The Piedmont (CA) varsity football team will host Fortuna (CA) in a home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 7 tournament, where both teams will battle for a chance to advance to the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Fortuna vs Piedmont
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game preview: Fortuna vs. Piedmont

Tonight at 7 p.m., the Piedmont varsity football team will host Fortuna in a North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 7 playoff game. This matchup is sure to be an exciting one, with both teams eager to advance to the next stage of the tournament.

Fortuna Season Overview

Fortuna enters the playoffs with a 4-6 overall record and a .400 win percentage. The team was much stronger at home, finishing with a perfect 4-0 record at home, but struggled on the road, posting a 0-6 record. Fortuna had some success in league play, going 2-1, but overall, they’ve faced challenges throughout the season.

Offensively, Fortuna has averaged 22.4 points per game, with their most productive quarter being the third, where they average 10.5 points. However, their scoring has been inconsistent, particularly in the first half. Fortuna averages just 3.0 points in the first quarter and 4.5 points in the second quarter, making it difficult to build early momentum in games. To compete with Piedmont, Fortuna will need to improve on both sides of the ball, especially in the first half, and stay aggressive throughout the game.

• Overall Record: 4-6
• League Record: 2-1
• Home Record: 4-0
• Away Record: 0-6
• Points Scored: 224
• Points Allowed: 232
• Average Points Per Game (Final): 22.4
• Section Ranking: 49th
• Division Ranking: 7th

Fortuna will need to show improved consistency in both offense and defense if they are to upset the higher-ranked Piedmont team.

Piedmont Season Overview

Piedmont enters the playoffs as one of the top teams in the division, boasting an impressive 9-1 record and a .900 win percentage. They were dominant in league play, finishing 5-0, and also posted a strong 6-1 record at home. Piedmont’s offense has been nothing short of explosive, averaging an impressive 39.4 points per game.

The team’s scoring is well-balanced throughout the game, with their most productive quarter being the second, where they average 13.1 points. Piedmont also scores 10.5 points in the first quarter and 11.4 points in the third quarter, but they experience a slight drop-off in the fourth with just 5.1 points. Despite this, their early scoring surges have been enough to give them a solid lead and control of most of their games.

• Overall Record: 9-1
• League Record: 5-0
• Home Record: 6-1
• Away Record: 2-0
• Points Scored: 394
• Points Allowed: 135
• Average Points Per Game (Final): 39.4
• Section Ranking: 32nd
• Division Ranking: 4th

Piedmont’s high-scoring offense and stingy defense make them a formidable opponent as they look to continue their strong run through the playoffs.

Key Matchup: Scoring Efficiency vs. Consistency

The key to this game will be the contrast between Piedmont’s high-scoring offense and Fortuna’s inconsistent attack. Piedmont has shown the ability to explode for big points in every quarter, while Fortuna has struggled to build consistent scoring, especially early in games. For Fortuna to compete, they will need to be more efficient and find ways to keep up with Piedmont’s offensive onslaught, particularly in the first half where their offense has struggled.

On the other hand, Piedmont will look to build an early lead, as they have consistently done throughout the season. With their potent offense, they will aim to take control from the opening whistle and avoid any late-game struggles.

Looking Ahead:

For Piedmont, this game presents an opportunity to continue their dominant season and push toward a potential championship. With a well-rounded team and the momentum from a strong regular season, Piedmont will enter the game as the favorites.

Fortuna, however, will look to play spoiler. Despite their tough regular season, they have the potential to upset Piedmont if they can execute a more efficient offensive game plan and hold their own defensively.

With the combination of Piedmont’s high-powered offense and Fortuna’s desire to pull off an upset, this playoff game promises to be an exciting and action-packed contest. Fans can expect an intense atmosphere as both teams battle for a spot in the next round of the North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 7.

In this matchup between Fortuna and Piedmont, the teams exhibit contrasting strengths and weaknesses across various metrics. Let’s break down their statistics and how these compare to national averages to understand what makes each team unique.

