The Carmel (CA) varsity football team is set to clash with Aptos (CA) in an exciting neutral playoff game on Friday, November 29, at 7 p.m. As part of the 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships – Division III tournament, both teams will battle fiercely for a spot in the next stage.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who:Los Carmel (CA) vs Aptos (CA)
When: Friday, November 29, 2024
Bracket: 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships (California) – Division III
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Carmel vs. Aptos

The 2024 CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships – Division III tournament is set for an intense showdown as the Carmel (CA) varsity football team takes on Aptos (CA) in a neutral-site playoff game this Friday, November 29, at 7 p.m. Both teams have demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the season, but only one will move forward in their quest for a championship.

Carmel: A Undefeated Force

Carmel enters the game with an impressive 12-0 overall record, ranked 13th in their section. The Padres have been dominant in every aspect of the game, with a perfect 6-0 league record, and their undefeated season reflects their strength on both sides of the ball. Scoring an average of 44.6 points per game, Carmel has proven to be an offensive juggernaut. Their ability to score early and often, particularly with 14.3 points in the first quarter and 13.3 points in the second, gives them an early advantage.

Defensively, Carmel has allowed only 304 points across 12 games, making them one of the most balanced teams in the division. Their 5-0 road record and 1-0 neutral-site record show their ability to win under different circumstances, making them the team to beat in this playoff contest.

Aptos: A Team with Potential

Aptos comes into the matchup with a 7-5 overall record, ranked 18th in their section. While their league performance was less than stellar (2-4), the Mariners have shown resilience on the road, with a solid 5-1 away record. Aptos has averaged 27.3 points per game this season, with a particularly strong showing in the second quarter (9.5 points) and third quarter (7.4 points). However, their offense has been inconsistent, especially in the first and fourth quarters, where they average only 6.2 and 6.1 points, respectively.

Despite giving up 353 points throughout the season, Aptos will need to step up their defense if they want to challenge Carmel’s high-powered offense. They will be looking to capitalize on any mistakes and take advantage of key moments in the game.

Key Matchup: Carmel’s Offensive Power vs. Aptos’ Resilience

The game will likely come down to whether Carmel can continue their offensive dominance against Aptos’ defense. With an average of 44.6 points per game, Carmel’s ability to score in the early quarters will put pressure on Aptos. The Mariners will need to find a way to stop Carmel’s quick starts and stay competitive throughout all four quarters.

What’s at Stake

Both teams have something to prove as they enter this pivotal playoff game. Carmel seeks to continue its perfect season and advance deeper into the CIF Central Coast Section Football Championships, while Aptos will look to pull off an upset and prove their potential on the big stage. Fans can expect a thrilling, high-intensity matchup as these two teams fight for supremacy in Division III.

As the high school football season intensifies, the matchup between the Aptos Mariners and the Carmel Padres promises to be a high-stakes game, with contrasting records and styles of play. Aptos, with a 7-5 overall record, faces the undefeated 12-0 Carmel squad in a clash of offensive strategies and defensive strengths. Here’s a breakdown of their team statistics, player performances, and how they stack up against each other.

Offensive Comparison

• Aptos Mariners:
  • Rushing: Aptos averages a solid 280.9 rushing yards per game, making them a run-heavy team that relies on ground control to move the ball. Desean Gomez leads the charge with 73.4 rushing yards per game.
  • Passing: Aptos is less reliant on the passing game, averaging 52.8 passing yards per game, with Joshua Bermio contributing 43.4 yards per game.
  • Receiving: The Mariners generate 54.1 receiving yards per game, with Owen Warmerdam leading the receiving corps with 18.0 yards per game.
  • Total Yards: Aptos averages 333.8 total yards per game, with Ryan Solorio contributing 75.6 total yards per game.
• Carmel Padres:
  • Rushing/Passing: Carmel’s offensive statistics aren’t broken down here, but they have been highly effective, as evidenced by their 44.6 points per game and perfect 12-0 record. The Padres’ offense is a major factor in their undefeated season, outscoring opponents consistently.
  • Total Yards & Points: Carmel has put up impressive numbers on both sides of the ball, with a strong offense and balanced attack.

Defensive Comparison

• Aptos Mariners:
  • Tackles: Aptos averages 6.8 tackles per game, with Buck Caris leading the defense with 5.0 tackles per game.
  • Sacks: The Mariners average 0.3 sacks per game, with Lucas Zuniga-Marquez recording 1.0 sack per game. This indicates that Aptos’ pass rush is not as prolific, which could be an area of concern when facing a high-powered offense like Carmel’s.
• Carmel Padres:
  • Carmel’s defensive statistics aren’t broken down here, but their ability to shut down opponents while maintaining a high-scoring offense has been a major reason for their perfect season. They are likely to be a tough defensive unit as well, as seen in their ability to limit teams like Seaside, Hollister, and Monterey.

Scoring and Team Performance

• Aptos Mariners:
  Aptos averages 25.1 points per game, showing they can put up solid offensive numbers but may struggle against top-tier teams that can score more consistently.
• Carmel Padres:
  Carmel’s offense has been on another level, averaging 44.6 points per game, almost doubling Aptos’ scoring average. With a powerful offensive attack, Carmel has consistently outpaced their opponents, allowing them to finish the season undefeated.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced common opponents, but with different results:

• Seaside:
  • Aptos won 67-6 in a dominant performance, while Carmel also triumphed with a 58-22 victory.
• Hollister:
  • Aptos fell 35-14, while Carmel won 40-21.
• Monterey:
  • Aptos lost 42-14, while Carmel won 41-28.

While both teams had mixed results against these common opponents, Carmel’s ability to win all three matchups suggests they have been more consistent in their performances.

Record Breakdown

• Aptos Mariners (7-5):
  • League: 2-4
  • Non-League: 3-1
  • Home: 2-4
  • Away: 5-1
  • Playoffs: 2-0
• Carmel Padres (12-0):
  • League: 6-0
  • Non-League: 4-0
  • Home: 6-0
  • Away: 5-0
  • Neutral: 1-0
  • Playoffs: 2-0

Carmel’s undefeated record and perfect league performance show they are a well-rounded and dominant team, while Aptos has proven to be competitive but has faced struggles in league play.

Conclusion: Aptos vs. Carmel – Key Takeaways

Carmel enters this matchup as the clear favorite, with a perfect 12-0 record and a dynamic offense averaging 44.6 points per game. Their ability to perform well both at home and on the road makes them a formidable opponent for anyone. Aptos, with a 7-5 record, will need to rely on their strong running game and hope to disrupt Carmel’s offensive rhythm. While Aptos has been solid on the ground, their overall offensive output may not be enough to keep up with Carmel’s firepower.

In summary, while Aptos has been competitive and has shown flashes of excellence, Carmel’s dominance and offensive potency make them the team to beat in this matchup. The Padres will look to continue their perfect season, while the Mariners will aim to pull off an upset with a strong, disciplined performance.