The Salesian College Preparatory varsity football team will host Sonoma Valley in a home playoff game today at 1 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 5 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: Sonoma Valley vs Salesian College Preparatory
When: Today, November 23, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Sonoma Valley vs. Salesian College Preparatory

In the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships, two undefeated teams are set to face off in a highly anticipated Division 5 playoff game: Sonoma Valley and Salesian College Preparatory. Both teams have been perfect throughout the season, and this matchup is sure to be a thrilling contest as they compete for a spot in the next round of the tournament.

Team Records and Rankings

• Sonoma Valley enters the game with an impressive 11-0 overall record, having been flawless in league play with a 6-0 record. The team has shown dominance both at home (7-0) and on the road (4-0), outscoring opponents 440 to 104. With a perfect win percentage of 1.000, Sonoma Valley has proven themselves to be a formidable force in Division 5.
• Salesian College Preparatory also boasts an undefeated 11-0 record, having finished league play with a 5-0 mark. They’ve been just as dominant at home (6-0) and on the road (5-0), scoring 471 points and allowing 163. With a perfect win percentage, Salesian College has established themselves as one of the top contenders in the section.

Scoring Averages

• Sonoma Valley:
  • Q1: 11.7 points
  • Q2: 16.3 points
  • Q3: 6.7 points
  • Q4: 4.7 points
  • Average Final Score: 40.0 points

  Sonoma Valley has been especially strong in the first half of games, particularly in the second quarter, where they average 16.3 points. However, their scoring tends to slow down in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter, which could be a key factor against a team like Salesian.

• Salesian College Preparatory:
  • Q1: 10.2 points
  • Q2: 10.7 points
  • Q3: 5.7 points
  • Q4: 10.2 points
  • Average Final Score: 42.8 points

  Salesian College Preparatory maintains a more consistent scoring output throughout the game. They average double-digit points in each quarter, with particularly strong finishes in the first and fourth quarters. Their ability to score across all four quarters gives them a balanced offensive approach that will be key in this matchup.

Key Considerations

• Sonoma Valley’s Early Surge: Sonoma Valley has shown they can build strong leads early, especially in the second quarter. They will need to capitalize on their fast start to keep pace with Salesian’s balanced attack. If they can continue their early success, they’ll put themselves in a good position for the rest of the game.
• Salesian’s Consistency: Salesian’s ability to score consistently throughout the game gives them an advantage, especially if the game tightens in the second half. Their strong finish in the fourth quarter could be crucial in securing a victory over a team like Sonoma Valley, which has shown some slowdown late in games.

As the 2024-2025 season enters its final stretch, both Sonoma Valley and Salesian College Preparatory have emerged as undefeated juggernauts in high school football. These two teams have been relentless in their pursuit of excellence, dominating on both sides of the ball. Let’s take a closer look at their team statistics, standout players, and what sets them apart as they remain perfect on the season.

Offensive Breakdown

Rushing Yards Per Game
Salesian College Preparatory holds the edge in rushing yards, averaging 207.0 yards per game, led by standout running back Isaiah Latigue, who averages 80.6 yards per game. Sonoma Valley’s rushing game, while still strong, comes in at 176.0 yards per game, with Cayden Waldrop leading the charge with 131.7 yards per game.

Passing Yards Per Game
Sonoma Valley edges out Salesian in passing, with an average of 198.9 passing yards per game. Dalan Lopata is the driving force behind this, averaging 187.1 yards per game. On the other hand, Salesian’s passing attack averages 175.0 yards per game, with Marcus Burke contributing 171.2 yards per game.

Receiving Yards Per Game
Sonoma Valley leads in receiving yards with 199.1 yards per game, with Hudson Giarritta catching passes for an average of 76.8 yards per game. Salesian’s receiving corps, while effective, averages 172.5 yards per game, with Carlton Perrilliat standing out, contributing 98.0 yards per game.

Defensive Overview

Tackles Per Game
Sonoma Valley’s defense has been much more aggressive, averaging 50.7 tackles per game. Daunte Gonzalez has been a key contributor here with 7.5 tackles per game. In contrast, Salesian College Preparatory has been less focused on tackling, with 20.5 tackles per game, led by Cahmari Blakely, who records 5.1 tackles per game.

Sacks Per Game
Sonoma Valley has excelled in pressuring the quarterback, recording 3.3 sacks per game. Luis Botello has been a key player here, contributing 1.0 sack per game. Salesian, on the other hand, averages just 1.3 sacks per game, with Jahlil Lindsey leading the team with 0.7 sacks per game.

Scoring and Special Teams

Points Per Game
Salesian College Preparatory leads the way in points per game, averaging 54.8, with Marcus Burke contributing 22.4 points per game. Sonoma Valley has been more conservative in its scoring, averaging 39.9 points per game, with Hudson Giarritta contributing 14.7 points per game.

Pancake Blocks
Sonoma Valley has recorded 3 pancake blocks this season, a testament to their physicality on the offensive line, while Salesian College Preparatory does not have this stat available.

Season Records

Both teams have been impressive throughout the season, maintaining perfect records in their respective leagues:

• Sonoma Valley
  • Overall Record: 11-0
  • League Record: 6-0
  • Non-League Record: 4-0
  • Playoff Record: 1-0
• Salesian College Preparatory
  • Overall Record: 11-0
  • League Record: 5-0
  • Non-League Record: 5-0
  • Playoff Record: 1-0

Both teams have dominated their home and away games, with Salesian maintaining a perfect record at home (7-0) and away (4-0). Sonoma Valley has also been strong at home (7-0), with a solid away record of 4-0.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar opponents, showcasing their dominance with impressive victories:

• Sonoma Valley
  • 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
• Salesian College Preparatory
  • 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 had their way with common opponents, but Salesian College Preparatory has had larger margins of victory, particularly in their wins against South Fork and Fresno Christian.

Conclusion

Both Sonoma Valley and Salesian College Preparatory have proven themselves as elite teams this season, remaining undefeated with impressive statistics and dominant performances. While Salesian boasts a more potent offense and higher scoring averages, Sonoma Valley remains formidable with its aggressive defense and balanced offensive attack. A matchup between these two undefeated teams would be an exciting clash of styles, with the potential to be a true test of strength and strategy. As both teams continue their pursuit of perfection, fans can expect high-level football from these powerhouse programs.