The Clovis East varsity football team will host Central High School (Fresno) 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 in the Division I-AA tournament, with both teams competing for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Central vs Clovis East
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships – Division I-AA
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Clovis East vs. Central

The Clovis East varsity football team will host Central High School (Fresno) on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. in a crucial playoff matchup as part of the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships in Division I-AA. Both teams are looking to advance further in the postseason, and this game promises to deliver a thrilling contest.

Records and Rankings

Clovis East enters the game as the top seed with a perfect 12-0 overall record. With an undefeated season and a flawless 5-0 league record, Clovis East has proven themselves as one of the elite teams in the region. Ranked 12th in California and 1st in their section, they have outscored opponents by a wide margin, totaling 537 points while allowing just 210. Their dominance has been clear all season, particularly at home, where they are 7-0.

Central, with a 10-2 overall record and a 3-2 league record, has had a strong season. Ranked 29th in California and 2nd in their section, they come into the game with a solid 5-1 record on the road. Central has been potent offensively, scoring 434 points while allowing 237. Their 3-2 league record indicates they’ve faced strong competition but have remained a top contender.

Scoring Breakdown

Clovis East’s offense has been explosive all season, averaging 44.8 points per game. Their biggest strength lies in the first half, where they score an average of 30 points (15.0 per quarter). Although their scoring slows down a bit in the second half, they still manage to put up solid numbers, with 6.1 points in the third quarter and 5.9 in the fourth.

Central, averaging 36.2 points per game, also has a potent offense. They start strong, averaging 6.8 points in the first quarter and 12.5 points in the second. While their scoring drops slightly in the second half to 10.5 points in the third and 6.1 points in the fourth, they have shown the ability to adjust and compete in high-pressure situations.

Keys to Victory

For Central, maintaining their offensive rhythm throughout all four quarters will be crucial. They’ll need to exploit Clovis East’s slight dip in scoring during the second half, particularly in the third and fourth quarters, and put together a complete game to compete with the high-powered Clovis East offense.

For Clovis East, continuing their offensive dominance, especially in the first half, will be key to securing an early lead. Their ability to control the game and put up points quickly could be the difference-maker. Additionally, Clovis East’s defense must be prepared to contain Central’s explosive offense and limit their scoring opportunities.

What’s at Stake

This game is a pivotal matchup in the CIF Central Section Football Championships, with both teams vying for a spot in the next round of the tournament. Clovis East, with their undefeated record, enters the game as the favorite, but Central’s potent offense and solid all-around play make them a formidable opponent.

With Clovis East’s explosive first-half offense and Central’s balanced attack, this Division I-AA playoff game promises to be an exciting, high-energy contest. The outcome will likely depend on which team can execute their game plan and take advantage of key moments, especially in the second half. Fans can expect a fast-paced and competitive atmosphere as these two teams battle for a chance to continue their championship journey.

As the high school football season unfolds, the rivalry between Central and Clovis East has emerged as one of the most anticipated matchups in the Central Valley. Both teams have had stellar seasons, with Central posting a 10-2 record and Clovis East going undefeated at 12-0. The two schools not only boast impressive records but also feature explosive offenses and dynamic defenses. This article breaks down their team statistics, key players, and overall performances to give a full picture of this exciting showdown.

Offensive Comparison:

