The Stuart Hall varsity football team is set to face Branson in a home playoff game today at 1 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – 8-Person Division 1 tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance further in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Branson vs Stuart Hall
When: Today, November 23, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Branson vs. Stuart Hall

As the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships heat up, the highly anticipated 8-Person Division 1 playoff game between Branson and Stuart Hall is set to be an exciting clash of two highly competitive teams. Both squads have enjoyed successful seasons, but their paths to this point reveal differing strengths that promise to make this game a thrilling contest.

Team Records and Rankings

• Branson enters the game with a 7-2 overall record. The team has been solid in league play, posting a 4-1 record. Branson has been particularly strong at home, finishing 5-0, though they’ve faced more challenges on the road with a 2-2 record. Scoring 452 points while allowing 191, Branson has shown a potent offense but will need to tighten up defensively when facing a team like Stuart Hall.
• Stuart Hall has been nothing short of dominant this season, entering the game with an undefeated 10-0 record. The team has been flawless in league play, finishing 5-0, and has been equally impressive both at home (4-0) and on the road (6-0). With a perfect win percentage of 1.000, Stuart Hall’s offense has been explosive, scoring 626 points, while their defense has only allowed 210 points. Their ability to control games on both sides of the ball has made them one of the top teams in the section.

Scoring Trends

• Branson:
  • Q1: 12.0 points
  • Q2: 11.3 points
  • Q3: 11.7 points
  • Q4: 6.3 points
  • Average Final Score: 50.2 points

  Branson’s scoring averages show a balanced attack across the first three quarters, with a slight dip in the fourth quarter. They typically start strong, but their ability to finish the game could be tested against the high-powered offense of Stuart Hall.

• Stuart Hall:
  • Q1: 14.0 points
  • Q2: 23.3 points
  • Q3: 17.3 points
  • Q4: 4.0 points
  • Average Final Score: 62.6 points

  Stuart Hall’s offensive firepower is evident, especially in the first half of games. They come out strong in the first quarter and build momentum through the second and third quarters. Though their scoring slows in the fourth, their large early leads often make it difficult for opponents to mount comebacks.

Key Matchup Considerations

• Branson’s Offensive Balance vs. Stuart Hall’s Defensive Dominance: Branson has shown they can score, but Stuart Hall’s defense, paired with their explosive offense, may pose a significant challenge. If Branson can execute early and keep pace with Stuart Hall in the first half, they might be able to capitalize on any late-game lapses by their opponent.
• Stuart Hall’s Early Dominance: Stuart Hall has been known to jump out to big leads, especially in the first half. Branson will need to match that intensity early on to stay competitive. With Stuart Hall’s scoring averages suggesting a potent offense, Branson’s defense will need to make adjustments to slow them down.

As the season unfolds, two standout teams, Branson and Stuart Hall, have impressed with their performances on both sides of the ball. While Branson has been strong, especially on offense, Stuart Hall has showcased a perfect record. Here’s a comparison of their team stats, key players, and results against common opponents.

Offensive Comparison

Rushing Yards Per Game
Branson leads in rushing yards per game with 116.3, powered by Colby Buxton, who averages 83.5 yards per game. Stuart Hall, though slightly behind at 100.6 rushing yards per game, is led by Rhett Sypult, who ranks first nationally in this category with 92.2 yards per game.

Passing Yards Per Game
Stuart Hall excels in the air, averaging 274.4 passing yards per game. Sypult is again the standout performer, contributing 256.4 yards per game, ranking first nationally. Branson, on the other hand, is strong in the passing game as well, averaging 188.8 yards per game. Tom Lardner leads Branson with 207.3 passing yards per game, making him a key part of their offensive scheme.

Receiving Yards Per Game
Branson’s receiving game averages 188.8 yards per game, with Chase Hoeveler contributing 78.2 yards per game, ranking third on the team. Stuart Hall has a notable 67.1 receiving yards per game. Max Oenning is the top receiver, averaging 106.8 yards per game, ranking 18th nationally.

Defensive Comparison

Tackles Per Game
Defensively, Branson averages 49.3 tackles per game, with Mo Jacoby contributing 7.3 tackles per game. On the other hand, Stuart Hall has a stronger defense with an average of 5.8 tackles per game, and Nico Rivera leads the team with 9.0 tackles per game, ranking 44th nationally.

Sacks Per Game
Branson’s defense has been effective in pressuring the quarterback, averaging 2.3 sacks per game. Griffin Harris leads in this category with 1.0 sack per game. Stuart Hall has recorded just 0.2 sacks per game, a notable difference between the two teams in terms of pass-rushing ability.

Special Teams and Playmaking

Points Per Game
Both teams are prolific scorers, but Stuart Hall has the edge, averaging 49.4 points per game. Sypult also leads in points per game with 36.0. Branson averages 34.2 points per game, with Colby Buxton leading the team with 10.0 points per game.

Performance Against Common Opponents

Both teams have faced several of the same opponents, with impressive results for both. Here’s a look at their performance against these common teams:

• Branson
  • Priory (W) 40-12
  • Fresno Christian (L) 41-20
  • Swett (W) 60-6
  • South Fork (W) 58-0
  • Roseland University Prep (W) 76-40
  • Calistoga (W) 60-8
• Stuart Hall
  • Priory (W) 60-12
  • Fresno Christian (W) 62-28
  • Swett (W) 48-6
  • South Fork (W) 64-34
  • Roseland University Prep (W) 68-20
  • Calistoga (W) 62-8

Both teams have been dominant against common opponents, with Stuart Hall securing victories by larger margins, especially in games like the 62-28 win over Fresno Christian. Branson, however, has also been impressive, particularly with their high-scoring wins.

Record Breakdown

• Branson
  • Overall: 7-2
  • League: 4-1
  • Non-League: 2-1
• Stuart Hall
  • Overall: 10-0
  • League: 5-0
  • Non-League: 4-0

Stuart Hall’s perfect 10-0 record stands out, reflecting their dominance throughout the season. Branson, with a strong 7-2 record, has been competitive, but their two losses have affected their overall standing.

Head-to-Head and Playoff Performance

• Branson vs. Stuart Hall: Branson lost to Stuart Hall in their only head-to-head meeting, a tight contest where Stuart Hall triumphed 1-0.
• Playoff Performance
  Both teams have shown potential in the postseason. Branson has a 1-0 record in playoff games, while Stuart Hall has also performed well in their postseason matches, with a 1-0 record.

Conclusion

Stuart Hall has had an outstanding season, remaining undefeated at 10-0, and they are especially dangerous on offense, led by their quarterback Rhett Sypult. Branson, while not as dominant overall, has been strong offensively and defensively, with key players like Colby Buxton and Tom Lardner leading the charge. The teams’ shared success against common opponents suggests that both are among the top teams in their league, and any future matchup between these two teams would certainly be an exciting contest.