The Liberty (Brentwood, CA) varsity football team will host a home playoff game against Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, CA) on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This exciting match is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships in Division 2, as both teams compete for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Bishop O’Dowd vs Liberty
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 2
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Bishop O’Dowd and Liberty

As the 2024-2025 high school basketball season progresses, two teams have captured significant attention: Bishop O’Dowd and Liberty. Both teams have delivered strong performances, with impressive overall records and notable statistics. Let’s take a closer look at their rankings, records, and scoring patterns.

Bishop O’Dowd: Dominating the League

Bishop O’Dowd has been a force to reckon with this season, boasting a 9-2 overall record, with a perfect 6-0 league record. They have excelled in both their home and away games, with a 5-1 record at home and 4-1 on the road. Their performance translates into an impressive win percentage of .818, and they have dominated their league with a 1.000 league win percentage.

In terms of scoring, Bishop O’Dowd has maintained a balanced offensive attack. They have averaged 31.7 points per game across the four quarters. Their strongest quarters have been the second (12.1 points) and first (6.2 points), while they have managed to maintain a consistent scoring output in the third (6.9 points) and fourth (6.3 points) quarters. In overtime, they have managed to score an average of 3.0 points, indicating they are capable of closing out tight games.

Liberty: Consistent Performance and Offensive Efficiency

Liberty, with an overall record of 8-3, has also been performing admirably, ranking 103rd in California. Their league record stands at 4-1, with a solid away performance of 5-1 and a slightly less dominant home record of 3-2. Their overall win percentage is .727, and they have a league win percentage of .800.

Offensively, Liberty averages 28.3 points per game. Their most productive quarter is the first, where they average 9.4 points, followed by the second with 10.3 points. However, their performance dips significantly in the third quarter, where they score only 3.1 points on average. Despite this, they manage to maintain a solid finish, matching their fourth-quarter performance with 6.3 points.

Team Comparisons: Offense and Scoring Trends

When comparing the two teams’ scoring averages, Bishop O’Dowd has a clear edge in overall point production, averaging 31.7 points per game compared to Liberty’s 28.3 points. However, Liberty has shown a greater consistency in their scoring during the first half, particularly in the second quarter, where they outpace Bishop O’Dowd’s average.

Bishop O’Dowd’s scoring is more evenly distributed across all four quarters, whereas Liberty experiences a noticeable dip in the third quarter. This could suggest that Liberty faces challenges in maintaining their momentum after halftime, a potential area for improvement as the season progresses.

As we approach a highly anticipated matchup between Bishop O’Dowd and Liberty High School, let’s dive into the key statistics for both teams to better understand their strengths and weaknesses. Both teams have displayed strong performances this season, with Bishop O’Dowd boasting a 9-2 record and Liberty coming in at 8-3. While their overall records are similar, their playing styles and statistical leaders paint distinct pictures of what to expect from each squad.

Offensive Comparison

Rushing Yards Per Game: Bishop O’Dowd averages 146.6 rushing yards per game, while Liberty surpasses that with 216.6 yards per game. Liberty’s ground game is a clear strength, averaging 70 more rushing yards per game than Bishop O’Dowd. A big part of Liberty’s success on the ground comes from standout player Jaxon Bell, who leads the team with 147.5 rushing yards per game—well above the national average of 20.2 yards.

Passing Yards Per Game: In the passing game, Bishop O’Dowd leads with 145.9 yards per game, compared to Liberty’s 137.3. While Bishop O’Dowd’s passing attack is slightly more efficient, Liberty’s offense is more balanced, relying on both the run and pass to generate yardage. Devin Wilson leads Bishop O’Dowd with 176 passing yards per game, a key factor in their ability to move the ball through the air.

Receiving Yards Per Game: Bishop O’Dowd averages 165.7 receiving yards per game, while Liberty posts a slightly lower 136.6. Deji Ajose is Bishop O’Dowd’s top receiver, accumulating 63.3 receiving yards per game. Liberty’s receiving leader, Jaxon Bell, contributes both in rushing and receiving, with 42.4 yards per game through the air.

Total Yards Per Game: Bishop O’Dowd racks up 292.5 total yards per game, while Liberty leads with 353.9. Liberty’s diverse offensive attack gives them a significant edge in total yards, driven by Bell’s contributions both in the backfield and as a receiver.

Defensive Comparison

Tackles Per Game: Bishop O’Dowd leads in tackles per game with 56.1, a clear indication of their aggressive defensive play. Elliott Lewis is a key player on defense, averaging 8.8 tackles per game. Liberty, on the other hand, averages 39.5 tackles per game, with Zaire Calhoun contributing 6.3 tackles per game. While Liberty’s defense may not be as prolific in terms of total tackles, they have shown the ability to make critical stops when needed.

Sacks Per Game: The teams are close in sacks, with Bishop O’Dowd averaging 1.5 sacks per game and Liberty slightly ahead at 1.8. Bishop O’Dowd’s defense, led by Elliott Lewis with 0.5 sacks per game, is capable of generating pressure on the quarterback, although Liberty has a more formidable pass rush overall.

Scoring Comparison

Points Per Game: Bishop O’Dowd averages 34.3 points per game, significantly higher than Liberty’s 27.5. This indicates that Bishop O’Dowd’s offense is more potent at putting up points, helped by the strong performances of their skill players like Saliou Sow, who contributes 7.8 points per game. Liberty, while solid offensively, has scored fewer points on average, but their balanced attack still poses a significant threat.

Team Leaders

For Bishop O’Dowd, Saliou Sow leads the way with 102.9 rushing yards per game, while Devin Wilson is their passing and total yardage leader with 176 and 177.8 yards per game, respectively. On the defensive side, Elliott Lewis’ 8.8 tackles per game and 0.5 sacks per game demonstrate his ability to make an impact in multiple facets.

Liberty, on the other hand, is led by Jaxon Bell, who excels both as a rusher (147.5 yards per game) and receiver (42.4 yards per game), as well as contributing 10.9 points per game. Bell’s all-around skills will be crucial to Liberty’s success. Defensively, David Calkins Jr. is a standout with 0.8 sacks per game, showing the team’s ability to generate pressure.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Record: Both teams have solid records, with Bishop O’Dowd at 9-2 and Liberty at 8-3. This shows that both teams have been highly competitive in their respective leagues and non-league games.
• League Record: Bishop O’Dowd has a perfect 6-0 record in league play, indicating their dominance in conference matchups, while Liberty stands at 4-1.
• Home/Away Performance: Both teams are strong at home, with Bishop O’Dowd going 5-1 and Liberty also posting a 5-1 record at home. Both teams have shown resilience on the road as well, with Liberty sporting a 4-1 away record.

Conclusion

This matchup between Bishop O’Dowd and Liberty promises to be an exciting clash of styles. Bishop O’Dowd’s strong offensive output and defensive consistency will be tested against Liberty’s more balanced offense and dynamic playmakers like Jaxon Bell. With both teams excelling in different aspects of the game, the outcome could hinge on which team can control the line of scrimmage and make key plays in crucial moments. Fans can expect a thrilling contest that will showcase the best of high school football.