The Chapel Hill varsity football team (Tyler, TX) will play a neutral playoff game against Kilgore (TX) today at 7:30 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 4A Division 1 tournament.

Kilgore vs Chapel Hill Football Game Info:

What: Texas High School Football
Who: Kilgore vs Chapel Hill
When: Friday, December 6, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game preview: Kilgore vs Chapel Hill

The 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships are heating up, and two East Texas teams are set to face off in what promises to be an exciting matchup—Kilgore and Chapel Hill. Both teams have had stellar seasons, with impressive records and standout performances. Here’s a closer look at the teams, their stats, and their journey to the neutral-site playoff game.

Team Overview: Kilgore

Kilgore (11-2) comes into this neutral playoff matchup with a powerful record. They finished their district season with a 5-1 record and have maintained a win percentage of .846 throughout the season. The team has displayed dominance on both sides of the ball, with a strong offensive attack and a solid defense. Kilgore has scored an average of 39 points per game, led by standout rusher Rickey Stewart, who has amassed 134.8 rushing yards per game. Stewart’s overall contributions make him a key player to watch in this matchup.

Kilgore’s offensive stats reflect their dynamic game strategy, with 287.5 rushing yards per game, 107.8 passing yards, and 112.5 receiving yards, resulting in a total of 395.3 yards per game. Defensively, the team averages 84 tackles per game and 2 sacks per game. Their balanced offensive and defensive play has made them one of the top contenders for the championship.

Team Overview: Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill (10-3) enters the game with a slightly lower win percentage of .769 but has had a successful season nonetheless. The team finished with a 4-2 district record. Chapel Hill has been an offensive powerhouse, scoring 32.5 points per game. Like Kilgore, Chapel Hill has excelled in rushing, with 287.5 rushing yards per game. However, their passing game has been a bit more conservative, with only 90.4 passing yards per game.

Key players include Malik Gee, who has been efficient in both passing and rushing, and Maliek Brown, who leads the receiving corps. Chapel Hill’s defense has also been strong, averaging 84 tackles per game, though they will need to step up their pass rush to contain Kilgore’s balanced offense.

Previous Matchup: Kilgore Dominates

In their previous regular-season meeting on October 11, 2024, Kilgore delivered a decisive 42-7 victory over Chapel Hill. The game saw Kilgore’s defense stifle Chapel Hill’s offense while their offense piled on the points. This victory may serve as a confidence booster for Kilgore as they prepare for the neutral playoff game, but Chapel Hill will undoubtedly be looking for redemption.

Key Stats Comparison

Here’s a quick look at some of the key statistical categories that could influence the outcome of this matchup:

Kilgore’s rushing and total yards per game are balanced by Chapel Hill’s slightly superior receiving and overall yardage. Both teams have similar defensive averages, but Kilgore has a stronger ability to generate big plays, especially through the run game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar competition this season, with an overall record of 6-2 against common opponents. Here’s a brief rundown of their performance against teams they’ve both played:

• Carthage: Kilgore won 20-15; Chapel Hill lost 45-14
• Whitehouse: Kilgore won 27-7; Chapel Hill won 21-19
• Gilmer: Kilgore lost 24-22; Chapel Hill won 33-29
• Pine Tree: Kilgore won 17-6; Chapel Hill lost 20-14
• Henderson: Kilgore lost 27-24; Chapel Hill won 42-14
• Lindale: Kilgore won 42-21; Chapel Hill won 42-30
• Palestine: Kilgore won 52-7; Chapel Hill won 28-0

Final Thoughts

With a head-to-head record in Kilgore’s favor and a slightly stronger overall performance this season, they come into the game as favorites. However, Chapel Hill’s offense is explosive, and their defense has proven to be resilient. The championship showdown will be a battle of strategic playcalling, with Kilgore looking to build on their early-season dominance and Chapel Hill hoping for a comeback after their prior defeat.

The neutral-site playoff game is set for today at 7:30 p.m., and it promises to be an exhilarating clash. Kilgore will need to continue their aggressive offensive play while keeping Chapel Hill’s offense in check, while Chapel Hill must prove they can handle Kilgore’s rushing attack and create big plays of their own. Fans of both teams are in for a thrilling contest as these two East Texas powerhouses vie for a spot in the UIL Texas Football State Championship.