The Arizona College Prep (Chandler, AZ) varsity football team will host Estrella Foothills (Goodyear, AZ) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams vie for a spot in the next round of the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football
Who: Estrella Foothills vs Arizona College Prep
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: Estrella Foothills vs. Arizona College Prep

As the 2024-25 Arizona high school football season enters its final stretch, the performance of two standout teams—Estrella Foothills and Arizona College Prep—has captured attention. Both teams have proven themselves to be dominant forces in their respective divisions, but each has carved out a unique identity with impressive statistics. Here’s a closer look at their rankings, records, and team scoring averages.

Estrella Foothills: A Dominant Force in Section Play

Estrella Foothills, part of Division 85, has shown remarkable consistency throughout the season, finishing with an overall record of 8-2. Their section play has been flawless, going undefeated with a perfect 5-0 record. With a home record of 5-1 and a road record of 3-1, the team has proven to be formidable both at home and away, boasting a win percentage of .800.

The Estrella Foothills offense has been effective, averaging 35.5 points per game. Their scoring breakdown reveals a strong start to games, with an average of 12.4 points in the first quarter. However, their offense has shown signs of slowing down in the second and third quarters, scoring only 8.2 and 2.6 points, respectively. Despite this, they finish strong, averaging 10.6 points in the fourth quarter. The team has scored a total of 355 points throughout the season, while their defense has allowed 195 points.

Arizona College Prep: Unstoppable in the Regular Season

Arizona College Prep has emerged as one of the top teams in the state, finishing with a remarkable overall record of 9-1. Like Estrella Foothills, they’ve been perfect in section play, finishing with a 5-0 record. However, their dominance extends beyond just section games, as they posted an impressive 4-0 record at home and a solid 5-1 record on the road. The team has demonstrated their ability to win in a variety of conditions, resulting in an outstanding win percentage of .900.

The Arizona College Prep offense has been a juggernaut, averaging 46.6 points per game—significantly higher than Estrella Foothills. Their scoring average paints a picture of offensive consistency across all quarters, with the team putting up an average of 14.8 points in the first quarter, 16.2 points in the second, and 8.5 points in the third. Their fourth-quarter performance, however, dips slightly to 3.5 points, which may suggest a potential vulnerability in the closing stages of games. Overall, the team has scored 466 points while allowing just 171 points.

Key Differences Between the Teams

While both teams have proven to be successful, their offensive styles differ significantly:

1. Scoring Power: Arizona College Prep has outscored Estrella Foothills by a wide margin. Their 46.6 points per game is nearly 11 points more than Estrella Foothills’ 35.5 points per game, showcasing a much more potent offensive unit.
2. Quarterly Breakdown: Arizona College Prep is particularly strong in the second quarter, averaging 16.2 points, which suggests their ability to adjust and outscore opponents during that period. Estrella Foothills, by contrast, sees a marked decline in the third quarter, where they score only 2.6 points, a potential weak spot for the team.
3. Defensive Play: Estrella Foothills has been more effective at limiting opponent scoring, allowing only 195 points compared to Arizona College Prep’s 171. Both teams have shown a tendency to shut down opponents in certain phases of the game, but Arizona College Prep’s offense has generally outmatched its competition, making their defensive numbers somewhat secondary.

Conclusion: Who Has the Edge?

Both teams have had impressive campaigns, and their head-to-head performance will likely be closely watched in any future matchups. Estrella Foothills is a disciplined team with solid defense and timely offensive bursts. In contrast, Arizona College Prep stands out for its sheer offensive power and ability to score at will, especially in the first half of games. If Estrella Foothills can improve its third-quarter performance and match Arizona College Prep’s offensive firepower, they could be poised for a strong finish. However, based on their overall scoring averages and ability to dominate across all phases of the game, Arizona College Prep might have the edge heading into the final stretch of the season.

As the season progresses, the upcoming matchup between Estrella Foothills and Arizona College Prep promises to be an exciting showdown. Both teams have shown impressive performances, with close records and standout individual performances. Below is a detailed comparison of the two teams, focusing on key statistics and team leaders.

Team Performance Comparison

Offensive Stats:

• Rushing Yards: Estrella Foothills averages 196.4 rushing yards per game, slightly ahead of Arizona College Prep at 169.0 yards per game. Both teams are strong on the ground, but Estrella Foothills has a more balanced attack.
• Passing Yards: Arizona College Prep leads in passing yards, averaging 223.9 yards per game compared to Estrella Foothills’ 182.1 yards. This advantage in the air could play a critical role in their offensive strategy.
• Total Yards: Arizona College Prep also holds the advantage in total yards, averaging 392.9 yards per game, while Estrella Foothills trails at 378.5 yards per game.

Defensive Stats:

• Tackles: Arizona College Prep averages 65.7 tackles per game, a significant edge over Estrella Foothills, which averages 51.2 tackles per game. The higher number of tackles indicates a more aggressive defensive approach.
• Sacks: Estrella Foothills has a slight edge in sacks, averaging 3.0 per game compared to Arizona College Prep’s 2.1. This indicates that Estrella Foothills can generate pressure on the quarterback more effectively.

Scoring:

• Points Per Game: Arizona College Prep has been more explosive on offense, averaging 46.6 points per game, well ahead of Estrella Foothills, which scores 35.2 points per game. This could make Arizona College Prep a dangerous team, especially if their offense is clicking.

Pancake Blocks: While Estrella Foothills has no recorded pancake blocks, Arizona College Prep boasts an impressive 73 pancake blocks, demonstrating their superior ability to create lanes for their offense.

Key Players to Watch

Estrella Foothills:

• AJ Horne (#24) leads the team with 93.1 rushing yards per game, a crucial factor for Estrella Foothills’ ground attack.
• Hone Wray (#4) has been a standout in the passing game, with 179.1 passing yards per game, contributing significantly to the team’s total offense.
• PJ Bailey (#3) provides a solid receiving option, averaging 74.8 receiving yards per game.
• Xander Teeter (#14) leads the defense with 9.5 tackles per game, anchoring their defense.

Arizona College Prep:

• Alec Grant (#26) leads the team in rushing with 59.9 yards per game, while Evan Heinrich (#7) has been a standout quarterback with 176.8 passing yards per game, helping Arizona College Prep to a potent offensive attack.
• Ashton Sanchez (#1) is the top receiving threat, averaging 55.3 receiving yards per game.
• Cam Mitchell (#8) is a defensive leader with 7.3 tackles per game, and Blake Barrington (#60) has contributed 0.4 sacks per game, showing some defensive prowess.

Head-to-Head Record

The overall record breakdown shows that Arizona College Prep holds a slight edge in terms of wins, with a 9-1 record compared to Estrella Foothills’ 8-2 record. Both teams are undefeated in league play, with a 5-0 record in their respective conferences. The teams have faced each other once, with Arizona College Prep emerging victorious in that contest, holding a 1-0 advantage in head-to-head matchups.

Home vs. Away Performance:

• Estrella Foothills has a solid 5-1 home record, while Arizona College Prep has an equally strong 5-1 away record. Both teams perform well in hostile environments, with Arizona College Prep showing a perfect 4-0 record on the road.

Playoff Outlook:

Neither team has yet faced any playoff opponents, but both will likely be contenders as they continue their quest for post-season glory.

Conclusion

As Estrella Foothills takes on Arizona College Prep, it will be a battle of offensive efficiency versus defensive strength. Estrella Foothills will need to leverage its ground game and strong defensive line to overcome Arizona College Prep’s high-powered offense. With both teams having impressive records and individual talents, this game is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. Fans can expect a thrilling contest that could have major playoff implications for both squads.