The Cactus High School varsity football team will host Kellis in a home playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 5A tournament, where both teams will compete for a chance to advance to the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football Playoff
Who: Kellis vs Cactus
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 5A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Kellis vs. Cactus

The 2024 AIA State Football Championships are heating up, and one of the most exciting matchups in the Conference 5A tournament features the Kellis High School football team taking on Cactus High School. Both teams have had strong seasons and are eager to make a deep run in the tournament, but their paths to this point have been quite different.

Kellis: Dominant Season and Unbeaten in Section Play

Kellis High School comes into this game with a remarkable 10-1 record and an impressive .909 win percentage. Their dominant run through the season, including a perfect 5-0 record in section play, showcases their overall strength. With an offensive juggernaut that has averaged 44.7 points per game, Kellis has been one of the most high-scoring teams in Arizona this season. They have been particularly strong early in games, with an average of 17.1 points in the first quarter, and they continue to build on that success throughout the game.

The team’s well-rounded attack has been evident all season long. While they score the most in the first quarter, they maintain solid production throughout the game, posting 12.0 points in the second quarter, 8.5 in the third, and 7.5 in the fourth. With such a balanced offensive approach and an undefeated section record, Kellis is certainly a team to watch in this playoff matchup.

Cactus: Strong at Home but Facing Road Challenges

Cactus High School has also had an impressive season, finishing with an 8-3 overall record and a .727 win percentage. The Cobras were dominant at home, with a perfect 6-0 record on their home turf, but they faced some struggles away from home, posting a 2-3 record on the road. Despite these challenges, Cactus has been a strong team, particularly in their section, where they finished with a 4-1 record.

Cactus’ offense has been effective, averaging 33.0 points per game. They are more methodical in their scoring, with 4.6 points in the first quarter, but they catch fire in the second quarter with 14.1 points. Their third and fourth-quarter scoring averages of 7.3 and 5.3, respectively, show that they are capable of keeping up with high-scoring teams, but they will need to find a way to get off to a faster start if they are to keep pace with Kellis.

Key Matchup Factors

The biggest contrast between these two teams is their offensive production. Kellis has been a high-octane team all season, with a lethal ability to score early and often. Their powerful first-quarter performances, combined with their consistent play throughout the game, make them a formidable opponent. Meanwhile, Cactus has shown that they can adjust and find success, especially at home, but they will need to start strong and keep up with Kellis’ offensive explosion.

Cactus’ defense will need to find a way to contain Kellis’ potent attack, particularly in the first quarter when Kellis has been most dangerous. The Cobras’ ability to limit big plays and make adjustments throughout the game will be critical if they hope to slow down the Kellis offense.

As the football season progresses, two standout teams—Kellis and Cactus—are making their mark with impressive records and individual performances. Let’s break down the key statistics, team leaders, and their recent performance to see how these teams compare ahead of their potential showdown.

Team Stat Comparison

The Kellis team has proven themselves dominant on the ground with an impressive 221.4 rushing yards per game, far surpassing Cactus’s 163.8 rushing yards. This rushing prowess has been a key part of their offensive strategy, and it’s no surprise that Ronald Coty III, the team leader in rushing yards, is a key contributor, averaging 66 yards per game. In contrast, Cactus’s strength comes in their passing game, where they boast 211.6 passing yards per game—over 60 yards more than Kellis’s 145.0.

In terms of total yardage, Cactus edges out Kellis with an average of 375.5 total yards per game, compared to Kellis’s 366.4. Despite Cactus’s slight advantage in total yards, Kellis’s ability to control the ground game could play a significant factor in a potential matchup.

Defensive Comparison

On the defensive side, Kellis and Cactus show similar stats. Kellis averages 59.7 tackles per game while Cactus slightly leads with 61.8. However, when it comes to sacks, both teams are closely matched, with Kellis getting 1.5 sacks per game and Cactus slightly behind at 1.3. Defensively, both teams have proven to be resilient, with minimal variation between them in terms of average tackles and sacks per game.

Points Per Game

Kellis leads in offensive scoring, averaging 44.6 points per game, which is a stark contrast to Cactus’s 32.5 points per game. This notable difference could be a result of Kellis’s effective rushing attack and ability to control the tempo of games.

Team Leaders and Key Performances

When breaking down the individual leaders for each team:

• Kellis:
  • Ronald Coty III (66.0 rushing yards per game)
  • Nathan Macias (56.7 receiving yards per game)
  • Elias Sinsun (7.5 tackles per game)
  • Rocky Warner (0.4 sacks per game)
  • Tristan Bacon (7.6 points per game)
• Cactus:
  • Tayejion Player (91.5 rushing yards per game)
  • Antonio Casias (208.3 passing yards per game)
  • Julian “Juju” Stubblefield (83.4 receiving yards per game)
  • Jayson Burkhard (7.4 tackles per game)
  • Talon Staggs (0.6 sacks per game)

Ronald Coty III continues to shine for Kellis, both as a rusher and a leader on offense. On the other hand, Cactus has the advantage in passing yards, with Antonio Casias leading the charge through the air. Meanwhile, Cactus’s Julian Stubblefield provides a strong receiving option, contributing significantly to their aerial attack.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced Peoria, with each coming out victorious. Kellis played away on September 6, 2024, defeating Peoria 28-7, while Cactus hosted Peoria on September 27, 2024, winning 35-14. This shows that both teams have had successful outings against the same opponent, with similar margin victories.

Record Breakdown

Both Kellis and Cactus have strong overall records of 24-25, with Kellis at 10-1 and Cactus at 8-3. In league play, Kellis has an unblemished 5-0 record, while Cactus holds a 4-1 league record. In non-league matchups, Kellis is 4-1, while Cactus has a 3-2 record.

At home, Cactus is undefeated at 6-0, while Kellis holds a solid 5-0 record. On the road, Kellis has a better record with 5-1, compared to Cactus’s 2-3. However, both teams have yet to face each other in a neutral-site or playoff game, which adds intrigue to their potential postseason matchup.

Conclusion

Both Kellis and Cactus are formidable opponents with distinct strengths. Kellis’s strong rushing game and high-scoring offense make them a tough team to beat, while Cactus has a more balanced offensive attack, particularly excelling in the passing game. With both teams boasting excellent records and key players making waves, a potential postseason showdown between these two would undoubtedly be a thrilling contest. Fans can expect a hard-fought battle, where every possession and play will count towards determining who emerges victorious.