The Harvest Prep Academy (Yuma, AZ) varsity football team will host Ajo (AZ) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the Arizona Football State Tournament – Division 1, with both teams competing for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football
Who: Ajo vs Harvest Prep Academy
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: Arizona Football State Tournament – Division 1
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Ajo vs. Harvest Prep Academy

As the 2024 Arizona Football State Tournament – Division 1 enters its playoff stage, one of the key matchups features the Ajo varsity football team taking on Harvest Prep Academy. Both teams have had solid seasons, but with different playing styles and strengths, this game promises to be an exciting and closely contested battle for a spot in the next round.

Ajo: A Consistent and Well-Rounded Team

Ajo enters the playoff game with a strong 6-2 overall record and an impressive 4-1 record in section play. Their dominant home performance (4-0) contrasts with a more balanced road record of 2-2, showcasing their ability to win in a variety of environments. Ajo’s offensive output has been formidable, scoring an average of 30 points per game. They have shown a tendency to turn up the intensity in the second half, averaging 7.0 points in the third quarter and 12.0 points in the fourth. Despite a slow start to games, with no points in the first and second quarters, Ajo has proven to be a second-half team, scoring 240 total points and allowing only 98 on the season. Their ability to capitalize on their opponent’s mistakes in the latter stages of the game will be key to advancing further in the tournament.

Harvest Prep Academy: A Strong Defense with Room for Offensive Improvement

Harvest Prep Academy has had a solid season, finishing with a 3-2 overall record and a 3-1 section mark. While their record is strong, their home and away splits show some inconsistency. They’ve been particularly effective at home, going 1-0, but have struggled on the road with a 2-2 record. Their offense, averaging just 22.4 points per game, has shown flashes of potential but has struggled to maintain consistency. Harvest Prep Academy’s scoring is heavily front-loaded, with their offense averaging 3.0 points in the second quarter but failing to score in the first, third, and fourth quarters. Defensively, however, they have been solid, allowing only 88 points all season. Their ability to shut down opposing offenses will be crucial in this playoff game, especially given Ajo’s potent second-half offensive attack.

Key Differences and What to Expect

This matchup highlights several key contrasts between the two teams:

1. Offensive Firepower: Ajo’s offense has been much more explosive, particularly in the second half of games. Their ability to score 7.0 points in the third quarter and 12.0 points in the fourth quarter shows their resilience and capacity to finish games strong. Harvest Prep Academy, on the other hand, has struggled to score consistently and will need to find a way to generate more offense throughout the game, particularly in the first and third quarters.
2. Defensive Strength: Ajo has been highly effective on defense, allowing only 98 points all season, which is significantly lower than Harvest Prep Academy’s 88 points allowed. While Harvest Prep Academy has a solid defensive unit, their offense will need to complement their defense in order to keep pace with Ajo’s high-scoring second-half attack.
3. Momentum in the Second Half: Ajo’s ability to adjust and dominate in the second half will be a key factor in the game. If they can continue their strong fourth-quarter play, it may be difficult for Harvest Prep Academy to keep up. The ability of Harvest Prep Academy to respond and score effectively will be crucial to their chances of pulling off an upset.

Conclusion: A Battle of Momentum and Resilience

This playoff game between Ajo and Harvest Prep Academy will come down to which team can establish control early and maintain that advantage. Ajo’s high-scoring second half and consistent defense make them the favorite, but Harvest Prep Academy’s solid defensive play and potential for offensive improvement cannot be overlooked. If Harvest Prep Academy can find a way to generate more offense and stifle Ajo’s momentum in the second half, they could pull off the upset. Regardless of the outcome, this game promises to be a hard-fought contest with high stakes as both teams vie for a spot in the next round of the Arizona Football State Tournament – Division 1.

As the football season nears its conclusion, Ajo and Harvest Prep Academy are both positioning themselves for strong finishes and playoff berths. With the two teams facing off in a crucial matchup, both sides will look to continue their successful campaigns and add another win to their records. Here’s a closer look at the teams, their performance so far, and what to expect in this important game.

Team Performance Overview

Record Comparison:

• Ajo: Ajo enters this game with an impressive 6-2 overall record, including a 4-1 mark in league play. Their solid season has been built on consistent performances across both their league and non-league games.
• Harvest Prep Academy: With a 3-2 overall record and a 3-1 mark in league play, Harvest Prep Academy has had a competitive season. Their ability to perform in both league and non-league contests has kept them in the hunt for a strong finish.

