The Avalon (CA) varsity football team will host Cornerstone Christian (Wildomar, CA) in a home playoff game today at 3 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – 8-Man Division II tournament, where both teams will compete for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Cornerstone Christian vs Avalon
When: Today, November 23, 2024
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – 8-Man Division II
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Avalon vs. Cornerstone Christian

As the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – 8-Man Division II tournament heats up, Avalon will face Cornerstone Christian in a highly anticipated home playoff game. Both teams have had contrasting seasons, but their meeting today at 3 p.m. promises to be an exciting clash.

Cornerstone Christian: A Powerful Offensive Force

Record Overview: Cornerstone Christian enters the playoffs with an impressive 8-3 record, including a 3-1 mark in league play. The team has excelled on their home field with a perfect 4-0 record, while their road performance (4-3) shows they are battle-tested, capable of thriving in various environments.

Scoring Breakdown: Cornerstone Christian has been a high-scoring team, averaging 44.6 points per game. Their offensive attack is particularly potent in the first half, with 11.0 points in the first quarter and a commanding 19.0 points in the second quarter. Even in the second half, they continue to score consistently, adding 9.4 points in the third quarter and 6.6 in the fourth.

Defense: Defensively, Cornerstone Christian has allowed 174 points on the season, an average of 15.8 points per game. Their strong offense has helped keep them in control of games, but they will need to tighten up defensively to secure a win in this playoff matchup.

Avalon: Underdogs with Potential

Record Overview: Avalon enters the playoffs with a 5-5 record, with a win percentage of .500. While their overall record is balanced, they have faced challenges in league play, finishing with a 0-2 record. However, Avalon has managed a 3-1 home record, showing they are capable of performing under pressure at home.

Scoring Breakdown: Avalon averages 25.7 points per game, with a noticeable jump in scoring during the second half of games. They start slow, with an average of just 5.8 points in the first quarter and 2.0 points in the second quarter. However, they are known for making adjustments, scoring 7.3 points in the third quarter and 12.8 points in the fourth, showcasing their ability to rally in the second half.

Defense: Avalon has struggled defensively this season, allowing 285 points, or 28.5 points per game. While their offense has been capable of putting up decent numbers, their defense will need to improve if they are to compete against the high-powered offense of Cornerstone Christian.

Key Comparisons: Avalon vs. Cornerstone Christian

• Offensive Firepower: Cornerstone Christian has a clear edge in scoring, averaging 44.6 points per game compared to Avalon’s 25.7 points. The key to Avalon’s success will be finding ways to slow down Cornerstone Christian’s high-octane offense while maximizing their own scoring potential in the second half.
• Defensive Challenges: Avalon has allowed more points than they’ve scored this season, giving up an average of 28.5 points per game. Cornerstone Christian, with their potent offense, will likely exploit Avalon’s defensive weaknesses, making it crucial for Avalon to step up their defense if they hope to stay competitive.
• Momentum: Cornerstone Christian has been dominant overall, with a strong record and a high-powered offense. Avalon, while struggling in league play, has proven their resilience with a strong home record. This playoff matchup could be a chance for Avalon to prove themselves against a tough opponent.

As the 2024 football season draws closer to its conclusion, Cornerstone Christian and Avalon stand out as teams with distinct profiles. While Cornerstone Christian has proven their dominance with a strong overall record, Avalon has struggled to find consistency. A closer look at their team statistics reveals the strengths and areas of improvement for both squads as they prepare for postseason play.

Team Record Breakdown

• Cornerstone Christian: With an 8-3 overall record, Cornerstone Christian has been solid this season. Their 3-1 league record demonstrates their competitiveness in conference play, while they have posted a respectable 3-2 record in non-league matchups. The team has excelled at home, boasting a 4-0 record, and they’ve also been successful in the playoffs, with a 2-0 record.
• Avalon: Avalon has a 5-5 record, with a challenging 0-2 league record and a 3-3 record in non-league games. The team has had mixed results at home, with a 3-1 record, but has struggled on the road, posting a 2-4 away record. Avalon also has a 2-0 record in neutral-site games, which could be crucial for their playoff run.

Offensive Comparison

Cornerstone Christian holds a clear advantage in most offensive categories:

1. Rushing Yards: Cornerstone Christian excels in the ground game, averaging 257.8 rushing yards per game. Avalon’s rushing numbers have not been specified, but Cornerstone’s strong rushing attack will likely be a key factor in their success.
2. Passing Yards: Dylan Kelly has been the driving force in Cornerstone Christian’s passing attack, averaging 130.0 passing yards per game. Avalon’s passing stats are not listed, making it difficult to assess how they compare in this area.
3. Receiving Yards: Cornerstone Christian’s Steel Hoham leads the receiving corps, averaging 59.4 receiving yards per game. Like their passing stats, Avalon’s receiving numbers remain unclear, but Cornerstone Christian’s well-rounded offense gives them a distinct edge.
4. Total Yards: Cornerstone Christian racks up an impressive 369.3 total yards per game, which includes both their rushing and passing success. Avalon’s total yardage figures are not provided, but Cornerstone Christian’s substantial offensive output is a clear indicator of their strength.
5. Points Per Game: Cornerstone Christian averages 48.7 points per game, a testament to their ability to put up significant numbers. Avalon’s scoring figures are not provided, but based on Cornerstone Christian’s performance, they are likely to outpace Avalon in terms of total points scored.

Defensive Comparison

On the defensive side, Cornerstone Christian also holds an edge:

1. Tackles: William Kaleb Aderhold leads the team with an average of 12.1 tackles per game. Avalon’s defensive statistics are not available, but Cornerstone Christian’s ability to stop opposing offenses is a strength.
2. Sacks: Joshua Aderhold has contributed 1.9 sacks per game, adding to the team’s ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Avalon’s sack numbers are unspecified, but Cornerstone Christian’s defensive line has shown their capacity to disrupt plays.

Key Players

• Cornerstone Christian:
  • Dylan Kelly: A dual-threat quarterback, Kelly is the team’s leader in passing (130.0 yards per game), total yards (214.9 yards per game), and points scored (22.3 points per game). He is the key to Cornerstone Christian’s offensive success.
  • Reed Ebberts: The leading rusher for Cornerstone Christian, Ebberts averages 91.3 rushing yards per game, helping power the team’s ground game.
  • William Kaleb Aderhold: A top defender, Aderhold averages 12.1 tackles per game and has contributed 4 pancake blocks to the team’s offensive line.
• Avalon: While individual statistics for Avalon are lacking in most categories, their performance in past seasons has shown that they can be competitive. They will need to rely on strong individual performances and team cohesion to compete with Cornerstone Christian.

Conclusion

Cornerstone Christian clearly holds the upper hand heading into their matchup with Avalon. With a potent offense that averages over 369 yards per game and a defense that’s been effective at stopping opposing offenses, Cornerstone Christian has proven to be one of the more balanced teams this season. Avalon, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle with a 5-5 record and a lack of clear statistical leaders. However, Avalon’s playoff experience and neutral-site performance could provide the spark they need to challenge a team like Cornerstone Christian.

As both teams prepare for postseason play, it will be interesting to see if Avalon can rise to the occasion, or if Cornerstone Christian will continue to dominate with their all-around strong performances. Regardless, the upcoming game promises to be an exciting contest, with Cornerstone Christian heavily favored due to their impressive statistics and overall consistency.