The Waltham (MA) varsity football team will play a home non-conference game against Arlington (MA) today at 10 a.m.
What: Massachusetts High School Football
Who: Waltham (MA) vs Arlington (MA)
When: Thursday, November 28, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. ET
Where: Waltham High School
Live stream: Watch here
Arlington vs. Waltham: A Comparative Analysis of Their 2024 Season Performance
As the 2024 Massachusetts high school football season concludes, Arlington and Waltham—two formidable teams from the same division—offer an intriguing comparison in their performance. Both teams have shown moments of brilliance and struggle, reflecting the competitive nature of their season.
Team Overview
Arlington (4-5 Record)
- League Record: 2-3
- Home Record: 3-3
- Away Record: 1-2
- Scoring Average: 27.6 points per game (PPG)
- Points Allowed: 203 points
Arlington’s season has been a mix of strong home performances and challenging away games, leading to a balanced but slightly sub-.500 record. Their scoring average reflects a team capable of offensive surges, particularly in the first quarter where they score an impressive 11 points on average.
Waltham (5-5 Record)
- League Record: 0-2
- Home Record: 4-0
- Away Record: 1-5
- Scoring Average: 20.1 points per game (PPG)
- Points Allowed: 200 points
Waltham’s performance has been defined by an exceptional home record and struggles on the road. Despite their slightly better overall record, their league performance reflects challenges against top-tier competition. Their scoring is heavily front-loaded in the first quarter, with a notably low output in the third.
Comparative Team Statistics
When evaluating team stats, Arlington boasts an edge in most offensive categories, particularly:
- Rushing Yards Per Game: Arlington averages 21.1 yards, compared to Waltham’s 20.1.
- Passing Yards Per Game: Arlington’s passing game is more potent at 15.6 yards, while Waltham’s is at 15.2.
- Total Yards Per Game: Arlington leads with 36.7 total yards compared to Waltham’s 36.4.
Defensively, both teams have shown gaps in their ability to prevent scoring, with Arlington averaging just 0.5 tackles per game and Waltham at 0.2 sacks per game, highlighting areas that could be improved.
Key Players
Arlington’s Standout Player:
- Noah Foy has been central to Arlington’s offensive success, leading the team with:
- 100 rushing yards per game
- 156 passing yards per game
- 138 receiving yards per game
- A total of 238 yards per game
- 18 points per game
Waltham’s Key Contributor:
- While not as statistically dominant as Foy, Waltham’s key player has demonstrated consistency and effort, maintaining competitive performance in a team that relies on a balanced attack.
Common Opponents Analysis
Both teams faced Lexington and Winchester in non-league games, providing a useful benchmark for their relative strengths:
- Lexington vs. Arlington: Arlington secured a dominant 50-0 victory.
- Lexington vs. Waltham: Waltham narrowly edged out a 20-14 win.
- Winchester vs. Arlington: Arlington fell in a high-scoring 51-38 battle.
- Winchester vs. Waltham: Waltham struggled in a 27-7 loss.
These results show that while Arlington and Waltham had similar experiences against some opponents, Arlington’s consistent ability to win convincingly (as seen against Lexington) highlights their potential to deliver high-impact performances when playing to their strengths.
Record Breakdown
| Metric | Arlington (24-25) | Waltham (24-25) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 4-5 | 5-5 |
| League Record | 2-3 | 0-2 |
| Non-League Record | 2-1 | 5-3 |
| Home Record | 3-3 | 4-0 |
| Away Record | 1-2 | 1-5 |
| Neutral Record | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Playoff Record | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| In-State Record | 4-5 | 5-5 |
| Out-of-State | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Conclusion
The 2024 season has been a testament to the resilience and determination of both Arlington and Waltham. Arlington, led by Noah Foy’s all-around performance, showed promise, especially in home games. Meanwhile, Waltham displayed a formidable home record but faced significant challenges on the road. With both teams finishing around the .500 mark, they proved themselves as competitive members of their division, capable of exciting performances and learning moments.
As they move forward, key areas for improvement include better consistency in away games and defensive adjustments to reduce points allowed. Fans and coaches will look for these adjustments as both teams prepare for future seasons, aiming for a stronger showing in their respective leagues.
