The Whitney Young (Chicago, IL) varsity football team is playing a home conference game against Kenwood (Chicago, IL) today at 1 p.m.
What: Illinois High School Football
Who: Whitney Young ( IL) vs Kenwood (IL)
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
Kenwood vs. Whitney Young: A Season of Highs and Lows
As the football season winds down, two teams from Chicago’s South Side, Kenwood and Whitney Young, stand out with contrasting records and performances. Let’s take a look at their 2024-2025 season statistics, head-to-head matchups, and key players.
Team Overview
- Kenwood has had a relatively balanced season, finishing with a 6-6 overall record. The team has shown competitiveness with a 5-3 conference record but has struggled on the road, where they are 1-3.
- Whitney Young, on the other hand, has had a dominant season with an 11-1 overall record, going a perfect 8-0 in conference play. They have been especially formidable at home, with a 7-0 record, and their only loss came in a neutral-site game.
Recent Head-to-Head Results
The two teams have faced off twice in the past month, with Whitney Young emerging victorious in both matchups.
- October 5th: Whitney Young 14, Kenwood 13 In an intense conference clash, Whitney Young edged out Kenwood with a late 7-point surge in the final quarter, securing the 14-13 victory. The game was marked by tight defensive play and moments of individual brilliance from both sides.
- November 1st: Whitney Young 13, Kenwood 12 The playoff game was just as close, with Kenwood falling short by a single point. Whitney Young held on for a 13-12 win, once again proving their ability to perform under pressure and close out tightly contested games.
Team Scoring Averages
- Kenwood: The Kenwood team averages 22.7 points per game, with their strongest scoring quarters being the 3rd and 4th, where they average 3.5 and 5.3 points respectively.
- Whitney Young: The Whitney Young team has a higher scoring average of 24.7 points per game. Their most prolific scoring quarters are the 2nd and 1st, with 8.2 and 2.8 points per quarter respectively. Notably, they excel in overtime, scoring 7.0 points per OT1 period, a testament to their ability to handle pressure situations.
Statistical Comparison
Looking at some key statistical categories, Whitney Young excels in both rushing yards and total yards per game. Here’s a closer breakdown:
- Rushing Yards per Game: Whitney Young leads with 55.6 rushing yards per game, compared to Kenwood’s 22.0 yards.
- Passing Yards per Game: Kenwood is slightly ahead in passing with 21.5 yards per game, while Whitney Young averages 16.7.
- Total Yards per Game: Whitney Young again comes out on top with 72.3 total yards per game, compared to Kenwood’s 43.5.
- Tackles per Game: Whitney Young averages 14.0 tackles per game, a sign of their defensive toughness, while Kenwood has no recorded tackles per game.
Key Players to Watch
- Kenwood:
- Anthony Crooms leads the team in rushing with 64.0 yards per game and is also Kenwood’s total yards leader with 129.0 yards per game.
- Demaje Williams has been a top target in the passing game with 62.5 receiving yards per game.
- Whitney Young:
- Maxwell Warner has been an offensive dynamo for Whitney Young, racking up 77.5 rushing yards per game.
- Von Konrad leads the passing game, throwing for 51.7 yards per game.
- On defense, Joseph Gray leads the team in tackles with 9.3 per game.
Record Breakdown
Kenwood and Whitney Young’s season records show their different paths to success:
- Kenwood:
- 6-6 overall, with a 5-3 conference record.
- Struggles away, with a 1-3 record in road games.
- 1-1 in playoff games, showing resilience in the postseason.
- Whitney Young:
- 11-1 overall, with a perfect 8-0 record in the conference.
- Dominant at home with a 7-0 record and a solid 4-0 away record.
- 1-1 in playoff games, reinforcing their high standard of play.
Looking Ahead
As of today, the teams will meet once more in another conference game. This matchup promises to be an exciting contest, with Kenwood hoping to avenge their narrow losses and Whitney Young aiming to continue their strong momentum.
Despite Kenwood’s recent struggles, their solid offensive contributors like Crooms and Williams could pose a serious challenge to Whitney Young. However, the key to Whitney Young’s dominance lies in their balanced offensive attack and tough defense, led by playmakers like Warner and Gray.
In what has been a season of highs and lows for both teams, the upcoming game will likely be another thrilling chapter in their rivalry, with stakes high for both sides.
