The Arizona College Prep (Chandler, AZ) varsity football team will face Mica Mountain (Tucson, AZ) in a home playoff game today at 4 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships, Conference 4A, as both teams compete for a spot in the next round of the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona State Football Championship
Who: Mica Mountain vs Arizona College Prep
When: Today, December 06, 2024
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 4A
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Mica Mountain vs. Arizona College Prep

As the 2024-2025 high school football season wraps up, Mica Mountain and Arizona College Prep (ACP) have emerged as two of the most dominant teams in Arizona, showcasing impressive records and explosive offensive performances. Their head-to-head showdown promises to be a highly anticipated battle, with both teams exhibiting near-perfect records and standout individual performances throughout the season.

Mica Mountain: Undefeated and Unstoppable

Mica Mountain’s 2024-2025 season has been nothing short of remarkable. The team finished the regular season with an undefeated 13-0 record, dominating both at home (7-0) and away (6-0). Their perfect regional record (5-0) further reflects their consistency and dominance throughout the season.

The Thunder, as they are known, have been explosive on offense, averaging 37.8 points per game. Their scoring is well-distributed throughout the game, with 13.7 points in the first quarter, 16.2 in the second, but a noticeable drop-off in the second half, averaging only 7.8 points between the third and fourth quarters. Despite this dip in scoring, their early-game performance has been enough to carry them through every matchup, as they’ve outscored opponents by an impressive 492 to 78.

Arizona College Prep: A Force to Be Reckoned With

Arizona College Prep, with a slightly less perfect but still dominant 12-1 record, has been equally impressive this season. The Knights’ only loss came during a tough away game, but they have been virtually untouchable at home (7-0) and in the region (5-0). Their overall win percentage stands at .923, and their regional record is a perfect 1.000.

ACP has been a high-scoring machine, averaging 45.9 points per game. While their scoring is impressive across all four quarters, they shine brightest in the second half, especially in the third quarter, where they average 9.4 points per game. Their offense has been productive across the board, with a strong first half, scoring an average of 29.1 points in the first three quarters combined. However, much like Mica Mountain, their fourth-quarter scoring drops off slightly (averaging 4.7 points).

Key Team Comparisons

While both teams boast high-powered offenses, there are some distinct differences in their scoring strategies. Mica Mountain tends to come out strong early in the game but slows down towards the end, averaging a significant 13.7 points in the first quarter and 16.2 in the second. On the other hand, Arizona College Prep plays a more consistent offensive game, with their scoring staying relatively balanced throughout all four quarters, especially in the third, where they average 9.4 points—a noticeable difference compared to Mica Mountain’s second-half performance.

Defensively, both teams have excelled, with Mica Mountain allowing only 78 points all season, an average of just 6 points per game. Arizona College Prep, however, has faced a much tougher slate of opponents, with their defense yielding 220 points, though this still averages out to only 18.5 points per game—far from a bad showing for a team that puts up nearly 46 points per contest.

The Road Ahead

Looking ahead, both Mica Mountain and Arizona College Prep appear to be on a collision course with each other, with their perfect regional records and potent offenses making them the two most formidable teams in Arizona. As the playoffs approach, fans can expect a highly competitive matchup when these two powerhouse teams face off. With Mica Mountain’s relentless early-game offense and Arizona College Prep’s balanced attack, this game will showcase the best that Arizona high school football has to offer. Whether Mica Mountain can maintain their dominance throughout the entire game or if Arizona College Prep’s consistent scoring can overcome their late-game lapses remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the matchup will be one for the history books.

The showdown between Mica Mountain and Arizona College Prep promises to be one of the most anticipated games in Arizona high school football this season. With both teams coming in with impressive records and standout statistics, the stage is set for a thrilling matchup. Let’s break down the key team statistics, individual leaders, and record performances to see how these two teams stack up against each other.

Team Statistics Comparison

Rushing Yards:
Arizona College Prep has the edge in rushing yards, averaging 181.1 yards per game compared to Mica Mountain’s 149.4. Arizona College Prep’s rushing game has been a dominant force, with a greater ability to control the ball and move down the field. Mica Mountain will need to find a way to slow down this powerful rushing attack to stay competitive.

Passing Yards:
Mica Mountain averages 136.3 passing yards per game, while Arizona College Prep is much more prolific in the air, averaging 214.5 passing yards per game. Arizona College Prep’s stronger passing game could be a key factor in exploiting Mica Mountain’s defense, as they are more adept at moving the ball through the air.

Receiving Yards:
The receiving yards reflect a similar trend, with Arizona College Prep leading at 215.0 yards per game compared to Mica Mountain’s 136.6. This disparity suggests that Arizona College Prep’s offensive game plan is more balanced and diversified, utilizing both the run and the pass effectively to keep defenses on their toes.

Total Yards:
Arizona College Prep again has a clear advantage in total yards per game, with 395.6 compared to Mica Mountain’s 285.7. This shows that Arizona College Prep is able to generate more yardage both on the ground and through the air, giving them a more dynamic offensive presence.

Team Leaders

Mica Mountain:

• Josiah Thornwell leads the rushing attack with 67.8 yards per game.
• Jayden Thoreson is the top passer with 119.8 yards per game and also leads in total yards with 122.5.
• Jimmy Leon is the primary receiving threat with 30.7 yards per game and has contributed 8.0 points per game.

Arizona College Prep:

• Max Sasso leads the rushing game for Arizona College Prep with 59.5 yards per game.
• Evan Heinrich is the standout passer, averaging 178.3 yards per game, and leads the team in total yards with 185.6 per game.
• Ashton Sanchez leads in receiving with 59.7 yards per game, and Max Sasso also contributes significantly to the team’s point production with 5.5 points per game.

Record Breakdown

Mica Mountain (13-0):
Mica Mountain has remained undefeated, with a perfect 13-0 record. They have dominated in both league and non-league games, finishing 5-0 in their region and 7-0 at home. Their ability to control the game, especially with a strong defense, has been a key factor in their perfect season.

Arizona College Prep (12-1):
Arizona College Prep has been nearly as dominant with a 12-1 record, and like Mica Mountain, they have been perfect in their region, finishing 5-0. Their only loss came in an out-of-state game, but their overall balance on offense and defense has propelled them to success. Arizona College Prep has a perfect 7-0 home record, showcasing their ability to dominate in familiar territory.

Common Opponents:
Both teams faced common opponents in Mesquite and Yuma Catholic, and both teams came out victorious. Mica Mountain defeated Mesquite 42-0 and Yuma Catholic 24-14, while Arizona College Prep beat Mesquite 64-22 and Yuma Catholic 43-29. While both teams won, Arizona College Prep’s victories were more dominant, which might indicate a more explosive offensive approach.

Conclusion

Both Mica Mountain and Arizona College Prep have been outstanding this season, with dominant records and impressive statistics. Arizona College Prep’s powerful offense and strong tackle numbers give them an edge in total yards and scoring, while Mica Mountain’s stout defense and ability to generate sacks could provide a significant challenge for Arizona College Prep’s high-powered attack. This game will be a battle of contrasting styles, with Arizona College Prep looking to outscore Mica Mountain’s more controlled and defensive-minded game. Whichever team can impose its will on the other will have the upper hand in this highly anticipated matchup.