The Havelock (NC) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against Western Alamance (Elon, NC) on Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: North Carolina High School Football
Who: Western Alamance vs Havelock
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 NCHSAA Football Championships – 3A
Live Stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Western Alamance vs. Havelock
On Friday, November 22, Western Alamance (8-3) will face off against Havelock (10-1) in a playoff matchup that pits a solid, well-rounded team in Western Alamance against one of the top teams in the state in Havelock. With both teams entering the game with strong records, this promises to be an exciting contest.
Season Recap: Western Alamance
- Record: 8-3
- Conference: 4-2
- Points For/Against: 256 PF, 190 PA
- Scoring Average: 23.3 points per game
Western Alamance has been solid across the board this season. They have a balanced offense that uses both the run and pass efficiently. The team’s defense has been solid, though they’ll face a tough challenge against the high-powered offense of Havelock. The Western Alamance offense is led by Jordan Hall in the rushing game and Ethan Oakley in the passing game, both of whom will be key to any potential upset.
Key Players:
- Jordan Hall (#44): Leading rusher with 59.3 rushing yards per game, will be vital in controlling the clock and keeping Havelock’s offense off the field.
- Ethan Oakley (#9): Quarterback with 118.4 passing yards per game, must find ways to stretch the field and mix in the pass to keep Havelock’s defense honest.
- Mar’quele Harvey (#4): Leading tackler with 14.6 tackles per game, will play a crucial role in limiting Havelock’s explosive plays.
Season Recap: Havelock
- Record: 10-1
- Conference: 5-1
- Points For/Against: 485 PF, 159 PA
- Scoring Average: 44.1 points per game
Havelock has been dominant all season long, especially on offense. Averaging over 44 points per game, they have one of the most potent offenses in the state. Quarterback Jaylen Hewitt and wide receiver Jonathan Williams are the leaders of the offense, while their defense has been stingy, allowing just 159 points. Havelock will look to carry that momentum into the playoffs as one of the favorites.
Key Players:
- Jaylen Hewitt (#1): Quarterback with 358.3 passing yards per game, a major weapon who can dictate the game’s pace.
- Jonathan Williams (#7): Leading receiver with 111.8 receiving yards per game, an explosive playmaker capable of taking over a game.
- Christopher Desousa (#10): Leading tackler with 8.5 tackles per game, a key player who will need to limit Western Alamance’s offensive success.
Team Stat Comparison
| Category | Western Alamance | Havelock |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring Average | 23.3 | 44.1 |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 141.4 | 180.1 |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 118.4 | 329.0 |
| Total Yards Per Game | 259.7 | 509.1 |
| Points Allowed Per Game | 17.3 | 14.5 |
| Sacks Per Game | 1.7 | 2.7 |
| Tackles Per Game | 65.3 | 64.6 |
Record Breakdown
| Category | Western Alamance | Havelock |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 8-3 | 10-1 |
| Conference Record | 4-2 | 5-1 |
| Non-Conference Record | 4-0 | 0-0 |
| Points For | 256 | 485 |
| Points Against | 190 | 159 |
| Home Record | 4-2 | 5-1 |
| Away Record | 4-1 | 5-0 |
| Neutral Record | 0-0 | 1-0 |
| Playoff Record | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| In-State Record | 8-3 | 10-1 |
| Out-of-State Record | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Key Matchups
- Havelock’s Passing Attack vs. Western Alamance’s Secondary
- Jaylen Hewitt has been sensational at quarterback, and Jonathan Williams is one of the top receivers in the state. Western Alamance’s defense will need to contain these two to prevent Havelock from dominating through the air. The secondary must stay disciplined to avoid big plays.
- Western Alamance’s Run Game vs. Havelock’s Defense
- Jordan Hall is the key to Western Alamance’s offense, and Havelock will look to stop him early. If Hall can find success on the ground, it will help open up passing lanes for Ethan Oakley to exploit.
- Havelock’s Defensive Line vs. Western Alamance’s Offensive Line
- Havelock’s defense, led by Christopher Desousa, has been strong all year. They will look to disrupt Western Alamance’s offensive rhythm, especially against the run. Western Alamance’s offensive line will need to control the line of scrimmage to keep their offense balanced.
Prediction
While Western Alamance has had a solid season and has some talented players, Havelock’s firepower on offense will likely be too much to overcome. Their ability to score quickly and in large amounts could wear down Western Alamance’s defense. Havelock’s defense has also been solid enough to handle most offenses, making them the favorites in this matchup.
