The Vernon (TX) varsity football team will host Sweetwater (TX) in a home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships, specifically the 2024 Football Conference 3A Division 1 tournament.

Vernon vs Sweetwater Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Vernon vs Sweetwater
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 3A D1
Watch here:Watch here

Game preview: Vernon vs Sweetwater

As the high school football season intensifies, the teams of Sweetwater and Vernon are gearing up for a thrilling match-up. Both teams have had successful campaigns so far, with Sweetwater boasting a 6-4 overall record and Vernon standing at 7-3. But how do these two teams compare in key statistics, and what might the game look like based on their performances so far this season? Let’s take a closer look.

Team Records & Overall Performance

Sweetwater has put up an impressive 6-4 record, with a strong showing in district play, where they are 4-1. Their season has been a mix of home and away games, finishing with a .600 win percentage overall and an .800 district win percentage. Sweetwater’s offensive and defensive play has been solid, scoring 356 points while allowing 246.

Vernon, with a slightly better 7-3 record, has shown consistency across both home and away games, with a .700 overall win percentage and a .667 district win percentage. They have scored 367 points and allowed 230 points, making them a formidable opponent.

Scoring Averages

Both teams have high-scoring offenses, averaging over 35 points per game. Sweetwater averages 35.6 points, while Vernon edges them out with 36.7 points per game. Sweetwater has shown a balanced attack, averaging 6.0 points in the first quarter, 9.5 in the second, and 5.8 in the third. However, their scoring drops to 3.5 in the fourth quarter, which could be a concern late in games.

Vernon, on the other hand, has been consistently strong throughout the game, scoring 10.0 points in the first quarter, 10.3 in the second, 8.4 in the third, and 5.9 in the final quarter. Their ability to maintain a steady pace throughout the game could give them an edge in high-pressure moments.

Team Stat Comparison

When it comes to offensive yardage, Vernon has the clear advantage in rushing, averaging 282.4 yards per game compared to Sweetwater’s 166.9. This heavy rushing attack could prove crucial in controlling the clock and dictating the pace of the game. Sweetwater, however, is more balanced, averaging 150.1 passing yards per game to Vernon’s 108.8.

Both teams excel in total yards per game, with Vernon leading at 391.2 yards per game, while Sweetwater averages 317.0. Despite the disparity in total yardage, Sweetwater has been strong in both passing and receiving, averaging 149.0 yards in receiving compared to Vernon’s 107.8.

Defensively, Sweetwater has been a standout with 88.4 tackles per game, compared to Vernon’s 64.1. Both teams are evenly matched when it comes to sacks, averaging 1.6 per game. However, Sweetwater’s defensive ability might be able to slow down Vernon’s powerful offense.

Individual Player Leaders

Sweetwater’s Korda Moore has been their standout rusher, averaging 58.1 yards per game, while Vernon’s Ty Scott has been a force for his team, leading with 92.8 rushing yards per game. The two teams also boast talented quarterbacks, with Sweetwater’s Caiden Ortiz passing for 150.1 yards per game, while Vernon’s Ty Scott has thrown for 94.6 yards per game. Sweetwater’s Jose Quintero has been a key receiver, tallying 46.6 receiving yards per game, while Vernon’s Jamari Chance has been their leading receiver with 38.8 yards per game.

On defense, Sweetwater’s Braxton Bartee leads with 14.1 tackles per game, while Vernon’s Tyce Payne averages 7.4 tackles per game. In terms of sacks, Sweetwater’s Marcus Diaz and Vernon’s Landon Bynum have contributed, with Diaz recording 0.5 sacks per game, and Bynum tallying 0.4.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Looking at the overall records of both teams, they both hold similar results in district play. Sweetwater has a 4-1 district record, while Vernon is 4-2 in their district. This suggests that while both teams have been successful within their regions, Sweetwater has had a slight edge in district competition.

However, Vernon has a slight edge in total offense, largely due to their strong rushing attack. If they can continue to control the ground game and maintain a steady pace, they may be able to overpower Sweetwater’s defense.

Conclusion

In this match-up between Sweetwater and Vernon, both teams bring impressive records, high-powered offenses, and solid defenses. Sweetwater’s balanced offensive attack, with a strong passing game and solid defense, could be the key to slowing down Vernon’s potent rushing game. On the other hand, Vernon’s high-scoring offense and steady defense make them a dangerous opponent, especially with their ability to execute consistently across all four quarters.

Ultimately, the game could come down to which team can execute in the critical moments—whether Sweetwater can tighten up their fourth-quarter performance or whether Vernon can continue their dominant ground game and manage the clock. Regardless of the outcome, this is sure to be an exciting, high-stakes contest between two well-matched teams.