The St. Vincent de Paul (Petaluma, CA) varsity football team will host Arroyo (San Lorenzo, CA) in a playoff game today at 1 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships, Division 5 tournament, as both teams vie for a chance to advance in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football
Who: Arroyo vs St. Vincent de Paul
When: Today, November 16, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 5
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: St. Vincent de Paul vs. Arroyo

The 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships will feature an exciting playoff matchup between St. Vincent de Paul (Petaluma, CA) and Arroyo (San Lorenzo, CA) today at 1 p.m. This game promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams bringing impressive records and high-powered offenses to the field.

Team Records and Performance

St. Vincent de Paul enters the game with an outstanding 9-1 overall record, boasting a perfect 5-0 league performance. Their dominance throughout the regular season has been remarkable, with a strong 4-0 record at home and a solid 5-1 mark away. St. Vincent de Paul has been a juggernaut on offense, scoring a remarkable 465 points while allowing only 158, showcasing their ability to both dominate offensively and shut down opponents defensively. Their league win percentage of 1.000 highlights their success and sets high expectations for the postseason.

Arroyo, with an 8-2 overall record, has also had an impressive season. Their 4-1 league record demonstrates their competitiveness, and their performance on the road (4-1) reflects their ability to win in challenging environments. Arroyo has scored 330 points on the season while allowing 138, showing a balanced approach to offense and defense. Their .800 win percentage indicates they are a formidable opponent, but they will face a tough challenge against the high-scoring St. Vincent de Paul team.

Scoring Averages and Key Stats

St. Vincent de Paul has averaged an incredible 46.5 points per game, with a well-rounded offense that excels across all quarters. They start strong, averaging 14.1 points in the first quarter and 15.0 in the second quarter, and maintain a solid output through the third quarter (11.9 points). Their ability to sustain their offensive pressure throughout the game makes them a difficult team to stop.

Arroyo, averaging 33.0 points per game, has a slightly different offensive rhythm. They score 6.1 points in the first quarter, which is a slower start compared to St. Vincent de Paul, but they ramp up their production significantly in the second quarter, averaging 10.5 points. While Arroyo’s offensive strength is spread across the first three quarters, they tend to score less in the fourth quarter (5.8 points), which may play a crucial role in the outcome of this game.

Key Factors to Watch

• St. Vincent de Paul’s Offensive Explosion: With their high scoring average of 46.5 points per game, St. Vincent de Paul will rely on their offensive firepower to control the game. Their ability to score early and often could prove overwhelming for Arroyo if they can build an early lead.
• Arroyo’s Consistency Across Quarters: Arroyo will need to find a way to compete with St. Vincent de Paul’s potent offense. They’ll likely need to capitalize on their stronger second and third quarters and try to contain St. Vincent de Paul’s scoring in the second half.

This game is set to be a battle of high-powered offense against a balanced attack. St. Vincent de Paul’s explosive offense will test Arroyo’s defense, while Arroyo will need to capitalize on their strengths and attempt to keep the game competitive. With both teams having the potential to score big, this playoff matchup is sure to be an exciting and closely contested affair.

As the season heats up, one of the most anticipated matchups will feature Arroyo taking on St. Vincent de Paul, two teams that have impressed with strong performances across the board. Arroyo enters with a solid 8-2 record, while St. Vincent de Paul has been dominant, holding a 9-1 record heading into this showdown. Both teams boast potent offenses and defenses capable of making game-changing plays. Let’s break down the key stats and players that will play pivotal roles in this highly anticipated matchup.

Team Statistics Comparison

Offensive Strengths

Both teams rely heavily on their rushing attacks, but St. Vincent de Paul has a slight edge in overall offensive production.

• Rushing: Arroyo has been strong on the ground, averaging 258.9 rushing yards per game, with Joseph Estes leading the charge at 161.5 rushing yards per game. St. Vincent de Paul isn’t far behind, averaging 222.9 rushing yards per game, with Mason Caturegli leading the way with 109.1 rushing yards per game. This battle in the trenches will be critical, as both teams will look to control the clock through their respective running backs.
• Passing: When it comes to passing, St. Vincent de Paul has the upper hand, averaging 193.9 passing yards per game, with Gabe Casanovas passing for 187.6 yards per game. Arroyo’s passing game is more modest, with Jonah Shelton averaging 71.1 passing yards per game. St. Vincent de Paul’s ability to stretch the field could be the difference maker if they need to adjust their offensive approach.
• Total Yardage: St. Vincent de Paul leads the way in total yardage, racking up 416.8 total yards per game, compared to Arroyo’s 330.0 total yards per game. A large part of this difference comes from St. Vincent de Paul’s ability to balance both the run and the pass effectively.

Defensive Play

While both teams can put up big numbers on offense, they also feature solid defensive units, each capable of slowing down opposing offenses.

• Tackles: St. Vincent de Paul excels in tackling, averaging 59.9 tackles per game, with Hudson Kensic leading the team at 7.1 tackles per game. Arroyo averages 40.8 tackles per game, with Owen Thomason contributing 5.5 tackles per game. The ability of St. Vincent de Paul to swarm to the ball and finish tackles will be crucial in limiting Arroyo’s explosive rushing attack.
• Sacks: Both teams are fairly close in terms of sack production, with St. Vincent de Paul averaging 1.7 sacks per game and Arroyo at 1.6 sacks per game. The ability to put pressure on the quarterback could determine who gets the upper hand, especially when passing situations arise.

Scoring

St. Vincent de Paul’s offense has been particularly high-scoring, averaging 46.3 points per game, compared to Arroyo’s 33.0 points per game. The standout in this category is St. Vincent de Paul’s ability to find the end zone, with Mason Caturegli scoring 16.2 points per game and Gabe Casanovas contributing a strong 10.8 points per game. Arroyo’s Joseph Estes, who contributes 10.8 points per game, will need to step up if they are to keep pace with St. Vincent de Paul’s potent offense.

Record Breakdown

• Arroyo has posted an 8-2 overall record this season, including a 4-1 league record. They have been strong both at home (4-1) and away (4-1), showing consistency across the board.
• St. Vincent de Paul boasts a 9-1 overall record, with a perfect 5-0 record in league play. Their success on the road (5-1) and at home (4-0) suggests they can perform in various environments, adding confidence to their title hopes.

Key Players to Watch

• Arroyo: Joseph Estes (RB) has been a force in the backfield, leading the team with 161.5 rushing yards per game. Jonah Shelton (QB) will need to continue managing the game effectively and make key throws when needed. Landon Botelho (WR) is a key receiving option, though the offense is more focused on the run.
• St. Vincent de Paul: Gabe Casanovas (QB) has been exceptional, throwing for 187.6 passing yards per game and contributing to a balanced offensive attack. Mason Caturegli (RB) is the workhorse of the offense, with over 100 rushing yards per game. Tye Nickens (WR) will be a significant playmaker in the passing game.

Conclusion: A Clash of Powerhouses

This matchup between Arroyo and St. Vincent de Paul promises to be a hard-fought contest. Arroyo’s strong running game, led by Joseph Estes, will be tested against the well-rounded offense of St. Vincent de Paul, which combines a strong running attack with an explosive passing game led by Gabe Casanovas.

Defensively, St. Vincent de Paul’s ability to make tackles and put pressure on the quarterback will be a key factor in slowing down Arroyo’s offense. On the other hand, Arroyo will need to control the clock with its ground game and prevent St. Vincent de Paul’s offense from running up the score.

With both teams coming in with solid records and high expectations, this game will likely come down to which team can dictate the pace and execute in the key moments. Expect fireworks on both sides of the ball, as these two teams battle for supremacy.