The South Hadley (MA) varsity football team will play a home non-conference game against Holyoke (MA) on Thursday, November 28, at 10 a.m.
What: Massachusetts High School Football
Who: South Hadley (MA) vs Holyoke (MA)
When: Thursday, November 28, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. ET
Where: South Hadley High School
Live stream: Watch here
Holyoke and South Hadley Football Season Review: A Detailed Comparison
The 2024-2025 Massachusetts high school football season featured an intriguing matchup between Holyoke and South Hadley, two teams that showcased contrasting fortunes and unique statistical profiles. With their season records now set, analyzing their performances reveals key trends and insights into both teams’ strategies and outcomes.
Season Records and Standings
Holyoke finished the season with an overall record of 3-7, including a 1-4 record in league play. Their season was marked by a challenging schedule that included tough opponents and a notable disparity between home and away performances. At home, Holyoke posted a 2-4 record, while their away record stood at 1-3.
South Hadley, in contrast, ended with a winning record of 6-4, demonstrating more consistent results throughout the season. Their league record was 2-2, highlighting a balanced performance. They excelled at home with a 3-2 record but also managed to secure a respectable 2-2 mark on the road.
Offensive and Defensive Averages
Holyoke’s offensive averages reflected their struggles, scoring an average of 17.2 points per game (PPG). Their scoring was often inconsistent, with a notable dip in production during the first and third quarters, contributing to their season challenges.
South Hadley, on the other hand, displayed a more potent offense, averaging 23.1 PPG. Their scoring distribution was balanced across the game, as evident from their ability to score efficiently in the first quarter. This offensive consistency proved vital in their successful season.
Team Statistics and Leaders
Holyoke’s offensive game plan centered around the efforts of Jesus Morales, who led the team with 24.2 rushing yards per game (YPG), and Devin Velez, who contributed 168.2 passing yards per game. Morales also spearheaded the defense with an average of 10.9 tackles per game, demonstrating his dual impact on both sides of the ball.
In comparison, South Hadley showed balanced offensive leadership, with their passing and receiving units contributing effectively. The team didn’t have a standout rusher like Morales, but they leveraged strong team play to accumulate an average of 216.4 total yards per game. Their efficiency was reflected in Devin Velez leading with 168.5 total yards per game, while also contributing 50.8 passing yards per game.
Defensive Performance
Defensively, Holyoke struggled more than their rivals, averaging only 53.4 tackles per game and 0.7 sacks per game, which limited their ability to stop opposing offenses. This contrast to South Hadley, whose defense was more robust and effective, was a defining aspect of their higher overall success.
Head-to-Head and Common Opponents
A key point of comparison between Holyoke and South Hadley is their performance against common opponents. Holyoke had a 1-2 record, defeating Putnam Vo-Tech but losing to Pittsfield and Chicopee Comp. South Hadley, however, was less successful, finishing 0-3 against shared adversaries, including losses to Pittsfield, Chicopee Comp, and Putnam Vo-Tech.
