The Skyline – Gila River (Chandler, AZ) varsity football team will face Harvest Prep Academy (Yuma, AZ) in a neutral-site playoff game today at 11 a.m. This matchup is part of the Arizona Football State Tournament – Division 1, where both teams will compete for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football Playoff
Who: Harvest Prep Academy vs Skyline – Gila River
When: Today, November 23, 2024
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Skyline – Gila River vs. Harvest Prep Academy

As the Arizona Football State Tournament – Division 1 heads into its critical stages, the neutral-site playoff matchup between Skyline – Gila River and Harvest Prep Academy promises to be a highly anticipated contest. Both teams have had strong seasons, but their contrasting styles make this a fascinating clash.

Harvest Prep Academy: Strong Defense but Inconsistent Scoring

Record Overview: Harvest Prep Academy comes into the game with a solid 5-2 record, boasting a win percentage of .714. The team has performed well in section play, finishing with a 4-1 record, and they have been perfect at home (3-0). However, their performance on the road has been less reliable, as they hold a 2-2 record away from home.

Scoring Breakdown: Harvest Prep Academy averages 25.1 points per game but has struggled with offensive consistency. Their scoring is particularly uneven, with no points in the first, third, or fourth quarters, but they manage to put up 3.0 points per game in the second quarter. While they have shown the ability to score, they will need to find more offensive balance to challenge Skyline – Gila River’s potent attack.

Defense: Harvest Prep Academy has been strong defensively, allowing just 106 points on the season, which averages out to only 15.14 points per game. This solid defense has kept them competitive, but their offense will need to step up to keep pace with Skyline – Gila River’s high-scoring offense.

Skyline – Gila River: A Dominant Force on Both Sides of the Ball

Record Overview: Skyline – Gila River has had an outstanding season, finishing with an 8-2 record and a .800 win percentage. The team has been especially dominant on the road, with a perfect 5-0 record away from home. They also finished section play strong, with a 6-2 record. Their all-around performance has made them one of the top teams in Arizona.

Scoring Breakdown: Skyline – Gila River boasts a high-scoring offense, averaging 35.0 points per game. Their first-half scoring is particularly strong, with 11.0 points in the first quarter and 10.3 points in the second quarter. They continue to build on this momentum in the third quarter with 13.0 points, although their scoring dips slightly in the fourth quarter with just 3.3 points. Their ability to put up points early will put pressure on Harvest Prep Academy’s defense.

Defense: Skyline – Gila River has been incredibly effective on the defensive side of the ball, allowing just 90 points on the season, or an average of only 9.0 points per game. This dominant defense, combined with their explosive offense, makes them a tough team to beat.

Key Comparisons: Skyline – Gila River vs. Harvest Prep Academy

• Offensive Edge: Skyline – Gila River has a clear advantage in terms of scoring, averaging 35.0 points per game compared to Harvest Prep Academy’s 25.1. Their ability to score consistently across all four quarters makes them a dangerous team, while Harvest Prep Academy will need to find ways to generate more offense, especially in the first and third quarters.
• Defensive Strength: While both teams have solid defenses, Skyline – Gila River’s defense has been more dominant, allowing just 90 points on the season. In comparison, Harvest Prep Academy has allowed 106 points. For Harvest Prep Academy to have a chance, they will need to significantly step up their defensive game to limit Skyline’s offensive production.
• Momentum: Skyline – Gila River has been the more consistent and dominant team throughout the season, especially on the road, where they have yet to lose. Harvest Prep Academy, while strong at home, has shown some inconsistency on the road, which could be a factor in this neutral-site playoff game.

The upcoming matchup between Harvest Prep Academy and Skyline – Gila River promises to be an exciting one, with both teams showcasing strong individual performances and impressive overall records. Let’s break down their season statistics, key players, and performances against common opponents to see how these teams stack up.

Team Record Breakdown

• Harvest Prep Academy: With a 5-2 overall record, Harvest Prep Academy has shown solid form this season. Their 4-1 league record highlights their strength in conference play. While they are 0-1 in non-league games, their success at home has been evident, with a 3-0 record. Their 1-0 record against Skyline – Gila River in head-to-head matchups gives them a slight advantage heading into this contest.
• Skyline – Gila River: Skyline – Gila River has posted an 8-2 overall record, a strong mark that includes a 6-2 record in league play. They’ve performed well in non-league games, with a 0-0 record in head-to-head matchups with Harvest Prep Academy. The team has been dominant at home, going 3-2, and perfect on the road, with a 5-0 record. Skyline – Gila River also holds a 2-0 playoff record, indicating they are well-prepared for postseason play.

