The Skyline – Gila River (Chandler, AZ) varsity football team will face Harvest Prep Academy (Yuma, AZ) in a neutral-site playoff game today at 11 a.m. This matchup is part of the Arizona Football State Tournament – Division 1, where both teams will compete for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football Playoff
Who: Harvest Prep Academy vs Skyline – Gila River
When: Today, November 23, 2024
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Skyline – Gila River vs. Harvest Prep Academy

As the Arizona Football State Tournament – Division 1 enters its crucial stages, two highly competitive teams, Skyline – Gila River and Harvest Prep Academy, are set to face off in a neutral-site playoff game today at 11 a.m. Both teams have had strong seasons and will be looking to secure a spot in the next round.

Harvest Prep Academy: Strong but Inconsistent

Record Overview: Harvest Prep Academy comes into the game with a solid 5-2 record, boasting a win percentage of .714. They’ve had success in section play, with a 4-1 record, and have been dominant at home, winning all three of their home games. However, their road record (2-2) reflects some challenges away from home.

Scoring Breakdown: Harvest Prep Academy averages 25.1 points per game, but their scoring is notably inconsistent. They average just 3.0 points in the second quarter and have struggled to score in other parts of the game, with 0 points in the first, third, and fourth quarters. Despite these struggles, they have managed to put up solid totals through defensive efforts and key plays.

Defense: The team has allowed only 106 points across seven games, an average of 15.14 points per game. While they have a solid defense, their inconsistent scoring means they will need to rely on their defense to keep games close.

Skyline – Gila River: High-Powered Offense and Dominant Defense

Record Overview: Skyline – Gila River has been one of the top teams in the state, finishing with an 8-2 record and a win percentage of .800. They have been especially strong in section play, holding a 6-2 record. The team has been dominant on the road with a perfect 5-0 away record, making them a formidable opponent in neutral-site games.

Scoring Breakdown: Skyline – Gila River has been a high-scoring team, averaging 35.0 points per game. They are explosive in the early parts of games, putting up an average of 11.0 points in the first quarter and 10.3 in the second quarter. Their third-quarter offense is also strong, with 13.0 points, though their scoring drops off in the fourth quarter with just 3.3 points on average. Still, their offensive firepower makes them a dangerous team.

Defense: Defensively, Skyline – Gila River has been exceptional, allowing just 90 points throughout the season, or 9.0 points per game. This strong defense, paired with their high-powered offense, has made them one of the top teams in Arizona this season.

Key Comparisons: Skyline – Gila River vs. Harvest Prep Academy

• Offensive Power: Skyline – Gila River has a clear edge in terms of scoring, averaging 35.0 points per game compared to Harvest Prep Academy’s 25.1. Skyline’s consistent offensive output, especially in the first half, will be a major factor in this game.
• Defensive Strength: Both teams have solid defenses, but Skyline’s defense has been particularly dominant, allowing only 90 points across 10 games. In contrast, Harvest Prep Academy has allowed more points (106) but still maintains a strong defensive unit.
• Momentum and Experience: Skyline – Gila River enters this game with a strong record, especially in away games, and they have been more consistent overall. Harvest Prep Academy, on the other hand, has had a solid season but will need to find ways to improve their scoring consistency to compete with Skyline’s high-powered offense.

As the football season heats up, Harvest Prep Academy and Skyline – Gila River stand out as two teams vying for a strong playoff performance. While both teams have had solid seasons, their overall statistics and records paint distinct pictures of their strengths and areas for growth. Let’s dive into a comparison of the two teams, their key players, and their performance against common opponents.

Team Record Breakdown

• Harvest Prep Academy: With a 5-2 overall record, Harvest Prep Academy has had a strong season. Their 4-1 league record demonstrates their competitiveness in conference play, while their 0-1 non-league record indicates some struggles in those matchups. The team has also been dominant at home, with a 3-0 record. Their head-to-head win against Skyline – Gila River gives them a slight edge in the season’s matchup, though both teams have shown they can succeed in the postseason with respective 1-0 and 2-0 records in playoff games.
• Skyline – Gila River: Skyline – Gila River has been more successful with an 8-2 overall record. Their 6-2 league record highlights their strong conference play, and they have performed well in non-league games, boasting a 0-0 head-to-head result against Harvest Prep Academy. At home, Skyline – Gila River has a 3-2 record and has been perfect on the road, going 5-0. They also have a solid playoff record with 2-0, indicating their readiness for postseason competition.