The difference in records may indicate that Ajo has had a more consistent run throughout the season, but Harvest Prep Academy has shown resilience and the ability to compete with tough opponents.

Common Opponents Breakdown

Both teams have faced a common set of opponents this season, and their performances provide key insights into how they stack up against similar competition. Here’s a look at how Ajo and Harvest Prep Academy performed against their shared rivals:

1. James Madison Preparatory School:

   • Ajo: Ajo narrowly lost 24-22 to James Madison on September 12, 2024.
   • Harvest Prep Academy: Harvest Prep Academy suffered a 28-6 defeat to James Madison on September 19, 2024.
   • Analysis: Both teams faced a challenging opponent here, with Ajo coming closer to securing a victory, while Harvest Prep Academy struggled in their encounter.

2. Paradise Valley Christian Prep:

   • Ajo: Ajo dominated with a 44-0 win on October 4, 2024.
   • Harvest Prep Academy: Harvest Prep Academy secured a 30-6 victory against Paradise Valley Christian Prep on September 14, 2024.
   • Analysis: Both teams posted convincing wins, but Ajo’s larger margin of victory may suggest more dominance in this matchup.

3. Skyline – Gila River:

   • Ajo: Ajo triumphed 16-8 on October 17, 2024.
   • Harvest Prep Academy: Harvest Prep Academy was defeated 34-0 by Skyline on October 3, 2024.
   • Analysis: Ajo had a close win here, while Harvest Prep Academy faced a significant loss. Ajo’s ability to win in tight games could prove to be a strength in their upcoming matchups.

4. Tohono O’Odham:

   • Ajo: Ajo will face Tohono O’Odham on October 25, 2024.
   • Harvest Prep Academy: Harvest Prep Academy already faced Tohono O’Odham on October 17, 2024.
   • Analysis: This is a match that Ajo will have the opportunity to measure up against the same opponent that Harvest Prep Academy played, which could provide some valuable context for their upcoming matchup.

5. Sequoia Charter:

   • Ajo: Ajo defeated Sequoia Charter 36-6 on November 1, 2024, and 28-6 on November 7, 2024.
   • Harvest Prep Academy: Harvest Prep Academy defeated Sequoia Charter 36-6 on September 26, 2024.
   • Analysis: Both teams found success against Sequoia Charter, with solid victories by both squads. The consistent wins suggest that both teams are capable of dominating lesser competition.

Team Strengths

• Ajo: With a 4-1 record in league play, Ajo has proven to be a reliable team, capable of winning important games. Their victories over teams like Paradise Valley Christian Prep and Sequoia Charter highlight their offensive efficiency, while their narrow loss to James Madison suggests they can compete with tough opponents.
• Harvest Prep Academy: Although their overall record is slightly weaker, Harvest Prep Academy has shown strong performances, particularly in their wins against Sequoia Charter and Paradise Valley Christian Prep. However, their losses to James Madison and Skyline indicate areas of improvement.

Home and Away Performance

• Ajo: Ajo has been dominant at home with a 4-0 record, while their away record sits at 2-2. Their strong home-field advantage will likely be an asset as they look to carry momentum into the next part of their season.
• Harvest Prep Academy: Harvest Prep Academy has a solid 2-2 away record and a 1-0 neutral record. They’ve shown they can be competitive on the road, but their performances in neutral-site games and away games will be tested as they prepare for this upcoming matchup.

Record Breakdown

Here’s a closer look at how each team has performed in different scenarios:

• Ajo:

  • Overall: 6-2
  • League: 4-1
  • Non-League: 2-1
  • Home: 4-0
  • Away: 2-2

• Harvest Prep Academy:

  • Overall: 3-2
  • League: 3-1
  • Non-League: 0-1
  • Home: 1-0
  • Away: 2-2

Conclusion

With both teams boasting winning records, the game between Ajo and Harvest Prep Academy promises to be an exciting and pivotal matchup in the latter part of the season. Ajo enters the game with a stronger overall record, particularly in league play, but Harvest Prep Academy has demonstrated the ability to compete with solid teams, especially in their victories over Sequoia Charter and Paradise Valley Christian Prep.

The results from common opponents suggest that Ajo might have the upper hand, especially with their more consistent and dominant performances. However, Harvest Prep Academy will be hungry for a strong showing, especially with their upcoming matchups.

As both teams continue to push for playoff positions, this game could have significant implications for their final standings and postseason aspirations. Fans can expect a competitive battle that highlights the strengths of both teams and sets the stage for an exciting finish to the season.