The Whitney Young varsity football team (Chicago, IL) will play a home conference game against Amundsen (Chicago, IL) on Saturday, November 16, at 2:30 PM.

What: Illinois High School Football
Who: Whitney Young (IL) vs Amundsen (IL)
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Amundsen vs. Whitney Young: A Football Clash of Strengths and Styles

This football season, the Amundsen Vikings and Whitney Young Dolphins have showcased impressive but contrasting performances, setting the stage for a much-anticipated matchup. The two teams are preparing for their second meeting this season, with Whitney Young having triumphed in the first contest on October 11, defeating Amundsen 23-0. Here’s a deeper dive into both teams’ performance metrics, key players, and their head-to-head matchup heading into the November 16 game.

Amundsen Vikings (6-5 Overall, 4-4 Conference)

The Amundsen Vikings come into this game with a 6-5 overall record, having a .545 win percentage and a .500 conference record. The team has been solid at home, securing a 3-1 record, though they’ve struggled on the road with a 3-4 away record. The Vikings’ scoring has been spread out across the four quarters, with an average of 5.3 points in the first quarter, but they fall off significantly in the second and third quarters, averaging just 1.8 points per quarter in each of those periods. However, Amundsen has managed to finish strong in the fourth quarter, averaging 3.5 points in the final frame.

Key players for Amundsen include:

• Maxwell Warner: The team’s top rusher, with 77.5 yards per game and 9.0 points per game, Warner is vital to their offensive strategy.
• Von Konrad: A versatile player who leads the team in passing yards (51.7 per game) and total yards (94.3 per game).
• Barry Gordon: A primary target in the receiving game, averaging 26.0 receiving yards per game.

While the Vikings may not be the high-scoring team, they’re built on a balanced offense and defense, with defensive leader Michael Wojtach contributing 6.5 tackles per game.

Whitney Young Dolphins (10-1 Overall, 7-0 Conference)

On the other hand, the Whitney Young Dolphins have been one of the most dominant teams in their conference. With a 10-1 overall record and an undefeated 7-0 conference record, they’ve shown tremendous consistency. Whitney Young excels in both home and away games, boasting a perfect 6-0 record at home and a 4-0 away performance. The Dolphins are scoring a whopping 24.8 points per game, well above Amundsen’s 9.3. They also have a more consistent offensive output, especially in the second quarter, where they average 8.4 points.

Notable players for Whitney Young include:

• Joseph Gray: A standout linebacker, leading the team with 9.3 tackles per game.
• Aaron Champion: A force on defense with 0.5 sacks per game, he’s instrumental in disrupting opposing offenses.
• Tackles leader: The Dolphins average 42.5 tackles per game, showing their aggressive defensive play.

Key Team Stats and Head-to-Head Comparison

Scoring:

• Amundsen: 9.3 points per game (low but consistent)
• Whitney Young: 24.8 points per game (high-scoring and dominant)

Offense:

• Amundsen has struggled to generate offense, averaging just 78.8 total yards per game, with their passing game limited to 18.2 yards per game.
• Whitney Young, however, is far more efficient, producing 273 total yards per game. They average 60.6 rushing yards per game and 51.5 passing yards per game.

Defense:

• Amundsen: The Vikings average 42.5 tackles per game, showing their strength at stopping the run and securing key tackles in critical situations.
• Whitney Young: The Dolphins allow a significantly lower average of 15.3 tackles per game, indicating a more aggressive approach to shutting down opposing offenses.

Common Opponents: Insights and Records

Both teams have faced some of the same opponents this season. The Vikings have a 2-1 record against common opponents, while the Dolphins are undefeated at 2-0. Notably, both teams defeated Lane Tech, with Whitney Young securing a narrow 14-13 victory at home, and Amundsen winning 14-7 at home. Against Taft, Amundsen lost 21-14 on the road but rebounded with a 27-7 win, while Whitney Young handled Taft easily with a 28-7 victory.

Looking Ahead to the November 16 Game

The upcoming game on November 16 at 2:30 PM promises to be an exciting matchup between two teams with contrasting styles. Amundsen, while solid in many areas, faces a tough challenge against a Whitney Young team that has been nearly unstoppable in conference play. The Dolphins will look to continue their dominance, while the Vikings will aim to rebound from their previous loss and prove they can compete against the best.

For Amundsen, the key to success will be improving offensive consistency and capitalizing on their home-field advantage. For Whitney Young, continuing their offensive surge and shutting down Amundsen’s passing attack will likely be the game plan.

Conclusion

Amundsen may have a strong defensive showing, but Whitney Young’s offensive firepower and unbeaten record in conference play make them the favorites heading into this game. The outcome will depend on whether Amundsen can break through Whitney Young’s defensive line and find offensive rhythm. Regardless, it promises to be an intense and competitive game that could have playoff implications.