The Verrado (Buckeye, AZ) varsity football team will face off against Notre Dame Prep (Scottsdale, AZ) in an exciting home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships in the 5A Conference, with both teams eager to advance in the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Football
Who: Notre Dame Prep vs Verrado
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 5A
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Verrado vs. Notre Dame Prep

On Friday, November 15, Verrado (Buckeye, AZ) will host Notre Dame Prep (Scottsdale, AZ) in a thrilling 5A Conference playoff game as part of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships. With both teams bringing contrasting records and styles, this game promises to be an exciting matchup.

Season Recap and Rankings

Verrado enters the game with a strong 8-2 record, securing an impressive 4-1 record in section play. Ranked No. 8 in Arizona’s 5A division, they have shown a balanced and dominant season, both at home and on the road. Their high-scoring offense and solid defense make them a tough team to beat. On the other hand, Notre Dame Prep comes into the game with a 5-5 record, securing only one win in section play (1-4), which places them at No. 7 in the 5A division. Despite their .500 win percentage, Notre Dame Prep has been competitive in many of their games, with a slightly negative point differential.

Offensive and Defensive Comparisons

Verrado has been one of the highest-scoring teams in the 5A Conference, averaging an impressive 43.7 points per game. Their offensive strength is evident in their ability to consistently score, especially in the first quarter (15.5 points per game). Their offense will be a key asset as they look to dominate the game early. In contrast, Notre Dame Prep averages 25.1 points per game, with their strongest performance occurring in the second quarter (10.6 points). Verrado’s defense has been solid, allowing just 181 points across their 10 games, while Notre Dame Prep has allowed 257 points.

Keys to Victory

For Notre Dame Prep, the key to victory will be tightening up their defense and limiting Verrado’s explosive offense. They will need to take advantage of any early mistakes and capitalize on Verrado’s potential lapses in the first half. Verrado, however, will look to use their high-powered offense to build an early lead, playing to their strengths and leveraging their solid defense to stifle Notre Dame Prep’s scoring opportunities.

Conclusion

This 5A playoff game is shaping up to be a battle of contrasting styles: Verrado’s high-scoring, fast-paced offense versus Notre Dame Prep’s scrappy, defense-focused approach. Verrado’s superior overall record and offensive firepower make them the favorites in this matchup, but Notre Dame Prep’s resilience and experience will make them a tough opponent. Fans can expect an action-packed game filled with excitement as both teams fight for a spot in the next round of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships.

Team Stat Comparison

Both teams come into this game with dynamic offenses. Verrado has the edge in total offense, averaging a remarkable 440.0 total yards per game, significantly outpacing Notre Dame Prep’s 253.2 yards. The Vipers’ passing attack has been particularly potent, with quarterback Chase Gieszler leading the charge with 251.7 passing yards per game. In comparison, Notre Dame Prep’s passing game averages 115.3 yards per game, indicating that the Saints will rely more on their ground game, led by Jason Samis, who averages 84.0 rushing yards per game.

Defensively, the teams are more evenly matched. Notre Dame Prep averages 71.2 tackles per game, slightly outpacing Verrado’s 61.4 tackles. However, Verrado has been more effective at getting to the quarterback, with 2.5 sacks per game, compared to Notre Dame Prep’s 1.1 sacks.

Key Players to Watch

• Notre Dame Prep:
  • Jason Samis has been the key to the Saints’ ground game, with 84.0 rushing yards per game. He will be vital in helping Notre Dame Prep control the clock and keep the high-powered Verrado offense off the field.
  • Dylan Rarden is the Saints’ primary passer, accumulating 96.8 passing yards per game. His ability to make big plays in the air will be crucial for keeping Verrado’s defense honest.
  • Cooper Perry is a versatile threat in both the receiving and total yardage categories, with 78.6 receiving yards per game and 110.4 total yards per game.
• Verrado:
  • Chase Gieszler, the Vipers’ standout quarterback, has been outstanding this season, leading his team with 215.4 total yards per game, including 193.8 passing yards per game. His ability to spread the ball and manage the offense will be key to Verrado’s success.
  • Jack Isidore is the primary weapon in the running game, with an impressive 132.5 rushing yards per game and 10.6 points per game. He will look to control the ground game against the Saints’ defense.
  • Logan Waldeck, with 11.5 tackles per game, is the heart of the Vipers’ defense, and his ability to slow down Notre Dame Prep’s offense will be pivotal.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some of the same opponents this season, providing a direct comparison of their performance. Both Notre Dame Prep and Verrado share a 3-1 record against common opponents. However, Notre Dame Prep’s lone loss came against Desert Mountain, while Verrado suffered a similar loss to Desert Mountain but with a larger margin. Despite the losses, both teams have shown resilience and the ability to bounce back, with notable wins against teams like Goldwater and Millennium.

Record Breakdown

• Notre Dame Prep enters the game with a 5-5 record, including a 1-4 mark in league play. While the Saints have had a solid non-league performance (4-1), they will need to step up their game in this matchup against a stronger Verrado team.
• Verrado, on the other hand, comes in with an 8-2 record and a dominant 4-1 league performance. Their success, especially in non-league play, has set them up as a formidable opponent.

Both teams will be looking to build momentum as they move toward the playoffs, with Verrado’s higher win percentage giving them a slight edge heading into the game.

Game Outlook

This game will be a battle of contrasting styles. Verrado’s high-octane passing offense led by Gieszler will go up against Notre Dame Prep’s balanced attack that relies on Samis and a solid defensive front. Verrado has the advantage in total yardage and explosive plays, but Notre Dame Prep will aim to grind out yards on the ground and control possession.

If the Saints can slow down Gieszler and keep the ball moving on offense, they could make this a close contest. On the other hand, if Verrado’s passing attack is clicking, they could quickly pull away. With both teams having similar success against common opponents, this game is too close to call, but Verrado’s explosive offense and stronger season record make them slight favorites heading into the matchup.

Expect a fast-paced game with plenty of offense and crucial defensive stops as both teams vie for a crucial victory to finish their seasons strong.