The Coastal Academy (Oceanside, CA) varsity football team is set to face Calipatria (CA) in a neutral playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships – Division V-AA tournament, with both teams competing for a chance to advance in the playoffs.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Calipatria vs Coastal Academy
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships (California) – Division V-AA
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Calipatria vs. Coastal Academy
The 2024 California High School Football Playoffs are heating up, and one of the standout matchups is set for today between Calipatria and Coastal Academy. Both teams have had strong seasons, and their playoff clash promises to be a thrilling contest.
Calipatria: A Strong Contender with an 8-2 Record
Calipatria enters the game with an impressive 8-2 record, having finished with a solid 2-1 mark in league play. Their performance has been strong across the board, with notable success on the road, where they recorded a 5-1 record. The team’s ability to score early and often has been a key strength, averaging 8.7 points in the first quarter and a powerful 21.7 points in the second. While their offense may slow a bit in the second half, their 37.3 points per game are a testament to their ability to put up big numbers. Defensively, they’ve allowed 208 points throughout the season, showing they can hold opponents in check when needed.
Coastal Academy: A Solid 10-2 Record with Defensive Dominance
Coastal Academy, with a 10-2 overall record, has been a tough competitor this season. They finished with a 4-1 mark in league play, and their 6-0 home record speaks to their strong presence on their turf. Coastal Academy’s offense averages 26.4 points per game, led by a balanced scoring attack that averages 3.3 points in the first quarter and a strong 7.4 points in the final frame. While their offense may not be as explosive as Calipatria’s, their defense has been remarkable, allowing just 114 points on the season. This defensive strength has been a significant factor in their success, making them a dangerous opponent in the postseason.
Key Factors for Both Teams
For Calipatria, the key will be maintaining their offensive rhythm, especially in the first half, where they’ve done the most damage. Their ability to score quickly and put pressure on Coastal Academy’s defense early could prove pivotal. Coastal Academy, on the other hand, will need to limit Calipatria’s high-powered offense and rely on their own steady defense to keep the game close. With a focus on controlling the pace and limiting big plays, Coastal Academy can put themselves in a good position to advance.
As the football season draws to a close, the match-up between Calipatria and Coastal Academy presents an exciting opportunity to compare the two teams based on their performance statistics. Both teams have had impressive seasons, with strong showings in both league and non-league play. Here’s a breakdown of how these two teams stack up in key areas:
Offensive Performance
Rushing Yards
Calipatria’s rushing attack is a standout feature of their offense, averaging an impressive 281.1 yards per game, significantly outpacing Coastal Academy’s 160.7 yards. Leading the charge for Calipatria is Dominic Hawk, who averages 162.1 rushing yards per game, putting him in the top 5 nationally. In comparison, Coastal Academy’s Moses Gilmour contributes 66.0 yards per game, demonstrating a balanced but less dominant rushing game.
Passing Yards
Calipatria’s passing game has been more modest, with 46.8 yards per game. Dominic Hawk contributes to this, adding 48.4 yards per game, but it remains a secondary aspect of their offense. Coastal Academy, on the other hand, has a much more prominent passing game, led by Zac Garland with 114.9 passing yards per game, positioning him in the top 15 nationally.
Receiving Yards
On the receiving end, both teams have similar outputs. Calipatria’s Juan Perez leads with 21.4 receiving yards per game, while Coastal Academy’s Asher Benner totals 46.3 yards per game, showing more reliance on aerial attacks.
Total Yards
When it comes to overall yardage, Calipatria takes a clear lead with 327.9 total yards per game, compared to Coastal Academy’s 288.2 yards. This is largely driven by their exceptional rushing game and moderate passing efforts.
Defensive Performance
Tackles Per Game
Coastal Academy’s defense has been stronger in terms of tackles, averaging 53.3 per game, compared to Calipatria’s 43.9. Leading the charge for Coastal Academy is Nozo Obado, who records 7.2 tackles per game, while Calipatria’s Jaiden Lopez contributes 5.1 tackles per game.
Sacks Per Game
Calipatria edges out Coastal Academy in sack production, averaging 3.0 sacks per game compared to Coastal Academy’s 1.7. This shows that Calipatria has a more disruptive defense, with Jaiden Lopez contributing 0.7 sacks per game, while Ryan Haggerty of Coastal Academy averages 1.0 sacks per game.
Scoring
Points Per Game
Calipatria’s offense has been highly effective, averaging 34.6 points per game, well above Coastal Academy’s 24.4. This offensive potency is a key factor in their success, especially with the combination of a potent rushing game and effective red-zone scoring.
Pancake Blocks
Calipatria has recorded one pancake block, a metric that highlights their offensive line play. Coastal Academy has yet to record a pancake block, which could point to a potential area of improvement in their offensive line.
Head-to-Head Comparison
While both teams have had excellent seasons, their common opponents provide a fascinating insight into their respective strengths. Calipatria boasts a perfect 4-0 record against their common opponents, which include teams like O’Farrell Charter and Maranatha Christian. Coastal Academy has also performed well against these teams, with a 5-1 record. Notably, Coastal Academy did suffer a narrow loss to Tri-City Christian but responded with key victories over teams like Victory Christian Academy and Maranatha Christian.
Overall Records
Calipatria
- Overall Record: 8-2
- League Record: 2-1
- Non-League Record: 5-1
- Home Record: 2-1
- Away Record: 5-1
- Playoff Record: 1-0
Coastal Academy
- Overall Record: 10-2
- League Record: 4-1
- Non-League Record: 5-1
- Home Record: 6-0
- Away Record: 4-2
- Playoff Record: 2-0
Both teams have posted strong records, with Coastal Academy edging out in overall wins and maintaining an undefeated home record. However, Calipatria’s road performances have been particularly impressive, suggesting that they can win in hostile environments.
Conclusion
As Calipatria and Coastal Academy prepare for their showdown, the key differences in their statistics paint a clear picture of what to expect. Calipatria’s dominance in rushing yards, total yards, and points per game suggests they will rely heavily on their powerful ground game to control the clock. Meanwhile, Coastal Academy’s strength lies in their passing attack and more aggressive defense, particularly in tackles and sacks.
This will undoubtedly be an exciting match-up between two well-coached, high-energy teams, each with a different style of play. Regardless of the outcome, both teams have proven themselves worthy competitors this season.
