The Sulligent (AL) varsity football team will face Winston County (Double Springs, AL) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs in the 2A tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Alabama High School Football Playoff
Who: Winston County vs Sulligent
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs – 2A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Sulligent vs. Winston County

The 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs are underway, and one of the intriguing matchups in the 2A tournament features Sulligent (AL) facing Winston County (Double Springs, AL) in a neutral-site game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. Both teams have had strong seasons, but their contrasting records and playstyles make for an exciting playoff showdown.

Winston County’s Perfect Season

Winston County enters the playoffs with a flawless 12-0 record, dominating both in region play and beyond. They finished a perfect 5-0 in region competition, highlighting their ability to control their opponents across the board. The team has scored a total of 506 points, averaging 42.2 points per game, showcasing a potent offense. Defensively, they have been just as impressive, allowing only 126 points throughout the season.

Winston County’s scoring tends to peak in the first half, with strong performances in the opening two quarters:

• Q1: 12.3 points
• Q2: 10.4 points
• Q3: 8.4 points
• Q4: 6.9 points
• Final: 42.2 points

Their ability to score early and often has been a hallmark of their dominant season, and they’ll be looking to continue this trend in the playoffs.

Sulligent’s Solid Campaign

Sulligent has had a solid, though slightly less dominant, season with an 8-4 record. They finished 4-2 in region play, securing a spot in the playoffs with strong performances both at home and away. Their offense has scored 366 points, averaging 30.5 points per game, while their defense has allowed 277 points, showing that they’ve had to overcome some challenges on the defensive side of the ball.

Sulligent’s scoring breakdown shows they are effective early on but tend to slow down in the second half:

• Q1: 10.3 points
• Q2: 8.0 points
• Q3: 4.0 points
• Q4: 5.0 points
• Final: 30.5 points

For Sulligent to succeed, they’ll need to maintain offensive consistency throughout the entire game, particularly in the second half, and ensure their defense steps up against Winston County’s potent attack.

Key Matchups and Strategies

Winston County’s high-scoring offense and perfect season make them the favorites in this matchup. Their ability to jump out to early leads will be crucial, and Sulligent will need to find ways to slow down their offensive output. While Winston County has been dominant, particularly in the first half, Sulligent has shown they can compete early in games, and keeping the game close in the second half will be key.

Defensively, Sulligent’s challenge will be stopping Winston County’s offense, which has averaged over 40 points per game. Sulligent will need to control the ball, limit turnovers, and keep Winston County from building a significant lead. Offensively, Sulligent will need to find ways to execute effectively in the second half to keep up with Winston County’s scoring pace.

As the high school football season reaches its peak, two strong teams, Winston County and Sulligent, are set to square off. With Winston County boasting an undefeated record and Sulligent coming off an impressive campaign, this matchup promises to be an exciting battle. Let’s dive into the team stats, key players, and records to understand what makes this game so significant.

Team Stats Comparison

Offensive Play

• Rushing: Both teams rely heavily on their rushing attack, with Sulligent slightly ahead in rushing yards per game at 247.7, compared to Winston County’s 243.3 yards. Both teams’ offensive game plans are built around the ground game, but Sulligent has been a bit more dominant on the ground this season.
• Passing: There is a significant gap between the two teams in passing yards. Winston County averages 142.8 passing yards per game, while Sulligent is far behind at 67.5. This difference highlights that Winston County has a more balanced offensive attack, while Sulligent leans almost entirely on their rushing game.
• Receiving: Winston County leads in receiving yards with 142.7 yards per game, while Sulligent generates just 68.8. This again emphasizes Winston County’s ability to mix up their offense with effective passing plays.
• Total Yards: Winston County averages 386.1 total yards per game, while Sulligent gains 315.2 total yards per game. Winston County’s more well-rounded offense allows them to produce more total yards, giving them an edge in terms of overall offensive production.

Defensive Play

• Tackles: Both teams are defensively sound, with Sulligent averaging 60.1 tackles per game, slightly ahead of Winston County’s 59.7. This suggests that both teams are aggressive in the field, with a similar focus on stopping the run and making tackles.
• Sacks: Sulligent leads in sacks per game, averaging 1.6 compared to Winston County’s 1.2. This slight advantage may indicate that Sulligent’s defense is more capable of pressuring the quarterback.
• Points Allowed: Winston County gives up 37.1 points per game, while Sulligent allows 30.2. Sulligent’s defense has been more effective at limiting opponent scoring, which could be crucial when facing a high-scoring team like Winston County.

Key Players to Watch

Both teams have standout players who will be pivotal in their pursuit of victory.

• Winston County’s Key Players:
  • Chris Clemons: The star player for Winston County, Clemons is a dual threat, racking up 89.9 rushing yards per game and 91.2 receiving yards per game. His total of 192.8 yards per game makes him the focal point of the team’s offense. Additionally, Clemons scores 15.7 points per game, further solidifying his importance.
  • Landon Kelley: The quarterback for Winston County, Kelley has thrown for 122.3 passing yards per game. He helps balance the offense and provide Clemons with opportunities to break through defenses.
  • Cameron Aderholt: A key defender, Aderholt contributes with 0.8 sacks per game and has helped the team maintain a strong defensive presence throughout the season.
• Sulligent’s Key Players:
  • Aj Lowe: The standout rusher for Sulligent, Lowe averages 100.9 rushing yards per game, which makes him a key threat on the ground. His ability to control the clock and grind out yardage will be important against Winston County’s defense.
  • Johnwil Spruiel: The primary passer for Sulligent, Spruiel averages 58.5 passing yards per game. Although Sulligent relies more on the run, Spruiel’s ability to make plays in the air will be crucial in diversifying their offense.
  • Haigen Gann: A key receiver for Sulligent, Gann averages 36.3 receiving yards per game. While Sulligent’s passing game is less prominent, Gann plays a crucial role when the team needs to make big plays through the air.

Common Opponents

The teams have faced some common opponents, which helps provide insight into their relative strength.

• Vincent: Winston County defeated Vincent 25-20 at home on 11/15/24, while Sulligent lost to Vincent 29-6 at home on 9/20/24. Winston County’s victory against Vincent was much closer, showing their ability to edge out tough wins. Sulligent, on the other hand, struggled in their matchup with Vincent, making Winston County’s victory appear more impressive.

Record Breakdown

• Winston County: With an undefeated 12-0 record, Winston County has been a powerhouse all season long. They are perfect in league play with a 5-0 record and have dominated non-league games as well, going 5-0. Their offensive efficiency, coupled with solid defensive play, has propelled them to the top.
• Sulligent: Although not undefeated, Sulligent has had a solid season with an 8-4 overall record. Their 4-2 league record and 2-2 non-league mark show they can compete at a high level, but they will need to improve in some areas if they hope to beat a team like Winston County.

In-state, both teams have performed well, with Winston County posting a 12-0 record and Sulligent at 8-4. Their playoff performances have been impressive, with both teams undefeated in postseason play.

Conclusion

This matchup between Winston County and Sulligent is set to be an exciting one. Winston County’s high-powered offense, led by Chris Clemons, faces off against Sulligent’s ground game, led by Aj Lowe. While Winston County has a more balanced offensive attack and has been nearly flawless all season, Sulligent’s strong defense and run-first approach could make for a competitive game.

Winston County’s ability to score points and sustain long drives will be tested by Sulligent’s defense, which has been stingy against opponents. If Sulligent can control the clock with Lowe and limit Winston County’s offensive opportunities, they could pull off the upset. However, Winston County’s overall offensive firepower and depth will likely prove to be the deciding factor in this matchup.