The Zachary High School varsity football team will host a home playoff game against Sam Houston (Lake Charles, LA) today at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division I Non-Select tournament.

What: Louisiana High School Football
Who: Zachary (LA) vs Sam Houston (LA)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 LHSAA Football Playoffs (Louisiana) – Division I Non-Select
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

A Comparative Analysis of Sam Houston vs. Zachary Football Teams

As the high school football season progresses, two teams from Louisiana stand out: Sam Houston and Zachary. Both teams have displayed strong performances this year, but how do they compare? Let’s dive into their rankings, statistics, and performance breakdowns for a closer look.

Record Overview

• Sam Houston has an overall record of 6-4, with a district record of 4-2. They’ve excelled at home, with a 4-1 record, but struggled somewhat on the road, posting a 2-3 away record. Their overall win percentage is .600, with a district win percentage of .667.
• Zachary has a slightly stronger overall record at 6-3, with a 3-2 record in district play. Like Sam Houston, they perform better at home (4-1) compared to away games (2-2). Their overall win percentage stands at .667, and their district win percentage is .600.

Team Scoring Averages

When it comes to scoring, the two teams are neck and neck:

• Sam Houston averages 35.1 points per game, with the following breakdown:
  • Q1: 6.9
  • Q2: 10.4
  • Q3: 7.3
  • Q4: 4.9
• Zachary averages 35.6 points per game, with a different distribution:
  • Q1: 9.6
  • Q2: 8.5
  • Q3: 5.9
  • Q4: 10.8

Zachary scores more in the opening and final quarters, while Sam Houston’s strongest period is in the second quarter.

Team Stat Comparison

The comparison of key team stats highlights a few interesting points:

• Rushing Yards Per Game:
  • Sam Houston: 233.8 yards
  • Zachary: 177.2 yards Sam Houston has a significant edge in rushing yards, averaging over 50 more yards per game.
• Passing Yards Per Game:
  • Sam Houston: 175.7 yards
  • Zachary: 173.3 yards The passing yards are very close between the teams, with Sam Houston slightly ahead.
• Receiving Yards Per Game:
  • Sam Houston: 156.9 yards
  • Zachary: 180.2 yards Zachary edges out Sam Houston in receiving yards, averaging more yards per game.
• Total Yards Per Game:
  • Sam Houston: 409.5 yards
  • Zachary: 350.6 yards Sam Houston holds a notable advantage in total yards per game, reflecting their higher rushing and balanced offense.
• Tackles Per Game:
  • Sam Houston: 57.9 tackles Zachary’s tackles per game stat isn’t available, but Sam Houston’s number shows they have a solid defensive presence.
• Sacks Per Game:
  • Sam Houston: 0.9 Zachary’s sacks per game stat is not available, but Sam Houston’s performance suggests they apply consistent pressure on the opposing quarterbacks.

Team Leaders

Both teams have standout players contributing to their success:

• Sam Houston:
  • Drew Bailey: 163.6 rushing yards per game
  • Gavin Stout: 172.4 passing yards per game
  • Drew Dronet: 43.0 receiving yards per game
  • Keaton Sonnier: 9.5 tackles per game
  • Romalis Jackson Jr.: 0.4 sacks per game
• Zachary:
  • Davekio Ruffin: 128.2 rushing yards per game
  • Caleb Gonzales: 173.3 passing yards per game
  • Treyvion Chaney: 41.9 receiving yards per game
  • Davekio Ruffin: 12.2 points per game

Sam Houston’s Drew Bailey has been a standout in rushing yards, while Zachary’s Davekio Ruffin has been a key contributor in both rushing and scoring.

Common Opponents

When comparing the two teams’ performance against common opponents:

• Sam Houston has faced Carencro and Acadiana, with losses in both matchups:
  • 10/18/24 vs. Carencro (L, 37-27)
  • 11/1/24 vs. Acadiana (L, 59-7)
• Zachary played the same teams but with different results:
  • 9/20/24 vs. Carencro (W, 34-33)
  • 9/13/24 vs. Acadiana (L, 43-28)

While both teams lost to Acadiana, Zachary’s close win over Carencro stands out as a notable result.

Conclusion

In terms of overall performance, Sam Houston and Zachary are two closely matched teams, each with its strengths. Sam Houston excels in rushing and total yardage, while Zachary has a slight edge in receiving and scoring distribution. Both teams have faced tough competition this season, with each recording strong home performances.

Sam Houston’s offensive depth, particularly in rushing, gives them an advantage, but Zachary’s solid defense and dynamic scoring ability make them a formidable opponent. The season’s conclusion will likely depend on which team can capitalize on their respective strengths in the playoffs.

Ultimately, both teams will be looking to refine their playbooks as they enter the most crucial part of the season, and fans can expect exciting matchups ahead.