The Valley High School (West Des Moines, IA) varsity football team will face Southeast Polk (Pleasant Hill, IA) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7:00 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 Iowa High School Football Playoff Brackets for Class 5A, organized by the IHSAA.

What: Iowa High School Football
Who: Valley (IA) vs Southeast Polk (IA)
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Iowa High School Football Playoff Brackets: IHSAA – Class 5A
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Southeast Polk vs. Valley: 2024-2025 Football Playoff Preview

The stage is set for an exciting matchup between the Southeast Polk Rams and the Valley Tigers in the upcoming neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 22, 2024. This game promises to be a thrilling battle, as both teams bring impressive records and unique strengths to the field. Here’s a closer look at the teams, their performances, and what to expect as they square off.

Team Records and Standings

Southeast Polk enters the playoff with an 8-4 record overall and a solid 3-1 mark in conference play. Their season included strong performances at home (3-1), but they faced challenges on the road, going 3-3 in away games. Southeast Polk has scored a total of 345 points while allowing 247 points across the season. Their winning percentage stands at .667 overall and .750 within the conference.

In contrast, Valley boasts a stellar 10-2 overall record, remaining undefeated in conference play with a perfect 4-0 mark. The Tigers were dominant at home, with a 5-0 record, and a solid 3-2 performance in away games. Valley has scored 404 points while allowing only 232, giving them an impressive average of 33.7 points per game. Their win percentage is a strong .833 overall, with an impeccable 1.000 in conference play.

Scoring Averages

Both teams have demonstrated offensive firepower, though Valley’s scoring averages are slightly higher. Here’s a breakdown of their scoring averages by quarter:

• Southeast Polk:
  • Q1: 6.5
  • Q2: 0
  • Q3: 3.5
  • Q4: 7.0
  • Final: 28.8 points per game
• Valley:
  • Q1: 7.0
  • Q2: 12.3
  • Q3: 13.0
  • Q4: 8.8
  • Final: 33.7 points per game

Valley’s offensive consistency throughout the game, especially in the second and third quarters, has been a major factor in their success this season. Southeast Polk, while competitive, tends to have slower starts, especially in the second quarter.

Head-to-Head History

When these two teams met earlier in the season on August 30, 2024, Valley emerged victorious with a 20-17 win over Southeast Polk in a thrilling non-conference matchup. This win has given Valley the upper hand in their head-to-head record, but both teams have grown since then, with Southeast Polk coming into this game with some momentum after a strong late-season push.

Common Opponents

Both teams faced several of the same opponents during the season, giving valuable insight into their relative strength. Here’s a quick look at their common matchups and outcomes:

• Southeast Polk vs. Ankeny: Southeast Polk won 21-13 (Valley lost to Ankeny 13-10)
• Southeast Polk vs. Sioux City East: Southeast Polk won 48-3 (Valley won 31-28)
• Southeast Polk vs. Johnston: Southeast Polk lost 34-0 (Valley won 34-24)
• Southeast Polk vs. Waukee: Southeast Polk won 31-28 (Valley won 42-25)
• Southeast Polk vs. Dowling Catholic: Southeast Polk lost 35-34 (Valley lost 26-23)

Both teams have had their challenges with some of the top schools in the state, but Valley has managed to perform slightly better against common opponents, with a 5-2 record compared to Southeast Polk’s 3-2.

Playoff Outlook

Both teams enter this matchup with high hopes of advancing further in the postseason. Southeast Polk has shown resilience throughout the season, with key wins against teams like Waukee and Sioux City East. However, Valley’s dominant conference play and overall strength give them a slight edge heading into the game.

Southeast Polk will need to find ways to capitalize on their offensive weapons, particularly in the second and third quarters, where they have struggled. Valley, on the other hand, will look to continue their high-scoring ways and use their undefeated conference record as motivation.

Conclusion

This playoff game between Southeast Polk and Valley will be a test of offensive strategy and execution. With Valley’s explosive scoring ability and Southeast Polk’s determination, it’s sure to be a tightly contested affair. Both teams have the talent to come out on top, but Valley’s overall consistency and head-to-head win earlier this season might give them the slight advantage. Fans can expect a high-stakes, high-energy game as these two teams battle for a spot in the next round of the playoffs.