Breakdown

In terms of season breakdown:

• West Plains: 10-3 overall with a perfect 5-0 district record.
• Stephenville: 12-1 overall with a flawless 4-0 district record.

Both teams have had their fair share of success against in-state opponents. West Plains has a 3-0 record in playoff games, while Stephenville has yet to be tested in that regard this season.

Conclusion

As both teams march toward the playoffs, it’s clear that they each possess unique strengths. West Plains has been a steady, well-rounded team with a balanced attack, while Stephenville shines with explosive offense and a tenacious defense. The two teams are on a collision course for potential playoff action, and fans can expect an exciting clash between two of Texas’ top teams.