The Redding Christian (Palo Cedro, CA) varsity football team is set to play a neutral playoff game against Maxwell (CA) on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 Northern Section Football Playoffs, Division 5, NSCIF tournament, where both teams will compete for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football Playoff
Who: Maxwel vs Redding Christian
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 Northern Section Football Playoffs – D5 Football NSCIF 2024
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Maxwell vs. Redding Christian

As the 2024 Northern Section Football Playoffs heat up, the highly anticipated matchup between Maxwell and Redding Christian promises to be an exciting contest. Set to take place on Friday, November 22, this game pits two teams with different records and styles of play against each other in the Division 5 NSCIF tournament.

Maxwell Football Team (24-25 Season)

Maxwell enters this playoff game as one of the top contenders, boasting an impressive 10-1 overall record. The team has been dominant all season, particularly in league play, where they finished 5-1 with a .833 league win percentage. Maxwell’s performance both at home and on the road has been equally strong, with a perfect 5-0 home record and a solid 5-1 record away from home. Their offense has been explosive, scoring 449 points this season, averaging 40.8 points per game.

Maxwell’s scoring averages highlight their strong first half of play, with 9.3 points in the first quarter and 16.0 in the second quarter, allowing them to build significant leads. While their third-quarter performance drops to 8.3 points, they continue to show resilience, even in the final quarter, where they average 4.3 points. Their defensive play has been equally formidable, allowing only 212 points all season.

Redding Christian Football Team (24-25 Season)

On the other side of the field, Redding Christian, with a 6-5 overall record, has had a more competitive but inconsistent season. They finished 4-2 in league play, earning a solid .667 league win percentage. The team has shown resilience, particularly in close games, with a record of 3-2 at home and 3-3 away. Their offense has scored 306 points, averaging 27.8 points per game.

Unlike Maxwell, Redding Christian has struggled to maintain consistent scoring throughout the game. While they have averaged 27.8 points per game, their scoring breakdown by quarter isn’t as detailed, suggesting a more varied offensive approach or perhaps struggles to generate early-game momentum.

Key Matchup Considerations

Maxwell’s potent offense and stellar record make them the clear favorite going into this game. With an average of over 40 points per game, they will look to exploit Redding Christian’s defense, which has allowed 294 points this season. Redding Christian’s ability to score at a slightly lower average will be put to the test against Maxwell’s high-powered offense.

Additionally, Redding Christian’s challenge will be to find ways to sustain drives and make critical plays to counter Maxwell’s early-game explosiveness. Maxwell’s ability to start strong, particularly in the second quarter, could be a significant factor in this contest.

The upcoming football showdown between Maxwell and Redding Christian is expected to be an exciting contest, with both teams boasting impressive offensive numbers and strong performances throughout the season. With both teams heading into the game with solid records, it’s clear that the competition will be fierce. This article takes a closer look at the teams’ key stats, standout players, and what to expect from this highly anticipated matchup.

Team Stat Comparison

Maxwell has the advantage in several key areas, particularly in rushing and total yards per game. With an average of 230.3 rushing yards per game, they excel on the ground, led by Erik New, who accounts for 117.4 rushing yards per game. Additionally, Maxwell’s offense is potent through the air, with Noel Velazquez contributing 159.6 passing yards per game and 215.5 total yards per game.

Redding Christian, while trailing in rushing yards with only 108.7 per game, is a more balanced team overall. The Eagles excel in passing, averaging 236.0 passing yards per game, significantly higher than Maxwell’s 159.6. They also excel in receiving yards, with 159.7 yards per game compared to Maxwell’s 159.6. With Wyatt Shaw leading the passing attack (averaging 234.9 total yards per game), Redding Christian has the ability to stretch the field and take advantage of passing opportunities.

Defensively, Maxwell has the upper hand with 75.9 tackles per game compared to 50.1 for Redding Christian. Maxwell also leads in sacks with 1.1 per game against Redding Christian’s 3.6. Despite this, Maxwell’s offense remains one of the highest-scoring units, averaging 37.8 points per game, while Redding Christian scores 28.3 points per game.

