The Baldwyn (MS) varsity football team will play a home playoff game against West Lowndes (Columbus, MS) on Friday, November 29, at 7:00 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Mississippi High School Football
Who: West Lowndes vs Baldwyn
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m ET
Bracket: 2024 Football Championships – 1A
Live Stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: West Lowndes vs. Baldwyn

As the 2024 Mississippi high school football playoffs approach their climactic rounds, one matchup that stands out is the game between West Lowndes and Baldwyn. This game promises to be an intense contest, with both teams boasting strong records and impressive performances throughout the season. However, with their previous head-to-head meeting this season and the overall makeup of both squads, this playoff clash is set to be a battle of strength and resilience.

West Lowndes (24-25) Season Overview

West Lowndes enters this game with an 8-5 overall record and a 2-1 district record. While they have shown resilience, particularly in non-district play, they face a tough challenge against Baldwyn, a team that has dominated this season.

Scoring Averages

West Lowndes has averaged 37.4 points per game throughout the season. Here’s how their scoring breaks down by quarter:

• Q1: 7.7 points
• Q2: 10.3 points
• Q3: 7.0 points
• Q4: 14.3 points

West Lowndes is particularly strong in the fourth quarter, where they’ve been able to build late leads and close out games effectively.

Key Wins

West Lowndes has had a mix of strong victories and tough losses. Notable wins include a dominant 52-9 win over Tupelo Christian Prep (11/8/24) and a 48-0 victory over Smithville (10/31/24). Their season has been marked by strong offensive outputs, but they’ve faced challenges against more established teams.

Baldwyn (24-25) Season Overview

Baldwyn enters the playoffs with a stellar 12-1 record, including a perfect 3-0 district mark. The team has been dominant all season, and their performance against common opponents sets them apart as the favorites in this matchup.

Scoring Averages

Baldwyn averages 37.6 points per game, slightly higher than West Lowndes. Their scoring by quarter:

• Q1: 14.8 points
• Q2: 10.9 points
• Q3: 6.3 points
• Q4: 6.3 points

Baldwyn comes out strong in the first quarter, scoring nearly 15 points per game in the opening frame. However, they do not score as heavily in the second half, especially in the third and fourth quarters, which could potentially open the door for West Lowndes to capitalize late.

Key Wins

Baldwyn has been particularly dominant, with big wins such as a 49-0 victory over Smithville (11/8/24) and a 63-17 blowout over Tupelo Christian Prep (11/1/24). Their 42-0 win over Biggersville (10/25/24) stands out as a major statement in district play.

Team Stat Comparison

Here’s how both teams compare in key areas:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: West Lowndes – 212.4, Baldwyn – 112.3
• Passing Yards Per Game: West Lowndes – 112.3, Baldwyn – 112.3
• Total Yards Per Game: West Lowndes – 324.7, Baldwyn – 324.7
• Tackles Per Game: West Lowndes – 59.1, Baldwyn – 59.1
• Sacks Per Game: West Lowndes – 2.2, Baldwyn – 1.0
• Points Per Game: West Lowndes – 37.4, Baldwyn – 37.6

Both teams have similar total yardage and tackles per game, but West Lowndes has a slight edge in rushing yards and sacks per game. However, Baldwyn has the advantage in overall consistency across the board and a slightly higher points-per-game average.

Key Players to Watch

• West Lowndes: Terrell Robinson is the key player for West Lowndes, leading the team with 91.5 rushing yards per game. His ability to control the ground game will be essential for West Lowndes to keep Baldwyn’s offense off the field. Additionally, Aidan Stewart, with 8.8 tackles per game, is a defensive leader who will need to step up against Baldwyn’s potent offense.
• Baldwyn: Dy’lan Johnson, who leads Baldwyn with 108.3 passing yards per game, is a dual-threat quarterback who can change the game both with his arm and his legs. His efficiency in managing the offense will be crucial in dictating the pace of the game. Terrell Robinson also plays a key role in the passing game and could be an X-factor for Baldwyn’s offense.

Head-to-Head

The two teams met earlier this season on 9/27/24, with Baldwyn dominating West Lowndes 42-16. That game showed Baldwyn’s ability to take control early and sustain their lead throughout, particularly in the second half, where they scored 21 unanswered points in the first half and added 14 more in the fourth quarter.

Common Opponents

• Biggersville: West Lowndes lost 34-28 (9/13/24), while Baldwyn won 42-0 (10/25/24).
• Vardaman: West Lowndes lost 42-12 (10/18/24), while Baldwyn won 29-7 (11/22/24).
• Smithville: Both teams won against Smithville, with West Lowndes winning 48-0 (10/31/24) and Baldwyn winning 49-0 (11/8/24).
• Tupelo Christian Prep: West Lowndes won 52-9 (11/8/24), while Baldwyn won 63-17 (11/1/24).

Baldwyn has been dominant against common opponents, winning decisively in nearly every instance. West Lowndes has had more competitive games, especially against tougher teams.

Record Breakdown

Here’s a look at the breakdown of both teams’ overall and district records:

• West Lowndes: 8-5 overall, 2-1 district, 3-2 home, 3-3 away, 2-0 neutral
• Baldwyn: 12-1 overall, 3-0 district, 7-0 home, 5-1 away, 0-0 neutral

Baldwyn’s impressive 12-1 record includes a perfect district record (3-0), and they’ve been especially strong at home. West Lowndes has been a solid competitor, but they will need to overcome their road losses if they hope to pull off an upset.

Conclusion: Who Has the Advantage?

While West Lowndes has had a solid season, Baldwyn enters this game as the clear favorite. Their earlier 42-16 victory over West Lowndes demonstrates their ability to dominate. Dy’lan Johnson and Terrell Robinson will be key to continuing Baldwyn’s momentum into the playoffs.

West Lowndes will need to improve its performance on both sides of the ball, especially in the second half, and will rely heavily on Terrell Robinson’s rushing attack to control the clock and keep Baldwyn’s offense off the field. Aidan Stewart’s defensive contributions will also be pivotal in slowing down Baldwyn’s high-scoring offense.

This should be an exciting matchup, but Baldwyn’s strong season and overall depth give them a clear edge in this playoff game.