The Ware Shoals Hornets (4-5) will host the Ridge Spring-Monetta Trojans (5-5) in a playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m. The matchup is part of the 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class A Football tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: South Carolina High School Football
Who: Ware Shoals vs Ridge Spring-Monetta
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM
Bracket: 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class A Football
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Game preview: Ware Shoals vs Ridge Spring-Monetta

The 2024-25 football season has provided some exciting moments for both Ridge Spring-Monetta and Ware Shoals, as both teams have battled it out in their respective regions and across various competitions. As the season comes to a close, let’s take a closer look at the records, statistics, and key comparisons between these two teams.

Team Records and Performance

Ridge Spring-Monetta has finished the season with a 5-5 overall record, with a 2-3 mark in region play. Their performance at home has been strong, going 4-1, but they’ve struggled on the road, posting a 1-4 record. The team has scored 129 points while allowing 218 over the course of the season. Their win percentage stands at .500, and they’ve managed a region win percentage of .400.

On the other hand, Ware Shoals ends the season at 4-5 overall, with a solid 3-2 record in region play, giving them a region win percentage of .600. They’ve been competitive at home, with a 3-1 record, but have faltered away, with just a 1-4 mark. The team has scored 285 points but allowed 300 over the course of the season. Their overall win percentage is slightly lower than Ridge Spring-Monetta’s, standing at .444.

Scoring Trends

When we look at scoring averages, Ridge Spring-Monetta has averaged 12.9 points per game, with notable fluctuations throughout the game. The team has struggled in the second and third quarters, averaging just 0 and 1.0 points, respectively. However, they’ve been more productive in the first and fourth quarters, averaging 2.5 and 9.0 points.

In contrast, Ware Shoals has been a much more consistent scoring team, averaging 31.7 points per game. Their most productive quarter is the fourth, where they average 15.0 points, but they’ve also been strong in the first quarter with 7.0 points and the third with 3.0 points.

Offensive and Defensive Stats

Ridge Spring-Monetta has focused primarily on the ground game, averaging 116.6 rushing yards per game, with Jaiden Holloway leading the charge in rushing and total yards. The team has averaged 70.4 passing yards per game and 88.8 receiving yards per game, indicating a balanced but ground-heavy attack. The team’s total offensive output averages 187.0 yards per game.

Ware Shoals, in contrast, has posted impressive offensive numbers, though they lack specific details on rushing yards per game. Their total offensive output has been 285 yards per game, showcasing a potent offense. While their specific rushing yards per game weren’t available, their higher point total suggests they have been more effective at moving the ball. Defensively, Ridge Spring-Monetta has averaged 64.0 tackles per game, while Ware Shoals has averaged 13.3 tackles, which shows a disparity in defensive efforts.

Team Leaders

Ridge Spring-Monetta’s standout player has been Jaiden Holloway, who has led the team in rushing yards (76.7 per game), passing yards (62.7 per game), and total yards (143.6 per game). He also contributes to the team’s scoring, averaging 5.0 points per game.

Ware Shoals has had a more balanced offensive attack, with a strong quarterback and receiver combination, but the specific leaders were not detailed in the available data. Still, their offensive success and scoring efficiency in the latter half of the game are noteworthy.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Both teams share a 1-1 record against common opponents, including losses to Dixie and wins against Whitmire. Ridge Spring-Monetta played Dixie in the opening game of the season, losing 37-19, while Ware Shoals faced Dixie in October, falling 28-14. However, both teams triumphed over Whitmire, with Ridge Spring-Monetta winning 12-2 and Ware Shoals narrowly defeating Whitmire 36-34.

Looking Ahead

As both teams head into the offseason, they will likely focus on building consistency, especially in their away games. Ridge Spring-Monetta will look to improve on their defensive stats and scoring across all quarters, while Ware Shoals will seek to bolster their defense and maintain their potent offense. Both teams will likely be contenders to watch in the coming seasons, as they continue to develop their young talents and refine their strategies.

In conclusion, while both Ridge Spring-Monetta and Ware Shoals faced their challenges throughout the 2024-25 season, their competitiveness and potential for growth make them strong teams to follow in the years to come.