The Carmel (CA) varsity football team is set to face Hollister (CA) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships in California, specifically within the Division III bracket. Fans anticipate an exciting showdown as these teams compete for advancement.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Hollister vs Carmel
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships (California) – Division III
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Hollister vs. Carmel

As the 2024-2025 high school football season progresses, let’s take a closer look at two teams within the Central Coast Section (CCS) of California: Hollister and Carmel. Both teams have had unique journeys through the season, with varying results that highlight their strengths and areas for improvement.

Hollister High School (5-6, 1-5 League Record)

Hollister High School has faced a challenging season in terms of both overall performance and league competition. With a 5-6 record, the team has been competitive, but their league play has been tough, finishing with a 1-5 record. This reflects their struggle against some of the stronger teams within the league, ending their home and away games with mixed results: 3-3 at home and 2-3 on the road.

Despite these challenges, Hollister has shown resilience in scoring, putting up a total of 252 points over the season. Their average scoring per game is 22.9 points, but the defense has been vulnerable, allowing 260 points in return. Their scoring breakdown across quarters reflects a solid start but a tougher finish, with an average of 3.5 points in the first quarter, followed by a slightly better second quarter at 7.0 points. However, their third and fourth quarters show improvement, with 11.5 and 9.0 points, respectively, indicating they tend to gather momentum as the game progresses.

Carmel High School (11-0, 6-0 League Record)

In contrast, Carmel High School has enjoyed an undefeated season so far, with a perfect 11-0 record, including a 6-0 league record. This dominant performance places them at the top of their league, with a flawless 6-0 home record and 5-0 away record. Carmel has been a powerhouse both offensively and defensively, scoring 495 points while allowing 283.

Their average score per game is an impressive 45.0 points, significantly higher than Hollister’s. Carmel has shown consistency in their offensive attack, with a particularly strong first half. In the opening quarter, they average 14.3 points, and in the second quarter, 13.3 points, which is a strong foundation for their success. Even though their scoring in the second half drops slightly—7.0 points in the third quarter and 9.3 points in the fourth—Carmel’s solid lead in the first half allows them to maintain control of the game.

Comparing the Teams: Offense and Defense

While both teams have had their highs and lows this season, Carmel has clearly outperformed Hollister, particularly in scoring. Hollister’s scoring is spread more evenly across the four quarters, but they struggle to keep up with higher-scoring teams like Carmel. On the other hand, Carmel’s offensive explosion in the first half has been key to their undefeated record, and their defense has managed to limit opponents to a manageable 283 points, showing their overall dominance.

As the 2024 high school football season progresses, fans and analysts alike are drawing comparisons between two prominent teams: Hollister High School and Carmel High School. Both teams have had their share of challenges and triumphs, but when examining their performance in common matchups and their overall records, some distinct trends and patterns emerge.

Common Opponents

One of the most telling aspects of comparing teams is how they fare against the same opponents. In this case, both Hollister and Carmel faced Monterey High School in the 2024 season. The results of these head-to-head matchups highlight the differences between the two teams’ performance levels.

• Hollister vs. Monterey (10/18/24): Hollister faced Monterey at home on October 18th but came up short in a tight contest, losing 25-22.
• Carmel vs. Monterey (9/21/24): On the other hand, Carmel achieved a strong victory over Monterey on September 21st, securing a 41-28 win.

This head-to-head result against a common opponent shows that Carmel has had a stronger performance, while Hollister struggled in a similar matchup. This reflects broader trends in their overall and league performance.

Record Breakdown: Hollister vs. Carmel

Hollister’s 2024 Season (Record: 5-6)

• Overall Record: 5-6
• League Record: 1-5
• Non-League Record: 3-1
• Head-to-Head Record: 0-0 (no game played against Carmel in 2024)
• Home Record: 3-3
• Away Record: 2-3
• Playoff Record: 0-0 (not yet in playoffs)
• In-State Record: 5-5
• Out-of-State Record: 0-0

Hollister has had a challenging season with a losing overall record of 5-6. Their league play, in particular, has been tough, with only one win in six attempts. However, they performed well in non-league games, where they went 3-1. Their home and away records are relatively balanced, but they will need to improve their league play to be considered a contender in future seasons.

Carmel’s 2024 Season (Record: 11-0)

• Overall Record: 11-0
• League Record: 6-0
• Non-League Record: 4-0
• Head-to-Head Record: 0-0 (no game played against Hollister in 2024)
• Home Record: 6-0
• Away Record: 5-0
• Playoff Record: 1-0 (undefeated in playoff games)
• In-State Record: 11-0
• Out-of-State Record: 0-0

Carmel, on the other hand, has had an exceptional season, finishing undefeated with an 11-0 record. Their perfect performance is highlighted by an unblemished 6-0 record in league play, where they dominated their opponents. Carmel also remains undefeated at home and away, showing their ability to win in various conditions. The team’s consistency and strength, particularly in league matchups, have made them a formidable force this season.

Head-to-Head Record and Playoff Prospects

Although the two teams did not face off directly in the 2024 season, their records suggest that Carmel has been significantly more successful, particularly in league play. Hollister’s struggles in conference games (1-5) contrast with Carmel’s perfect 6-0 league record.

As for the playoffs, Carmel’s undefeated season sets them up as one of the top contenders, while Hollister, with no playoff appearances so far, will need to make substantial improvements to be a playoff-caliber team.

Conclusion

The 2024 season has been a tale of two different trajectories for Hollister and Carmel High School football teams. Hollister has had a solid non-league performance but faltered in league play, whereas Carmel has been dominant both in-state and in their league, proving their strength as a top contender. Moving forward, Hollister will look to improve their league results, while Carmel hopes to carry their momentum into the postseason and extend their undefeated streak.