The West Side (Dayton, ID) varsity football team will play a neutral-site playoff game against Aberdeen (ID) today at 8 p.m.

What: Idaho High School Football
Who: West Side (ID) vs Aberdeen (ID)
When: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Preview: Aberdeen vs. West Side – A Playoff Showdown

The highly anticipated neutral-site playoff game between the Aberdeen (ID) and West Side (Dayton, ID) football teams is set to take place today at 8 p.m. After a close-fought battle just a month ago, where West Side narrowly edged out Aberdeen with a 14-12 win, both teams are gearing up for another intense matchup that could decide their postseason fate.

Season Overview

Both teams are entering this game with identical 9-1 overall records, showcasing impressive performances throughout the 2024 season. Aberdeen, with a strong conference record of 4-1, has dominated at home, going 5-0. Their solid defense and effective offense have helped them build a high point total of 281, while allowing only 72 points across the regular season.

West Side, equally formidable with a 4-1 conference record, boasts an undefeated 6-0 record at home. Their offensive line has been potent, putting up 314 points this season, although they allowed 130 points, showing some vulnerability defensively. Despite this, West Side’s overall balance has made them a tough contender.

Team Scoring Averages

Looking at the team’s scoring patterns, it’s clear that West Side has been the more consistent scoring team overall, averaging 31.4 points per game, with a strong first-half showing (12.6 points in Q1 and Q2). In contrast, Aberdeen’s average of 28.1 points per game is spread more evenly throughout the quarters, with 11 points in Q1 and a solid 6.5 points in Q4, often securing late-game success. However, both teams have been efficient in their scoring, and this balance will be crucial in determining who comes out on top.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

The previous encounter between these two teams was a closely contested affair. On October 18, 2024, West Side managed to hold off Aberdeen with a 14-12 victory. This game has undoubtedly left both teams hungry for redemption, making today’s playoff game all the more exciting.

When comparing their records against common opponents, both teams have been dominant. Aberdeen has a perfect 5-0 record against common foes, while West Side has a slightly more challenging 5-1 record. Notably, both teams beat teams like Wendell and Soda Springs, but West Side did suffer a loss to Declo, which Aberdeen defeated earlier in the season.

Game Breakdown

• Aberdeen’s Strengths: With a solid defense allowing just 72 points all season, Aberdeen has proven they can contain potent offenses. Their close defeat to West Side earlier this season shows they can compete with any team.
• West Side’s Strengths: West Side’s offensive firepower has been hard to stop, averaging 31.4 points per game. They have been dominant at home but have also shown resilience on the road.

Both teams have proven their ability to win both in league play and against non-league opponents, but it will be interesting to see which team can rise to the occasion in this crucial playoff game.

What to Expect

The game will likely come down to key matchups, particularly in the trenches. Both teams are highly capable on offense, but it will be their defenses that make the difference. If Aberdeen can replicate their defensive efficiency from earlier in the season, they’ll be in a good position to make a push for the win. On the other hand, if West Side can establish their high-scoring attack early and maintain it throughout the game, they could prove to be too much for Aberdeen.

With both teams riding high off strong regular-season performances and knowing the stakes are high, this promises to be an exciting contest. Fans of both teams can expect an intense, hard-fought game where every point counts, and the winner will take another step closer to their playoff aspirations.