The Arcata (CA) varsity football team will host Bethel (Vallejo, CA) in a home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 6 tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance to the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Bethel vs Arcata
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game preview: Bethel vs. Arcata

Tonight at 7 p.m., the Arcata varsity football team will host Bethel in a highly anticipated North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 6 playoff game. With the stakes high and a spot in the next round on the line, both teams are gearing up for an exciting matchup.

Bethel Season Overview

Bethel enters the playoffs with a 3-7 overall record, finishing the season with a .300 win percentage. Despite their struggles, the team found some success in league play, posting a 3-1 record. On the road, they were less successful, with a 2-3 record away from home. Bethel’s offense has struggled throughout the season, averaging just 14.3 points per game.

The team has had difficulty generating points early in games, with an average of only 0.9 points in the first quarter. While their scoring improves in the second quarter (4.9 points), the offense tends to slow down in the second half, with just 3.1 points in the third and 2.3 points in the fourth. To compete with Arcata’s high-powered offense, Bethel will need to find a way to increase their scoring production and stay competitive for all four quarters.

• Overall Record: 3-7
• League Record: 3-1
• Home Record: 1-4
• Away Record: 2-3
• Points Scored: 143
• Points Allowed: 269
• Average Points Per Game (Final): 14.3
• Section Ranking: 88th
• Division Ranking: 13th

While Bethel’s offense has struggled this season, they’ll be hoping to execute a solid game plan and capitalize on any mistakes made by Arcata.

Arcata Season Overview

Arcata, on the other hand, enters the playoffs with a dominant 9-1 record, boasting a .900 win percentage. The team was particularly strong at home, finishing the regular season 5-0 at home. Arcata’s offense has been explosive all year, averaging 37.6 points per game. They have consistently put up high numbers in the first three quarters, averaging 13.8 points in the first quarter, 14.2 points in the second, and 12.6 points in the third. However, their scoring drops off in the fourth quarter, with just 1.2 points in the final period.

Despite the slight dip in the fourth, Arcata’s early offensive surges have been enough to carry them through most games this season. The team will look to maintain that offensive firepower in the playoffs and avoid a fourth-quarter collapse against a Bethel team that will be looking to capitalize on any opportunity.

• Overall Record: 9-1
• League Record: 5-1
• Home Record: 5-0
• Away Record: 4-1
• Points Scored: 376
• Points Allowed: 118
• Average Points Per Game (Final): 37.6
• Section Ranking: 28th
• Division Ranking: 3rd

Arcata’s high-powered offense and strong defense make them a formidable opponent heading into the playoffs, and they’ll be looking to extend their strong season in front of a home crowd.

Key Matchup: Offense vs. Defense

The biggest storyline in this game will be the battle between Arcata’s explosive offense and Bethel’s struggling defense. Arcata has been one of the top-scoring teams in the division, averaging over 37 points per game, and will look to continue that success against a Bethel defense that has allowed 269 points this season. Bethel will need to find a way to slow down Arcata’s offense, especially in the first half, where Arcata has been most effective.

On the other side of the ball, Bethel’s offense will have to step up to compete with Arcata’s defense. Bethel has averaged just 14.3 points per game, which will likely not be enough to keep up with Arcata’s scoring potential. Bethel will need to improve their offensive execution and find ways to score consistently, particularly in the first half, to stay within reach of Arcata.

Looking Ahead:

As Arcata heads into the playoffs as the clear favorite, they will look to continue their strong season and advance to the next round. With an offense that has been lighting up the scoreboard and a defense that has allowed only 118 points, Arcata will be confident going into this matchup.

For Bethel, this game represents a chance to pull off an upset and make a deep run in the tournament. They will need to improve on both sides of the ball and execute their game plan to perfection to keep pace with Arcata’s high-powered offense.

This game promises to be an exciting one, with the high-scoring Arcata team looking to continue their dominant season, while Bethel hopes to play spoiler and advance further in the North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 6. Fans can expect a thrilling contest, with plenty of action as both teams battle for a spot in the next round of the playoffs.

As the high school football season progresses, teams strive to enhance their game plans and performances in pursuit of league championships and playoff berths. The teams of Bethel and Arcata have had distinct experiences in 2024, and this article will break down a head-to-head comparison based on key statistics and player performances.

Overall Performance

Looking at the season records, Bethel and Arcata are at different points in their respective seasons:

• Bethel enters the latter part of the season with a 3-7 overall record, including a challenging 0-6 mark in non-league games.
• Arcata, on the other hand, has had a far stronger performance, boasting a 9-1 record overall and a 5-1 record in league play. Their dominance in the league and undefeated status in non-league matchups (4-0) highlight their resilience and ability to perform under pressure.

Key Stat Comparison

When comparing the statistical averages, Bethel and Arcata show notable differences in their overall offensive and defensive capabilities.

Bethel Team Statistics:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Bethel averages 204.0 yards per game, a strong figure that showcases their reliance on the ground game.
• Passing Yards Per Game: With 210.5 yards per game, Bethel is quite balanced in their offensive attack, mixing both the run and the pass effectively.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Bethel’s receiving game is highly productive, averaging 213.6 yards per game, which allows their offense to stretch the field vertically.
• Total Yards Per Game: Overall, Bethel racks up an impressive 414.5 yards of total offense per game, indicating their ability to move the ball efficiently.
• Tackles Per Game: The defense also holds their own with an average of 45.7 tackles per game, showing their aggressive approach to stopping opposing offenses.
• Sacks Per Game: Bethel has 1.9 sacks per game, indicating a moderate pass rush that could pose problems for opposing quarterbacks.
• Points Per Game: With an average of 37.6 points per game, Bethel’s offense is explosive, making them a formidable force on the field.

Arcata Team Statistics:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Arcata is a little less potent on the ground, averaging 150.6 rushing yards per game.
• Passing Yards Per Game: Arcata excels in the passing game, posting 210.5 yards per game, matching Bethel’s passing output.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: With 213.6 yards per game, Arcata’s receiving corps is as efficient as Bethel’s, providing solid support for their passing game.
• Total Yards Per Game: Arcata averages 361.0 total yards per game, slightly behind Bethel’s mark of 414.5, but still strong.
• Tackles Per Game: Arcata’s defense posts 45.7 tackles per game, showing they are equally committed to stopping their opponents.
• Sacks Per Game: Arcata’s sack rate is lower than Bethel’s, averaging 1.9 sacks per game compared to Bethel’s 1.9 sacks per game.
• Points Per Game: Arcata’s offense is slightly more prolific, scoring an average of 38.6 points per game, edging Bethel’s 37.6.

Team Leaders

Bethel:

• Luke Lemke is the standout for Bethel in multiple categories. As a rusher, passer, and total offensive leader, he averages 112.4 rushing yards per game and 200.6 passing yards per game. Lemke’s 313 total yards per game make him a constant threat and a dual-threat quarterback.
• Cal Tucker leads in receiving yards with 61.6 per game, and also contributes significantly to the team’s scoring with 8.2 points per game.
• Lincoln Neuman stands out on defense with 8.0 tackles per game, a key player in Bethel’s defensive scheme.
• Liam Gorona leads the team in sacks with 1.7 sacks per game, showing his ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks.

Arcata:

• Cal Tucker is also a star player for Arcata, leading the team in receiving yards with 61.6 per game, and contributing 8.2 points per game.
• Luke Lemke, a standout quarterback for Bethel, is a key player for the offense.
• Lincoln Neuman