The Golden West (Visalia, CA) varsity football team will host Central Valley Christian (Visalia, CA) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships – Division II tournament, with both teams vying for a chance to advance.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Central Valley Christian vs Golden West
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships – Division II
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Central Valley Christian vs. Golden West

As the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships – Division II tournament intensifies, one of the most exciting matchups will be held between Central Valley Christian (Visalia, CA) and Golden West (Visalia, CA) on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. Both teams have put together impressive seasons, with Golden West boasting a near-perfect record, and Central Valley Christian aiming to upset the competition with their gritty play.

Central Valley Christian’s Season Performance

Central Valley Christian enters the game with a 7-4 overall record, finishing the season with a .636 win percentage. They were strong in league play, posting a 3-1 mark, and have had a solid performance at home with a 4-1 record. However, their road performance has been more inconsistent, finishing with a 3-3 record away from home. Central Valley Christian has scored 272 points this season, averaging 24.7 points per game. Their offense has had its highs and lows, averaging 8.8 points in the first quarter, but then dropping off in the second quarter with just 4.7 points. They do find a rhythm again in the final two quarters, averaging 5.5 points in the third and 6.1 points in the fourth, showing they can keep games competitive.

Golden West’s Dominant Campaign

Golden West has had an outstanding season, finishing with a 10-1 record and a .909 win percentage. Their perfect 5-0 record in league play speaks to their dominance within their section. The team has been nearly unstoppable at home, with a 6-0 record, and even their only loss came on the road, where they finished 4-1. Golden West’s offense has been explosive, scoring 464 points and averaging 42.2 points per game. They have shown incredible consistency, averaging 10.4 points in the first quarter, followed by a scorching 19.0 points in the second. Their offense tends to slow down in the second half, averaging 9.1 points in the third and 3.4 points in the fourth quarter, but they maintain a strong lead throughout games. With a defense that has allowed only 142 points this season, Golden West has proven to be a well-rounded and formidable team.

A Clash of Styles

This playoff game features two teams with contrasting styles. Golden West’s explosive offense and high-scoring ability give them a clear advantage, but Central Valley Christian’s balanced attack and ability to perform well in the second half make them a dangerous opponent. While Golden West has been able to score in bunches, Central Valley Christian will need to keep pace early and capitalize on any opportunities to slow down Golden West’s offensive juggernaut.

The matchup between Central Valley Christian and Golden West promises to be a thrilling contest, as both teams bring impressive records and potent offenses to the field. With Golden West holding an outstanding 10-1 record, they come in as the favorites, but Central Valley Christian, with a solid 7-4 record, will be looking to prove they can go toe-to-toe with one of the valley’s best.

Offensive Breakdown:

• Rushing Attack: Both teams feature solid rushing games, though Golden West has the edge, averaging 128.5 rushing yards per game, compared to Central Valley Christian’s 108.3. Micah Paden leads Central Valley Christian with 85.3 rushing yards per game, and he will be crucial in establishing the ground game for his team. Golden West’s Case Anders adds 82.6 yards per game, while the team also benefits from Jayden Najera, whose dual-threat ability will keep the defense guessing.
• Passing Game: When it comes to the passing game, Golden West is the more potent team, averaging 246.1 passing yards per game. Quarterback Jayden Najera has been outstanding, throwing for an average of 239.3 yards per game. Central Valley Christian, meanwhile, has a solid passing attack of their own, averaging 129.5 yards per game. Nathan Peters leads the way with 138.6 total yards per game, and he will need to elevate his performance if Central Valley Christian is to match Golden West’s offensive firepower.
• Total Offense: Golden West has been the more explosive team overall, averaging 374.6 total yards per game, while Central Valley Christian has averaged 237.7 yards per game. Golden West’s ability to move the ball both on the ground and through the air will put pressure on Central Valley Christian’s defense, but the latter has proven to be resilient and will need to step up to stop Golden West’s attack.

Defensive Comparison:

• Tackles: Golden West has been more active defensively, averaging 58.6 tackles per game compared to Central Valley Christian’s 39.4 tackles per game. The team’s defensive leaders, like Naveen Sall, who records 7.4 tackles per game, will be crucial in shutting down Central Valley Christian’s offensive plays. Central Valley Christian, with players like Ezra Schuyler, will need to find ways to disrupt Golden West’s offensive rhythm and limit their big plays.
• Sacks: In terms of pass rush, both teams are closely matched, with Golden West averaging 1.5 sacks per game and Central Valley Christian averaging 1.1 sacks per game. While Golden West has been slightly better at getting to the quarterback, Central Valley Christian will need to find ways to put pressure on Najera, who is key to Golden West’s high-powered offense.

Scoring:

• Points Per Game: Golden West has been the more explosive team offensively, averaging 37.3 points per game, while Central Valley Christian averages 20.2 points per game. Golden West’s ability to put up big numbers on offense will be difficult for Central Valley Christian to match unless they can find ways to slow down Najera and Elias, and execute more effectively in their offensive schemes.

Record Breakdown:

• Central Valley Christian: With a 7-4 overall record, Central Valley Christian has had a solid season but faces a tough challenge in this matchup. Their 3-1 league record shows they’ve been strong against familiar competition, while their non-league performance (3-3) indicates their ability to compete against tougher opponents. Their biggest challenge will be containing Golden West’s offensive playmakers and stepping up their own offensive output to keep pace.
• Golden West: With a stellar 10-1 record, Golden West enters this game with a lot of confidence. Their perfect 6-0 record at home and 4-1 record on the road reflects their consistency and strength across all venues. Golden West has been a dominant force, especially in non-league play, and their strong passing game will be a challenge for Central Valley Christian to handle.

Common Opponents:

Both teams faced Kingsburg, with Central Valley Christian securing a 28-14 win on 10/11/24, while Golden West narrowly defeated Kingsburg 35-34 on 11/15/24. This close contest indicates that while both teams had success against a common opponent, Golden West faced a tougher battle, which could serve as a confidence booster heading into this game.

Conclusion:

The game between Central Valley Christian and Golden West will likely come down to a battle of offensive firepower versus defensive resilience. Golden West, with their explosive offense led by Jayden Najera, will look to outpace Central Valley Christian, who will need to rely on their defense and ball control to stay competitive.

For Central Valley Christian to pull off the upset, they must limit Golden West’s big plays and take advantage of every offensive possession. Golden West, on the other hand, will look to keep their offense in rhythm and exploit any weaknesses in Central Valley Christian’s defense.

As Golden West has been the more consistent team this season, they enter the game as favorites, but Central Valley Christian will not go down without a fight. This clash will be one to watch, as both teams look to make a statement and advance further in their respective campaigns.