The Salesian College Preparatory (Richmond, CA) varsity football team will host Mt. Diablo (Concord, CA) in a home playoff game today at 1 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships, Division 5 tournament, as both teams battle for a chance to advance in the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: California High School Football
Who: Mt. Diablo vs Salesian College Preparatory
When: Today, November 16, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships – Division 5
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Salesian College Preparatory vs. Mt. Diablo

The 2024 North Coast Section Football Championships are heating up as the Salesian College Preparatory (Richmond, CA) varsity football team prepares to host Mt. Diablo (Concord, CA) today at 1 p.m. in a crucial playoff game. Both teams have had impressive seasons, setting the stage for a thrilling contest in Division 5.

Team Records and Performance

Salesian College Preparatory enters the game with a 9-1 overall record, showcasing an outstanding season. With a 4-1 league record, their only loss came in league play, but they’ve been strong across the board, both at home (4-1) and away (5-0). Their offense has been particularly potent, scoring 434 points, while allowing just 173. This well-rounded team will look to continue their dominant season in the playoffs.

Mt. Diablo, on the other hand, has a solid 7-3 record. They finished their league play undefeated at 3-0, demonstrating a strong competitive edge. While they’ve been less dominant at home (3-0) compared to away games (4-3), Mt. Diablo has still managed to score 373 points and allow 230, positioning them as a dangerous opponent. Their consistency, especially in league play, has made them a tough team to beat.

Scoring Averages and Key Stats

Salesian College Preparatory has been a high-scoring team, averaging 43.4 points per game. Their offense starts strong, averaging 10.8 points in the first quarter, and they are particularly dangerous in the fourth quarter, where they average 11.8 points. This ability to finish games strong will be a key factor in their playoff run.

Mt. Diablo has averaged 37.3 points per game, with a well-balanced attack throughout the game. They score an average of 7.8 points in the first quarter, 10.2 in the second, and 12.6 in the third. Their fourth-quarter scoring dips to 6.8 points, which may pose challenges in closing out tight games.

Key Factors to Watch

• Salesian’s Explosive Offense: With an average of 43.4 points per game, Salesian’s ability to put up big numbers will be key. Their high-scoring offense, particularly in the fourth quarter, could overwhelm Mt. Diablo if they build a lead.
• Mt. Diablo’s Balanced Attack: Mt. Diablo has shown they can score consistently across all quarters, with their highest average coming in the third quarter (12.6 points). They’ll need to find a way to maintain that balance and avoid being outpaced in the second half.

This game is set to be a fascinating showdown between Salesian College Preparatory’s explosive offense and Mt. Diablo’s balanced attack. Both teams have the firepower to make a deep playoff run, but it will be the ability to control the second half and execute in the fourth quarter that may ultimately decide the outcome.

As the season winds down, Mt. Diablo and Salesian College Preparatory are set to face off in a thrilling matchup that promises to deliver plenty of excitement on both sides of the ball. With impressive records—Mt. Diablo at 7-3 and Salesian College Preparatory at 9-1—both teams have proven themselves to be formidable opponents. However, their contrasting styles of play and standout players will make this game a fascinating contest.

Team Statistics Breakdown

Offensive Strengths

Both teams have displayed offensive firepower, but Salesian College Preparatory has been particularly explosive, averaging an impressive 383.8 total yards per game, compared to Mt. Diablo’s 322.4 yards per game.

• Rushing: Mt. Diablo has averaged 200.4 rushing yards per game, with Jeremiah Owens leading the charge at 123.8 yards per game. Salesian College Preparatory is equally potent on the ground, averaging 204.0 rushing yards per game, with Tyler Sadler contributing 92.0 rushing yards per game. The battle in the trenches between these two teams will be a key factor in determining the pace of the game.
• Passing: Mt. Diablo has shown a balanced approach with 122.0 passing yards per game, with Michael Vasquez leading the team with 152.5 passing yards per game. On the other hand, Salesian College Preparatory is more reliant on the air attack, averaging 179.8 passing yards per game, with Marcus Burke leading the way with 175.6 yards per game. Salesian’s ability to spread the field and exploit the passing game could prove crucial in this matchup.
• Total Yardage: Salesian College Preparatory has a significant edge in total yardage, generating 383.8 yards per game, compared to Mt. Diablo’s 322.4 yards per game. Their ability to balance both the run and the pass makes them a tough team to defend against.

Defensive Prowess

While both teams have potent offenses, their defenses will also play a pivotal role in this contest.

• Tackles: Mt. Diablo averages 35.9 tackles per game, led by Kaile Leffel with 8.7 tackles per game. Salesian College Preparatory has a more aggressive defense, but they average just 19.6 tackles per game. With playmakers like Cahmari Blakely contributing 4.8 tackles per game, they rely on speed and precision rather than volume to make key stops.
• Sacks: Mt. Diablo has averaged 1.7 sacks per game, with Jakorey Robinson contributing 0.6 sacks per game. Salesian College Preparatory has averaged 1.1 sacks per game, with Jahlil Lindsey contributing 0.7 sacks. Pressure on the quarterback will be crucial for both teams, especially as the game progresses into passing situations.

Scoring

When it comes to scoring, Salesian College Preparatory has been the more potent team, averaging 54.9 points per game, compared to Mt. Diablo’s 24.2 points per game. Marcus Burke, a key player for Salesian, has contributed 22.2 points per game, while Jeremiah Owens leads Mt. Diablo with 10.2 points per game. The ability of Mt. Diablo to contain the high-scoring Salesian offense will be a significant challenge.

Record Breakdown

• Mt. Diablo enters the game with a 7-3 overall record, having posted a strong 3-0 league record. They have been solid both at home (3-0) and on the road (4-3), but their inability to overcome teams like Vallejo in their 7-6 loss could haunt them in this high-stakes game.
• Salesian College Preparatory, meanwhile, boasts a 9-1 overall record, with an undefeated 5-0 record in non-league play. Their only blemish came at the hands of Vallejo (63-28), but they have since shown resilience in bouncing back to a dominant season. Their perfect 5-0 away record also highlights their capability to perform on the road.

Key Players to Watch

• Mt. Diablo: Jeremiah Owens has been a standout performer, leading the team with 123.8 rushing yards per game. Michael Vasquez will need to have a strong performance through the air to keep Salesian’s defense on its toes. Additionally, Kenneth Facen and Kaile Leffel will be key players to keep the defense organized and aggressive.
• Salesian College Preparatory: Marcus Burke has been the leader on offense, both in the air and on the ground, accumulating 217.5 total yards per game. Tyler Sadler will continue to be the key rusher for Salesian, while Carlton Perrilliat provides a big-play threat in the receiving game. On defense, players like Cahmari Blakely will need to step up to slow down Mt. Diablo’s running game.

Conclusion: A Clash of Power and Precision

This game between Mt. Diablo and Salesian College Preparatory promises to be an exciting and competitive matchup. Salesian College Preparatory enters as the offensive juggernaut, averaging nearly 55 points per game, with the ability to strike both through the air and on the ground. Meanwhile, Mt. Diablo, with a strong rushing attack and the leadership of Jeremiah Owens, will aim to control the clock and limit Salesian’s offensive opportunities.

Defensively, both teams will need to apply pressure in different ways—Mt. Diablo with its aggressive rush defense and Salesian with its speed and precision tackling. However, the outcome of this game will likely come down to which team can dictate the pace, limit mistakes, and execute in key situations.

With both teams boasting talented rosters and the stakes high, fans can expect a thrilling contest between two high-powered offenses and dynamic defenses.