The Basha High School varsity football team from Chandler, AZ, will host a home playoff game against ALA – Queen Creek from Queen Creek, AZ, today at 6 PM. This exciting matchup is part of the prestigious 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Open Division tournament. Fans can expect intense competition!
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Arizona State High School Football Playoff
Who: ALA – Queen Creek vs Basha
When: Today, November 30, 2024
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Open Division
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: ALA – Queen Creek vs. Basha
The stage is set for a thrilling playoff showdown as the ALA – Queen Creek Patriots take on the Basha Bears in the 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Open Division tournament. Both teams enter the matchup with impressive 10-1 overall records, showcasing their dominance throughout the season.
Team Performance Overview
ALA – Queen Creek
The Patriots have excelled in Division 4, boasting a .909 win percentage and an impressive 6-0 home record. Offensively, they have scored 331 points this season while allowing only 103 points against, demonstrating a sturdy defense and efficient scoring. Their strength is highlighted in their second quarters, where they average 12.7 points, leading to an average of 30.1 points per game.
Basha
Ranked second in Arizona and 36th nationally, the Bears are a powerhouse in Division 2. Matching ALA – Queen Creek’s .909 win percentage, they’ve displayed dominance in sectional play with a perfect 4-0 record. Their offensive firepower is unmatched, scoring a whopping 435 points this season, averaging 39.5 points per game. Their most productive quarters are the second and third, where they score 14.1 and 10.1 points, respectively.
Key Matchup Factors
- Offensive Strength: Basha’s high-scoring offense gives them an edge, with a significant scoring average nearly 10 points higher than ALA – Queen Creek.
- Defensive Stability: ALA – Queen Creek’s defense, which has allowed only 103 points all season, will be put to the test against Basha’s explosive lineup.
- Consistency Across Quarters: While both teams have strong opening halves, Basha’s ability to maintain high scoring into the third quarter could prove decisive.
Two powerhouses, ALA – Queen Creek and Basha, are set to clash in what promises to be a thrilling matchup. Both teams boast impressive records, key players, and standout statistics, making this contest a must-watch for fans. Here’s a breakdown of their team stats, standout performers, and recent records.
Team Stat Comparison
Offensive Powerhouses:
Basha holds a clear edge in total offensive production, averaging 426.5 yards per game compared to ALA – Queen Creek’s 354.5 yards per game. This difference stems largely from Basha’s aerial attack, which contributes 247.7 passing yards per game, outperforming ALA’s 197.1 passing yards per game.
The ground game, however, is more evenly matched. ALA averages 157.5 rushing yards per game, closely trailing Basha’s 178.8 yards per game. Both teams demonstrate balanced offensive capabilities that can keep defenses guessing.
Defensive Contributions:
Defensively, Basha has been more dominant, averaging 78.8 tackles per game compared to ALA’s 55.9 tackles per game. Both teams are strong in getting to the quarterback, each averaging about 3.4 and 2.5 sacks per game, respectively.
Scoring Efficiency:
When it comes to putting points on the board, Basha once again has the upper hand, averaging 38.8 points per game to ALA – Queen Creek’s 29.9 points per game.
Key Players to Watch
ALA – Queen Creek Leaders:
- Brandon Brown (#34) leads the rushing game with 92.5 yards per game, proving to be a consistent threat in the backfield.
- Britt Dewitt (#15) commands the passing attack with 193.8 passing yards per game and contributes a team-high 197.3 total yards per game.
- Bo Sparks (#5) leads the receiving corps, averaging 75.8 receiving yards per game.
- Defensively, Brody Michael (#12) averages 8.1 tackles per game, with Talon Roit (#14) adding pressure off the edge with 1.1 sacks per game.
Basha Leaders:
- Noah Roberts (#6) spearheads the ground game with 86.6 rushing yards per game and 11.5 points per game, making him a red-zone favorite.
- Broderick Vehrs (#8) drives the offense with 230.0 passing yards per game and an impressive 250.7 total yards per game, showcasing his dual-threat capability.
- Gio Richardson (#5) leads receivers with 80.1 yards per game, outpacing his ALA counterpart.
- On defense, Eli Cramer-Cronin (#44) is a tackling machine, averaging 14.5 tackles per game, while Darian (Bleu) Dantzler (#10) adds 1.1 sacks per game to pressure opposing quarterbacks.
Common Opponents and Results
Both teams are undefeated against common opponents, demonstrating their dominance:
- ALA – Queen Creek defeated Saguaro (38-10) and O’Connor (41-13).
- Basha routed Saguaro (50-0) and O’Connor (58-21).
Record Breakdown
Both teams enter with identical 10-1 records, but their journeys differ slightly:
- League Play: Basha leads with a perfect 4-0 league record, while ALA sits at 3-1.
- Playoff Success: Both teams are 1-0 in playoff action, adding stakes to this matchup.
- Home/Away Records: Both are undefeated at home (6-0) and strong on the road (4-1).
Game Outlook
The clash between ALA – Queen Creek and Basha is a battle of evenly matched titans, with Basha’s explosive offense and stout defense slightly tipping the scales. However, ALA’s balanced attack and ability to dominate in key moments make them a formidable opponent.
Fans should expect an electrifying game where turnovers, red-zone efficiency, and big plays could determine the outcome. It’s a showdown that highlights high school football at its finest.
Prediction and Impact
With both teams evenly matched in records and momentum, this game promises to be a fierce battle of strategy and execution. Fans can expect a game filled with high stakes and intensity as these top teams vie for a spot in the next round of the prestigious Open Division tournament. Kickoff is at 6 PM at Basha High School, and it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable evening of football.
