The Snowflake (AZ) varsity football team will host Canyon del Oro (Tucson, AZ) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships in Arizona’s Conference 4A tournament, where both teams compete for postseason glory.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football
Who: Canyon del Oro vs Snowflake
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 4A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Snowflake Hosts Canyon del Oro

The 2024 AIA State Football Championships in Arizona’s Conference 4A tournament is heating up as the Snowflake Lobos are set to host Canyon del Oro in an exciting home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. Snowflake, with a perfect 10-0 record, will look to maintain its undefeated season, while Canyon del Oro, with a 6-4 record, aims to pull off an upset on the road.

Canyon del Oro: Competitive but Inconsistent

Canyon del Oro enters the game with a solid 6-4 overall record, finishing with a 3-2 section mark. Despite their losing record away from home (2-3), the Dorados have demonstrated their ability to compete with some of the best teams in the state. The team’s offensive production has been relatively balanced, averaging 19.6 points per game. They have been able to generate more offense in the first half, averaging 5.6 points in the first quarter and 7.8 points in the second quarter. However, their scoring tends to drop off after halftime, with just 4.0 points in the fourth quarter and 3.6 points in the third. In a matchup with a high-powered team like Snowflake, Canyon del Oro will need to maintain offensive consistency throughout all four quarters if they hope to advance further in the tournament.

Key Stats:

• Overall Record: 6-4
• Section Record: 3-2
• Home Record: 4-1
• Away Record: 2-3
• Win %: .600
• Section %: .600
• Points For (PF): 196
• Points Against (PA): 198
• Average Points Per Game: 19.6

Snowflake: Undefeated and Unstoppable

Snowflake has been one of the most dominant teams in the state this season, finishing with a perfect 10-0 overall record and a flawless 4-0 section record. The Lobos have been especially strong at home, where they are undefeated with a 5-0 record, and they have also excelled on the road, going 5-0 away from home. Snowflake’s offense has been explosive, averaging an impressive 34.6 points per game. Their scoring is well-rounded, with consistent output in all four quarters. They start strong, averaging 7.6 points in the first quarter and 8.9 points in the second, and their momentum continues into the second half, where they average 8.4 points in the third and 8.6 points in the fourth.

On defense, Snowflake has been nearly as dominant, allowing just 118 points all season, an average of only 11.8 points per game. This defensive strength, combined with their potent offense, makes them one of the most formidable teams in the 4A tournament. As the top seed in their section, Snowflake will look to use their depth, experience, and home-field advantage to continue their quest for a state championship.

Key Stats:

• Overall Record: 10-0
• Section Record: 4-0
• Home Record: 5-0
• Away Record: 5-0
• Win %: 1.000
• Section %: 1.000
• Points For (PF): 346
• Points Against (PA): 118
• Average Points Per Game: 34.6

Scoring Breakdown: Canyon del Oro vs. Snowflake

When comparing the two teams’ scoring averages, Snowflake holds a clear advantage. Their high-powered offense, which averages 34.6 points per game, will present a significant challenge for Canyon del Oro, whose offense has been much less consistent, averaging just 19.6 points per game. While Canyon del Oro has shown the ability to score early, they will need to find a way to sustain that offensive pressure throughout the entire game to compete with Snowflake’s fast-paced and explosive attack.

Looking Ahead: A Battle of Strengths

As the two teams prepare for this crucial playoff matchup, it’s clear that Snowflake will be the favorite, with their undefeated record and high-scoring offense. However, Canyon del Oro has the potential to surprise, particularly if they can exploit any weaknesses in Snowflake’s defense and sustain their offensive production throughout all four quarters.

Friday’s game promises to be a thrilling contest, with Snowflake looking to defend their perfect season and advance to the next round of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships, while Canyon del Oro hopes to pull off an upset and continue their playoff run. Fans can expect an intense, action-packed evening of football as both teams battle for a spot in the next stage of the tournament.

As the high school football season continues, the matchup between Canyon del Oro and Snowflake promises to be a compelling contest. While both teams have enjoyed solid performances, their contrasting styles of play — from rushing offense to defensive approaches — will make this an exciting showdown. Let’s break down the team statistics, key players, and the important details to watch as these two teams prepare to meet on the gridiron.

Team Stat Comparison

Snowflake has been particularly effective on the ground this season, with an impressive 213.2 rushing yards per game. Leading this charge is Karter Raban, who averages 72.5 rushing yards per game. In contrast, Canyon del Oro has struggled to find consistency in the running game, averaging just 105.8 rushing yards per game, with Nick Mondragon (49.2 yards per game) being the primary contributor.

When it comes to passing, both teams have leaned on their air attacks, but with modest results. Canyon del Oro averages 83.3 passing yards per game, which is significantly lower than Snowflake’s 85.0 passing yards per game. Both teams rely on their quarterbacks to manage the offense, with Gavin Bower leading Canyon del Oro and Jacob LaDuke for Snowflake. While the passing game isn’t a central focus for either team, it can serve as a useful tool for moving the ball when necessary.

