The Acalanes varsity football team will host Heritage for a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 3 tournament. Both teams will be competing for a chance to advance in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Heritage vs Acalanes
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 3
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Acalanes and Heritage

As the 2024 football season reaches its climax, the Acalanes and Heritage teams are gearing up for a highly anticipated playoff game. Set to take place on Friday, November 22, this game promises to showcase the contrasting strengths and styles of two competitive teams: Acalanes from Lafayette, CA, and Heritage from Brentwood, CA.

Heritage: A Strong Finish and Resilient Play

Heritage enters the matchup with a 7-4 overall record, securing a respectable 2-3 mark in league play. With a .636 win percentage, Heritage has shown resilience, particularly on the road, where they have posted a 4-1 away record. However, their home performance has been more mixed, with a 3-3 record.

In terms of scoring, Heritage averages 25.5 points per game. Their offensive production is spread out fairly evenly, with strong outputs in the first and fourth quarters (7.0 points each). However, their second and third quarters have been more challenging, as they average just 3.5 points in both. Heritage will need to find ways to sustain its scoring through the middle of the game if they hope to advance in the playoffs.

Acalanes: A Balanced and High-Scoring Threat

Acalanes, with an 8-3 record overall, has been a dominant force throughout the season, particularly within their league, where they boast a 3-1 record. Their strong performance at home (5-1) has given them a solid foundation, and their away record (3-2) indicates their ability to compete in any environment. Acalanes enters the postseason with a .727 win percentage and a robust league performance at .750.

Acalanes’ offensive power has been one of the highlights of their season. Averaging 36.0 points per game, they have consistently outperformed their opponents, especially in the first and second quarters, where they score an average of 11.1 and 9.0 points, respectively. Even in the second half, Acalanes remains dangerous, maintaining strong numbers in both the third and fourth quarters with averages of 8.4 and 9.0 points.

Key Matchup: Offensive Power vs. Consistency

When comparing the two teams’ scoring averages, Acalanes clearly holds the advantage, with a 36.0 points-per-game average compared to Heritage’s 25.5. However, Heritage’s ability to step up in clutch moments, particularly in the first and fourth quarters, could pose a challenge for Acalanes. If Heritage can capitalize on Acalanes’ potential mid-game slowdowns and improve their second and third-quarter performance, this game could become a close contest.

As the football season heads into its most exciting stretch, the upcoming game between Heritage and Acalanes is set to be an exciting showdown between two competitive teams. Heritage, with a 7-4 overall record, faces Acalanes, which enters the game with an 8-3 record. Both teams have demonstrated strong performances throughout the season, but they have distinct styles and strengths that will make for an intriguing match. Let’s break down the team statistics and key players to get a clearer picture of what to expect from this game.

Offensive Comparison

Rushing Yards Per Game: Heritage and Acalanes are closely matched when it comes to rushing yards, each averaging just over 136 yards per game. Heritage’s leading rusher, Mekhi Adanandus, contributes 82.7 yards per game, while Acalanes is slightly ahead with Austin Wampler leading the way at 88.2 yards per game. The ground game for both teams has been consistent, but Acalanes has a slight edge in this category.

Passing Yards Per Game: Acalanes has a significant advantage in the passing game, averaging 214.5 yards per game compared to Heritage’s 136.5 yards. Acalanes’ quarterback, Tyler Winkles, leads the way with 218.3 passing yards per game, while Heritage’s Phillip Babbitt contributes 127.1 yards per game. The passing game is where Acalanes has been able to gain a notable edge, relying heavily on Winkles and his ability to connect with his receivers.

Receiving Yards Per Game: Both teams have strong receiving corps, with Acalanes again taking the upper hand. Acalanes averages 211.6 receiving yards per game, with Niko White leading the team with 83.4 yards per game. Heritage’s top receiver, Jordan Kinnaird, adds 58.0 yards per game, contributing to their overall 136.6 yards per game. While Acalanes’ receiving game has been more prolific, Heritage has shown it can be effective through the air when necessary.

Total Yards Per Game: Acalanes is the clear leader in total yards per game, averaging 377.6 yards compared to Heritage’s 273.1. This statistical edge highlights Acalanes’ ability to move the ball effectively in both the passing and rushing game, making them a well-rounded offensive unit.

Defensive Comparison

Tackles Per Game: Both teams are solid defensively, with Acalanes averaging 66.9 tackles per game, slightly ahead of Heritage’s 65.8. Heritage’s Peyton Donleavy leads with 9.7 tackles per game, while Acalanes’ David Roux contributes 6.7 tackles per game. Both teams show a commitment to defense, and these leaders are key to their teams’ success in stopping the opposing offense.

Sacks Per Game: Acalanes holds an advantage in generating pressure, averaging 2.9 sacks per game compared to Heritage’s 1.8. Acalanes’ Drew McKenzie is the leader in sacks with 1.0 per game, while Heritage’s Markus King adds 0.6 sacks per game. The ability to disrupt the quarterback will be a key factor in this matchup, and Acalanes appears to have the upper hand in this area.

Scoring Comparison

Points Per Game: Acalanes has been the more explosive team on offense, averaging 35.5 points per game, compared to Heritage’s 25.5 points per game. Acalanes’ high-scoring offense, led by Winkles and White, has been effective at finding the end zone. Heritage will need to find ways to slow down Acalanes’ offense and generate more scoring opportunities to keep pace.

Team Leaders

For Heritage, Mekhi Adanandus is the focal point of the offense, contributing 82.7 rushing yards per game. Phillip Babbitt is the key passer, with 127.1 passing yards per game. Jordan Kinnaird leads the receiving corps with 58.0 yards per game, while Peyton Donleavy is the defensive leader with 9.7 tackles per game.

Acalanes’ offense is powered by Tyler Winkles, who averages 218.3 passing yards per game and has helped the team achieve 226.3 total yards per game. Niko White is the standout receiver with 83.4 receiving yards per game. On defense, David Roux contributes 6.7 tackles per game, while Drew McKenzie leads the team in sacks with 1.0 per game.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Record: Acalanes has the advantage with an 8-3 record, while Heritage is 7-4.
• League Record: Acalanes has been more successful in league play, with a 4-1 record compared to Heritage’s 2-3.
• Non-League Record: Heritage has a 4-2 record in non-league games, while Acalanes is 3-1.
• Home/Away Performance: Acalanes has been dominant at home with a 5-1 record, while Heritage is 3-3 at home. However, Heritage has a solid 4-1 record on the road, so their away-game performance should not be underestimated.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced Dublin and secured victories. Heritage won 22-13 in their matchup on 9/13/24, while Acalanes triumphed 42-13 in their home game on 11/15/24. The fact that both teams have defeated the same opponent with convincing scores adds an interesting layer of comparison, but Acalanes’ more dominant win suggests they may have the edge in this upcoming matchup.

Conclusion

This game promises to be an exciting and closely contested battle between two talented teams. Acalanes’ high-powered offense and strong passing game give them the statistical edge in most categories, particularly in total yards and scoring. However, Heritage’s ability to move the ball efficiently, combined with strong individual performances on defense, will keep them in the fight. The matchup could come down to how effectively Heritage can slow down Acalanes’ offensive juggernaut while finding ways to capitalize on their own opportunities. Fans can expect a thrilling game that showcases the strengths and talents of both squads.