The Quartz Hill (CA) varsity football team will face off against Highland (Palmdale, CA) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 9 tournament, promising an exciting clash for postseason glory.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Highland vs Quartz Hill
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 9
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Highland vs. Quartz Hill

The 2024 CIF Southern Section Football Championships (California) – Division 9 tournament is heating up as the Highland (Palmdale) and Quartz Hill (CA) varsity football teams prepare for a highly anticipated neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 22. With both teams coming off strong regular seasons, this matchup promises to be an exciting clash of styles as they vie for a spot in the next round.

Highland’s Solid Season

Highland (24-25) enters the playoffs with an 8-4 overall record, showcasing a solid performance throughout the season. They finished 6-1 in league play, which earned them a strong position heading into the postseason. The team’s .667 overall win percentage and .857 league win percentage reflect their consistency and competitive edge. On offense, Highland has scored 436 points while allowing 243, with a scoring average of 36.3 points per game.

The team has been steady across most quarters but shows a significant spike in the fourth quarter, averaging 8.0 points. The first quarter, however, has been a struggle for Highland, with only 1.8 points on average. If they want to succeed in this playoff matchup, they’ll need to find a way to start stronger and build momentum early on.

Quartz Hill: A Strong Contender

Quartz Hill (24-25) comes into the game with a 9-3 overall record and a solid playoff pedigree. They finished 5-2 in league play, securing a strong position for the postseason. Their .750 overall win percentage and .714 league win percentage reflect their high level of play. The team has scored 487 points, allowing just 172, and they average an impressive 40.6 points per game.

Quartz Hill has been explosive in the first half of games, particularly in the opening quarters. They average 14.1 points in the first quarter and 13.9 points in the second quarter, allowing them to build a strong lead early. However, they tend to slow down in the second half, scoring 5.9 points in the third quarter and 6.7 points in the fourth. If Quartz Hill can maintain their early-game intensity, they could pose a serious challenge to Highland’s defense.

A Comparison of Strengths

Both teams bring different strengths to the field. Quartz Hill has been more consistent in the early quarters, particularly in the first half, where they’ve averaged over 28 points. Highland, on the other hand, has had trouble finding their rhythm early in games, with a weak 1.8 points per game in the first quarter. However, Highland has been stronger in the fourth quarter, which could be a critical factor if the game is close down the stretch.

On paper, Quartz Hill’s offense appears to be more explosive, but Highland’s balanced approach and resilience in the second half may give them an advantage in tight situations.

The Bottom Line

As the two teams meet for this neutral-site playoff game, Highland will look to capitalize on their experience in high-pressure situations, while Quartz Hill will rely on their early-game dominance to build a lead. With both teams bringing high-powered offenses and strong defenses, this game promises to be a thrilling contest that could go down to the wire. The winner will move one step closer to championship glory, with plenty on the line for both sides.

As the high school football season intensifies, the upcoming matchup between Highland and Quartz Hill is set to capture the attention of fans across the region. Both teams have put together impressive seasons, with Highland entering the game with an 8-4 overall record and Quartz Hill at 9-3. Let’s dive into the key statistics, standout players, and what we can expect from this exciting game.

Offensive Comparison

• Rushing Yards: Quartz Hill holds a noticeable advantage in the rushing department, averaging 172.7 yards per game. Jaden Graham has been the driving force for the Quartz Hill offense, racking up an impressive 120.0 rushing yards per game. In comparison, Highland averages 126.6 rushing yards per game, with Roderick Erwin leading the charge at 45.8 yards per game. While Quartz Hill’s rushing attack is more explosive, Highland will need to find ways to slow down their opponent’s ground game.
• Passing Yards: Highland has a slight edge in the passing game, averaging 171.3 passing yards per game, led by Justin Wyatt Jr., who throws for 164.6 yards per game. Quartz Hill, with Brody Larey at quarterback, averages 174.5 passing yards per game. Larey’s ability to find targets like Adonyss Currie, who averages 68.1 receiving yards per game, will be key for Quartz Hill. Both teams rely on the passing game to balance their offenses, with Highland’s efficiency in the air helping them stay competitive.
• Receiving Yards: The receiving yards for both teams are nearly identical, with Highland averaging 168.1 yards per game and Quartz Hill averaging 174.5. Highland’s Andrew Garner is a top target, averaging 62.7 receiving yards per game. Quartz Hill’s Adonyss Currie leads the team with 68.1 receiving yards per game. The battle between these two wide receivers could play a pivotal role in the outcome of the game.
• Total Yards: Quartz Hill’s offense has been more explosive overall, averaging 347.2 total yards per game, compared to Highland’s 297.9 yards per game. This difference highlights Quartz Hill’s ability to stretch the field both on the ground and in the air, while Highland will need to be efficient and capitalize on every possession to keep up.

