The Miramonte (Orinda, CA) varsity football team is set for a neutral playoff game against Arcata (CA) today at 1 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships, Division 6 tournament. Both teams will compete for a chance to advance in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California State Football Championship
Who: Arcata vs Miramonte
When: Today, November 30, 2024
Bracket: 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 6
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Arcata vs. Miramonte

The high school basketball season can often be a story of ups and downs, with teams finding their groove at different times, and the 2024-2025 season for Arcata and Miramonte is a prime example of two teams heading in very different directions.

Arcata’s Dominant Season

Arcata has put together an exceptional run this season with an overall record of 24-25, showcasing a 11-1 win-loss record, a remarkable .917 winning percentage. This dominant performance includes a near-perfect home record of 7-0, showing their strength on their home court, and a solid 4-1 record on the road. The Tigers also posted an impressive 5-1 league record (.833), outscoring opponents 497 to 164, a margin that highlights their defensive dominance as well as their offensive prowess.

Looking deeper into the statistics, Arcata has consistently outperformed their opponents in each quarter. Averaging 13.8 points in the first quarter and 14.2 in the second, they build a solid foundation for the second half. The third quarter is another productive period for the team, averaging 12.6 points. Even in the final moments, Arcata keeps their foot on the pedal with a 1.2-point average in the fourth quarter, ensuring that they close out games in style. This scoring efficiency, combined with their defensive stability, has allowed them to blow away opponents and rack up high wins.

Miramonte’s Struggles

In contrast, Miramonte has faced significant challenges, posting a balanced 6-6 overall record with a .500 win percentage. However, their league performance has been a struggle, with the team failing to win a single league game, posting a 0-4 record and a 0% league win rate. With a defense that has allowed 270 points, they have been far less effective at keeping opposing teams in check.

Looking at the scoring averages, Miramonte has had difficulty finding their rhythm. They only average 3.9 points in the first quarter, making it challenging to keep up with fast-starting teams like Arcata. Their second quarter sees a slight improvement to 6.4 points, but it’s clear they have trouble finding sustained offensive success. The team scores an average of 5.0 points in the third quarter, and their offense only marginally improves to 5.1 points in the fourth quarter. This pattern of low-scoring periods indicates an ongoing issue in both scoring consistency and possibly overall team chemistry.

Key Comparisons

• Overall Performance: Arcata stands out with their strong overall and league performance, while Miramonte struggles, particularly in league play.
• Scoring Consistency: Arcata has more consistent scoring across the game, whereas Miramonte’s low-scoring first quarter sets a tone for their overall offensive struggles.
• Defense: Arcata’s defense has been highly effective, allowing just 164 points in 12 games, a significant contrast to Miramonte, which has allowed 270 points in its 12-game schedule.

As the 2024-2025 high school sports season progresses, Sacred Heart Prep and Burlingame high schools are emerging as two teams to watch in their respective leagues. Both teams, with their distinct strengths and weaknesses, have provided fans with exciting and closely contested matchups. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison of their season statistics, team performances, and key takeaways.

Sacred Heart Prep (6-6 Overall, 1-4 League Record)

Sacred Heart Prep has had a balanced, albeit challenging, season with a 6-6 overall record. Despite struggles within their league, where they’ve posted a 1-4 record, the team has managed to show resilience and put up competitive performances.

Scoring Performance: Sacred Heart Prep averages 18.7 points per game, with their offensive contributions spread across all four quarters. They tend to start slow in the first half, scoring an average of just 5.5 points in the first quarter and 3.1 in the second quarter. However, the team picks up momentum in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter where they average 6.0 points. Their ability to perform better towards the latter part of games reflects their resilience, even if it hasn’t been enough to clinch many league wins.

Defensive Overview: On the defensive side, Sacred Heart Prep has allowed 242 points across the season, resulting in an average of 20.2 points per game allowed. This is slightly higher than their scoring average, indicating that while their offense is competent, they may need to shore up their defense to close out games successfully.

Burlingame (8-4 Overall, 3-2 League Record)

Burlingame has been performing at a significantly higher level this season, posting an 8-4 overall record, with a stronger 3-2 mark in league play. Their solid performance both at home and on the road has put them in a favorable position within their section.

Scoring Performance: Burlingame has averaged 21.3 points per game, which is a notable step ahead of Sacred Heart Prep’s scoring. Their offense is particularly strong in the first half, with a robust 5.8 points in the opening quarter and 7.5 points in the second quarter. While their offense slows down in the second half, with averages of 3.8 points in the third quarter and 4.4 in the fourth, they have often built enough of a lead earlier in the game to hold off opposing teams.

Defensive Overview: Defensively, Burlingame has allowed just 199 points throughout the season, which translates to an average of 16.6 points per game. Their defense has been a major factor in their success, as they have been able to maintain a strong lead by limiting the opposition’s ability to score, especially in the second half.

Head-to-Head: Sacred Heart Prep vs. Burlingame

When comparing the two teams, it’s clear that Burlingame has been the more consistent performer, both in terms of offense and defense. Their higher win percentage (.667) and more balanced scoring are key factors that have contributed to their success this season.

Sacred Heart Prep, on the other hand, has shown flashes of promise but needs to find a way to become more consistent throughout the entirety of games. Their ability to rally in the fourth quarter shows that they can compete but could benefit from improving their first-half performances.

Key Areas for Improvement

• Sacred Heart Prep: If Sacred Heart Prep is to improve their overall record and league standing, they’ll need to focus on boosting their offensive output in the first half of games, especially the second quarter, where they have struggled the most. Additionally, tightening up their defense will be crucial to avoid giving up too many points throughout the game.
• Burlingame: While Burlingame has been strong, they could benefit from better second-half performances. Their scoring drops off in the third and fourth quarters, which could leave them vulnerable if they face stronger competition that can capitalize on those opportunities.

Conclusion

Both Sacred Heart Prep and Burlingame have had intriguing seasons so far, each with their own set of strengths and weaknesses. Burlingame’s strong all-around performance and defensive prowess have helped them establish themselves as a top contender, while Sacred Heart Prep will look to improve their consistency and defensive strategies to close out games and contend in their league. The rest of the season will be crucial for both teams as they aim to refine their gameplay and secure more wins.