The Yates (Houston, TX) varsity football team will face Navasota (TX) in a neutral playoff game today at 7:00 PM at Katy ISD – Rhodes Stadium. This matchup is part of the 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships, specifically the 2024 Football Conference 4A Division 1 tournament.
Yates vs Navasota Game Info:
What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Yates vs Navasota
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 4A D1
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Game preview: Yates vs Navasota
As the 2024-25 football season unfolds, the Navasota Rattlers and Yates Lions stand out in their respective regions, showcasing impressive records but with differing paths and styles of play. Let’s break down their performance and stats to understand the strength of these two teams ahead of their meeting.
Team Overview
Navasota enters the season with a .500 overall record, finishing 5-5. Their district performance was solid, securing a 3-2 record. The Rattlers have a strong home record at 4-1 but struggled on the road, posting just one win in five attempts. Despite their balanced scoring across the quarters, averaging 29.5 points per game, their defense allowed 262 points over the season, indicating room for improvement.
Yates, on the other hand, has been a dominant force with an 8-2 overall record, largely propelled by their powerful district campaign, where they posted a remarkable 7-1 record. The Lions excelled both at home (4-0) and away (4-2), demonstrating their ability to win in varied conditions. Yates has been a juggernaut on both sides of the ball, averaging an impressive 40.4 points per game while allowing just 84 points across the entire season.
Scoring and Offensive Breakdown
Navasota has shown a consistent offensive attack, especially in the first half, with 7.9 points in the first quarter and 12.6 points in the second. However, their production in the second half, particularly in the third quarter (4.4 points), leaves much to be desired. Despite this, they’ve managed to end games with a solid average of 29.5 points per contest.
In contrast, Yates has shown their true offensive power with a staggering 33.2 points per game. They have been particularly strong in the early parts of games, scoring a healthy 7.0 points in the second quarter and averaging 3.0 points in the fourth. The Lions’ scoring explosion is underpinned by standout individual performances and an offense that can dominate throughout the game.
Stat Comparison
The two teams differ significantly in their offensive stats, with Yates leading in almost every category:
- Rushing Yards Per Game: Yates averages 207.0 yards, outpacing Navasota’s 165.9.
- Passing Yards Per Game: Yates again holds an edge, with 235.0 yards, compared to Navasota’s 167.5.
- Total Yards Per Game: Yates averages 442.0 yards, nearly 109 more than Navasota’s 333.4.
Despite these differences, Navasota has been slightly more consistent with tackling, averaging 66.7 tackles per game compared to Yates’ 44.6. Yates, however, has been more efficient in sacking the quarterback, registering 0.6 sacks per game, while Navasota has 1.7.
Key Players
Individual performances have been key for both teams. For Navasota, Artavian Rutherford has been their primary rusher, averaging 110.9 yards per game. Quarterback Jace Jablonski has been their passing leader, racking up 159.3 yards per game, while Daquan Pratt leads the receiving corps with 63.5 yards per game.
Yates is spearheaded by Chris Brown, who has been a standout player for the Lions. Brown leads the team in rushing yards (123.2 per game), passing yards (217.0), total yards (340.2), and tackles (12.2 per game). Joshua “JD” Wallace also plays a crucial role in their offense, while McKinley Davis has contributed significantly to their defensive success.
Common Opponents and Record Breakdown
When comparing the two teams’ performances against common opponents, Navasota came out victorious in their match against Royal, winning 49-8, while Yates lost to Royal in a close 16-14 game. This could indicate that Navasota has had a slightly easier path through their non-district schedule, though the overall records suggest Yates has been more consistent and dominant.
Here’s how both teams stack up in their respective seasons:
| Record Breakdown | Navasota (5-5) | Yates (8-2) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 5-5 | 8-2 |
| District | 3-2 | 7-1 |
| Non-District | 2-3 | 1-1 |
| Home | 4-1 | 4-0 |
| Away | 1-4 | 4-2 |
| Common Opponents | 1-0 | 0-1 |
Conclusion
While Navasota has shown resilience and a capable offense, Yates’ superior performance on both sides of the ball, especially in terms of rushing, passing, and total yards, makes them the favorite in this matchup. With their offensive and defensive balance, the Lions appear poised to continue their strong season and advance deeper into the playoffs.
Both teams have proven their abilities, but it is clear that Yates has the upper hand when it comes to total performance and consistency. As the two teams prepare to face off, it promises to be a thrilling contest—one where Navasota will need to tighten up their defense and capitalize on their home-field advantage if they hope to challenge the Lions’ formidable strength.
