The St. Joseph Academy varsity football team from San Marcos, CA, is set to face Calvin Christian from Escondido, CA, in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships (California) – Division VI (8-Man) tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Calvin Christian vs St. Joseph Academy
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships (California) – Division VI (8-Man)
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: St. Joseph Academy vs. Calvin Christian

The 2024–2025 season has culminated in an electrifying playoff showdown as St. Joseph Academy and Calvin Christian prepare to face off in the CIF San Diego Section Football Championships (Division VI, 8-Man). Both teams have demonstrated impressive skills and strategies this season, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.

Season Records and Rankings

St. Joseph Academy, boasting a stellar 9-1 overall record, has dominated their league with a perfect 2-0 record. Ranked 254th nationally and 8th in California, they hold the top spot in both their section and division. Their balanced performance across all venues, including a 4-0 record at home and 4-1 away, highlights their consistency.

Calvin Christian, with a solid 7-3 record, has shown strong form despite a 0-2 league mark. Ranked 490th nationally and 17th in California, they are second in their section and division. Notably, their away performance (3-2) underscores their ability to challenge opponents on the road.

Offensive and Defensive Strengths

St. Joseph Academy has been a powerhouse, outscoring opponents with a staggering 522 points while allowing only 142. Their average of 52.2 points per game is bolstered by strong starts, particularly in the first and second quarters, where they average 14.7 and 19.6 points, respectively.

Calvin Christian has also delivered offensively, averaging 44.4 points per game. They are especially effective in the second quarter, with a 14.0-point average, but their defensive struggles have seen them concede 302 points across the season.

Key Matchup Insights

The game pits St. Joseph Academy’s high-octane offense and stout defense against Calvin Christian’s versatile scoring and road-tested resilience. St. Joseph’s perfect league record and dominant defensive stats make them favorites, but Calvin Christian’s ability to adapt and capitalize on scoring opportunities could tilt the balance in a tightly contested matchup.

What’s at Stake?

With a championship on the line, both teams will be eager to prove themselves in this neutral-site playoff battle. Fans can expect a clash of strategies, with St. Joseph likely relying on their explosive early-game offense and Calvin Christian aiming to counter with a balanced attack and a strong second-quarter push.

This playoff game promises to be a thrilling culmination of an exciting season, with both teams vying for glory in the 2024 CIF San Diego Section Football Championships.

As the season heads into the final stretch, the upcoming match between Calvin Christian and St. Joseph Academy is shaping up to be an exciting and closely-watched game. The two teams have shown impressive performances so far, with St. Joseph Academy standing out with a strong 9-1 overall record, while Calvin Christian has posted a 7-3 record. Let’s take a closer look at how these two teams stack up across key statistical categories, team leaders, and common opponents.

Team Stats Comparison

Calvin Christian and St. Joseph Academy exhibit contrasting playing styles, especially in terms of offensive and defensive output.

• Rushing and Passing Yards:
  St. Joseph Academy has been dominant in the running game, averaging an impressive 427.9 rushing yards per game, significantly outperforming Calvin Christian, who averages 169.1 rushing yards. Calvin Christian has shown more balance in the passing game with 124.2 passing yards per game, whereas St. Joseph Academy averages only 28.0 passing yards.
• Total Yards:
  St. Joseph Academy again takes the lead with an average of 455.9 total yards per game, compared to Calvin Christian’s 293.3 yards. This difference is largely due to their overwhelming rushing attack.
• Points Per Game:
  St. Joseph Academy also leads in scoring, averaging 53.6 points per game, while Calvin Christian is behind with 22.4 points per game.
• Tackles and Defense:
  Calvin Christian leads in tackles per game with 56.0, compared to 51.6 for St. Joseph Academy. However, St. Joseph Academy has been more effective in creating pressure, averaging 4.5 sacks per game, which could be a key factor in disrupting Calvin Christian’s offensive rhythm.

Individual Leaders

Each team features standout players who have excelled in various facets of the game.

• Calvin Christian’s Leaders:
  • Blake Elders has been the team’s top rusher, averaging 109.0 rushing yards per game.
  • Cole Souders is the leader in passing, with an average of 186.3 yards per game, while also contributing significantly as a receiver with 119.5 yards per game.
  • Caleb Brower leads the receiving corps, with 119.5 yards per game.
  • On defense, Blake Elders leads with 14.3 tackles per game.
• St. Joseph Academy’s Leaders:
  • Mathew Adams is a dual-threat for St. Joseph Academy, leading both in rushing (122.0 yards per game) and total yards (257.7 yards per game).
  • Paolo Puccio is the team’s top passer, though the team’s pass-heavy offense is less central compared to the running game.
  • Josh Clow leads the team in receiving with 11.9 yards per game.
  • On defense, Asher Larkin is a key contributor, with 8.8 tackles per game, while Conall McMahon has been the team’s standout pass rusher, averaging 1.3 sacks per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced a few of the same opponents this season, giving us insight into how they measure up against similar competition.

• Julian: Both teams faced Julian, with Calvin Christian winning 46-0 on the road and St. Joseph Academy securing a 44-0 home victory.
• California Lutheran: St. Joseph Academy defeated California Lutheran 62-30, while Calvin Christian fell short 42-40 in a nail-biting loss.
• Calvary Chapel: Both teams were victorious against Calvary Chapel, with Calvin Christian winning 64-16, and St. Joseph Academy posting a dominant 56-8 win.
• Borrego Springs: St. Joseph Academy won 58-0 against Borrego Springs, while Calvin Christian triumphed 60-28 in a home game.
• Foothills Christian: In their most recent encounter with Foothills Christian, both teams came away with victories—Calvin Christian winning 50-34 and St. Joseph Academy securing a 24-6 win.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Record:
  • St. Joseph Academy holds a commanding 9-1 record, while Calvin Christian is 7-3.
• Head-to-Head:
  St. Joseph Academy has the advantage in head-to-head games with a 1-0 record over Calvin Christian.
• League and Non-League Performance:
  St. Joseph Academy has been dominant in league play with a 2-0 record, while Calvin Christian has a 0-2 league record. In non-league play, however, Calvin Christian holds a 5-1 record, slightly outperforming St. Joseph Academy’s 6-1 non-league record.
• Home and Away:
  Both teams have been effective at home, with St. Joseph Academy holding a perfect 4-0 home record and Calvin Christian posting a solid 4-1 record at home. However, on the road, St. Joseph Academy’s 4-1 away record slightly edges out Calvin Christian’s 3-2 mark.

Conclusion

The upcoming matchup between Calvin Christian and St. Joseph Academy will be a clash of contrasting styles—Calvin Christian with a balanced attack and solid defensive effort, and St. Joseph Academy with an unstoppable rushing game and high-scoring offense. St. Joseph Academy’s depth and dominance in the run game give them the edge in this matchup, but Calvin Christian’s ability to mix things up on offense and their strong defense will make them a tough opponent. The team that can control the tempo and execute their game plan effectively will likely come out on top.

Fans of both teams are in for an exciting showdown as these two teams look to make a statement in the final stretch of the season.