The Miramonte varsity football team will host Benicia in a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 6 tournament. Both teams will be competing for a chance to advance further in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Benicia vs Miramonte
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 6
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Miramonte vs. Benicia

The 2024 high school football postseason is heating up, and one of the exciting matchups features Miramonte from Orinda, CA, hosting Benicia for a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 6 tournament, and both teams have had their fair share of ups and downs this season.

Benicia: A Season of Struggles but Hope for an Upset

Benicia enters the postseason with a 5-6 record, having finished with a .455 win percentage. Their league performance was more balanced, with a 2-2 record, though they have struggled away from home, posting a 1-4 record on the road. Their scoring this season has been inconsistent, with an average of 13.8 points per game. In particular, they have been unable to get much going in the second quarter, where they average 0 points, and have had trouble sustaining offensive momentum.

However, Benicia has been able to generate some success in the first and fourth quarters, where they average 1.4 and 2.6 points respectively. If they can capitalize on these opportunities and find a way to put up more points in the second and third quarters, they could make it a competitive game against Miramonte.

Miramonte: Strong at Home, But Facing Challenges

Miramonte, also with a 5-6 overall record, has had a challenging season, particularly within league play, where they finished 0-4. Despite this, they have been stronger at home with a 5-3 record. Miramonte’s offense has been more dynamic, averaging 28.2 points per game. Their scoring is relatively steady throughout the game, with 3.9 points in the first quarter, 6.4 points in the second, and 5.0 points in the third. Their fourth-quarter performance, averaging 5.1 points, indicates their ability to finish strong.

Miramonte will likely rely on their offensive consistency to overcome Benicia, who has struggled to generate offense. The key for Miramonte will be to maintain that steady scoring pace and avoid any lapses that could allow Benicia to gain momentum.

Key Matchup: Scoring Efficiency and Consistency

Miramonte has the clear advantage in terms of offensive production, with a much higher scoring average (28.2 points per game) compared to Benicia’s 13.8. Benicia’s inability to score consistently, especially in the second and third quarters, could hinder their chances of pulling off an upset. Meanwhile, Miramonte will look to exploit these gaps and continue their strong offensive play to secure a playoff victory.

As the football season intensifies, the matchup between Benicia and Miramonte promises to be an intriguing one, with both teams entering the contest with a 5-6 overall record. While their win-loss records are identical, their statistics and team dynamics tell a different story. Benicia and Miramonte have had varied performances this season, but both squads have the potential to make an impact on the field. Let’s break down their key team stats and individual leaders to gain insight into what could be an exciting game.

Offensive Comparison

Rushing Yards Per Game: Neither team excels in the rushing game, but Benicia has not listed any rushing yard statistics, leaving the focus on Miramonte’s performance. Miramonte averages 116.5 rushing yards per game, led by Derek Youn, who contributes 47.4 yards per game. Despite their limited rushing attack, both teams have relied more heavily on their passing game.

Passing Yards Per Game: Miramonte has a distinct advantage in the passing game, with an impressive 237.1 passing yards per game. Carson Blair has been instrumental for Benicia, passing for 234.3 yards per game, ranking him #2 in the team’s stats. However, Miramonte’s strong passing attack, led by Blair, has proven to be a key strength for their offense.

Receiving Yards Per Game: Both teams have solid receiving games. Benicia’s Jack Quinnild stands out, averaging 85.6 receiving yards per game, ranking #7 on the team’s statistics. Miramonte mirrors this with a balanced receiving game, where multiple players contribute to their 237.1 yards per game. Benicia’s offensive game plan centers around Quinnild, while Miramonte’s balanced approach gives them a deeper offensive arsenal.

Total Yards Per Game: Miramonte has a slight edge in total yardage, averaging 353.5 yards per game compared to Benicia’s 261.8 yards per game. This gap is primarily due to Miramonte’s superior passing and receiving yards. Both teams rely on their aerial game, but Miramonte has been more effective overall at moving the ball.

Defensive Comparison

Tackles Per Game: On the defensive side, Benicia’s Luke Milmoe is a standout with 9.7 tackles per game, ranking him #11 on the team. Miramonte’s defense is slightly less prolific, averaging 57.9 tackles per game, but they have players who contribute well across the board. While Milmoe has been a key player for Benicia, Miramonte’s defense as a whole has been effective at stopping the opposition.

Sacks Per Game: Miramonte leads in sacks, averaging 1.3 sacks per game, compared to Benicia’s 0.4 sacks per game. This edge in pass rush is critical, as it allows Miramonte to disrupt the opposing offense and create pressure on the quarterback.

Scoring Comparison

Points Per Game: Miramonte has been the more potent team offensively, averaging 28.2 points per game, while Benicia scores 25.5 points per game. Miramonte’s ability to generate more points per game, thanks to their effective passing and receiving game, gives them an advantage in terms of scoring output.

Team Leaders

For Benicia, Carson Blair has been the driving force, leading the team in both passing (234.3 yards per game) and total yards (261.8 yards per game). Jack Quinnild has been a standout receiver, contributing 85.6 yards per game. On defense, Luke Milmoe has been key with 9.7 tackles per game. Benicia will need Blair and Quinnild to continue their strong performances to keep up with Miramonte’s offensive firepower.

Miramonte is led by a balanced offensive attack, with Blair contributing 237.1 passing yards per game. Their defense is anchored by Andrew Davenport, who contributes 4 pancake blocks and a solid defensive presence. While they have several key players, their overall team chemistry and ability to execute on both sides of the ball have helped them to a solid season.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Record: Both teams have an identical 5-6 record, showing that they are evenly matched heading into this game.
• League Record: Benicia has a 2-2 record in league play, while Miramonte has struggled with a 0-4 league record.
• Non-League Record: Benicia performed better in non-league games, posting a 2-4 record, while Miramonte managed a 4-2 record outside of league play.
• Home/Away Performance: Miramonte has had better results at home (5-3) compared to Benicia’s struggles on the road (0-3). However, Benicia has performed well at home (4-2), which could provide them with a boost in the upcoming game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced common opponents this season, including Las Lomas, Acalanes, Alhambra, and College Park. While Benicia holds a 1-3 record against these teams, Miramonte has performed better with a 2-2 record. Notably, both teams suffered losses to Acalanes, but Miramonte posted a dominant win over Alhambra, while Benicia defeated them by a narrow margin of 20-17.

Conclusion

This matchup between Benicia and Miramonte presents an intriguing contrast in styles. While both teams have faced similar challenges throughout the season, Miramonte’s high-powered passing offense and balanced offensive attack give them the edge in terms of total yardage and scoring ability. However, Benicia’s strong individual performances from Carson Blair and Jack Quinnild, along with a solid defensive effort from Luke Milmoe, could make this a competitive game. With both teams hungry for a victory, fans can expect a hard-fought battle as they look to close out their season with a strong performance.