The American Canyon (CA) varsity football team will host College Park (Pleasant Hill, CA) in a home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships in Division 4. Both teams will battle for a spot in the next round of the tournament.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: College Park vs American Canyon
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here
Game preview: College Park vs. American Canyon
As the 2024 high school football playoffs heat up, College Park and American Canyon will square off in a highly anticipated matchup in the North Coast Section Football Championships, Division 4. This home playoff game, set for 7 p.m. today, promises to be an exciting clash of contrasting team performances this season.
College Park (3-7 Record)
College Park, from Pleasant Hill, enters the game with a 3-7 overall record. While their season has been challenging, the team has shown resilience in league play, finishing 2-1 in their league and 3-3 at home. Their away performance, however, has been a struggle, with the team failing to secure any wins on the road (0-4).
Despite their overall record, College Park has displayed solid offensive production, averaging 26.6 points per game. They’ve been particularly effective in the second quarter, where they average 9.4 points. However, their defensive issues have been evident, with a point differential of -72, allowing 338 points over the course of the season.
Team Scoring Averages:
- Q1: 4.9 points
- Q2: 9.4 points
- Q3: 5.6 points
- Q4: 6.7 points
- Final: 26.6 points
American Canyon (8-2 Record)
American Canyon, on the other hand, has had a stellar season, finishing 8-2 overall and 4-2 in league play. The team has been particularly strong at home, with a 4-2 record, but what stands out most is their undefeated performance on the road (4-0), which could give them a significant edge in this playoff matchup.
With a solid offense averaging 39.2 points per game, American Canyon has been dominant this season, particularly in the first half of games. Their explosive offense starts strong, averaging 19 points in the first quarter and 17.5 points in the second. However, their scoring tends to dip in the third quarter, where they average just 3.5 points. Defensively, American Canyon has been impressive, allowing only 191 points on the season, giving them a positive point differential of +201.
Team Scoring Averages:
- Q1: 19.0 points
- Q2: 17.5 points
- Q3: 3.5 points
- Q4: 10.5 points
- Final: 39.2 points
Key Factors for the Game
For College Park, the key to a potential upset will be their ability to capitalize on their offensive strengths, particularly in the first half of the game. With a high-scoring offense that has been most effective in the second quarter, they’ll need to come out strong and maintain their momentum throughout the game. Additionally, College Park’s defense will need to step up to prevent American Canyon from running away with the game early.
On the other hand, American Canyon will look to continue their dominant play, particularly in the opening quarters. Their explosive first-half offense could be the difference-maker, as they’ll aim to build a comfortable lead early on. If American Canyon can maintain their strong defensive play and limit College Park’s scoring opportunities, they should be well-positioned to advance to the next round of the playoffs.
As the football season reaches its peak, a look at two local teams—College Park and American Canyon—reveals a contrast in offensive and defensive strategies. College Park has had a challenging season with a 3-7 record, while American Canyon has been a dominant force with an 8-2 record. Here’s a breakdown of their performance across several key categories.
Offensive Comparison
American Canyon clearly excels in total offensive production, averaging 436.3 yards per game, compared to College Park’s 272.3 yards. This disparity is largely due to American Canyon’s potent rushing game, which averages a remarkable 332.9 rushing yards per game—more than three times the 109.3 yards College Park manages on the ground. The standout player for American Canyon’s ground game is #0 Andre Lopez, who averages 132.3 rushing yards per game.
In terms of passing, College Park has a slight edge with 163.0 passing yards per game, compared to American Canyon’s 103.4 yards. College Park’s #8 James Voorhies is the team leader in both passing yards (154.5 ypg) and total yards (174.0 ypg). For American Canyon, #12 Mason Harris leads the passing game with 91.6 yards per game. Despite the difference in rushing yards, College Park’s passing game is a strong contributor to their offense.
Both teams show similar receiving yards, with College Park at 161.6 yards per game and American Canyon matching them at 103.4 yards. College Park’s top receiver, #7 Trent Lanza, averages 39.5 receiving yards per game, while American Canyon’s #8 Abdul Kates leads the team with 42.1 yards per game.
Defensive Comparison
On the defensive side, American Canyon appears to have the advantage in tackles and sacks. American Canyon averages 56.6 tackles per game, compared to College Park’s 44.6. The team’s defensive leader is #4 Jayden Hudson, who records 6.7 tackles per game, significantly higher than College Park’s Dante Nishizawa, who has 4.6 tackles per game.
In terms of sacks, American Canyon again leads with 2.0 sacks per game, while College Park records only 1.0 sack per game. American Canyon’s #9 Evan Emmons leads the team in sacks with 0.6 per game, while College Park’s #88 Mekhi Smith averages 0.5 sacks per game.
Special Teams & Key Players
One standout area for American Canyon is their pancake blocks—170 in total—demonstrating their dominance in the trenches. College Park, by contrast, has not recorded any pancake blocks, highlighting a potential area of improvement for their offensive line.
Key players for College Park include #24 Izaac Jinks, who leads the team in rushing yards with 44.8 yards per game, and James Voorhies, who leads in passing and total yards. For American Canyon, #0 Andre Lopez is the clear leader in rushing, while #12 Mason Harris leads the passing game.
Record Breakdown
American Canyon has been highly successful this season, posting an 8-2 record, with a solid 4-0 performance in away games. They also have a 4-2 record in non-league play, making them one of the more competitive teams in their region. On the other hand, College Park has struggled this season with a 3-7 overall record. Their league record stands at 2-1, but they’ve faced challenges in non-league play, posting a 1-6 record.
Both teams have managed to perform well at home, with College Park securing a 3-3 record and American Canyon posting a 4-2 record away.
Conclusion
American Canyon’s balanced and powerful offensive attack, coupled with a more aggressive defense, sets them apart from College Park. Their dominant rushing game, combined with a solid defense and special teams play, has contributed to their impressive 8-2 record. College Park, while competitive in certain areas such as passing and total yardage, has struggled to match American Canyon’s offensive firepower and defensive consistency. As the season continues, College Park will need to refine their play in key areas to compete with teams like American Canyon, who have already established themselves as a formidable force.
