The Yuma Catholic (Yuma, AZ) varsity football team will host Combs (San Tan Valley, AZ) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 15 at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships, Conference 4A, as both teams compete for a chance to advance further.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football
Who: Combs vs Yuma Catholic
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 4A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Combs vs. Yuma Catholic

As the 2024 AIA State Football Championships progress, the Combs Coyotes and Yuma Catholic Shamrocks will face off in a pivotal playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. The game, held at Yuma Catholic’s home field, promises to be an exciting and hard-fought contest, with both teams bringing impressive records to the table.

Combs’ Season Overview

Combs enters the playoff matchup with a solid 6-4 record, securing a .600 win percentage. Although their section record of 2-3 shows some struggles in divisional play, the Coyotes have been strong at home, finishing with a 4-1 record. Their offense has been productive throughout the season, averaging 31.3 points per game, with their highest scoring output in the first quarter (11.4 points). However, Combs has faced challenges in the final quarter, averaging just 1.8 points. Despite these hurdles, the Coyotes’ ability to score early makes them a formidable opponent.

Yuma Catholic’s Dominance

Yuma Catholic, on the other hand, boasts an outstanding 9-1 record, with a perfect 5-0 mark in section play. The Shamrocks have been nearly unstoppable this season, winning every home game (6-0) and dominating their opponents with a win percentage of .900. Their offensive strength is reflected in their average of 37.4 points per game, the highest in this matchup. The Shamrocks have been consistent throughout the game, with their highest scoring period coming in the second quarter, where they average 11.8 points. Yuma Catholic has also shown resilience in the fourth quarter, posting an average of 6.8 points to seal their victories.

Scoring Trends and Key Insights

While both teams have shown offensive prowess, they have different patterns. Combs starts strong, averaging 11.4 points in the first quarter, but struggles to maintain that momentum in the later stages of the game. In contrast, Yuma Catholic’s consistent scoring throughout all four quarters, particularly in the second quarter, has given them an edge. Their overall offensive balance and ability to close games strong will be key factors in this playoff battle.

Looking Ahead

Yuma Catholic enters this game as the heavy favorite, with a dominant season and a near-perfect record. However, Combs will look to disrupt their momentum, particularly with their quick starts and potent offense. With everything on the line, this matchup is sure to be a thrilling contest as both teams aim for a spot in the next round of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships.

The high school football season is heating up, and the upcoming matchup between Combs and Yuma Catholic is one that promises to be filled with excitement and competition. With both teams showcasing different strengths on offense and defense, it’s a game that fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching. Here’s a closer look at how these teams stack up based on their statistical performance, key players, and their results against common opponents.

Team Stat Comparison

Offensive Performance: Rushing and Passing
Combs’ offense is centered around a solid ground game, averaging 158.5 rushing yards per game. In comparison, Yuma Catholic averages 97.2 rushing yards, which is a significant difference. Combs’ rushing attack is led by Izaak Jeffcoat, who averages 95.1 yards per game. However, Yuma Catholic shines in the passing game, with 263.4 passing yards per game compared to Combs’ 131.8. Quarterback Nash Ott is a key contributor to Yuma Catholic’s success through the air, throwing for 220.0 yards per game.

Receiving and Total Yardage
While Combs excels at running the ball, Yuma Catholic is more prolific in both passing and receiving. Yuma Catholic averages 265.8 receiving yards per game, while Combs trails with 145.0. This shows that Yuma Catholic has the advantage in the air, with playmakers like Sir Stokes, who averages 107.7 receiving yards per game. In terms of total yardage, Yuma Catholic again leads with 360.6 total yards per game, while Combs averages 290.3.

Defensive Metrics
Combs averages 50.2 tackles per game, which is significantly lower than Yuma Catholic’s 81.3 tackles per game. This indicates that Yuma Catholic’s defense is more active in making plays and stopping the opposing offense. Yuma Catholic also edges out Combs in sacks, averaging 2.2 sacks per game compared to Combs’ 1.5. While both teams are capable on defense, Yuma Catholic’s stronger overall defensive presence may give them an advantage in high-pressure situations.

Scoring
When it comes to putting points on the board, Yuma Catholic is the higher-scoring team, averaging 37.3 points per game, which is 6 points more than Combs’ 31.3. Yuma Catholic’s potent offense, combined with their strong defense, makes them a tough team to beat.

Key Players to Watch

Combs:

• Izaak Jeffcoat (#7): A dominant rusher, Jeffcoat leads Combs with 95.1 rushing yards per game. His ability to control the game on the ground will be crucial for Combs.
• Kannin Hale (#3): Hale is the dual-threat quarterback for Combs, contributing 129.2 passing yards per game and 142.4 total yards per game. He’s a key player in orchestrating the offense.
• Levi Anglin (#5): Anglin leads the defense with 9.6 tackles per game, providing leadership and stability on the defensive side.

Yuma Catholic:

• Benton Beck (#5): Beck is Yuma Catholic’s leading rusher with 63.9 yards per game. Although his numbers aren’t as high as Combs’ Jeffcoat, he still plays an important role in their offense.
• Nash Ott (#11): Ott is a major contributor to Yuma Catholic’s passing game, throwing for 220.0 yards per game. His ability to lead the offense through the air is a significant advantage.
• Sir Stokes (#2): Stokes is a key target in Yuma Catholic’s receiving game, averaging 107.7 yards per game. His ability to make big plays will be pivotal in breaking down defenses.
• Rocky Stallworth (#44): Stallworth leads the team in tackles with 15.6 per game and also contributes with 0.9 sacks per game, making him a critical defensive presence.

Common Opponents

Both Combs and Yuma Catholic have faced some similar competition, which gives us a sense of how they stack up against comparable teams.

• Catalina Foothills: Combs won a close game 28-21 against Catalina Foothills on August 29, 2024, while Yuma Catholic had a dominant 54-13 victory against them on September 6, 2024.
• Arizona College Prep: Combs faced Arizona College Prep on October 18, 2024, and lost 55-14. In contrast, Yuma Catholic played Arizona College Prep on September 27, 2024, and lost 43-29.

Both teams have one win and one loss against common opponents, which shows that while they have had similar results, the nature of their victories and losses differs.

Record Breakdown

Combs (24-25)
Combs enters the matchup with a 6-4 overall record. They’ve had a challenging league performance with a 2-3 record but have been solid in non-league games, with a 4-1 mark. At home, Combs is 4-1, while their away record is 2-3.

Yuma Catholic (24-25)
Yuma Catholic boasts an impressive 9-1 overall record, with a perfect 5-0 mark in league play. They’ve been dominant at home, with a 6-0 record, and have also been successful on the road, posting a 3-1 mark. Their strong in-state record (8-1) further solidifies their status as one of the top teams in the region.

Conclusion

While Combs excels with a strong rushing attack, Yuma Catholic’s offensive balance and potent passing game give them a slight edge in this matchup. Both teams have talented players, but Yuma Catholic’s higher scoring ability, stronger defensive performance, and better overall record make them the favorites heading into this contest. However, Combs’ ability to control the clock with their ground game and create opportunities through Kannin Hale’s playmaking could make this a close, exciting game. Fans of both teams should be in for an exciting showdown as the season continues to unfold.