The Shafter (CA) varsity football team is set to host Immanuel (Reedley, CA) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships – Division IV tournament, where both teams will compete for a coveted spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Immanuel vs Shafter
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships – Division IV
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Immanuel vs. Shafter

As the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships – Division IV tournament intensifies, one of the most anticipated matchups is set to unfold between Immanuel (Reedley, CA) and Shafter (CA) on Friday, November 22. Both teams have had impressive seasons, with stellar records and formidable offensive and defensive units, setting the stage for a thrilling playoff contest.

Immanuel’s Strong Season

Immanuel enters the playoff showdown with a solid 10-2 record, showcasing their well-rounded performance throughout the season. With a .833 win percentage overall and a .750 league win percentage, Immanuel has proven their consistency, finishing 3-1 in league play. Their offensive unit has averaged 32.8 points per game, with steady contributions across all quarters: 8.1 points in the first quarter, 9.9 in the second, 7.3 in the third, and 8.6 in the final quarter. With 394 points scored and only 110 points allowed, their defense has been one of the best in their section, making them a formidable opponent in the tournament.

Shafter’s Impressive Run

On the other hand, Shafter has had a dominant season, posting a 10-1 overall record and finishing undefeated (5-0) in league play. Their .909 win percentage is a testament to their excellence on both sides of the ball. Shafter’s offense has been particularly explosive, averaging 40.6 points per game. They start strong, averaging 9.0 points in the first quarter, 14.0 in the second, and 10.3 in the third, before closing out games with 8.6 points in the final quarter. With 447 total points scored and 169 allowed, their high-powered offense and solid defense have made them one of the most feared teams in their division.

A Clash of Styles

The upcoming matchup between Immanuel and Shafter is shaping up to be a battle of contrasting styles. Immanuel’s well-balanced offense and stout defense will be tested against Shafter’s high-scoring and dynamic play. While Shafter’s potent offense has been their main weapon, averaging over 40 points per game, Immanuel’s defense has held opponents to just 110 points all season, demonstrating their ability to stifle opposing attacks.

In addition, Shafter’s home-field advantage, with an undefeated 6-0 record at home, could play a crucial role in the outcome. However, Immanuel has proven they can win on the road, finishing 5-1 away from home, which could provide the confidence they need to overcome the challenge.

As the high school football season heads into its most exciting stretch, Immanuel and Shafter are set to face off in what promises to be an action-packed showdown. Both teams have been impressive throughout the year, with Immanuel posting a 10-2 overall record and Shafter maintaining an undefeated 10-1 record. With two powerful offensive units and strong defenses, this game is sure to be a spectacle.

Offensive Breakdown:

• Rushing Attack:
  Both teams boast strong rushing offenses, but Shafter has the slight edge with 249.5 rushing yards per game compared to Immanuel’s 242.7. Mariyon Sloan has been a standout performer for Shafter, averaging 119.4 yards per game, while Jackson Leibee leads Immanuel’s ground attack with 107.0 yards per game. Both teams rely heavily on their rushing game to control the clock and set the tone of the game.
• Passing Game:
  When it comes to the passing game, Immanuel averages 83.2 passing yards per game, while Shafter is a bit more productive in the air with 97.6 passing yards per game. Vincent Rosander is Immanuel’s leading passer, with 80.8 yards per game, while Ezekiel Osborne leads Shafter with a remarkable 159.6 yards per game. While both teams prefer to run the ball, Shafter has been able to complement their ground attack with a more efficient passing game, which adds another dimension to their offense.
• Receiving Game:
  In the receiving department, Immanuel has Mason Hernandez leading the way with 25.7 yards per game, but Shafter’s Tremelle Spain has been slightly more effective, averaging 28.3 yards per game. Shafter has a more balanced offense, with both their rushing and passing games operating at a high level.
• Total Yardage:
  In terms of total yards per game, Shafter edges out Immanuel with 347.2 total yards per game compared to Immanuel’s 325.8. Shafter’s ability to both rush and pass the ball effectively has given them a more explosive offense this season.

Defensive Comparison:

• Tackles:
  While both teams have been solid defensively, Immanuel has a slight advantage in tackles per game, averaging 60.8 compared to Shafter’s 43.8. Tyler Romo leads Immanuel with 12.9 tackles per game, while Nick Rosette leads Shafter with 6.3 tackles per game. Immanuel’s defense has been more active at stopping the ball carrier, but Shafter’s defense has shown resilience in key moments.
• Sacks:
  On the defensive front, Immanuel has been more effective at pressuring the quarterback, averaging 2.6 sacks per game compared to Shafter’s 1.0. Kody Degroot leads Immanuel with 0.7 sacks per game, while Nick Rosette leads Shafter with 0.2 sacks per game. Immanuel’s ability to disrupt the opposing offense with pressure will be key in this matchup.

Scoring:

• Points Per Game:
  In terms of scoring, Shafter has the edge, averaging 40.6 points per game compared to Immanuel’s 32.3. Mariyon Sloan is the top scorer for Shafter, averaging 15.5 points per game, while Balton King leads Immanuel with 12.4 points per game. Shafter’s high-scoring offense has been a key factor in their success, and they will look to continue that trend in this matchup.

Record Breakdown:

• Immanuel: With an overall record of 10-2, Immanuel has been impressive both in league play (3-1) and non-league action (5-1). Their ability to win on the road (5-1) will be crucial in this game, as they take on one of the most formidable teams in Shafter.
• Shafter: Shafter enters the game with a 10-1 record and a perfect 5-0 league record. They have been dominant at home, with a 6-0 record, and have shown great depth and balance in all aspects of the game. Their undefeated record at home and away will give them confidence as they face Immanuel.

Common Opponents:

• Immanuel vs. Taft: On 8/22/24, Immanuel faced Taft in a dominant 42-0 win. Shafter also played Taft on 10/4/24, winning 28-0. Both teams showed their ability to control the game against common opponents.
• Immanuel vs. Exeter: On 11/1/24, Immanuel faced Exeter but lost 35-28. In contrast, Shafter played Exeter on 8/23/24 and won 22-14. Shafter’s victory over Exeter highlights their ability to compete in close contests and their resilience in tight games.

Conclusion:

The game between Immanuel and Shafter will feature two strong, well-coached teams with different offensive strategies. Immanuel will look to rely on its dominant rushing attack led by Jackson Leibee, while also relying on their stout defense to disrupt Shafter’s offensive rhythm. Shafter, however, has a more balanced offensive approach, with strong performances from Mariyon Sloan and Ezekiel Osborne in both the rushing and passing game.

Shafter’s high-scoring offense and strong home-field advantage make them the favorites, but Immanuel’s defensive prowess and ability to control the ball with their running game could make this a closer game than expected. As both teams prepare for what could be a playoff-caliber matchup, the winner will likely need to play a disciplined and efficient game on both sides of the ball. Fans can expect an exciting and hard-fought contest as two of the area’s top teams go head-to-head.