The Arizona College Prep (Chandler, AZ) varsity football team will host Arcadia (Phoenix, AZ) in a home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the “2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 4A” tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football Playoff
Who: Arcadia vs Arizona College Prep
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 4A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Arizona College Prep vs. Arcadia

As the 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 4A tournament intensifies, Arizona College Prep (Chandler, AZ) will host Arcadia (Phoenix, AZ) in a pivotal home playoff game today at 7 p.m. Both teams enter the game with strong records, but it’s Arizona College Prep’s dominant season that has set them apart as the favorites.

Arcadia: A Strong Contender

Arcadia enters the game with an impressive 9-2 overall record, including a 3-2 section mark. The Titans have been especially strong on the road, boasting a 4-1 away record. Arcadia’s offense averages 28.2 points per game, with their strongest quarter being the second, where they score an average of 15.7 points. While their offense has been productive, the Titans will need to elevate their game to contend with Arizona College Prep’s powerhouse squad.

Arizona College Prep: A Season of Dominance

Arizona College Prep has been nothing short of dominant this season, finishing with a 10-1 overall record and a perfect 5-0 section mark. The Knights have been especially strong at home, posting a perfect 5-0 record. Arizona College Prep’s offense has been explosive, averaging an impressive 45.7 points per game, with their strongest quarters coming in the first and second, where they score 12.7 and 16.3 points, respectively. Their defense has also been solid, allowing just 185 points over the course of the season, further bolstering their formidable standing.

Key Matchup: Arcadia’s Offensive Push vs. Arizona College Prep’s All-Around Strength

In this matchup, Arcadia’s offense will need to step up its production to challenge Arizona College Prep. While Arcadia has been effective in the second quarter and consistent throughout the game, they will need to find a way to break through Arizona College Prep’s solid defense. On the other hand, the Knights’ ability to score in all phases of the game will put Arcadia’s defense to the test.

What’s at Stake

This playoff game is a crucial step toward advancing in the 2024 AIA State Football Championships. Arizona College Prep is looking to continue their strong postseason run, while Arcadia will seek to pull off an upset and keep their state championship hopes alive.

As the football season heats up, the upcoming clash between Arcadia and Arizona College Prep promises to be a thrilling contest. Both teams have been exceptional this year, showcasing powerful offenses and solid defenses. This article provides a breakdown of their team statistics, key players, and performance records to set the stage for this exciting matchup.

Team Stats Comparison

Offensive Performance:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Arizona College Prep has the edge in the ground game, averaging 173.5 yards per game compared to Arcadia’s 119.9.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Arizona College Prep also leads in the passing department, averaging 217.2 yards per game, while Arcadia follows with 202.1.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Both teams are quite balanced in their receiving game. Arizona College Prep averages 217.7 receiving yards per game, slightly ahead of Arcadia’s 199.5.
• Total Yards Per Game: Arizona College Prep has a clear advantage in total yards per game, averaging 390.7 yards, while Arcadia follows with 322.0.

Defensive Performance:

• Tackles Per Game: Arizona College Prep records slightly more tackles per game, averaging 65.9 compared to Arcadia’s 62.1.
• Sacks Per Game: Both teams are relatively close in sacks, with Arizona College Prep averaging 2.1 sacks per game and Arcadia at 1.8.
• Points Per Game: Arizona College Prep has a higher offensive output, averaging 45.7 points per game, compared to Arcadia’s 27.2.

Pancake Blocks: Arizona College Prep also stands out with 73 pancake blocks, showcasing their dominance in the trenches, while Arcadia has not reported any pancake block statistics.

Key Player Comparisons

Arcadia’s Standout Players:

• Ryan Jimenez (#20) is the team’s primary rusher, averaging 77.4 yards per game.
• Braylen Rooney (#5) is both the team’s starting quarterback and passing leader, with 156.8 passing yards per game and 181.0 total yards per game.
• Ian Slater (#17) is a key receiving threat, accumulating 62.6 receiving yards per game and 6.0 points per game.
• Kayan Cobb (#41) leads the defense with 8.7 tackles per game.
• Jacob TeKamp (#67) contributes defensively with 0.7 sacks per game.

Arizona College Prep’s Key Players:

• Alec Grant (#26) is the team’s rushing leader, with 56.6 rushing yards per game.
• Evan Heinrich (#7) has been an impressive playmaker for Arizona College Prep, averaging 174.4 passing yards per game and 181.5 total yards per game.
• Ashton Sanchez (#1) is a standout receiver, leading the team with 53.8 receiving yards per game.
• Cam Mitchell (#8) is a key defender, contributing with 7.3 tackles per game.
• Blake Barrington (#60) adds to the defensive efforts with 0.4 sacks per game.
• Ronan Saloman (#72) stands out with 44 pancake blocks, highlighting his strength in the trenches.

Head-to-Head Record and Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some common opponents this season, but their performance against these teams shows Arizona College Prep’s consistent dominance.

• Arcadia’s Common Opponents Record: 3-1, with wins over Desert Sunrise (41-12), Mesquite (42-10), and Combs (24-15), and a narrow loss to Vista Grande (8-7).
• Arizona College Prep’s Common Opponents Record: 4-0, with commanding wins over Desert Sunrise (69-0), Mesquite (64-22), Combs (55-14), and Vista Grande (42-12).

While Arcadia has held their own against common opponents, Arizona College Prep has delivered even more dominant performances, particularly with their lopsided victories.

Overall Records and League Performance

• Arcadia: With a 9-2 overall record, Arcadia finished 3-2 in league play, demonstrating resilience in their conference. They have also excelled in non-league games with a 5-0 record.
• Arizona College Prep: Arizona College Prep boasts a perfect 10-1 overall record, with an undefeated 5-0 league performance. Their impressive 4-1 non-league record further highlights their dominance this season.

At home, Arizona College Prep has remained undefeated with a 5-0 record, while Arcadia has been strong on the road with a 5-1 away record. Arcadia also performed well at home, finishing 5-1 in their own stadium.

Playoff and State Record Comparison

• Arcadia: Arcadia has performed well in-state with an 8-3 record, reaching the playoffs with a 1-0 record.
• Arizona College Prep: Arizona College Prep has been nearly flawless in-state, with a 9-2 record and a 1-0 playoff performance.

Conclusion

As Arcadia faces off against Arizona College Prep, the game promises to showcase a clash of styles. Arizona College Prep’s explosive offense, led by quarterback Evan Heinrich and a strong receiving corps, will be tested by Arcadia’s defensive resilience. However, Arcadia will need to exploit their rushing game with Ryan Jimenez and Braylen Rooney’s dual-threat ability to keep up with Arizona College Prep’s high-scoring offense.

While Arizona College Prep enters the matchup as the favorite, having dominated both in common matchups and overall performance, Arcadia’s balanced approach and ability to win close games make them a formidable opponent. This matchup is set to be a high-energy contest, and it will be interesting to see which team can impose its style on the other.