• Rushing Game: Both teams have strong running games, with Central averaging 204.0 rushing yards per game and Clovis East slightly edging them out at 207.9 yards per game. Central’s top rusher is Brandon Smith, who leads the team with 124.4 yards per game. For Clovis East, Lindsey Graves is the standout, averaging 79.5 yards per game. Although both teams can grind out yards on the ground, Central has a more dominant rushing attack led by Smith’s impressive numbers.
• Passing Game: When it comes to passing yards, Central averages 237.8 yards per game, while Clovis East posts 222.1 yards per game. Jelani Dippel has been the driving force behind Central’s passing attack, throwing for 237.8 yards per game. For Clovis East, Tyus Miller has been the key player, accumulating 220.8 passing yards per game. Both teams are capable of moving the ball through the air, but Central’s slight edge in passing yards could play a crucial role in a high-scoring game.
• Receiving Yards: Central’s top receiver is Daylon Scott, who racks up 70.3 yards per game. Clovis East has a dynamic receiving duo, with Blake Mathieu averaging 81.1 yards per game and Tyus Miller contributing significantly as both the quarterback and a receiver. This receiving core gives Clovis East a slight advantage in the passing game, as they can rely on multiple threats to make plays in the air.
• Total Yards: Both teams are offensive juggernauts, with Central averaging 441.8 total yards per game and Clovis East not far behind at 430.0 yards per game. Central’s strong rushing attack combined with their passing game gives them the edge in total yardage, but Clovis East’s balanced offense makes them equally dangerous.

Defensive Comparison:

• Tackles: Central’s defense averages 63.7 tackles per game, while Clovis East averages 58.7. Central’s defense has been more active in shutting down opponents, with Aidan Chavez leading the charge with 12.3 tackles per game. Jax Koontz and Jack Nelson are key defenders for Clovis East, contributing to their solid defensive unit.
• Sacks: Both teams are capable of applying pressure on the quarterback, with Central averaging 2.5 sacks per game and Clovis East slightly behind at 2.4 sacks per game. Marcus Nolen of Central leads his team with 0.7 sacks per game, while Jack Nelson provides similar pressure for Clovis East with his own 0.7 sacks per game.

Scoring:

Both teams have high-scoring offenses, but Clovis East leads the way, averaging 44.3 points per game, while Central scores 36.2 points per game. Brandon Smith is Central’s primary scorer, contributing 10.2 points per game. For Clovis East, Blake Mathieu has been a key contributor with 8.0 points per game, but the team’s offensive depth, including contributions from multiple players like Tyus Miller, helps them post impressive numbers.

Record Breakdown:

• Central: With a 10-2 overall record, Central has had a strong season, particularly in league play, where they finished 3-2. They have also been effective in non-league games, with a 5-0 record. Central’s home and away records demonstrate their consistency, with a solid 4-1 record at home and 5-1 on the road. Their ability to perform in neutral and playoff games is also noteworthy, with a 2-0 record in postseason play.
• Clovis East: The undisputed leader in the Central Valley this season, Clovis East enters the game with an undefeated 12-0 record. The team dominated league play with a perfect 5-0 record and maintained their perfect season in non-league games, also going 5-0. They have been dominant both at home (7-0) and away (5-0), with a strong 2-0 record in the playoffs. Clovis East’s performance this season positions them as one of the top teams in the region.

Common Opponents:

• Central vs. Clovis North: Both teams played Clovis North this season, with Central losing 26-21 at home, while Clovis East defeated them 38-21 at home.
• Central vs. Clovis West: Central won 45-27, while Clovis East also handled Clovis West with a 44-3 victory at home.
• Central vs. Clovis: Central won 41-20, while Clovis East triumphed 52-33 at home.
• Central vs. Buchanan: Central defeated Buchanan 39-23, while Clovis East won 42-11 at home.

While both teams have had success against common opponents, Clovis East has been more dominant, with a perfect 5-0 record against them, while Central holds a 4-1 record.

Conclusion:

The matchup between Central and Clovis East promises to be an exciting clash of two high-powered teams. Central boasts a strong rushing game, solid defense, and impressive total yardage, led by Brandon Smith and Jelani Dippel. On the other hand, Clovis East brings a balanced and explosive offense, with standout players like Blake Mathieu and Tyus Miller making big plays both through the air and on the ground. Clovis East’s perfect record and high-scoring offense make them the favorite, but Central has the tools to keep the game competitive with their dominant rushing attack and solid defense. This matchup is sure to be a thrilling contest as both teams look to make a statement in the Central Valley.