The Simmons (Hollandale, MS) varsity football team will play a neutral playoff game against Velma Jackson (Camden, MS) on Friday, November 29, at 7:00 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Mississippi High School Football
Who: Velma Jackson vs Simmons
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m ET
Bracket: 2024 Football Championships – 1A
Live Stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Velma Jackson vs. Simmons

The 2024 Mississippi high school football playoffs bring us an exciting matchup between Velma Jackson and Simmons. Both teams have had stellar seasons, with Simmons boasting an undefeated record, while Velma Jackson has just one loss on the season. This will be a clash between two powerful offenses and stingy defenses, as both teams aim for a deep playoff run.

Velma Jackson (24-25) Season Overview

Velma Jackson enters the game with an 11-1 overall record and a perfect 5-0 district record. They have been dominant, especially on offense, with a high-scoring attack that averages 39.9 points per game.

Scoring Averages

• Q1: 16.0 points
• Q2: 14.0 points
• Q3: 30.0 points
• Q4: 0 points (indicating a tendency to blow out opponents early)

Velma Jackson is particularly strong in the first three quarters, where they score consistently and aggressively. However, their lack of scoring in the fourth quarter could be attributed to games being decided early.

Key Wins

Velma Jackson has had several strong wins, including a 42-12 victory over West Tallahatchie (11/15/24), showing their ability to dominate both offensively and defensively.

Simmons (24-25) Season Overview

Simmons enters the playoffs with a perfect 12-0 record and also boasts a perfect 5-0 district record. They have been particularly dominant on defense, allowing only 52 points all season, a remarkable statistic.

Scoring Averages

• Q1: 16.3 points
• Q2: 9.7 points
• Q3: 9.4 points
• Q4: 6.0 points

Simmons starts strong but tends to ease up as the game progresses. Their defense has been solid, allowing just 4.33 points per quarter on average, which helps them secure early leads and close out games.

Key Wins

Simmons has been dominant throughout the season, including a 30-0 victory over West Tallahatchie (10/24/24), a common opponent for both teams. Simmons’ defense has been a key part of their success, and they’ve allowed a shockingly low number of points in almost every game.

Team Stat Comparison

Here’s how the teams compare in key areas:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Velma Jackson – 202.0
• Passing Yards Per Game: Velma Jackson – 121.0
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Velma Jackson – 122.5
• Total Yards Per Game: Velma Jackson – 323.0
• Tackles Per Game: Velma Jackson – 54.0
• Sacks Per Game: Velma Jackson – 2.5
• Points Per Game: Velma Jackson – 36.3

Simmons’ stats aren’t fully listed here, but their defense is notably strong, with an impressive scoring average of 42.3 points per game. Their overall team balance of offense and defense has been impressive, as they have allowed just 52 points in total across 12 games.

Key Players to Watch

• Velma Jackson:
  • Trevon Willis: The key player for Velma Jackson, leading the team with 80.7 rushing yards per game and 120.5 passing yards per game. Willis is a dual-threat quarterback who will be crucial in driving the offense.
  • Tyshun Willis: A key contributor on the receiving side with 47.7 yards per game, he could be a game-changer in the passing game.
  • Gredonivan Smith: A leader on defense with 8.5 tackles per game.
• Simmons:
  • Simmons’ overall team balance has been dominant, but with no specific player stats provided, we can assume that their defensive strength and ability to limit opposing teams’ scoring will be key. They’ll likely focus on containing Trevon Willis and disrupting Velma Jackson’s offensive rhythm.

Head-to-Head

Both teams played against West Tallahatchie this season, with Velma Jackson winning 42-12 (11/15/24) and Simmons winning 30-0 (10/24/24). Both teams have a perfect 1-0 record against this opponent, but Simmons’ 30-0 win shows just how dominant their defense can be.

Common Opponents

• West Tallahatchie: Velma Jackson won 42-12 (11/15/24), Simmons won 30-0 (10/24/24).

Both teams have a strong victory against this common opponent, with Simmons posting a more dominant scoreline.

Record Breakdown

Here’s a breakdown of both teams’ overall and district records:

• Velma Jackson: 11-1 overall, 5-0 district, 4-0 home, 4-1 away, 3-0 neutral
• Simmons: 12-0 overall, 5-0 district, 5-0 home, 5-0 away, 2-0 neutral

Simmons is undefeated and has proven to be strong at home and on the road. Velma Jackson has a single loss, but their record is still very strong, especially considering their offensive firepower.

Conclusion: Who Has the Advantage?

While both teams are formidable, Simmons enters this game as the slight favorite due to their undefeated season and exceptionally strong defense. They have yet to give up a significant amount of points all season, and their offense has been consistently efficient.

Velma Jackson has the offensive firepower to make this a competitive game, particularly with Trevon Willis leading the charge. Their ability to score quickly and often could put pressure on Simmons’ defense, but Simmons’ perfect season and lockdown defense make them the team to beat.

This promises to be a high-stakes playoff game, but Simmons‘ balanced and dominant performance across both offense and defense gives them the edge heading into this matchup.