The Westerly (RI) varsity football team will host West Warwick (RI) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. This game is part of the “RIIL Football Championships Fall 2024 – Division 2 Championship Bracket” tournament.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Rhode Island High School Football
Who: Westerly vs West Warwick
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM
Bracket: RIIL Football Championships Fall 2024 – Division 2 Championship Bracket
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Game preview: Westerly vs West Warwick
As the high school football playoffs heat up, one of the most anticipated matchups is between the West Warwick (6-3) and Westerly (6-3) teams. With both schools finishing their regular seasons with identical records, the stakes couldn’t be higher. These two teams have already faced off earlier this month, with Westerly narrowly edging West Warwick 29-26 in a thrilling contest.
Team Overview and Key Statistics
Both West Warwick and Westerly have shown strong performances this season. West Warwick enters the playoffs with a 6-3 overall record and a 5-2 league record, having proven themselves particularly strong at home with a 3-2 record. They have averaged 23.9 points per game, with their offense led by James Branch, who racks up an impressive 147.1 rushing yards per game. Nathan Corona has also been key, averaging 87.3 passing yards per game, with Karl Swanson contributing 52.6 receiving yards per game.
On the other hand, Westerly has been a dominant force in their league with a 4-0 league record and a 3-1 home record. They also boast a 6-3 overall record. Their offense has been explosive, averaging 30.4 points per game, led by Landon Husereau, who throws for 268.8 yards per game, while Daniel Cummings averages 92.3 receiving yards per game. Caleb Williams has been a standout on the ground, with 13.2 rushing yards per game.
Offensive and Defensive Comparisons
West Warwick and Westerly have a striking contrast in their offensive styles. West Warwick has relied more on the ground game, posting 211.8 rushing yards per game, compared to Westerly’s 116.7 rushing yards per game. However, Westerly makes up for this with a much more potent passing attack, averaging 221.7 passing yards per game compared to West Warwick’s 83.2.
Defensively, West Warwick has posted 50.3 tackles per game, a figure that highlights their ability to disrupt opposing offenses. They also tally 1.9 sacks per game. Westerly, meanwhile, has had slightly fewer tackles with 39.7 tackles per game, but they aren’t far behind in sacks, averaging 1.4 per game.
Recent History: Head-to-Head
In their most recent encounter on November 1, Westerly came out on top, defeating West Warwick 29-26. The game was tightly contested, with Westerly’s balanced attack and timely defense edging West Warwick in the final quarter. In that matchup, Westerly scored 8 points in the fourth quarter, which was enough to secure the win despite West Warwick’s strong comeback attempt, where they scored 12 points in the final quarter.
Playoff Implications
With both teams entering the postseason with identical 6-3 records, this playoff matchup is crucial for both squads. West Warwick heads into the game with momentum from a 14-7 win over Woonsocket on November 8, while Westerly comes off a strong performance with a 34-25 victory over Woonsocket on October 5. Both teams have faced common opponents with similar results: 2-1 against shared teams, showing they are evenly matched across the board.
This Friday’s playoff game promises to be another close one, with both teams having strong offensive threats and defensive playmakers. West Warwick’s run-heavy attack will look to control the clock, while Westerly’s potent passing game will aim to exploit any holes in West Warwick’s defense.
Game Details:
- Date: Friday, November 15, 2024
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Location: Westerly High School
Fans of both teams will be on the edge of their seats as these two evenly matched squads battle it out for a chance to advance further in the playoffs.
