The Whale Branch (Beaufort, SC) varsity football team will host Kingstree (SC) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class AA Football tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: South Carolina High School Football
Who: Whale Branch vs Kingstree
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM
Bracket: 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class AA Football
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Game preview: Whale Branch vs Kingstree

As the 2024-2025 high school football season progresses, both Kingstree and Whale Branch have shown competitive spirit despite facing challenges. In this article, we break down their rankings, records, and individual performances to provide a deeper look at how each team has fared so far this season.

Team Rankings & Records

• Kingstree (4-6 overall, 4-2 region): Kingstree has posted a 4-6 record this season, with a strong showing in regional play at 4-2. The team has been solid at home with a 2-2 record but has struggled away with a 2-4 mark. Despite the mixed results, their overall win percentage stands at .400, while they excel in the region with a .667 win rate. Scoring-wise, Kingstree has accumulated 240 points and allowed 220 points throughout the season.
• Whale Branch (4-5 overall, 2-2 region): Whale Branch comes in with a 4-5 record, having faced similar struggles in non-league games (2-3) and a balanced regional performance (2-2). The team has a slight edge over Kingstree with a .444 win percentage, but they have been more efficient in neutral-site games with a 1-0 record. Their total points scored this season stand at 166, with 243 points allowed, reflecting a more defensive-oriented approach compared to their counterparts.

Team Scoring Averages

• Kingstree averages 24 points per game, with a steady offensive output across all four quarters:
  • Q1: 6.0
  • Q2: 6.3
  • Q3: 5.0
  • Q4: 5.0
  • Total: 24.0
• Whale Branch, on the other hand, scores an average of 18.4 points per game:
  • Q1: 1.6
  • Q2: 6.8
  • Q3: 4.2
  • Q4: 2.8
  • Total: 18.4

While Whale Branch struggles early in games, they tend to have a stronger second quarter but fade off in the latter part of the game.

Team Stat Comparison

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Kingstree leads with 244.2 rushing yards per game compared to Whale Branch’s 187.3. Kingstree’s strong rushing attack has been a key factor in their offensive success.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Kingstree also has the edge in the passing game, averaging 23.0 yards per game, more than three times Whale Branch’s 6.7 passing yards.
• Total Yards Per Game: Kingstree averages 267.2 total yards per game, while Whale Branch trails slightly with 254.0.
• Points Per Game: Kingstree leads by a significant margin with 24.0 points per game compared to Whale Branch’s 15.2.

In terms of defense, Kingstree averages 44.2 tackles per game and 2.0 sacks per game, compared to Whale Branch’s 31.1 tackles and 0.9 sacks.

Key Players to Watch

• Kingstree:
  • Tyleek Dukes has been a standout for Kingstree, rushing for 138.9 yards per game, as well as contributing to the total yards and points with impressive statistics.
  • Xavier Dukes and Makhi Shaw have also contributed in the receiving and passing game, respectively, while Maleek Dukes has shown defensive prowess with 4.6 tackles per game.
  • Bj Washington has added depth to the defense with 0.9 sacks per game.
• Whale Branch:
  • Dayaun Brown has been the primary rusher, putting up 70.6 yards per game.
  • Jermon Bowers leads the team in receiving yards (57.0 per game) and total yards (123.7 per game).
  • Malik Moultrie and I’veon Watson have been solid defensive players, with 5.0 and 3.0 pancake blocks, respectively.

Record Breakdown: Kingstree vs. Whale Branch

Looking at the head-to-head matchups, both teams have faced a mix of home and away games. Kingstree has played well at home (2-2), while Whale Branch has struggled on the road with a 1-2 record. Both teams are equally matched in region play, with Kingstree at 4-2 and Whale Branch at 2-2. They will be looking to secure more wins in the remaining games of the season.

• Kingstree’s Record Breakdown:
  • 4-6 Overall
  • 4-2 Region
  • 2-2 Home
  • 2-4 Away
• Whale Branch’s Record Breakdown:
  • 4-5 Overall
  • 2-2 Region
  • 2-3 Away
  • 1-0 Neutral

Conclusion

Both Kingstree and Whale Branch have had their share of highs and lows in the 2024-2025 football season. Kingstree has the edge in offensive production, particularly with their strong rushing attack and scoring consistency. Whale Branch, however, has shown resilience, especially in their regional matchups and neutral-site games. As the season heads into its final stretch, it will be interesting to see how both teams perform and whether Whale Branch can find more consistency in the second half of games. Regardless of the outcome, both teams have demonstrated plenty of promise for future seasons.