The Taylorsville varsity football team from Taylorsville, MS, will play Velma Jackson from Camden, MS, in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7:00 PM.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Mississippi High School Football
Who: Velma Jackson vs Taylorsville
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Bracket: 2024 Football Championships – 1A
Live Stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Velma Jackson vs. Taylorsville
In this playoff matchup, Velma Jackson (10-1) will face off against Taylorsville (6-5). While Velma Jackson enters the game as the heavy favorite with a stellar 10-1 record and an undefeated district campaign, Taylorsville has shown resilience, especially in district play. This game will test Velma Jackson’s ability to continue their dominance and how Taylorsville fares against one of the top teams in the region.
Season Recap: Velma Jackson Falcons
- Record: 10-1
- District Record: 5-0
- Points For/Against: 419 PF, 118 PA
- Scoring Average: 38.1 points per game
Velma Jackson has been one of the most dominant teams in their region this season, with a commanding offense and a defense that has allowed very few points. Their undefeated district record is a testament to their consistency. Offensively, they have been explosive, averaging over 38 points per game, led by Trevon Willis, who has been a key contributor both in rushing and passing. Defensively, they have been able to shut down most opponents, holding them to just 118 points on the season.
Key Performances:
- Offense: Trevon Willis has been central to their offensive success, averaging over 200 total yards per game.
- Defense: Velma Jackson’s defense has been suffocating, with solid tacklers like Gredonivan Smith and multiple defensive playmakers.
Season Recap: Taylorsville Tartars
- Record: 6-5
- District Record: 3-0
- Points For/Against: 329 PF, 247 PA
- Scoring Average: 29.9 points per game
Taylorsville has had an up-and-down season, finishing with a 6-5 record. However, they showed strength in district play, going undefeated with a 3-0 district record. While they have struggled in some non-league games, Taylorsville has been able to put together solid performances when needed, especially against common opponents like Ethel and Mount Olive. Despite their offensive output, the defense has allowed a fair number of points, which will be a challenge in this matchup against a high-scoring team like Velma Jackson.
Key Performances:
- Offense: Taylorsville’s offense has been led by a strong running game and consistent passing plays.
- Defense: The defense has had to work hard to keep their team in games, but they will face a much tougher challenge against Velma Jackson’s potent offense.
Head-to-Head:
Both teams share common opponents, and each has had success against these teams.
- Velma Jackson defeated Ethel 48-0 and Mount Olive 62-6.
- Taylorsville defeated Ethel 46-0 and Mount Olive 55-0.
While both teams won these matchups with large margins, Velma Jackson’s overall dominance has been more consistent throughout the season.
Team Stat Comparison
| Stat | Velma Jackson | Taylorsville |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 192.5 | – |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 121.8 | – |
| Total Yards Per Game | 314.3 | – |
| Points Per Game | 38.1 | 29.9 |
| Tackles Per Game | 53.8 | – |
| Sacks Per Game | 2.4 | – |
Key Players to Watch
- Velma Jackson:
- Trevon Willis (204.4 total yards per game): Willis has been the catalyst for Velma Jackson, making plays in both the rushing and passing game. His ability to break big plays will be key to Velma Jackson’s success.
- Gredonivan Smith (8.8 tackles per game): Smith has been a leader on the defensive side, and he will be tasked with shutting down Taylorsville’s offensive playmakers.
- Taylorsville:
- Offensive Playmakers: Taylorsville will need to rely on a balanced offensive attack to challenge Velma Jackson’s defense.
- Defensive Leaders: Taylorsville’s defense will need to step up to contain Velma Jackson’s high-scoring offense and prevent big plays from Willis.
Keys to Victory
For Velma Jackson:
- Exploit Offensive Matchups: Velma Jackson’s offense has been explosive all season. They should continue to utilize Trevon Willis in both the running and passing game to overwhelm Taylorsville’s defense.
- Control the Line of Scrimmage: Velma Jackson has a strong offensive line that can dominate in the trenches, helping to establish the run game and keep Taylorsville’s offense off the field.
- Defensive Dominance: Their defense has been suffocating, and it will be crucial to continue that trend, limiting any opportunities for Taylorsville to get in rhythm.
For Taylorsville:
- Slow Down the Offense: Taylorsville’s defense will need to limit big plays and contain Trevon Willis. If they can make Velma Jackson work for every yard, they may have a chance.
- Create Offensive Balance: Taylorsville must establish both the run and pass to keep Velma Jackson’s defense guessing and prevent them from focusing on just one aspect of the game.
- Limit Mistakes: Turnovers will be critical in this matchup. Taylorsville must limit mistakes and take advantage of any opportunities that Velma Jackson gives them.
Prediction:
Given Velma Jackson’s overall dominance this season, they are the clear favorites. Taylorsville will face a tough task in slowing down their offense and containing Trevon Willis. While Taylorsville has had some strong moments, Velma Jackson’s complete game and depth should carry them to a comfortable victory.
