The St. Bonaventure varsity football team from Ventura, CA, will take on Apple Valley in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 4 tournament, promising an exciting contest between these two teams.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Apple Valley vs St. Bonaventure
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 4
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Apple Valley vs. St. Bonaventure

The St. Bonaventure varsity football team from Ventura, CA, will face Apple Valley on a neutral field on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 4 tournament, setting up an exciting battle between two strong teams.

Team Records and Rankings

Apple Valley enters the matchup with a solid 8-3 overall record and a strong 4-1 league performance. The team has been particularly dominant at home, going 5-2, and has had success on the road as well, posting a 3-1 away record. Apple Valley has a win percentage of .727 and has scored 350 points while allowing just 187, making them a balanced and formidable opponent.

St. Bonaventure also boasts an 8-4 overall record, with a 3-2 mark in league play. While they have struggled a bit on the road with a 2-4 record, they have been dominant at home, going 5-0. With a win percentage of .667, St. Bonaventure has scored 360 points but allowed 356, suggesting a slightly less consistent defense but a potent offense capable of putting up big numbers.

Scoring Averages

Apple Valley has shown consistency throughout their games, averaging 31.8 points per contest. They have been particularly strong in the first half, scoring an average of 9.4 points in the first quarter and 10.2 in the second. Their offensive output slows down somewhat in the second half, with 6.2 points in the third quarter and 6.4 points in the fourth.

St. Bonaventure’s offense is just as capable, averaging 30.0 points per game. They start strong, averaging 7.6 points in the first quarter and 7.1 in the second. Their scoring picks up in the second half, averaging 10.1 points in the third quarter and 7.2 points in the fourth. St. Bonaventure’s ability to rally in the second half could give them an edge if the game remains close.

What’s at Stake?

This playoff clash is a critical opportunity for both teams to advance further in the CIF Southern Section Football Championships. Apple Valley will look to continue their strong season, relying on their early-game offense, while St. Bonaventure will aim to leverage their late-game scoring prowess to secure the win. With both teams showing offensive power, the game promises to be a thrilling and competitive matchup.

Fans can expect an exciting contest as two high-scoring teams face off for a chance to move closer to a Division 4 title.

As the 2024 season draws to a close, Apple Valley and St. Bonaventure have both enjoyed strong seasons, with Apple Valley finishing with an 8-3 record and St. Bonaventure at 8-4. These two teams, both playoff-bound, showcase a blend of impressive rushing and passing attacks, as well as solid defensive play. Let’s dive into a head-to-head comparison of their key stats and what to expect from their upcoming matchup.

Offensive Comparison

• Rushing Yards: St. Bonaventure holds a slight edge in the running game, averaging 220.7 rushing yards per game compared to Apple Valley’s 198.1. Koen Glover has been a key player for St. Bonaventure, leading the team with 160.6 rushing yards per game, while Ezra Hastings has been the primary ball carrier for Apple Valley, contributing 48.2 rushing yards per game. St. Bonaventure’s ability to move the ball on the ground will be crucial in wearing down Apple Valley’s defense.
• Passing Yards: Apple Valley leads in passing yards, averaging 159.0 yards per game compared to St. Bonaventure’s 125.3. Jacob Higgs has been efficient through the air, throwing for 148.4 passing yards per game. St. Bonaventure’s Jaxson Carper, though not as prolific, contributes 88.0 passing yards per game, with Darrien Johnson as his primary target. Apple Valley’s superior passing game could provide a key advantage if they need to air it out.
• Receiving Yards: Apple Valley also has the edge in receiving yards, averaging 159.5 yards per game, led by Dominic Bechtel, who pulls in 52.2 receiving yards per game. St. Bonaventure averages 124.7 receiving yards per game, with Darrien Johnson leading the team with 41.9 yards per game. While Apple Valley’s receiving corps is more productive, St. Bonaventure has relied on a balanced attack, keeping teams guessing with both the run and the pass.
• Total Yards: Apple Valley averages 357.1 total yards per game, while St. Bonaventure averages 346.0 yards per game. While the difference is relatively small, Apple Valley’s ability to generate more total yardage, especially in the passing and receiving game, could give them an edge in a high-paced, high-scoring matchup.

Defensive Comparison

• Tackles Per Game: St. Bonaventure has been the more active team defensively, averaging 61.5 tackles per game compared to Apple Valley’s 54.5. Philip Wilson III leads St. Bonaventure’s defense with 8.4 tackles per game, while Anthony Navarro has recorded 6.5 tackles per game for Apple Valley. St. Bonaventure’s higher tackle count suggests they are more engaged in shutting down opposing offenses.
• Sacks Per Game: Apple Valley has a slight advantage in sacks, averaging 3.2 sacks per game compared to St. Bonaventure’s 2.3. Anthony Navarro leads Apple Valley with 1.0 sack per game. St. Bonaventure’s pass rush is less prolific but still capable of applying pressure, especially with Jaden Few contributing 0.9 sacks per game.

Scoring Comparison

• Points Per Game: Apple Valley averages 31.3 points per game, a bit higher than St. Bonaventure’s 30.0. Jacob Higgs has been a key contributor to Apple Valley’s scoring, putting up 8.9 points per game. St. Bonaventure’s Koen Glover has been their primary scorer with 14.0 points per game. The difference in scoring shows how both teams can put up points, with Apple Valley slightly more prolific.
• Pancake Blocks: St. Bonaventure boasts 36 pancake blocks on the season, showing their strength in the trenches. Apple Valley has recorded 10 pancake blocks, indicating that while they are solid upfront, St. Bonaventure’s offensive line has been particularly dominant this season.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Record: Both teams finished the regular season strong, with Apple Valley at 8-3 and St. Bonaventure at 8-4. The difference in overall record is marginal, showcasing how both teams have been highly competitive throughout the year.
• League Record: Apple Valley finished league play with a 4-1 record, while St. Bonaventure finished 3-2. Both teams were successful in their respective leagues, though Apple Valley’s slightly better league record gives them a slight edge in terms of consistency within conference play.
• Non-League Record: Apple Valley recorded a 2-2 non-league record, while St. Bonaventure finished with a 3-2 record. Both teams were tested by tough non-league competition, but St. Bonaventure’s slightly better performance outside of league play may have prepared them for tougher matchups.
• Home/Away Record: Apple Valley performed well at home with a 5-2 record, but struggled a bit on the road, finishing 3-1. St. Bonaventure, on the other hand, was nearly perfect at home with a 5-0 record and 2-4 on the road. Apple Valley’s ability to perform at home could be an advantage in a postseason setting.
• Playoff Record: Both teams enter the playoffs with a 2-0 record, showing they are capable of performing when the stakes are highest. This strong playoff performance sets up a highly anticipated matchup as both teams are ready to make deep runs.

Conclusion

This upcoming matchup between Apple Valley and St. Bonaventure will showcase two talented and well-rounded teams. St. Bonaventure has a more dominant rushing attack, while Apple Valley counters with a stronger passing game. Both teams have solid defenses, but St. Bonaventure’s ability to rack up tackles and play aggressively will be key. The game will likely come down to which team can execute better in all facets—running, passing, and defense.

With similar overall records, both teams have shown they are playoff-ready and can perform at a high level under pressure. Expect a hard-fought, competitive game as both squads aim to make a deep postseason run.