The Mammoth varsity football team will host Fresno Christian in a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships in the 8-Player Division. Both teams will compete for a chance to advance in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Fresno Christian vs Mammoth
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships – 8-Player Division
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Mammoth vs. Fresno Christian

On Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m., the Mammoth varsity football team will host Fresno Christian in a crucial home playoff game as part of the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships in the 8-Player Division. Both teams come into this contest with impressive records and strong offensive capabilities, making it a highly anticipated matchup.

Records and Rankings

Mammoth enters the game with a stellar 10-1 overall record, with their only loss coming during the regular season. Their perfect 4-0 league record shows their dominance in their division, and they are a well-rounded team, boasting a high-powered offense that has put up 481 points this season while allowing just 166. Ranked 290th in California and 11th nationally, Mammoth has been a dominant force in their section, and they have proven themselves in both home and away games.

Fresno Christian, with a 7-4 overall record, has also had a strong season. They are ranked 285th in California and 10th in their section, showing their competitive edge. Fresno Christian has a solid record of 6-1 at home but struggled a bit on the road, with just a 1-3 record away. They have scored 430 points while allowing 286, indicating a potent offense but also some vulnerability on defense.

Scoring Breakdown

Mammoth has averaged an impressive 43.7 points per game, with a particularly strong first half. They start strong with 16.8 points in the first quarter and 15.5 points in the second, showing they can take an early lead and put pressure on their opponents. In the second half, Mammoth continues to perform well, averaging 10.0 points in the third quarter and 8.0 in the fourth.

Fresno Christian has also been an effective offensive team, averaging 39.1 points per game. They start strong, with 15.0 points in the first quarter, followed by 12.3 points in the second. Their scoring drops off slightly in the second half, with 8.0 points in the third and 4.4 points in the fourth. To stay competitive against Mammoth, Fresno Christian will need to maintain their scoring throughout all four quarters.

Keys to Victory

For Fresno Christian, maintaining offensive consistency throughout the game will be crucial. They will need to counter Mammoth’s early scoring spurt and find ways to remain productive in the second half. A strong performance from their offense and a tightened defense will be key to challenging Mammoth’s dominant attack.

For Mammoth, keeping up their first-half dominance will be important. With a balanced offensive attack and strong performances at home, they will look to establish control early and prevent Fresno Christian from mounting a comeback in the later stages of the game. Their ability to score consistently and limit their opponents will be critical.

What’s at Stake

This playoff game holds significant importance for both teams as they fight for a spot in the next round of the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships. Mammoth, with their excellent overall record and home-field advantage, enters as the favorite, but Fresno Christian’s high-scoring offense and potential for surprises will make this game exciting.

Both teams are well-coached and have shown the ability to perform under pressure, setting the stage for a thrilling matchup in the 8-Player Division. Fans can expect an exciting, fast-paced game with both teams vying for postseason glory. The outcome will likely depend on which team can execute their game plan more effectively, particularly in the second half.

As the high school football season progresses, Fresno Christian and Mammoth have both shown impressive performances on the field. Fresno Christian, with a 7-4 record, has had a solid season, while Mammoth enters this matchup with a strong 10-1 record. Both teams are known for their offensive firepower, but their styles differ slightly. Let’s dive into the statistics and key players to see how these two teams stack up against each other.

Offensive Comparison:

• Rushing Game: Fresno Christian averages 137.6 rushing yards per game, with Alex Asatrian leading the charge, contributing 53.6 yards per game. Mammoth, on the other hand, averages 127.5 rushing yards per game, with their standout rusher Tanner Knott putting up an impressive 85.6 yards per game. While Fresno Christian has a balanced rushing attack, Mammoth’s rushing game is slightly more potent, thanks to Knott’s significant contributions.
• Passing Game: Fresno Christian is more reliant on the passing game, averaging 171.8 passing yards per game, with Tycen Ramirez at the helm, throwing for 166.0 yards per game. Mammoth’s passing attack is less frequent, posting just 93.6 passing yards per game. However, Tanner Knott contributes as both a rusher and a passer, throwing for 106.3 yards per game, making him a dual-threat on offense.
• Receiving Game: Fresno Christian also has a stronger receiving game, averaging 165.0 yards per game. Joshua Kubota is their top receiver with 65.3 yards per game. Mammoth’s Tommy Lackey contributes 43.3 receiving yards per game, with Eli Ericson adding 10.4 points per game to the offense. Fresno Christian has more depth in the receiving game, with Tycen Ramirez contributing in both the passing and receiving game.
• Total Yards: Fresno Christian averages 309.5 total yards per game, while Mammoth posts 221.1 total yards per game. Fresno Christian’s offensive scheme is more varied and high-powered, using both the run and pass to generate significant yardage. Mammoth’s offense is more centered around Knott, both on the ground and in the air.

Defensive Comparison:

• Tackles: Fresno Christian averages 48.7 tackles per game, while Mammoth is right behind with 48.2 tackles per game. Both teams are capable of stopping the run and making key tackles, with Alex Asatrian leading the way for Fresno Christian, contributing 11.2 tackles per game. For Mammoth, Dj Gray stands out with 9.9 tackles per game.
• Sacks: Mammoth has the edge in sacks, averaging 2.7 sacks per game compared to Fresno Christian’s 1.5 sacks per game. Tanner Knott is also a key player in this category, contributing 1.2 sacks per game, while Braxton Bay leads Fresno Christian with 0.5 sacks per game.

Scoring:

Both teams are capable of putting up big numbers on the scoreboard. Fresno Christian averages 37.6 points per game, while Mammoth scores slightly more, averaging 38.3 points per game. Joshua Kubota is a key contributor for Fresno Christian with 10.0 points per game, while Eli Ericson is a top scorer for Mammoth, putting up 10.4 points per game.

Record Breakdown:

• Fresno Christian: With a 7-4 overall record, Fresno Christian has had a strong season, particularly in non-league games, where they posted a 5-4 record. Their performance at home has been solid (6-1), and they have managed to secure a playoff spot with a 2-0 record. The team has shown resilience, with a good mix of victories and competitive losses.
• Mammoth: Mammoth enters the game with a stellar 10-1 record. The team has been dominant in both league and non-league play, going 5-1 in non-league games and 4-0 in league play. Their perfect home record (5-1) and impressive away performance (5-0) demonstrate their ability to perform in various environments. Mammoth has also been excellent in the playoffs, boasting a 2-0 record.

Common Opponents:

• Fresno Christian vs. Avalon: Fresno Christian played Avalon on 10/25/24, suffering a 34-16 loss. Mammoth, however, defeated Avalon 30-18 on 9/13/24 at home.

This is the only common opponent between the two teams, with Mammoth coming out on top in the head-to-head matchup against Avalon.

Conclusion:

The game between Fresno Christian and Mammoth will be an exciting contest between two high-scoring teams with different styles of play. Fresno Christian brings a balanced offense with a strong passing attack and solid rushing game, led by Tycen Ramirez and Alex Asatrian. On the other hand, Mammoth has a dominant rushing attack with Tanner Knott and a defense capable of putting pressure on the quarterback.

While Fresno Christian has more offensive firepower, Mammoth has the edge in defensive play and has shown consistency throughout the season, particularly with their undefeated record in non-league and league play. Fresno Christian will need to capitalize on its strength in the air and find ways to slow down Knott’s dual-threat ability.

With both teams capable of putting up significant points, this matchup promises to be a thrilling contest, and fans can expect an exciting game as both teams look to make a statement heading into the postseason.