Offensive Comparison

Harvest Prep Academy and Skyline – Gila River have both put up strong offensive numbers, but Harvest Prep Academy’s offense, led by standout player Phillip Rocha, has shown more versatility in certain areas:

1. Rushing Yards: While Harvest Prep Academy’s rushing yards are not specified, Phillip Rocha of Skyline – Gila River has been a significant force on the ground, averaging 60.8 rushing yards per game. This production has helped Skyline – Gila River maintain a balanced attack.
2. Passing Yards: Phillip Rocha has also been the key contributor in the passing game for Skyline – Gila River, averaging 146.5 passing yards per game. Harvest Prep Academy’s passing yards are not listed, but with Rocha’s dual-threat ability, Skyline – Gila River likely has a stronger passing attack.
3. Receiving Yards: Amear Hawkins of Harvest Prep Academy leads the team in receiving, averaging 62.3 receiving yards per game. His contribution in the passing game adds an important dynamic to their offense, complementing the efforts of Rocha.
4. Total Yards: Phillip Rocha is the key to Skyline – Gila River’s total yardage, accounting for 207.3 total yards per game, a significant figure that showcases his importance to the offense. Harvest Prep Academy has not specified their total yards, but the numbers for Rocha put Skyline – Gila River at a clear advantage in offensive production.
5. Points Per Game: Amear Hawkins contributes significantly to Harvest Prep Academy’s offense, averaging 16.7 points per game. With both Rocha and Hawkins performing at a high level, Harvest Prep Academy has the potential to put up a significant number of points against most opponents.

Defensive Comparison

When it comes to defense, Harvest Prep Academy’s Amear Hawkins stands out as one of the team’s top performers:

1. Tackles: Amear Hawkins is a force on defense, averaging 11.0 tackles per game, providing leadership and consistency in stopping opposing offenses. Skyline – Gila River’s defensive stats are not specified, but Hawkins’ presence in the middle of the defense will be a key factor in stopping Skyline – Gila River’s offensive plays.
2. Sacks: Hawkins also leads the team in sacks with 2.0 sacks per game, further demonstrating his impact on the defensive side of the ball.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar opponents, with a strong performance across the board:

• Ajo: Harvest Prep Academy defeated Ajo twice, with a 40-14 win on September 6 and a 16-12 win on November 15. Skyline – Gila River, however, lost to Ajo, 16-8, on October 17.
• Paradise Valley Christian Prep: Harvest Prep Academy won decisively 30-6 on September 14, while Skyline – Gila River also had a commanding 38-0 victory against the same opponent on November 1.
• James Madison Preparatory School: Harvest Prep Academy fell to James Madison 28-6 on September 19, whereas Skyline – Gila River lost in a tight matchup 42-38 on September 5 and won 54-24 in a rematch on November 15.
• Sequoia Charter: Both teams dominated Sequoia Charter, with Harvest Prep Academy winning 36-6 on September 26 and Skyline – Gila River taking a 44-8 victory on October 24.

Key Players

• Harvest Prep Academy:
  • Amear Hawkins: A standout player for Harvest Prep Academy, Hawkins contributes across all facets of the game, with an average of 11.0 tackles per game, 2.0 sacks per game, and 16.7 points per game.
  • Phillip Rocha: While mainly known for his work in Skyline – Gila River’s offense, Rocha has also contributed significantly to their total yards and passing game, adding another dimension to their well-rounded attack.
• Skyline – Gila River:
  • Phillip Rocha: The centerpiece of Skyline – Gila River’s offense, Rocha’s dual-threat ability in both passing and rushing gives the team a significant edge in playmaking.
  • Amear Hawkins: As one of the top defensive and offensive players, Hawkins’ performances on both sides of the ball will be crucial to Harvest Prep Academy’s chances.

Conclusion

Skyline – Gila River enters this matchup as the stronger team based on overall record and offensive production, especially with Phillip Rocha’s leadership in both the rushing and passing game. However, Harvest Prep Academy is no slouch, with Amear Hawkins providing key contributions on both offense and defense. With their ability to defeat common opponents and Hawkins’ defensive prowess, Harvest Prep Academy has the tools to challenge Skyline – Gila River.

Both teams are playoff-ready, but Skyline – Gila River‘s overall performance, bolstered by their offensive strength and winning record, makes them the favorite going into this exciting matchup.