The Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton, CA) varsity football team will host King’s Academy (Sunnyvale, CA) in a playoff game today at 1 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships, Division IV tournament, as both teams compete for a chance to advance in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football
Who: King’s Academy vs Sacred Heart Prep
When: Today, November 16, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships (California) – Division IV
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: King’s Academy vs. Sacred Heart Prep

The 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships will see a compelling matchup today between King’s Academy (Sunnyvale, CA) and Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton, CA). With both teams looking to advance in the postseason, this game is set to be an exciting contest with important implications for both programs.

Team Records and Performance

King’s Academy comes into the game with a solid 5-5 overall record, including a strong 4-1 mark in league play. With a balanced home and away record (3-3 at home, 2-2 on the road), they have demonstrated resilience in close games. The team has averaged 22.0 points per game, with a solid offensive output, especially in the first half, where they average nearly 13 points across the first two quarters.

On the other hand, Sacred Heart Prep enters with a 4-6 record and a 1-4 league performance. Their struggles in league play have been evident, but their 3-3 road record shows they are capable of performing away from home. The Sacred Heart offense has averaged 17.2 points per game, with a particularly strong fourth quarter (5.1 points per game). However, they’ve struggled to put up points in the first half, averaging just 7.9 points across the opening two quarters.

Offensive and Defensive Stats

King’s Academy has averaged 220 total points scored (PF) and allowed 184 points (PA) across the season, with an impressive 0.800 league win percentage. They have been effective offensively, especially in the first half, and have the ability to maintain pressure throughout the game.

Sacred Heart Prep, with a total of 172 points scored and 214 points allowed, has faced some challenges defensively, reflected in their lower win percentage (.400 overall, .200 in league). Their offense has struggled at times to maintain consistency, with the team scoring the fewest points in the second quarter (2.7). However, they have been known to pick up the pace in the second half, especially in the final quarter.

Key Factors to Watch

• King’s Academy’s Balanced Attack: King’s Academy will look to maintain their offensive rhythm, especially in the first half, where they have been most successful. Their ability to score early and control the tempo will be key to their success.
• Sacred Heart Prep’s Late-Game Push: Sacred Heart Prep’s offense has shown it can come alive in the fourth quarter. If they can close the gap in the first half and keep the game close, they’ll be dangerous in the final moments.

This game promises to be a tight contest, with King’s Academy entering as the favorite based on their solid regular season performance. However, Sacred Heart Prep’s resilience and ability to turn up the heat late in games could make this a thrilling encounter. Both teams will be looking to prove their mettle as they vie for a chance to advance in the CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships.

As the football season heads into its final stretch, two teams with closely matched records are gearing up for a pivotal showdown. King’s Academy and Sacred Heart Prep are both coming off of challenging seasons, with the outcome of this game potentially shaping their playoff hopes. Let’s break down the statistics and performances of both teams to get a better idea of what to expect from this highly anticipated matchup.

Team Statistics Comparison

Offensive Play

King’s Academy and Sacred Heart Prep have shown differing strengths on offense this season, with King’s Academy relying heavily on their passing attack, while Sacred Heart Prep has been more balanced.

• Rushing: Sacred Heart Prep leads in rushing yards, averaging 149.3 per game compared to King’s Academy’s 121.0. Maxime Morelle, Sacred Heart Prep’s standout running back, leads the team with 61.5 rushing yards per game, while Trey Monroe of King’s Academy is their top rusher, averaging 58.1 yards per game.
• Passing: King’s Academy has been far more prolific in the passing game, racking up 198.8 passing yards per game compared to Sacred Heart Prep’s 105.8. Reid Black, the standout quarterback for King’s Academy, leads the charge with 176.3 passing yards per game, while Sacred Heart Prep’s Nico Pollioni follows closely with 100.2 yards per game.
• Total Yardage: In terms of total offensive production, King’s Academy leads with an average of 319.8 yards per game, while Sacred Heart Prep averages 255.1 yards per game. Reid Black’s total yardage of 211.0 per game is a significant contribution to King’s Academy’s offensive output.

Defensive Play

Both teams have strong defensive units, but King’s Academy’s defense seems to have the edge when it comes to tackling.

• Tackles: King’s Academy averages 73.3 tackles per game, well above Sacred Heart Prep’s 56.6. Justin Turner of King’s Academy is their leader with 16.4 tackles per game, while Cole Staley leads Sacred Heart Prep with 6.8 tackles per game.
• Sacks: Both teams have struggled to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback, with both teams averaging just 0.6 sacks per game. King’s Academy’s Josh Taylor has the highest sack rate with 1.5 sacks per game, while Sacred Heart Prep’s Aseli Fangupo has recorded 0.3 sacks per game.

Scoring

When it comes to scoring, King’s Academy has the edge. They average 20.9 points per game, led by Reid Black, who has accounted for 4.7 points per game. Sacred Heart Prep averages just 17.2 points per game, with Nathan Fox contributing 3.4 points per game.

Head-to-Head Record and Common Opponents

In terms of head-to-head matchups and games against common opponents, both teams have had their fair share of challenges.

• Palo Alto: Both teams faced off against Palo Alto with similar results. King’s Academy was defeated 27-6 in a home game on 9/27/24, while Sacred Heart Prep lost a narrow game 14-7 at home on 10/11/24.
• Hillsdale: Sacred Heart Prep enjoyed success against Hillsdale, winning 21-14, while King’s Academy was defeated 34-14 on 10/24/24.

Record Breakdown

• King’s Academy has a 5-5 overall record, with a strong 4-1 league record but struggling in non-league play (1-4). Their home record is 3-3, while they’ve been strong on the road with a 2-1 record in away games.
• Sacred Heart Prep has a 4-6 overall record, with a 1-4 league record and a 3-2 record in non-league games. They have struggled both at home and away, with a 1-3 home record and a 3-3 away record.

Key Players to Watch

• King’s Academy: Reid Black, quarterback, is a key player to watch. His ability to lead the passing attack and accumulate total yards will be crucial for King’s Academy’s offensive success. Trey Monroe’s rushing ability will also be important for balancing the offense.
• Sacred Heart Prep: Maxime Morelle, running back, is the top rusher for Sacred Heart Prep and will need to have a strong performance to help his team control the clock and keep the ball away from King’s Academy’s potent offense. Nico Pollioni will need to make plays through the air to support the run game and keep the defense guessing.

Conclusion: A Game of Contrasts

This matchup promises to be an intriguing one, with King’s Academy bringing a potent passing attack led by Reid Black, while Sacred Heart Prep relies on a more balanced offense and solid rushing game with Maxime Morelle. The key to the game will likely be whether Sacred Heart Prep can control the ground game and limit the passing yards of King’s Academy, or whether King’s Academy can continue its high-scoring ways and exploit Sacred Heart’s defense through the air.

Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance but also moments of struggle, especially against tough opponents. King’s Academy’s offensive firepower and solid defense give them an edge, but Sacred Heart Prep’s ability to grind out games and control possession could make for an upset. As both teams look to end the season on a high note, this contest could be a crucial one in determining their postseason hopes.