The Westlake High School varsity football team from Waldorf, MD, will host a home playoff game against Potomac High School from Oxon Hill, MD, on Friday, November 15, at 7:00 p.m.

What: Maryland High School Football
Who: Westlake (MD) vs Potomac (MD)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Potomac vs. Westlake: A Football Comparison and Breakdown

As the 2024 high school football season progresses, two teams from Maryland—Potomac and Westlake—have proven to be competitive forces in their respective regions. While Potomac (24-25) has displayed resilience, Westlake (24-25) has emerged as a dominant powerhouse. Below, we compare the two teams across various categories, including overall performance, key statistics, team leaders, and their head-to-head results.

Overall Performance:

Potomac has had a mixed season with a 6-4 record, posting a solid 5-2 mark in their region. Their overall win percentage stands at .600, with a slightly higher regional win percentage of .714. This suggests that while Potomac has faced challenges throughout the season, they’ve been successful when playing within their region. They have scored a total of 237 points while allowing 158, indicating a balanced offensive and defensive effort.

Westlake, on the other hand, has posted a stronger 8-2 record, with a remarkable 6-2 performance in their region. Their overall win percentage is .800, with a regional win percentage of .750. This dominant record is reflected in their 325 points scored and a mere 96 points allowed, showcasing a much stronger defense and a more potent offense.

Scoring Averages:

When comparing the scoring averages for each team, the difference is striking.

• Potomac’s scoring breakdown shows that they average 23.7 points per game across all four quarters, with particularly strong performances in Q2 and Q3, where they average 3.5 points each.
• Westlake, however, has a much higher average of 32.5 points per game. Their scoring is most potent in the final quarter, where they average a commanding 13.3 points.

This suggests that while Potomac’s offense is relatively consistent throughout the game, Westlake has a high-scoring attack that intensifies in the later stages of the game.

Team Stats Comparison:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Potomac averages 37.5 yards per game, significantly lower than Westlake’s 193.8 yards. This difference indicates Westlake’s reliance on the run game, while Potomac may focus more on passing plays.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Potomac averages 25.1 yards through the air, while Westlake posts 108.9 yards. This disparity highlights Potomac’s limited passing attack compared to Westlake’s balanced offensive approach.
• Total Yards Per Game: Potomac averages 62.6 yards per game, significantly less than Westlake’s 302.7 yards, emphasizing Westlake’s ability to move the ball effectively in all aspects of their game.

Team Leaders:

Several standout players have emerged for each team. For Potomac, Tayshaun Banks leads the team in rushing yards with 60.3 per game, while Isaiah Martin stands out as the top receiver with 100 yards per game. On defense, Marquette Colbert leads with 6 tackles per game.

For Westlake, Devin Cox has been exceptional with 116.5 rushing yards per game, while William Drakeford Jr. leads in passing yards (101.5 per game) and total yards (132.2 per game). On defense, Timothy Freelon III stands out with 11.7 tackles per game.

Head-to-Head Comparison:

Both teams share a common opponent in La Plata, with both Potomac and Westlake earning commanding victories. Potomac triumphed 70-0 at home on November 8, while Westlake defeated La Plata 46-0 on October 5. These results suggest that both teams are capable of dominating weaker competition, but Westlake’s larger margin of victory showcases their more formidable offense and defense.

Conclusion:

While Potomac has had a solid season, their overall performance and statistics lag behind Westlake, who have excelled in all areas of the game. Westlake’s offense has been potent, and their defense stifling, making them a formidable opponent as they head deeper into the season. Potomac, with a balanced but less explosive offense, will need to focus on improving their rushing game and pass defense to compete with the likes of Westlake.

Ultimately, Westlake appears to be the stronger team on paper, but Potomac has the potential for an upset if they can capitalize on their strengths and address their weaknesses. The remainder of the season will undoubtedly provide an exciting conclusion to these teams’ campaigns.