Offensive Comparison

Both teams have displayed offensive firepower this season, with Skyline – Gila River having a slight edge in terms of yardage, but Harvest Prep Academy has some key players that make them a formidable opponent.

1. Rushing Yards: Phillip Rocha, a standout player for Skyline – Gila River, leads the team with 60.8 rushing yards per game. While Harvest Prep Academy does not have specific rushing stats, Rocha’s production on the ground remains a key factor for Skyline – Gila River.
2. Passing Yards: Phillip Rocha has been the centerpiece of Skyline – Gila River’s offense, with an impressive 146.5 passing yards per game. Harvest Prep Academy’s passing yards aren’t detailed, but with Rocha’s dual-threat ability, Skyline – Gila River appears to have a more balanced passing attack.
3. Receiving Yards: Amear Hawkins from Harvest Prep Academy has been the team’s top receiver, averaging 62.3 receiving yards per game. His contributions will be crucial in the passing game as the team looks to challenge Skyline – Gila River’s defense.
4. Total Yards: Phillip Rocha has racked up 207.3 total yards per game for Skyline – Gila River, demonstrating his ability to impact both the running and passing game. Harvest Prep Academy has not provided total yardage statistics, but with players like Hawkins in the mix, they can still put up significant numbers.
5. Points Per Game: Amear Hawkins has contributed greatly to the scoring efforts, averaging 16.7 points per game. His offensive output will be key to Harvest Prep Academy’s success as they try to keep up with Skyline – Gila River’s high-scoring attack.

Defensive Comparison

Defensively, both teams have shown their ability to shut down opponents at times, with Amear Hawkins of Harvest Prep Academy standing out on the defensive side.

1. Tackles: Amear Hawkins leads Harvest Prep Academy with 11.0 tackles per game, showing his impact on defense. Skyline – Gila River’s defensive stats aren’t listed, but Hawkins’ ability to rack up tackles provides a solid backbone to Harvest Prep Academy’s defense.
2. Sacks: Hawkins also leads his team with 2.0 sacks per game, making him a key playmaker in the defensive front. Skyline – Gila River’s sack leader isn’t listed, but with Hawkins‘s ability to get to the quarterback, Harvest Prep Academy can create pressure in critical moments.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar opponents this season, with a few notable results:

• Ajo: Harvest Prep Academy defeated Ajo in both of their matchups, with a 40-14 win on September 6 and a 16-12 win on November 15. Skyline – Gila River faced Ajo on October 17, but they lost 16-8.
• Paradise Valley Christian Prep: Harvest Prep Academy won 30-6 on September 14, while Skyline – Gila River dominated with a 38-0 win on November 1.
• James Madison Preparatory School: Harvest Prep Academy lost to James Madison 28-6 on September 19, but Skyline – Gila River had a tighter loss 42-38 on September 5 before winning 54-24 in a November 15 rematch.
• Sequoia Charter: Both teams had dominant victories, with Harvest Prep Academy winning 36-6 on September 26 and Skyline – Gila River winning 44-8 on October 24.
• Tohono O’Odham: Harvest Prep Academy did not record a result against Tohono O’Odham, but Skyline – Gila River won 2-0 (F) on September 13.
• American Leadership Academy: Harvest Prep Academy defeated American Leadership 48-6 on October 26, and Skyline – Gila River won 44-0 on August 29 and 44-0 again on November 7.

Key Players

• Harvest Prep Academy:
  • Amear Hawkins: A crucial player for Harvest Prep Academy, Hawkins is a two-way threat, contributing with 11.0 tackles per game, 2.0 sacks per game, and 16.7 points per game on offense.
  • Phillip Rocha: While more noted for his role in Skyline – Gila River’s offense, Rocha has had an exceptional season, contributing both in the rushing and passing games.
• Skyline – Gila River:
  • Phillip Rocha: A dynamic dual-threat quarterback, Rocha has accumulated 146.5 passing yards per game and 60.8 rushing yards per game, making him a major contributor to Skyline – Gila River’s success.
  • Amear Hawkins: As one of Harvest Prep Academy’s top players, Hawkins’ presence on both sides of the ball will be a major factor in their game against Skyline – Gila River.

Conclusion

Skyline – Gila River comes into this matchup with a stronger overall record and a more balanced offensive attack led by Phillip Rocha, who has been dominant both through the air and on the ground. However, Harvest Prep Academy, led by the all-around talent of Amear Hawkins, has the defensive and offensive capability to challenge Skyline – Gila River.

With strong individual performances and close matchups against common opponents, this game promises to be an exciting contest. Skyline – Gila River’s offensive firepower gives them the slight edge, but Harvest Prep Academy’s resilience and key players like Hawkins make them a formidable opponent capable of pulling off an upset.