Defensive Comparison

• Tackles Per Game: Highland’s defense has been more active, averaging 74.8 tackles per game, compared to Quartz Hill’s 52.5 tackles per game. Highland’s Jayden Carrillo leads the team with 12.3 tackles per game, showing his ability to stay around the ball. Quartz Hill’s defense, while solid, will need to step up to handle the pressure Highland’s offense can create.
• Sacks Per Game: Both teams have been effective in putting pressure on the quarterback, with Highland averaging 3.0 sacks per game and Quartz Hill slightly ahead with 3.1 sacks per game. Highland’s Jamarieh Hector has been a key disruptor with 1.1 sacks per game, while Quartz Hill’s Jayden Baer adds depth to their pass rush with 0.8 sacks per game. This battle in the trenches could determine which team can impose its will on the opposing quarterback.

Scoring Comparison

• Points Per Game: Quartz Hill has the advantage in scoring, averaging 40.6 points per game compared to Highland’s 27.5 points per game. Quartz Hill’s potent offense, led by key players like Jaden Graham and Brody Larey, has been a consistent source of high-scoring games. Highland, while effective, will need to find ways to keep up with Quartz Hill’s high-powered attack.

Record Breakdown

• Overall Record: Highland enters the game with an 8-4 overall record, while Quartz Hill stands at 9-3. Both teams have had successful seasons, but Quartz Hill’s slightly better overall record speaks to their consistency throughout the year.
• League Record: Highland has an impressive 6-1 record in league play, while Quartz Hill is 5-2. Highland’s league performance has been strong, showing they can compete at a high level. Quartz Hill has also performed well within their league but has had a couple of close losses.
• Non-League Record: Highland has a 0-3 record in non-league play, while Quartz Hill holds a 2-1 record. Highland will be looking to improve on their non-league performance, which has been a point of vulnerability this season.
• Head-to-Head: Highland and Quartz Hill have not met yet this season, so this game will mark the first head-to-head contest of the year.
• Home/Away Record: Highland has been solid at home with a 5-2 record, but Quartz Hill has been dominant on the road with a 5-1 away record. This could be an interesting factor as both teams look to maintain their strong performances.
• Playoff Record: Both teams have had success in the playoffs, with Highland posting a 2-0 record and Quartz Hill going 2-0. Both teams are battle-tested and have proven they can win when it matters most.

Common Opponents

Both teams share several common opponents, and their records against these teams are identical, with both going 5-1 against their shared opponents. However, their performances were not without challenges. Notably, both teams defeated Littlerock, with Highland winning 74-0 and Quartz Hill winning 53-6. These lopsided victories show the dominance of both teams against similar competition.

Conclusion

The matchup between Highland and Quartz Hill is shaping up to be a competitive and high-scoring affair. Quartz Hill’s high-powered offense, led by Jaden Graham and Brody Larey, will challenge Highland’s defense, which has been solid but less explosive. Highland’s ability to execute on offense and take advantage of their rushing game could help them keep pace with Quartz Hill’s fast-paced attack.

Defensively, Highland’s active and aggressive defense will need to find ways to contain Quartz Hill’s playmakers, while Quartz Hill’s defense must stay disciplined against a capable Highland offense. With both teams having solid playoff pedigrees and competitive records, this game promises to be an exciting clash between two talented teams. The outcome will depend on which team can better execute their game plan and capitalize on the key moments throughout the contest.