The San Ramon Valley varsity football team will host Cardinal Newman in a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 1/Open tournament. Both teams will compete for a spot in the next round of the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Cardinal Newman vs San Ramon Valley
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 1/Open
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: San Ramon Valley vs. Cardinal Newman

The 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships continue with a thrilling Division 1/Open playoff game between San Ramon Valley and Cardinal Newman. This highly anticipated matchup will take place on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. in Danville, where both teams will look to extend their strong seasons and make a run in the postseason.

Cardinal Newman: Dominant at Home, Tough on the Road

Cardinal Newman enters the playoffs with a 10-1 record, boasting an impressive 7-0 home performance. The team has been highly successful throughout the season, with a solid 3-1 record on the road. Cardinal Newman’s offense has been explosive, averaging 35.4 points per game. They are particularly strong in the first half, scoring an average of 13.2 points in the first quarter and 12.8 in the second. However, their offense tends to slow down in the second half, with only 6.0 points in the third quarter and 3.4 in the fourth. This drop-off could be a point of concern against a talented San Ramon Valley team.

San Ramon Valley: Balanced Offense and Home Dominance

San Ramon Valley also enters the postseason with a 10-1 record, mirroring Cardinal Newman’s win percentage. The team has been perfect at home, finishing 6-0, while their road record is 4-1. San Ramon Valley’s offense is equally potent, averaging 32.8 points per game. Their scoring is well-balanced throughout the game, with 9.0 points in the first quarter, 13.8 in the second, and 7.9 in the third. Like Cardinal Newman, they tend to cool off slightly in the fourth quarter, scoring 5.4 points. San Ramon Valley’s ability to maintain offensive consistency will be a key factor in their playoff success.

Key Matchup: Offensive Efficiency and Second Half Adjustments

The key to this game will be how both teams perform in the second half. While both Cardinal Newman and San Ramon Valley are strong in the first half, they tend to see a decrease in offensive production in the third and fourth quarters. For Cardinal Newman, the ability to sustain their offensive momentum through the second half will be crucial, while San Ramon Valley will look to capitalize on any offensive lulls by their opponent. Both teams’ defenses will need to adjust to keep the high-scoring offenses in check.

As the high school football season progresses, two powerhouse teams, Cardinal Newman and San Ramon Valley, stand out with identical 10-1 records. Both teams are playing exceptional football, and with similar offensive and defensive metrics, their upcoming matchup promises to be a thrilling contest. In this article, we’ll dive into the stats, key players, and past performance of both teams to highlight what to expect from this exciting showdown.

Team Statistics Breakdown

Cardinal Newman has been a force on the ground, averaging an impressive 209.0 rushing yards per game, compared to San Ramon Valley’s 106.6. The Cardinals’ rushing attack is led by Jamari Gentry, who averages 104.1 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, San Ramon Valley relies on a more balanced offensive approach, with 233.5 passing yards per game, thanks to standout quarterback Rhett Thompson who averages 224.6 yards per game.

Both teams are potent in the air, with Cardinal Newman averaging 149.2 passing yards per game, and San Ramon Valley matching that with 233.5 receiving yards per game. Overall, Cardinal Newman averages 358.2 total yards per game, while San Ramon Valley posts 340.2 yards, showing how evenly matched they are on the offensive side.

When it comes to defense, Cardinal Newman averages 52.5 tackles per game and generates 2.8 sacks per game. In contrast, San Ramon Valley averages 50.2 tackles and 3.1 sacks per game. This highlights both teams’ ability to get pressure on the quarterback and limit opposing offenses.

The point differential is also close, with Cardinal Newman scoring 35.4 points per game and San Ramon Valley averaging 32.8 points per game, both teams showing their capacity to put up high-scoring numbers.

Key Players to Watch

For Cardinal Newman, several players stand out:

• Jamari Gentry is the star of the rushing attack, contributing 104.1 yards per game and scoring 6.5 points per game.
• Tino Retamoza contributes 121.9 passing yards per game and is also a key figure in the team’s overall offensive output, totaling 154.6 yards per game.
• On defense, Jimmy McKenzie leads the way with 6.8 tackles per game and contributes 1.1 sacks, playing a vital role in the team’s defensive success.

On the other side, San Ramon Valley’s offense is built around Rhett Thompson, who has been outstanding, passing for 224.6 yards per game and totaling 215.6 total yards per game. Matthew Garibaldi is another key offensive player, contributing 78.0 rushing yards per game and scoring 7.2 points per game. Marco Jones, with 9.6 tackles per game, leads the defense, while Kaleb Pleis adds to their defensive pressure with 1.2 sacks per game.

Record Breakdown and Performance

Both teams have identical 10-1 records this season, showing their dominance. Their performances can be broken down as follows:

• Cardinal Newman has posted a strong 5-0 record in non-league play, demonstrating their ability to handle teams outside their league. Their league record stands at 4-1.
• San Ramon Valley, similarly, has been perfect in non-league play with a 6-0 record and has also been strong in league competition with a 3-1 record.

In terms of home and away games, both teams have performed well on their home turf, with Cardinal Newman posting a 7-0 record at home and San Ramon Valley finishing 6-0 on the road. Both teams are undefeated at home, but Cardinal Newman has yet to be tested with an away game this season, while San Ramon Valley has proven its ability to win on the road with a 4-1 away record.

No Common Opponents, But Similar Success

While Cardinal Newman and San Ramon Valley have not faced off against the same opponents this season, both teams have dominated their respective schedules. Their impressive overall records speak to the strength of their squads, making this matchup even more intriguing as they prepare to meet for the first time this season.

Playoff Readiness

Both teams have shown their readiness for the postseason with strong performances throughout the regular season. Both Cardinal Newman and San Ramon Valley have secured playoff spots, with identical 1-0 records in the playoffs. Their balanced play on both offense and defense makes them formidable opponents as they gear up for the next stage of competition.

Conclusion

The Cardinal Newman vs. San Ramon Valley game promises to be one of the most exciting matchups of the season, as two highly skilled teams with nearly identical records face off. Cardinal Newman will look to use its powerful rushing attack and solid defense to dominate the game, while San Ramon Valley will counter with its explosive passing game and overall offensive balance.

With both teams showcasing the ability to put up big numbers and stop opponents, this will be a game to watch for fans of high school football. Whoever emerges victorious will not only solidify their place at the top of their league but will also send a strong message heading into the playoffs.