Offensive Comparison

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Fortuna’s rushing game is one of its most reliable assets, averaging 174.3 yards per game. This is significantly higher than Piedmont’s 20.3 yards per game, a major difference that could be a key factor in controlling the tempo of the game. The national average for rushing yards per game is 71.7 yards, which Fortuna exceeds by a comfortable margin.
• Passing Yards Per Game: When it comes to the air attack, Markos Lagios of Fortuna is a standout, racking up 189.2 passing yards per game. In contrast, Piedmont averages 196.0 passing yards per game, slightly ahead of Fortuna, but still a tight race. Both teams are above the national average of 51.6 yards in this category, with Fortuna’s Lagios being one of the top performers across the board.
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Fortuna also leads in this department with Sam Shelby posting an impressive 96.9 receiving yards per game. This is nearly 80 yards more than Piedmont’s 17.4 yards per game. It is clear that Fortuna’s passing game has a major advantage in this matchup, especially with Shelby’s outstanding individual performances.
• Total Yards Per Game: Fortuna’s balanced offense gives them a clear edge in total yards per game, with 370.3 yards. Piedmont, on the other hand, manages only 370.3 yards, almost identical but slightly more balanced across rushing and passing. Nationally, teams average just 36.7 total yards per game, meaning both teams are performing at a significantly higher level.

Defensive Comparison

• Tackles Per Game: Defensively, Fortuna is more aggressive, with 11.5 tackles per game. Piedmont only manages 6.0 tackles per game, which puts them at a distinct disadvantage. Nationally, the average is 2.7 tackles per game, so both teams are clearly above the norm, but Fortuna’s higher number speaks to a more aggressive defense.
• Sacks Per Game: While Tommy Ashton of Fortuna is known for contributing to the defensive line, he only records 0.1 sacks per game. Piedmont performs marginally better in this area with 0.2 sacks per game, but both are still quite low compared to what would be expected in a high-pressure pass-rush system.

Scoring

• Points Per Game: Fortuna also leads in scoring, putting up an impressive 36.3 points per game. Piedmont scores a respectable 31.7 points per game, but they are still a notch below Fortuna’s high-scoring offense. Nationally, teams average 2.6 points per game, so both squads are far above the norm.

Record Breakdown

Both teams have a 24-25 overall record, but their performances vary dramatically between league and non-league play.

• Fortuna has a 4-6 overall record, with a 2-1 record in league play and a 2-5 record in non-league games. Their performance at home is also a concern, with a 4-0 record at home and a 0-6 record on the road. This split suggests that they may struggle to win on the road, which could be a critical factor in their playoff aspirations.
• Piedmont is in a much stronger position with a 9-1 record overall. They have an undefeated 5-0 record in league play and a 4-1 non-league record. Their performance on the road has also been strong, with a 6-1 record away from home, which could give them a distinct advantage in this game.

Key Players

• Fortuna: Key players include Markos Lagios, who leads in passing and total yards per game, and Sam Shelby, a top performer in receiving yards and points per game. On defense, Jordan Alemania is the team’s tackle leader with 6.0 tackles per game.
• Piedmont: While individual stats are less eye-catching, their team is well-rounded and effective overall. Players to watch include their top defensive contributors and those involved in the passing game.

Conclusion

This matchup between Fortuna and Piedmont will be an intriguing one. Fortuna’s explosive offense, led by Markos Lagios and Sam Shelby, is clearly their strength, especially in the passing game. However, their inability to perform on the road and inconsistent defense could hinder their chances.

Piedmont, with its strong 9-1 record and more consistent overall performance, especially on the road, will likely rely on its well-rounded play to overcome the high-powered Fortuna offense. If Fortuna can establish its rushing attack early and pressure Piedmont’s defense, they have a chance to put up a fight. However, Piedmont’s balance on both sides of the ball, combined with their impressive record, may give them the upper hand.

The key to victory for Fortuna lies in their ability to control the tempo and maximize their scoring potential, while Piedmont’s defense and home-field advantage could prove to be the deciding factors in this high-stakes game.