The Stuart Hall varsity football team will host Branson in a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – 8-Person Division 1 tournament. Both teams will compete for a chance to advance in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Branson vs Stuart Hall
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – 8-Person Division 1
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Stuart Hall vs. Branson

The 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships are set for an exciting showdown as the undefeated Stuart Hall varsity football team hosts Branson on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 8-Person Division 1 tournament, and with both teams bringing strong records, it promises to be a thrilling contest.

Branson: Solid Season with a Strong Road Record

Branson enters the postseason with a 7-2 overall record and a 4-1 league mark. The team has been dominant at home, finishing with a perfect 5-0 record, while their away performance is a respectable 2-2. Branson’s offense has been efficient, averaging 50.2 points per game. The team has been particularly effective in the first half, scoring 12.0 points in the first quarter and 11.3 points in the second quarter. However, Branson’s fourth-quarter production has dropped to 6.3 points, which could be a challenge against an explosive Stuart Hall team.

Stuart Hall: Undefeated and High-Scoring

Stuart Hall enters this game with a perfect 10-0 record and an impeccable 5-0 league mark. The team has been dominant in every aspect of the game, averaging an impressive 62.6 points per game. Their offense is a well-oiled machine, with the team putting up 14.0 points in the first quarter and a staggering 23.3 points in the second. Although their scoring drops slightly in the fourth quarter (4.0 points), their ability to build huge leads early in games has been a significant advantage. Stuart Hall’s undefeated season and balanced offense make them a formidable opponent for any team.

Key Matchup: Branson’s Road Challenge vs. Stuart Hall’s Offensive Firepower

The key to this matchup will be how Branson handles Stuart Hall’s explosive offensive attack, especially in the first half. Branson will need to maintain their high-scoring pace to keep up with Stuart Hall’s ability to score in bunches. Additionally, Branson’s performance in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, will be crucial if they are to keep the game close. On the other hand, Stuart Hall will look to exploit Branson’s weak fourth-quarter scoring and continue their dominant run in the postseason.

As the season heads into its final stretch, Branson and Stuart Hall are two of the top teams to watch in their league. With impressive records and exciting gameplay, both teams have proven themselves capable of handling tough competition. In this article, we’ll break down how these two teams stack up statistically, highlight key players, and review their results against common opponents.

Team Statistics

Branson brings a balanced offensive approach, averaging 116.3 rushing yards and 188.8 passing yards per game, totaling 305.1 yards per game. Their offense is potent, but it’s their ability to score efficiently that stands out with 34.2 points per game. Defensively, Branson boasts 49.3 tackles per game, showing a strong presence on that side of the ball. They also generate 2.3 sacks per game, which highlights their ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks.

On the other hand, Stuart Hall has a more explosive offensive unit, averaging 100.6 rushing yards and 274.4 passing yards per game, giving them a total of 375.0 yards per game. Their offensive power is reflected in their impressive 49.4 points per game, making them one of the highest-scoring teams in their division. Defensively, Stuart Hall’s stats are slightly less formidable, with 5.8 tackles per game and a modest 0.2 sacks per game. However, their offensive prowess more than compensates for their defensive statistics.

Team Leaders

Branson relies on standout performances from several key players:

• Colby Buxton leads the rushing attack with 83.5 yards per game.
• Tom Lardner is a dual threat, both passing for 207.3 yards per game and contributing 241.4 total yards per game.
• Chase Hoeveler adds 78.2 receiving yards per game, and Buxton is also a scoring threat, leading with 10.0 points per game.

For Stuart Hall, the team is spearheaded by one exceptional player:

• Rhett Sypult is the primary offensive weapon, rushing for 92.2 yards per game and throwing for 256.4 passing yards per game, totaling 348.7 yards per game. He also scores an impressive 36.0 points per game.
• Max Oenning is another key player, contributing 106.8 receiving yards per game and complementing Sypult’s offensive production.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced off against several common opponents, with results that indicate their dominance:

• Branson faced Priory on September 7, 2024, winning 40-12, while Stuart Hall defeated Priory 60-12 on September 12, 2024.
• Branson took on Fresno Christian on September 13, 2024, losing 41-20, while Stuart Hall triumphed 62-28 against them on October 4, 2024.
• Both teams defeated Swett, with Branson winning 60-6 on October 10, 2024, and Stuart Hall emerging victorious 48-6 on November 1, 2024.
• South Fork also faced both teams, with Branson winning 58-0 on October 19, 2024, and Stuart Hall winning 64-34 on November 8, 2024.
• Roseland University Prep was another common opponent, with Branson winning 76-40 on November 2, 2024, and Stuart Hall winning 68-20 on October 18, 2024.
• Both teams faced Calistoga, with Branson winning 60-8 on November 9, 2024, and Stuart Hall defeating them 62-8 on October 11, 2024.

With both teams going 6-0 in their matchups against common opponents, it’s clear that they are among the top contenders in the league, with Branson showing a bit more consistency in its defense and Stuart Hall being an offensive juggernaut.

Record Breakdown

Branson comes into the game with a solid 7-2 overall record, including a 4-1 record in league play. Their non-league record stands at 2-1, and they have been particularly strong at home, with a 5-0 record. Branson’s only losses have come against tough competition, and they will be looking to bounce back strong in this crucial matchup.

Stuart Hall has been perfect so far this season, with an undefeated 10-0 record, including a 5-0 mark in league play. Their non-league performance has been flawless as well, with a 4-0 record. Stuart Hall’s ability to dominate both at home and away (6-0 record) reflects their consistent excellence throughout the season.

Home and Away Performance

• Branson has been perfect at home, with a 5-0 record, while their away record stands at 2-2, showing a bit more vulnerability on the road.
• Stuart Hall has been dominant both at home and away, with a perfect 4-0 record on the road and 4-0 at home, showing their ability to perform in various environments.

Playoff Outlook

Both teams are playoff-bound, with Branson boasting a 1-0 playoff record and Stuart Hall also holding a 1-0 mark in the postseason. Stuart Hall’s undefeated record will make them a strong contender, while Branson will need to capitalize on its playoff experience to make a deep run.

Conclusion

The matchup between Branson and Stuart Hall is shaping up to be a high-stakes, thrilling contest. Branson will look to capitalize on its defensive strength and well-rounded offensive play, led by key contributors like Colby Buxton and Tom Lardner. Meanwhile, Stuart Hall will rely on the exceptional performances of Rhett Sypult, who has been a key player in both the rushing and passing game, to lead them to victory.

With both teams undefeated against common opponents and impressive records on the line, this game is sure to be one of the most exciting matchups of the season. Fans can expect fireworks on both sides of the ball, and whichever team comes out on top will be well-positioned for a deep playoff run.