The Berean Academy (Sierra Vista, AZ) varsity football team will face Heritage Academy (Mesa, AZ) today at 5 p.m. in a neutral-site playoff game. This matchup is part of the 2024 Arizona Football State Tournament – Division 3, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance in the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football Playoff
Who: Heritage Academy vs Berean Academy
When: Today, November 23, 2024
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Heritage Academy Faces Berean Academy in Arizona Football State Tournament

Heritage Academy, the undefeated powerhouse from Mesa, AZ, will take on Berean Academy of Sierra Vista in a neutral-site game today as part of the 2024 Arizona Football State Tournament – Division 3. With both teams boasting impressive records, the matchup promises to be a compelling one.

Heritage Academy: Dominating the Competition

Season Overview: Heritage Academy has been a dominant force this season, entering the game with a perfect 9-0 record. The team has been untouchable in both section and away games, finishing with an 8-0 record in section play and a flawless 4-0 mark on the road. Their offensive firepower, combined with a stifling defense, has made them a formidable contender.

Offensive Excellence: Heritage Academy’s offense averages an impressive 57.8 points per game. The team is balanced in its scoring, putting up 16 points in both the first and second quarters. While their offense slows a bit in the second half, with 8 points in the third quarter and 6 in the fourth, they consistently produce big numbers, making them tough to stop.

Defensive Strength: Heritage Academy’s defense has been equally impressive, giving up just 57 points across 9 games. With an average of just over 6 points allowed per game, they have been nearly impenetrable this season, a major factor in their undefeated record.

Berean Academy: Resilient but Facing a Tough Challenge

Season Overview: Berean Academy enters the contest with a solid 7-2 record, though the team has struggled in section play, finishing 0-2 in their section games. They have shown resilience, with strong performances in both home and away games (4-1 at home, 3-1 on the road), but their section record has been a significant hurdle.

Offensive Challenges: Berean Academy has averaged just 23.6 points per game, with most of their scoring occurring in the second half of games, averaging 6 points in the third quarter. However, they have struggled to get on the board early, particularly in the first and second quarters where they average 0 points. To challenge Heritage Academy, Berean will need to find ways to generate offense from the start and keep up with the high-scoring attack of their opponents.

Defensive Struggles: Berean’s defense has allowed 133 points this season, averaging 14.8 points per game. While their defense has shown the ability to limit opponents at times, facing a team like Heritage Academy with a potent offense presents a significant challenge.

Key to the Game

For Berean Academy, the key to staying competitive will be improving their offensive output early in the game. They will need to match Heritage Academy’s fast-paced offense and make adjustments to slow down their opponent’s high-scoring attack. Defensively, they must find ways to contain Heritage Academy’s explosive plays and keep the game within reach.

On the other hand, Heritage Academy will look to maintain their dominant form, relying on their ability to score quickly and efficiently while shutting down Berean Academy’s offense. Their defensive prowess will likely be a significant factor, as they’ve shown all season that they can stifle even the most potent offenses.

As the season heats up, Heritage Academy and Berean Academy are two teams that stand out in their respective leagues. Heritage Academy, with an undefeated record of 9-0, boasts a dominant offense and defense, while Berean Academy, at 7-2, has demonstrated resilience throughout the season. This upcoming matchup promises to be an exciting clash, with both teams possessing strong offensive units and varying strengths on defense.

Team Records and Performance

• Heritage Academy has been a juggernaut this season. With an overall record of 9-0 and a perfect 8-0 in league play, they’ve shown consistency on both sides of the ball. Their 5-0 home record and 4-0 road record highlight their ability to win in various environments.
• Berean Academy, while not unbeaten, has had a solid season with a 7-2 record. They have performed particularly well in non-league play, boasting a 5-0 record, but have struggled in league games, going 0-2.

Offensive Comparison

1. Rushing Attack:
   • Heritage Academy averages 206.8 rushing yards per game, with Ryan Nelson leading the charge, averaging 63.0 yards per game.
   • Berean Academy, led by Jeremiah Bethea, averages 159.3 rushing yards per game, with Bethea contributing 69.5 yards per game, making him a key player for their offensive success.
2. Passing Game:
   • Heritage Academy excels in the passing game with Mattson Young at the helm, averaging 206.1 passing yards per game. This balance between rushing and passing has made them a dynamic offensive threat.
   • Berean Academy relies more heavily on the run, with Bethea throwing for 102.4 yards per game. Their passing attack averages just 96.6 yards per game, relying on efficiency rather than volume.
3. Receiving Game:
   • Heritage Academy has an impressive receiving unit, with Kaden Bergman leading the way, averaging 85.0 receiving yards per game. As a team, they average 206.7 receiving yards per game.
   • Berean Academy’s passing game is less prolific, with Isaac Merill leading the receivers with 31.4 yards per game. Their overall receiving yards per game stand at 96.6.
4. Total Yards:
   • Heritage Academy averages a whopping 412.9 total yards per game, showcasing their well-rounded offensive attack.
   • Berean Academy, by comparison, averages 255.9 total yards per game, relying on ball control and efficient scoring.
5. Scoring:
   • Heritage Academy has been one of the highest-scoring teams in the league, averaging 58.7 points per game, with Ryan Nelson contributing 17.6 points per game.
   • Berean Academy averages 23.4 points per game, with Logan Sealey contributing 11.3 points per game. Their lower scoring total reflects their more methodical approach to offense.

Defensive Comparison

1. Tackles:
   • Heritage Academy is solid on defense, averaging 53.4 tackles per game. Ryan Nelson leads the team with 10.3 tackles per game, playing a pivotal role in their defensive schemes.
   • Berean Academy averages 33.8 tackles per game, with Logan Sealey leading the team with 9.4 tackles per game.
2. Sacks:
   • Heritage Academy is aggressive on defense, averaging 5.2 sacks per game, with Varis Carling contributing 1.7 sacks per game.
   • Berean Academy, by contrast, has struggled to generate pressure, averaging just 0.9 sacks per game, with Mason Meske contributing 0.4 sacks per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced several common opponents this season:

• Heritage Academy defeated Western SciTech 56-7 on September 13, while Berean Academy won 32-20 against them on November 7.
• Both teams triumphed over Imagine Prep Superstition, with Heritage Academy winning 62-6 on October 25, and Berean Academy winning 51-8 on October 18.
• Heritage Academy also easily defeated Mission Heights Prep 72-24 on November 1, while Berean Academy secured a 52-8 victory over them on September 5.

Key Players

• Heritage Academy:
  • Ryan Nelson is the standout player for Heritage Academy, contributing both on the ground (63.0 rushing yards per game) and in scoring (17.6 points per game).
  • Mattson Young has been a crucial part of their offense, passing for 206.1 yards per game.
• Berean Academy:
  • Jeremiah Bethea has been the key offensive player, contributing 69.5 rushing yards and 102.4 passing yards per game.
  • Logan Sealey anchors the defense with 9.4 tackles per game and also contributes offensively with 11.3 points per game.

Conclusion

The upcoming match between Heritage Academy and Berean Academy promises to be a high-stakes affair. Heritage Academy’s powerful offense and aggressive defense make them the favorites, but Berean Academy’s disciplined play and key individual performers could make this a competitive game. With both teams having faced common opponents, this matchup will be a true test of both teams’ strengths as they look ahead to the postseason.