The Carmel (CA) varsity football team will host Acalanes (Lafayette, CA) in a home playoff game tonight at 7:30 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games – Division 5-AA tournament, as both teams compete for a spot in the next round.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: California State Football Championship Bowl Games
Who: Carmel (CA) vs Acalanes (CA)
When: Today, December 06, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games – Division 5-AA
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Acalanes vs. Carmel
As the season draws to a close, the spotlight is on Acalanes and Carmel, two teams that have excelled both in their respective leagues and in high-stakes games. With impressive overall records and an undefeated streak against common opponents, this upcoming matchup promises to be an exciting and competitive showdown. Here’s a breakdown of the teams, their performance, and the key stats to look out for in this thrilling encounter.
Team Stat Comparison
Offensive and Defensive Statistics:
- Acalanes has shown a balanced offensive attack, with 166.1 rushing yards per game and a solid passing game that averages 203.2 passing yards per game. Their total offensive production stands at 369.2 yards per game, generating an average of 34.2 points per game. On defense, Acalanes is effective with 66.7 tackles per game, and they contribute 2.7 sacks per game.
- Carmel, while maintaining a more pass-heavy offense, has been equally successful, with 200.8 passing yards per game and 200.8 receiving yards per game. Their total offensive production matches Acalanes with 369.2 yards per game, scoring an impressive 34.2 points per game. Carmel’s defense has been steady, recording an average of 2.7 sacks per game and 66.7 tackles per game.
Both teams are potent on offense, with Acalanes showing a slight advantage in rushing yards and Carmel leaning towards a more balanced passing and receiving game. However, both teams possess potent offenses that are capable of producing high-scoring games.
Team Leaders
- Acalanes relies on Austin Wampler (#10), who leads the team with 88.2 rushing yards per game, providing a strong ground attack. In the passing game, Tyler Winkles (#6) has been stellar, with 205.4 passing yards per game and 212.7 total yards per game, contributing significantly to the team’s offensive success. Niko White (#18) has been Acalanes’ top receiving threat with 81.0 receiving yards per game, also contributing 7.0 points per game.
- For Carmel, Tyler Winkles (#6) stands out as the offensive leader, averaging 205.4 passing yards per game and 212.7 total yards per game. Niko White (#18) has been a key contributor in the receiving game, averaging 81.0 receiving yards per game and scoring 7.0 points per game. Defensively, David Roux (#23) leads with 7.4 tackles per game, while Drew McKenzie (#62) contributes with 0.9 sacks per game.
Performance Against Common Opponents
Both Acalanes and Carmel have faced Miramonte and both emerged victorious in tight contests. The results were:
- Acalanes vs. Miramonte (October 11, 2024): Acalanes won 35-28 in a hard-fought home game.
- Carmel vs. Miramonte (September 13, 2024): Carmel also defeated Miramonte, though by a slightly larger margin, winning 38-28 at home.
These victories show that both teams can handle competitive matchups against strong opponents. Despite the closer margins, both Acalanes and Carmel demonstrated their ability to secure key wins.
Record Breakdown
- Acalanes enters this matchup with a 10-3 overall record. They have a strong 3-1 league record and 4-2 non-league record. Acalanes has been excellent at home with a 6-1 record, though they have struggled slightly on the road, holding a 3-2 away record. Acalanes’ playoff performance has been solid at 3-0, and they are 10-3 in-state.
- Carmel, on the other hand, boasts an undefeated 13-0 overall record, including a perfect 6-0 league record and 4-0 non-league record. They have been dominant both at home (6-0) and away (5-0), while also having an impressive 2-0 neutral-site record. Carmel’s playoff performance has been flawless at 3-0, and they are also perfect with a 13-0 record in-state.
Conclusion
The matchup between Acalanes and Carmel is set to be a thrilling encounter, as both teams bring impressive statistics and strong performances to the table. Acalanes will look to capitalize on their solid rushing attack and balanced offense, while Carmel will aim to continue their undefeated streak, relying on a potent passing and receiving game. Both teams have proven they can win against strong competition, and their shared victories over Miramonte highlight their ability to close out games in tight situations.
With both teams having demonstrated their ability to excel on both sides of the ball, this game will come down to who can execute their game plan more effectively and make the big plays when it matters most. Fans can expect an exciting, high-stakes game between two of the region’s top teams.