The Ponderosa (Parker, CO) varsity football team will host Grand Junction (CO) in a home playoff game today at 1:00 PM at Ponderosa. This game is part of the “2024 CHSAA State Football Playoffs – Class 4A” tournament.
Grand Junction vs Ponderosa High School Football Game Info:
What: Colorado High School Football
Who: Grand Junction vs Ponderosa
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 1:00pm.
Bracket: 2024 CHSAA State Football Playoffs – Class 4A
Live stream: Watch here
Game Preview: Grand Junction vs Ponderosa
The Grand Junction (CO) varsity football team will travel to face Ponderosa (Parker, CO) in a highly anticipated home playoff game today at 1:00 PM. This matchup is part of the “2024 CHSAA State Football Playoffs – Class 4A” tournament, and both teams are bringing strong performances into the game.
Team Records and Overview
Grand Junction enters the playoffs with a stellar 10-1 overall record, having gone undefeated in league play with a perfect 5-0 mark. The Tigers have been dominant on the road with a 4-1 record away from home. Their offense has been explosive, averaging nearly 40 points per game, led by standout running back Mathias Martinez, who has rushed for over 96 yards per game. Grand Junction has excelled in both rushing and passing, combining for a total of 357 yards per game.
Ponderosa, with a 7-3 overall record, comes into the postseason with a solid 4-1 league record. Though they’ve been more consistent at home, posting a 2-3 mark on the road, the Mustangs have been competitive all season. Their offense, averaging 33.1 points per game, is led by quarterback Colter Espinoza, who has thrown for over 102 yards per game. Ponderosa’s defense has also been a force, with linebacker Caden Miller averaging over 10 tackles per game.
Scoring Averages and Key Stats
Grand Junction has been a high-scoring team throughout the season, averaging 39.9 points per game, with their highest-scoring quarter coming in the second, where they average 14.5 points. On the other hand, Ponderosa averages 33.1 points per game, with a strong first quarter where they score 8 points on average. Both teams have demonstrated impressive offensive balance, with Grand Junction relying more on the run (249.9 rushing yards per game), while Ponderosa has been more versatile, with 205.1 rushing yards per game and 123.5 passing yards.
Key Players to Watch
Grand Junction:
- Mathias Martinez (RB): With 96.2 rushing yards per game, Martinez has been the driving force in the Tigers’ offense.
- Will Applegate (QB): Applegate has accounted for over 143 yards of total offense per game, combining both his passing and rushing abilities.
Ponderosa:
- De’alcapon Veazy (RB): Veazy leads the Mustangs’ rushing attack, averaging 113.2 yards per game.
- Colter Espinoza (QB): Espinoza’s 102.2 passing yards per game has been crucial to the Mustangs’ success this season.
Head-to-Head
While Grand Junction has yet to face Ponderosa this season, both teams have been dominant in their respective leagues, setting up what promises to be a thrilling playoff encounter. Grand Junction’s high-powered offense will challenge Ponderosa’s defense, which has been improving each week.
Conclusion
This playoff game will be a showdown between two teams with different styles of play but strong momentum heading into the postseason. Grand Junction’s explosive offense faces a tough Ponderosa defense that will look to limit the Tigers’ yardage and control the game clock. With both teams hungry for a win, fans can expect an intense and exciting game this afternoon at Ponderosa High School.
