The Rocklin (CA) varsity football team will face Grant (Sacramento, CA) in a neutral-site playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs – Division 2 tournament, where 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: Grant vs Rocklin
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs – Division 2
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Grant vs. Rocklin
Today at 7 p.m., the Grant (Sacramento, CA) varsity football team will face Rocklin (CA) in a neutral-site playoff game as part of the 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football Playoffs – Division 2 tournament. Both teams have had impressive seasons, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting and competitive matchup.
Rankings & Records
- Grant
- National Rank: 35
- California Rank: 3
- Section Rank: 2
- Overall Record: 9-3
- League Record: 5-0 (Undefeated in league play)
- Home Record: 4-1
- Away Record: 3-2
- Neutral Record: 2-0
- Points For (PF): 479
- Points Against (PA): 232
- Win Percentage: .750
- League Win Percentage: 1.000
Grant enters the playoffs with a strong record, including a perfect 5-0 in league play. They’ve shown consistency both at home and on the road, with a particularly strong neutral-site performance (2-0). With 479 points scored this season, their offense has been a major strength.
- Rocklin
- National Rank: 33
- California Rank: 2
- Section Rank: 1
- Overall Record: 10-2
- League Record: 5-2
- Home Record: 4-1
- Away Record: 4-1
- Neutral Record: 2-0
- Points For (PF): 443
- Points Against (PA): 193
- Win Percentage: .833
- League Win Percentage: .714
Rocklin comes into the playoffs with a slightly better overall record (10-2) and has been dominant on the road (4-1). Their offense has been effective, scoring 443 points this season, and their defense has been stout, allowing only 193 points—one of the best marks in the section.
Scoring Averages and Trends
- Grant:
- First Quarter: 8.8
- Second Quarter: 10.3
- Third Quarter: 7.8
- Fourth Quarter: 8.1
- Average Final Score: 39.9
Grant has been consistent in scoring across all four quarters, with their highest output coming in the second quarter (10.3 points). This ability to build momentum early in the game has made them a tough team to overcome.
- Rocklin:
- First Quarter: 10.0
- Second Quarter: 15.4
- Third Quarter: 15.0
- Fourth Quarter: 3.9
- Average Final Score: 36.9
Rocklin’s offense has been especially potent in the first half, averaging 25.4 points in the first three quarters. However, their lower fourth-quarter scoring (3.9 points) could be a concern if they need to close out a close game.
Key Matchup Factors
- Offensive Firepower: Grant has been incredibly effective on offense, scoring nearly 40 points per game. However, Rocklin has a slightly more balanced offensive attack and has shown they can adjust throughout the game.
- Defensive Strength: Rocklin’s defense has been exceptional, allowing just 193 points on the season, while Grant has given up 232 points. Rocklin’s defense could play a crucial role in stopping Grant’s high-scoring offense.
- Neutral-Site Performance: Both teams have performed well in neutral-site games, but Grant’s perfect 2-0 record in neutral games could give them a psychological edge.
What’s at Stake
The winner of this game will advance further into the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division 2 playoffs, with a chance to continue their championship journey. With both teams boasting high-powered offenses and strong records, this game promises to be an exciting and closely contested battle.
Fans can expect a thrilling contest, with both teams bringing their best to the field. Whether Grant’s offensive power or Rocklin’s defensive prowess prevails, the game is sure to deliver plenty of excitement and drama under the Friday night lights.
As the 2024-25 season heats up, two high-powered teams—Grant and Rocklin—are set to face off in what promises to be an exciting showdown. Both squads have impressive records, with Grant standing at 9-3 and Rocklin slightly ahead at 10-2. Let’s take a deeper look at how these teams compare statistically and what we can expect from this thrilling matchup.
Team Stat Comparison
Offensive Firepower: Both teams show a balanced mix of rushing and passing yards, but Grant excels in the air, averaging 228.2 passing yards per game, while Rocklin leans heavily on their ground game, posting 208.0 rushing yards per game. Here’s how they compare:
- Grant boasts a strong all-around offense, with 380.0 total yards per game and a focus on their aerial attack, led by Luke Alexander, who averages 208.4 passing yards per game. Their receiving corps is also formidable, with Koby “Cheese” Shabazz averaging 72.3 receiving yards per game.
- Rocklin, in contrast, is more of a ground-and-pound team, with Derek Keeley leading the charge with 106.5 rushing yards per game. Their passing game is efficient but less emphasized, with Reeve Slone contributing 154.6 passing yards per game. Despite this, Rocklin’s 362.6 total yards per game still places them among the top teams in the league.
Defensively, Grant holds a slight edge in tackles, averaging 52.4 tackles per game, compared to Rocklin’s 47.0 tackles per game. Both teams are fairly comparable when it comes to pressure on the quarterback, with Grant registering 2.1 sacks per game, and Rocklin at 2.0 sacks per game. Grant has also been slightly more efficient in scoring, averaging 38.1 points per game, just ahead of Rocklin’s 35.8 points per game.
Key Players to Watch
For Grant, the leader is undoubtedly Brandon Lambert (#1), who averages an impressive 106.5 rushing yards per game and plays a crucial role in both the running and passing games. Luke Alexander (#7) is the centerpiece of their passing attack, contributing 208.4 total yards per game, including 228.2 passing yards. On defense, Jeremiah Tuiileila (#8) leads the team with 7.9 tackles per game, and Malakai Guidry (#15) is a key playmaker on special teams with 12.0 points per game.
For Rocklin, all eyes will be on Derek Keeley (#5), whose 106.5 rushing yards per game is a huge part of their offensive scheme. Reeve Slone (#3) is an effective dual-threat quarterback, contributing both in the air and on the ground. Defensively, Alex Durham (#8) has been a standout with 8.9 tackles per game, and Travis Ledbetter (#6) provides pressure with 0.5 sacks per game.
Common Opponents
Both teams have faced off against Jesuit, with both securing dominant victories. Grant routed Jesuit 49-7, while Rocklin won by an even wider margin, 52-14. The similar outcomes in this common matchup suggest that both teams have the ability to dominate, but Grant’s consistent scoring power and defensive resilience will need to be tested against Rocklin’s aggressive offensive strategy.
Record Breakdown
- Grant: With a 9-3 overall record, Grant has excelled in league play, finishing with a perfect 5-0 league record. They’ve also proven themselves in the postseason, with a 2-0 playoff record, showing their ability to step up when it matters most.
- Rocklin: The 10-2 overall record for Rocklin is impressive, with a solid 5-2 mark in league play. Like Grant, Rocklin has shown its mettle in the postseason, holding a perfect 2-0 record. Their success on the road (4-1) could be an important factor in this game.
What to Watch For
- Ground Game vs. Aerial Attack: The battle between Grant’s high-flying offense and Rocklin’s powerful rushing attack will be the focal point of this game. Grant’s ability to shut down Rocklin’s running game could tip the scales in their favor.
- Defensive Playmakers: Both teams have standout defensive players who will need to step up. Grant’s Jeremiah Tuiileila and Rocklin’s Alex Durham will be crucial in limiting big plays and forcing turnovers.
- Playoff Performance: With both teams undefeated in the playoffs (2-0), their postseason experience will play a big role in a tightly contested game. Expect both teams to play with heightened intensity as they seek to advance further in the tournament.
Prediction
While Rocklin has the advantage in rushing yards, Grant has the edge in passing and overall offensive balance. Given Grant’s ability to score at will and their strong defensive line, they should be able to outlast Rocklin in a high-scoring affair. Look for Grant to pull out a close win in this exciting matchup.
