The Tomales (CA) varsity football team will host Cornerstone Christian (Antioch, CA) in a home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – 8-Person Division 2 tournament, where both teams will battle for a chance to advance.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Cornerstone Christian vs Tomales
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here
Game preview: Tomales vs. Cornerstone Christian
As the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – 8-Person Division 2 tournament continues, the Tomales varsity football team will host Cornerstone Christian in a home playoff game tonight at 7 p.m. This game marks a pivotal moment for both teams, as the winner will advance to the next stage of the playoffs.
Cornerstone Christian Season Overview
Cornerstone Christian enters the playoffs with a stellar 9-1 overall record, boasting a .900 win percentage. The team had a perfect league record, finishing 5-0 in their conference, and they were dominant on the road, posting a 7-1 record overall. Their offense has been explosive, averaging a remarkable 46.2 points per game.
The team has been particularly strong early in games, averaging 16.0 points in the first quarter and 11.3 points in the second quarter. They have also been effective in the third quarter, where they average 19.3 points, although their scoring drops in the fourth quarter to 4.0 points. Despite the dip in the final period, Cornerstone Christian’s high-scoring offense has been a major factor in their success this season.
- Overall Record: 9-1
- League Record: 5-0
- Home Record: 2-0
- Away Record: 7-1
- Points Scored: 462
- Points Allowed: 280
- Average Points Per Game (Final): 46.2
- Section Ranking: 36th
- Division Ranking: 2nd
With a balanced offense and solid defense, Cornerstone Christian will be looking to continue their dominant play in the playoffs and push for a championship.
Tomales Season Overview
Tomales enters the playoffs with a 2-7 overall record, struggling to find consistency throughout the season. They finished 2-3 in league play and have faced challenges both at home (1-3) and on the road (1-3). Despite these struggles, Tomales has shown flashes of potential and will be hoping to perform at their best in the postseason.
Offensively, Tomales has averaged just 18.9 points per game, with their strongest quarter being the second, where they average 3.0 points. However, their scoring drops off dramatically in the first, third, and fourth quarters, which could present a challenge against a high-scoring team like Cornerstone Christian. Tomales will need to generate more consistent offense and shore up their defense if they want to keep up with their formidable opponents.
- Overall Record: 2-7
- League Record: 2-3
- Home Record: 1-3
- Away Record: 1-3
- Points Scored: 170
- Points Allowed: 425
- Average Points Per Game (Final): 18.9
- Section Ranking: 79th
- Division Ranking: 5th
Tomales will need to significantly improve their performance in all areas to compete with a team of Cornerstone Christian’s caliber.
Key Matchup: Offense vs. Defense
The primary storyline in this game will be the matchup between Cornerstone Christian’s high-powered offense and Tomales’ struggling defense. Cornerstone Christian has averaged 46.2 points per game, which is a significant challenge for Tomales, whose defense has allowed 425 points this season. For Tomales to have a chance, they will need to find a way to contain Cornerstone Christian’s explosive attack, especially in the first half, where they tend to score the most.
On offense, Tomales will need to find a way to generate more consistent scoring throughout the game. With an average of just 18.9 points per game, Tomales will need to step up their offensive execution to keep pace with Cornerstone Christian, especially after the break, when their scoring tends to drop off.
As high school football teams gear up for their respective seasons, it’s essential to take a closer look at the performance of their key competitors. Cornerstone Christian and Tomales, two teams with similar overall records, have faced off against many of the same opponents. This article will delve into their shared matchups, their season records, and how these two teams compare heading into the latter part of the season.
Overall Performance
Both Cornerstone Christian and Tomales have faced a challenging schedule in 2024, with records of 24-25. However, their in-league performances have differed significantly. Cornerstone Christian boasts a strong 5-0 record in league play, while Tomales has struggled, recording just a 2-3 mark in their league matchups. This disparity highlights Cornerstone Christian’s dominance within their conference and Tomales’ struggles to gain traction against league rivals.
Common Opponents and Head-to-Head Results
One of the most telling comparisons comes when looking at their shared opponents. Here’s how each team fared in these matchups:
- Cornerstone Christian vs. Calistoga (9/27/24): Cornerstone Christian won decisively with a 40-26 scoreline. On the other hand, Tomales faced Calistoga earlier in the season (8/30/24) and lost 42-16, a significant contrast in the outcome.
- Cornerstone Christian vs. Potter Valley (10/3/24): Cornerstone Christian won 36-14 in this non-league contest. Tomales, however, managed to secure a narrow victory over Potter Valley on 11/1/24 with a 20-14 scoreline.
- Cornerstone Christian vs. Elsie Allen (10/18/24): Cornerstone Christian dominated with a 42-20 victory. Tomales, conversely, struggled against Elsie Allen on 11/8/24, suffering a hefty 66-32 loss.
- Cornerstone Christian vs. Laytonville (10/25/24): Cornerstone Christian cruised to a 56-26 win, showing their offensive firepower. Tomales, in contrast, lost to Laytonville 58-36 on 10/17/24, illustrating a vulnerability in their defense.
- Cornerstone Christian vs. Round Valley (11/1/24): Round Valley was defeated 48-28 by Cornerstone Christian in a dominant performance. Tomales, however, struggled against Round Valley earlier in the season (9/27/24), losing 27-8.
Key Takeaways
- Strength in League Play: Cornerstone Christian has been impeccable in league play, maintaining an undefeated 5-0 record. This starkly contrasts Tomales’ 2-3 league record, which suggests that while both teams are competitive, Cornerstone Christian is currently the stronger of the two in their respective conference.
- Non-League Success: Cornerstone Christian’s success against non-league opponents like Calistoga, Elsie Allen, and Laytonville further solidifies their position as a team to watch. Meanwhile, Tomales has struggled against these same teams, suffering losses that have impacted their overall record.
- Head-to-Head: When comparing the two teams’ performances against the same opponents, Cornerstone Christian has won all five of these matchups, whereas Tomales has managed to win only two out of five. This head-to-head breakdown gives a clear indication that Cornerstone Christian has been the more consistent and competitive team this season.
Home and Away Splits
Both teams have had varying success when playing at home versus on the road. Cornerstone Christian has been particularly strong at home, posting a 2-0 record, while Tomales has had mixed results, with a 1-3 record in home games. Away from home, Cornerstone Christian boasts an impressive 7-1 record, indicating they can perform well in hostile environments, while Tomales struggles with a 1-3 record away.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how both teams fare against the remaining slate of opponents. Cornerstone Christian, with their strong league performance and dominance over common opponents, appears poised for a playoff berth. Tomales, however, will need to regroup and improve their performance, especially in league play, to have a chance at postseason contention.
In conclusion, while both teams share similar overall records, their performances against common opponents show a clear gap, with Cornerstone Christian leading the way in almost every matchup. For Tomales, it will be crucial to make adjustments in their upcoming games if they hope to match Cornerstone Christian’s level of success.
