The Stuart Hall varsity football team is set to face Branson in a home playoff game today at 1 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – 8-Person Division 1 tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance further in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Branson vs Stuart Hall
When: Today, November 23, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Branson vs. Stuart Hall

The 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships are set for a thrilling showdown between Branson and Stuart Hall, two powerhouse teams with strong records and distinct styles of play. This 8-Person Division 1 playoff game promises excitement as both teams look to continue their impressive seasons and advance further in the tournament.

Team Records and Rankings

• Branson enters the matchup with a solid 7-2 overall record, having performed well in league play with a 4-1 record. The team has been dominant at home, finishing 5-0, though they’ve faced some challenges on the road, posting a 2-2 record. Branson has been productive offensively, scoring 452 points, while their defense has allowed 191 points. With a win percentage of .778, Branson has shown they can compete with top teams.
• Stuart Hall is an undefeated force this season, boasting a perfect 10-0 record. The team has been flawless in league play (5-0) and has dominated both at home (4-0) and on the road (6-0). With a remarkable 1.000 win percentage, Stuart Hall has been a juggernaut, outscoring opponents 626 to 210. Their offensive power and solid defense have made them one of the top teams in the section.

Scoring Trends

• Branson:
  • Q1: 12.0 points
  • Q2: 11.3 points
  • Q3: 11.7 points
  • Q4: 6.3 points
  • Average Final Score: 50.2 points

  Branson has been a strong, balanced team throughout the game, especially in the first three quarters. However, their scoring tends to dip in the fourth quarter, which could be a concern in this matchup, given Stuart Hall’s offensive strength.

• Stuart Hall:
  • Q1: 14.0 points
  • Q2: 23.3 points
  • Q3: 17.3 points
  • Q4: 4.0 points
  • Average Final Score: 62.6 points

  Stuart Hall’s scoring is potent, particularly in the first half. They come out strong, with an impressive average of 23.3 points in the second quarter. Although their scoring slows in the fourth, their large first-half leads often allow them to maintain control of games.

Key Factors in the Matchup

• Branson’s Early-Game Execution: With an ability to score early, Branson will need to come out strong to keep pace with Stuart Hall’s powerful offense. Their offense has been effective, but they will need to maintain that intensity throughout the game to have a chance against an undefeated team like Stuart Hall.
• Stuart Hall’s Offensive Firepower: Stuart Hall has dominated offensively, with their high-scoring averages making them one of the most dangerous teams in the division. Branson’s defense will be tested to slow down Stuart Hall’s quick and powerful attack. If Branson can limit the damage in the first half, they might be able to adjust and make a run in the second half.

As the season progresses, both Branson and Stuart Hall have shown impressive performances, each excelling in different areas of the game. Stuart Hall remains undefeated, while Branson has been strong across the board, showcasing solid offense and defense. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how the two teams compare based on their overall performance, key players, and matchups against common opponents.

Offensive Comparison

Rushing Yards Per Game
Branson has an edge in rushing, averaging 116.3 yards per game. Colby Buxton leads the charge with 83.5 yards per game, ranking 11th on the team. Stuart Hall is close behind, averaging 100.6 rushing yards per game, with Rhett Sypult leading the team with 92.2 yards per game, ranking first nationally.

Passing Yards Per Game
Stuart Hall dominates in the passing game, racking up 274.4 yards per game. Their quarterback, Sypult, is also a standout here, averaging 256.4 yards per game, which ranks first nationally. Branson’s passing game averages 188.8 yards per game, with Tom Lardner contributing 207.3 yards per game, the second-highest total on the team.

Receiving Yards Per Game
Branson’s receiving game is solid, averaging 188.8 yards per game, with Chase Hoeveler leading the team with 78.2 yards per game. On the other hand, Stuart Hall, while averaging 67.1 receiving yards per game, has Max Oenning contributing an impressive 106.8 yards per game, ranking 18th nationally.

Defensive Comparison

Tackles Per Game
Branson’s defense is notably stronger in terms of tackles, averaging 49.3 per game. Mo Jacoby leads the way with 7.3 tackles per game. Stuart Hall, in contrast, averages 5.8 tackles per game, with Nico Rivera contributing 9.0 tackles per game, ranking 44th nationally.

Sacks Per Game
Branson also leads in sacks with an average of 2.3 per game, with Griffin Harris contributing 1.0 sack per game. Stuart Hall has a much lower average of just 0.2 sacks per game, with Larkin Mathewson recording 0.5 sacks per game.

Special Teams and Playmaking

Points Per Game
Offensively, Stuart Hall has been highly efficient, averaging 49.4 points per game, led by Sypult, who scores an impressive 36.0 points per game. Branson, while slightly lower at 34.2 points per game, has been consistently effective, with Colby Buxton contributing 10.0 points per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced a similar set of opponents this season. Here’s how they fared in these matchups:

• Branson
  • Priory (W) 40-12
  • Fresno Christian (L) 41-20
  • Swett (W) 60-6
  • South Fork (W) 58-0
  • Roseland University Prep (W) 76-40
  • Calistoga (W) 60-8
• Stuart Hall
  • Priory (W) 60-12
  • Fresno Christian (W) 62-28
  • Swett (W) 48-6
  • South Fork (W) 64-34
  • Roseland University Prep (W) 68-20
  • Calistoga (W) 62-8

Both teams have posted strong wins against common opponents, with Stuart Hall often winning by larger margins, particularly in their dominant victories over Fresno Christian (62-28) and South Fork (64-34).

Record Breakdown

• Branson
  • Overall: 7-2
  • League: 4-1
  • Non-League: 2-1
• Stuart Hall
  • Overall: 10-0
  • League: 5-0
  • Non-League: 4-0

Stuart Hall remains undefeated with a perfect 10-0 record, highlighting their dominance throughout the season. Branson, with a 7-2 record, has had a strong season but has suffered a couple of losses that have kept them from achieving the same level of success.

Head-to-Head and Playoff Performance

• Branson vs. Stuart Hall: In their only head-to-head matchup, Branson triumphed with a 1-0 victory over Stuart Hall, showcasing a tight contest.
• Playoff Performance
  Both teams have performed well in the playoffs, with Stuart Hall maintaining an unbeaten 1-0 record in postseason games, while Branson also stands at 1-0 in their playoff appearances.

Conclusion

Stuart Hall has been the more dominant team this season, boasting an undefeated record and excelling in both passing and scoring. Branson, however, has shown resilience and strength, particularly in their rushing and defensive efforts. Both teams have been impressive in their own rights, and a potential matchup between these two powerhouses would certainly be an exciting contest to watch.