Team Leaders

For Maxwell, the standout player is Erik New, who not only leads the team in rushing with 117.4 yards per game but also contributes 12.5 points per game. His dynamic abilities on the ground make him a game-changing factor for Maxwell’s offense. Noel Velazquez also plays a key role, contributing 159.6 passing yards per game, and he’s responsible for a significant portion of Maxwell’s aerial attack.

Defensively, Maxwell is anchored by Erik New, who also plays a major role in tackles, with 10.6 tackles per game. However, Yahir Alcaraz has been crucial in the sack department, with 0.5 sacks per game.

For Redding Christian, Wyatt Shaw is the focal point of the offense, averaging 234.9 total yards per game and accounting for 8.0 points per game. His ability to control the game through the air makes him a dual-threat. Darren Goodman has been another standout player, with 80.6 receiving yards per game, and contributing 1.5 sacks per game on defense.

On defense, Redding Christian has been led by Lincoln Burlew, who averages 8.5 tackles per game. Their pass rush is also bolstered by Darren Goodman, who’s responsible for 1.5 sacks per game, providing crucial pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Common Opponents and Record Breakdown

When comparing the teams’ performance against common opponents, both have had similar success. Maxwell holds a 4-1 record against common opponents, while Redding Christian also has a 4-1 record. Key games include:

• Maxwell vs. Weed: Win 35-27 (9/6/24)
• Redding Christian vs. Weed: Win 44-30 (11/8/24)
• Maxwell vs. Mt. Shasta: Win 55-6 (9/20/24)
• Redding Christian vs. Mt. Shasta: Win 41-0 (9/27/24)
• Maxwell vs. Biggs: Loss 26-24 (9/27/24)
• Redding Christian vs. Biggs: Loss 36-14 (9/6/24)
• Maxwell vs. Portola: Win 27-20 (10/25/24)
• Redding Christian vs. Portola: Win 32-28 (11/1/24)
• Maxwell vs. Fall River: Win 41-30 (11/15/24)
• Redding Christian vs. Fall River: Win 30-22 (10/18/24)

These common matchups show that both teams have excelled against most of their shared opponents, with Maxwell suffering only one loss in this category and Redding Christian also being highly competitive. Maxwell’s stronger offense has seen them put up big scores, while Redding Christian has been able to control games with a more varied approach.

Record Breakdown and Playoff Outlook

In terms of overall records, Maxwell has posted an impressive 10-1 record, including 5-1 in league play. They are a highly efficient team with only one loss all season, showcasing their consistency. Redding Christian, on the other hand, has a 6-5 overall record and a 4-2 league record. Although they’ve had a few setbacks, they’ve proven their ability to compete at a high level, especially with Wyatt Shaw leading the charge.

Both teams have also performed well at home, with Maxwell sporting a 5-0 record at home, while Redding Christian is 5-1 in away games, showing their ability to win on the road. Maxwell also has a perfect 1-0 record in neutral-site games, whereas Redding Christian has yet to play a neutral-site game this season.

In the postseason, Maxwell has a 1-0 playoff record, while Redding Christian also holds a 1-0 playoff record, demonstrating that both teams can handle the pressure of the postseason and are poised for a potential deep run.

Conclusion

The matchup between Maxwell and Redding Christian promises to be an exciting one, with both teams bringing potent offenses and capable defenses to the table. Maxwell’s strength lies in their balanced attack, featuring a strong running game and solid passing offense, while Redding Christian relies on Wyatt Shaw’s passing game and their solid defense.

With both teams holding a 4-1 record against common opponents and similar overall performance, this game is sure to be a closely contested battle. Maxwell’s powerful rushing attack, led by Erik New, will go head-to-head with Redding Christian’s dynamic passing game. The result will likely depend on which team can control the tempo of the game and execute their game plan more effectively. Fans of both teams are in for a thrilling contest that could go down to the wire.