The Carmel (CA) varsity football team will host Acalanes (Lafayette, CA) in a home playoff game tonight at 7:30 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games – Division 5-AA tournament, as both teams compete for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California State Football Championship Bowl Games
Who: Acalanes vs Carmel
When: Today, December 06, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games – Division 5-AA
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Acalanes vs. Carmel

The 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games – Division 5-AA tournament continues with a thrilling matchup between Acalanes (Lafayette, CA) and Carmel (CA). Tonight at 7:30 p.m., Carmel will host Acalanes in what promises to be an exciting contest between two talented teams.

Acalanes: Strong Performance in a Competitive Season

Acalanes enters the game with a solid 10-3 record, having finished second in their league with a 3-1 mark. The Dons have shown resilience both at home (6-1) and on the road (3-2). With a well-balanced offense that has averaged 34.6 points per game this season, Acalanes will look to continue their strong run in the playoffs.

Their offense has been most effective in the first quarter, averaging 11.0 points, while they’ve maintained solid production through the game’s later stages with 8.7 points in the second quarter, 8.1 in the third, and 8.0 in the fourth. The Dons will need to maximize their offensive output early on to challenge Carmel’s high-powered attack.

Carmel: A Perfect Season and Dominant Play

Carmel, on the other hand, has had a dominant 13-0 season, entering this playoff game with a perfect record. The Padres have been exceptional both in league play (6-0) and in non-league games (7-0), and they will look to carry that momentum into tonight’s contest. Carmel has scored an impressive 597 points this season, averaging 45.9 points per game.

Carmel’s offense has been explosive, especially in the first half, where they average 14.0 points in the first quarter and 15.3 in the second quarter. While they do slow down slightly in the third quarter (7.0 points), their ability to score 12.3 points in the fourth quarter ensures they stay dangerous throughout the game. This consistent scoring across all four quarters makes Carmel a tough opponent to overcome.

Key Matchup: High-Scoring Offenses

The key to this matchup lies in the contrasting offensive styles of the two teams. Acalanes has been a solid and steady offensive team, with a scoring average of 34.6 points per game. Their focus will likely be on keeping the game close and capitalizing on their balanced offense.

Meanwhile, Carmel’s explosive attack will look to put up points quickly, with their ability to dominate early in the game being a potential deciding factor. If Acalanes can match Carmel’s offensive firepower in the first half, they may have a chance to stay competitive through the second half. However, Carmel’s depth and scoring variety could ultimately wear down Acalanes if they are unable to stop the Padres’ offensive juggernaut.

Defensive Battle

While both teams have potent offenses, their defenses will play a crucial role in determining the outcome. Acalanes has given up 246 points this season, while Carmel has allowed 339. Although Carmel’s defense has been more susceptible to big plays, their ability to generate turnovers and contain opponents at critical moments has helped them remain unbeaten.

Acalanes will need to execute on defense, limiting Carmel’s explosive offensive plays while trying to disrupt their rhythm. If Acalanes can slow down Carmel’s offense, they could give their own offense a chance to find success against the Padres’ defense.

Looking Ahead

The winner of this game will continue their pursuit of a CIF State Football Championship, with the stakes higher than ever. Carmel comes into the game with a perfect record and a high-powered offense, while Acalanes will look to capitalize on their solid all-around performance and upset the top team. Fans can expect a highly competitive, fast-paced game as these two teams battle for a chance to move one step closer to the championship.

With both teams bringing their best to the field tonight, the game will surely be an exciting and memorable playoff contest.

As the season draws to a close, the spotlight is on Acalanes and Carmel, two teams that have excelled both in their respective leagues and in high-stakes games. With impressive overall records and an undefeated streak against common opponents, this upcoming matchup promises to be an exciting and competitive showdown. Here’s a breakdown of the teams, their performance, and the key stats to look out for in this thrilling encounter.

Team Stat Comparison

Offensive and Defensive Statistics:

• Acalanes has shown a balanced offensive attack, with 166.1 rushing yards per game and a solid passing game that averages 203.2 passing yards per game. Their total offensive production stands at 369.2 yards per game, generating an average of 34.2 points per game. On defense, Acalanes is effective with 66.7 tackles per game, and they contribute 2.7 sacks per game.
• Carmel, while maintaining a more pass-heavy offense, has been equally successful, with 200.8 passing yards per game and 200.8 receiving yards per game. Their total offensive production matches Acalanes with 369.2 yards per game, scoring an impressive 34.2 points per game. Carmel’s defense has been steady, recording an average of 2.7 sacks per game and 66.7 tackles per game.

Both teams are potent on offense, with Acalanes showing a slight advantage in rushing yards and Carmel leaning towards a more balanced passing and receiving game. However, both teams possess potent offenses that are capable of producing high-scoring games.

Team Leaders

• Acalanes relies on Austin Wampler (#10), who leads the team with 88.2 rushing yards per game, providing a strong ground attack. In the passing game, Tyler Winkles (#6) has been stellar, with 205.4 passing yards per game and 212.7 total yards per game, contributing significantly to the team’s offensive success. Niko White (#18) has been Acalanes’ top receiving threat with 81.0 receiving yards per game, also contributing 7.0 points per game.
• For Carmel, Tyler Winkles (#6) stands out as the offensive leader, averaging 205.4 passing yards per game and 212.7 total yards per game. Niko White (#18) has been a key contributor in the receiving game, averaging 81.0 receiving yards per game and scoring 7.0 points per game. Defensively, David Roux (#23) leads with 7.4 tackles per game, while Drew McKenzie (#62) contributes with 0.9 sacks per game.

Performance Against Common Opponents

Both Acalanes and Carmel have faced Miramonte and both emerged victorious in tight contests. The results were:

• Acalanes vs. Miramonte (October 11, 2024): Acalanes won 35-28 in a hard-fought home game.
• Carmel vs. Miramonte (September 13, 2024): Carmel also defeated Miramonte, though by a slightly larger margin, winning 38-28 at home.

These victories show that both teams can handle competitive matchups against strong opponents. Despite the closer margins, both Acalanes and Carmel demonstrated their ability to secure key wins.

Record Breakdown

• Acalanes enters this matchup with a 10-3 overall record. They have a strong 3-1 league record and 4-2 non-league record. Acalanes has been excellent at home with a 6-1 record, though they have struggled slightly on the road, holding a 3-2 away record. Acalanes’ playoff performance has been solid at 3-0, and they are 10-3 in-state.
• Carmel, on the other hand, boasts an undefeated 13-0 overall record, including a perfect 6-0 league record and 4-0 non-league record. They have been dominant both at home (6-0) and away (5-0), while also having an impressive 2-0 neutral-site record. Carmel’s playoff performance has been flawless at 3-0, and they are also perfect with a 13-0 record in-state.

Conclusion

The matchup between Acalanes and Carmel is set to be a thrilling encounter, as both teams bring impressive statistics and strong performances to the table. Acalanes will look to capitalize on their solid rushing attack and balanced offense, while Carmel will aim to continue their undefeated streak, relying on a potent passing and receiving game. Both teams have proven they can win against strong competition, and their shared victories over Miramonte highlight their ability to close out games in tight situations.

With both teams having demonstrated their ability to excel on both sides of the ball, this game will come down to who can execute their game plan more effectively and make the big plays when it matters most. Fans can expect an exciting, high-stakes game between two of the region’s top teams.