Total Yardage and Scoring

Snowflake dominates the total yardage category, averaging 298.2 total yards per game, compared to Canyon del Oro’s 189.1 yards per game. This difference reflects Snowflake’s more balanced offensive attack, which combines a strong running game with solid passing production. Canyon del Oro has struggled to generate consistent yardage, but their defense and ability to execute in key moments have kept them competitive.

In terms of scoring, Snowflake again holds the advantage, averaging 34.6 points per game, while Canyon del Oro scores 19.6 points per game. Snowflake’s offense has been more explosive, often putting up higher scores, while Canyon del Oro has faced challenges in generating sustained drives and converting them into points.

Defensive Performance

Defensively, Canyon del Oro has shown a more aggressive approach, averaging 43.7 tackles per game and 2.6 sacks per game. This suggests a team that is active in the backfield and focused on putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. In comparison, Snowflake has a more balanced defensive strategy, averaging 76.0 tackles per game and 1.9 sacks per game. While Snowflake’s defense is slightly more disciplined in terms of tackling, Canyon del Oro will likely need to rely on its defensive intensity to slow down Snowflake’s potent offense.

Key Players to Watch

Canyon del Oro:

• Gavin Bower (#7): The quarterback for Canyon del Oro, Bower is responsible for both passing and managing the offense. His ability to make plays in the air will be crucial for keeping pace with Snowflake’s high-scoring offense.
• Nick Mondragon (#22): The leading rusher for Canyon del Oro, Mondragon’s ability to generate yards on the ground will be essential in helping balance the offense and control the clock.
• Evan Greer (#8): A key defensive player, Greer averages 4.9 tackles per game and has recorded 1.1 sacks. His ability to get to the quarterback and stop the run will be vital for keeping Snowflake’s offense in check.
• Reece Douglas (#1): A playmaker on the offensive side, Douglas averages 6.6 points per game and will need to be involved in key moments to provide a spark for Canyon del Oro.

Snowflake:

• Karter Raban (#5): The standout running back for Snowflake, Raban averages 72.5 rushing yards per game. His ability to control the ground game and maintain possession will be crucial for Snowflake’s offense.
• Jacob LaDuke (#8): As the quarterback, LaDuke averages 137.2 total yards per game (both passing and rushing). His dual-threat ability will challenge Canyon del Oro’s defense and force them to account for both his arm and legs.
• Christian Smith (#1): A consistent playmaker in the receiving game, Smith averages 24.5 receiving yards per game and can provide LaDuke with a reliable target on passing plays.
• Aaden Coor (#22): A force on defense, Coor leads the team with 13.3 tackles per game and will be crucial in stopping Canyon del Oro’s offensive attempts.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar opponents this season, which offers insights into how they may match up in this game.

• Eastmark: Canyon del Oro lost to Eastmark 12-3 on August 30, 2024, while Snowflake defeated them 13-10 on October 25, 2024. While both teams had tight games against Eastmark, Snowflake’s win suggests a more resilient performance in close contests.
• Bradshaw Mountain: Canyon del Oro dominated Bradshaw Mountain with a 38-7 win on September 6, 2024, while Snowflake triumphed 47-27 on August 30, 2024. Both teams secured decisive victories, but Snowflake’s higher margin of victory shows their offensive capability.

Record Breakdown

Canyon del Oro (24-25)
Canyon del Oro comes into this matchup with a 6-4 overall record. Their 3-2 league performance shows they have been competitive within their conference but have struggled against higher-level opponents. Their home record of 4-1 has been strong, but they have faced challenges on the road, with a 2-3 away record.

Snowflake (24-25)
Snowflake enters the game with an undefeated 10-0 record, having dominated both their league (4-0) and non-league opponents (6-0). Their flawless home (5-0) and away (5-0) records demonstrate their consistency and ability to perform in any environment.

Conclusion

Snowflake comes into this matchup as the clear favorite, with a perfect 10-0 record and a high-powered offense that has been scoring at will. Their ability to control the ground game with Karter Raban and execute through the air with Jacob LaDuke gives them a well-rounded attack that can overwhelm opponents.

Canyon del Oro will need to lean on its defense and rushing attack to stay competitive. Their aggressive defensive style, combined with a strong performance from key players like Gavin Bower and Nick Mondragon, could give them a chance to challenge Snowflake’s dominance. However, Snowflake’s overall balance and depth on both sides of the ball may prove to be too much for Canyon del Oro to overcome.

This game will likely come down to whether Canyon del Oro can slow down Snowflake’s offense and find a way to generate enough points on their own to keep pace. If Snowflake’s offense clicks, they should emerge victorious, but Canyon del Oro’s defense will do everything it can to make this a close, hard-fought contest.