The Xaverian (Brooklyn, NY) varsity football team is set to play a neutral playoff game against Holy Cross (Flushing, NY) today at 7:00 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 Boys Fall Football NYCHSFL State Tournament – AA-2.

Xaverian vs Holy Cross Football Game Info:

What: New York High School Football
Who: Xaverian vs Holy Cross
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 7 PM
Bracket: 2024 Boys Fall Football NYCHSFL State Tournament – AA-2
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Game preview: Xaverian vs Holy Cross

As the 2024 high school football season intensifies, the Holy Cross Knights are set to face off against the Xaverian Clippers in a crucial neutral-site playoff game. This matchup is bound to be exciting, with both teams bringing unique strengths and challenges to the field.

Season Overview

Holy Cross enters the game with a record of 6-5, having finished 4-1 in league play. The Knights have been solid on both sides of the ball, with an average of 176 points scored over the season but a higher 223 points allowed, reflecting some struggles defensively. Their offense averages 16 points per game, with standout performances in the fourth quarter, where they score an average of 5.4 points, significantly more than their first three quarters.

Xaverian, with a slightly weaker 5-6 record, also finished 4-1 in their league. However, their overall scoring has been more prolific, with 256 points on the season and 209 points allowed. Averaging 16.9 points per game, their most notable scoring burst comes in the second quarter, where they score an average of 6.8 points. Their team struggled to find consistency in the second half, as evidenced by their average of zero points in the fourth quarter.

Head-to-Head: Holy Cross Defeats Xaverian Last Month

In their most recent meeting on October 20, Holy Cross claimed a 20-13 victory over Xaverian. Both teams played hard, but the Knights emerged victorious in a tight contest. This win is fresh in their minds as they head into their playoff battle, hoping to extend their winning streak.

Key Team Stats

When comparing team statistics, there are some interesting contrasts between the two teams:

• Rushing Yards: Xaverian outpaces Holy Cross in rushing yards, averaging 154 yards per game compared to the Knights’ 82.8.
• Passing Yards: Holy Cross leads in passing yards, with 128.1 per game compared to Xaverian’s 96.4.
• Total Yards: Xaverian has a slight edge overall, with 250.4 yards per game versus Holy Cross’ 210.9.

Team Leaders

• Holy Cross:
  • Antoine Williams leads the team with 32 rushing yards per game.
  • Madden Martinez contributes significantly in the passing game, averaging 107.5 yards per game.
  • Brayden McMahon is the primary receiver, averaging 48.5 yards per game.
  • Defensively, Christopher Brehm leads with 9.4 tackles per game.
  • Martinez also provides stability on offense, contributing 123.3 total yards per game.
• Xaverian:
  • Jude Warshaw is the standout rusher with an average of 92 yards per game.
  • Terrence Watson plays a pivotal role in the passing game, averaging 94.1 yards per game.
  • Owen Conti is a key receiving threat, contributing 42.2 yards per game.
  • Watson also leads the team in total yards, averaging 133.3 per game.
  • Xaverian will look to Watson to provide the spark on both offense and defense.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced a similar set of opponents throughout the season. The records against these common opponents are almost identical, with Holy Cross holding a 4-4 mark and Xaverian at 4-3. Notably, both teams defeated Kennedy Catholic, which could provide a boost of confidence heading into this playoff showdown.

Final Thoughts

As Holy Cross and Xaverian prepare to face off in the playoffs, both teams will look to build on their season’s strengths. Holy Cross will need to capitalize on their passing game and offensive depth, while Xaverian’s focus will likely be on improving their performance in the second half. After their previous close match, where Holy Cross edged out Xaverian 20-13, it remains to be seen which team will emerge victorious when the stakes are even higher in the postseason.

Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. today, and fans can expect a thrilling contest as these two teams battle for a chance to advance further into the 2024 playoff race.