The Madera varsity football team will host Kennedy (Delano) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This exciting matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships in Division III, with both teams competing for a chance to advance in the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

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

Game Preview: Madera vs. Kennedy

The Madera High School varsity football team will host Kennedy High School (Delano) in a crucial Division III playoff game on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships, and both teams will be fighting for a chance to continue their playoff run.

Records and Rankings

Madera enters the game with a 7-4 overall record, holding a .636 win percentage. Ranked 249th in California and 30th in their section, Madera has been solid at home with a 5-2 record. They’ve scored 430 points this season while allowing 283. Despite a 2-3 league record, Madera has shown resilience and can be a dangerous team in the postseason.

Kennedy, with a 8-4 overall record, boasts a .667 win percentage. Ranked 210th in California and 23rd in their section, Kennedy has been competitive on both sides of the ball, scoring 469 points and allowing 255. Their 4-1 league record indicates a strong campaign, and their balanced attack has helped propel them into the postseason.

Scoring Breakdown

Both teams have been high-scoring this season, averaging 39.1 points per game. Kennedy’s offense has been particularly effective in the first half, averaging 10.0 points in the first quarter and 10.6 points in the second. They maintain offensive consistency throughout the game, scoring 10.3 points in the third quarter and 8.2 points in the fourth.

Madera’s offense has been explosive, especially in the second half. They average 6.0 points in the first quarter and 13.1 points in the second quarter, but it’s in the third quarter where they truly shine, averaging 14.7 points. Madera’s offense remains consistent in the fourth quarter, scoring 9.0 points.

Keys to Victory

Kennedy’s success will rely on maintaining offensive balance and execution in all four quarters. Their early-game scoring, especially in the first and second quarters, will be crucial in building an early lead. Kennedy will also need to maintain their strong defensive play to limit Madera’s potent offense.

For Madera, their second-half performances have been a key strength. Their ability to put up big numbers in the third quarter could be a game-changer, and if they can keep the momentum going into the fourth quarter, they will have a strong chance of advancing. Madera’s defense will also need to contain Kennedy’s balanced attack.

What’s at Stake

This Division III playoff game is pivotal for both teams as they seek to advance in the 2024 CIF Central Section Football Championships. Madera’s strong second-half offense will face off against Kennedy’s early-game dominance, and it’s likely that whichever team can impose their style of play will come out on top.

With both teams averaging 39.1 points per game, this matchup promises to be an exciting and high-scoring affair. The outcome will depend on execution in the critical moments, particularly in the second half. Fans can expect a fast-paced, competitive game as these two teams vie for a chance to continue their championship journey.

As the high school football season heads into the final stretch, the competition in the Central Valley remains fierce, with teams like Kennedy and Madera standing out for their strong performances. With both teams sporting impressive records and high-scoring offenses, this match-up promises to be an exciting showdown. Let’s take a deeper dive into their team statistics and key players.

Offensive Comparison:

Both Kennedy and Madera have shown strong offensive capabilities throughout the season, but they approach the game differently.

• Rushing Attack: Kennedy is the stronger rushing team, averaging 303.9 rushing yards per game. In comparison, Madera averages 178.6 rushing yards per game. Kennedy’s impressive ground game has been a key factor in their offensive success. The standout player in this category is Jace Demacabalin, with 180.8 rushing yards per game, ranking him among the top players in the nation. Madera, on the other hand, relies more on a balanced attack with significant contributions from their passing game.
• Passing Game: Madera has a more balanced offensive strategy with 181.9 passing yards per game, compared to Kennedy’s 51.3 yards per game. Joel Arellano has been a top performer for Madera, leading the team with 181.9 passing yards per game. Kennedy’s passing game is more conservative, but it’s backed up by solid contributions in the receiving game, where Deontre Campos leads the team with 40.5 receiving yards per game.
• Receiving Yards: Madera edges out Kennedy in this area, averaging 185.8 receiving yards per game, compared to Kennedy’s 43.8. Key contributors for Madera include Kenji Tiscareno, who has 49.5 receiving yards per game. For Kennedy, Deontre Campos again stands out, leading the team with 40.5 receiving yards per game.
• Total Yards: Madera leads slightly in total yards per game, with 360.5, compared to Kennedy’s 355.3. However, Kennedy’s strength lies in its ability to dominate on the ground, whereas Madera balances its offense more evenly between the run and the pass.

Defensive Comparison:

Both teams boast solid defenses, with each averaging around 50 tackles per game.

• Tackles: Kennedy averages 54.2 tackles per game, while Madera averages 51.8. Kennedy’s defense is slightly more aggressive, with Julian Zaragoza leading the way with 7.2 tackles per game.
• Sacks: Kennedy has the advantage in this category as well, with 2.2 sacks per game, compared to Madera’s 1.4. Zaragoza also contributes defensively with 0.6 sacks per game.

Scoring:

Both teams have potent offenses, which is reflected in their scoring averages. Kennedy scores 35.1 points per game, just slightly behind Madera’s 35.4 points per game. Jace Demacabalin, with 13.1 points per game, is a key contributor to Kennedy’s offensive success. Madera’s top scorer is Blake Burton, who has 11.5 points per game.

Key Players:

• Kennedy: The standout player for Kennedy is Jace Demacabalin, who leads the team with 180.8 rushing yards per game, 181.9 total yards per game, and 13.1 points per game. His all-around contributions make him one of the most dangerous players on the field. Julian Zaragoza is another key defensive player for Kennedy, contributing heavily in both tackles and sacks.
• Madera: Blake Burton leads Madera in rushing yards with 104.5 per game, while Joel Arellano has been excellent as the team’s quarterback, averaging 181.9 passing yards per game. Kenji Tiscareno has been a reliable receiver for Madera, racking up 49.5 receiving yards per game.

Record Breakdown:

• Kennedy: With an 8-4 overall record, Kennedy has had a strong season, particularly in league play where they went 4-1. They’ve also been strong in non-league games, with a 2-3 record. Kennedy’s home and away records show their ability to perform well both at home (4-2) and on the road (4-2).
• Madera: Madera’s overall record stands at 7-4, with a more modest 2-3 record in non-league games. However, Madera has been solid in league play with a 4-1 record, and they have also performed well on the road, going 5-2.

Conclusion:

The match-up between Kennedy and Madera presents an intriguing battle of contrasting styles. Kennedy’s powerful rushing game and strong defensive presence give them a slight edge, while Madera’s balanced offense and ability to mix in both the pass and the run make them a formidable opponent. With both teams scoring at a high rate and featuring key playmakers, it’s clear that this game will come down to execution and key moments on both sides of the ball.

Kennedy’s impressive running attack and solid defense will be tough for Madera to stop, but if Madera can get their passing game going, they might just have enough to challenge Kennedy’s dominance. This rivalry is sure to deliver an exciting and competitive game for fans to enjoy.