The Queen Creek varsity football team will face O’Connor from Phoenix, AZ, in a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships for Conference 6A. Both teams will compete for a spot in the next round of the tournament.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Arizona High School Football
Who: O’Connor vs Queen Creek
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Football Championships (Arizona) – Conference 6A
Live stream: Watch Here
Game Preview: Queen Creek vs. O’Connor
The 2024 AIA State Football Championships are heating up, and one of the most exciting matchups in the Conference 6A tournament will feature the Queen Creek (AZ) varsity football team hosting O’Connor (Phoenix, AZ) on Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m. Both teams are eager to advance in the tournament, and this game promises to be a thrilling contest with high stakes on the line.
Team Records and Rankings
O’Connor
- Record: 4-6 overall, 3-1 in section play
- Home/Away: 2-3 at home, 2-3 away
- Ranking: 39th in Arizona, 20th in Division
- Points For (PF): 267
- Points Against (PA): 370
- Win %: .400 overall, .750 in section
O’Connor comes into this playoff matchup with a 4-6 record, but they have shown strength within their section with a solid 3-1 mark. Their overall record may not reflect their potential, but they’ve been competitive in several key games, particularly within the section. Their offense has scored 267 points, though their defense has allowed 370, which will be a key area of focus as they face a high-scoring Queen Creek team.
Queen Creek
- Record: 8-2 overall, 3-1 in section play
- Home/Away: 5-0 at home, 3-2 away
- Ranking: 11th in Arizona, 9th in Division
- Points For (PF): 281
- Points Against (PA): 179
- Win %: .800 overall, .750 in section
Queen Creek enters the playoffs with an impressive 8-2 record, including a perfect 5-0 mark at home. Their overall performance has been solid, with a well-balanced offense and defense. Scoring 281 points while allowing just 179, Queen Creek has been able to control the tempo of most games, particularly in the second half. Their strong home field advantage and superior record make them the favorites heading into this matchup.
Scoring Averages by Quarter
Both teams have shown they can put up points, but they do so in different ways. Here’s a look at each team’s scoring averages by quarter:
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O’Connor | 7.0 | 5.3 | 5.0 | 1.8 | 26.7 |
| Queen Creek | 5.9 | 9.7 | 3.7 | 8.8 | 28.1 |
Queen Creek tends to finish strong, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they average 8.8 points. In contrast, O’Connor struggles to score late in games, averaging just 1.8 points in the final quarter. Queen Creek’s ability to increase their scoring in the second half could be a key factor in securing a win.
Key Matchup: Offense and Defense
- Offensive Efficiency: Queen Creek has been more consistent offensively, averaging 28.1 points per game, compared to O’Connor’s 26.7. However, O’Connor’s ability to surprise their opponents early on in the game could make them dangerous if they can capitalize on their early scoring chances.
- Defensive Struggles: O’Connor has allowed 370 points this season, which could pose a challenge against Queen Creek’s high-scoring offense. Queen Creek’s defense, allowing just 179 points, has been one of the team’s strengths, and they will need to control O’Connor’s offensive playmakers to secure a win.
- Late-Game Execution: With Queen Creek’s ability to score late in games, O’Connor will need to maintain their composure and keep pace in the second half. If Queen Creek can extend their lead in the fourth quarter, O’Connor may find it difficult to mount a comeback.
Conclusion
The game between Queen Creek and O’Connor on November 15 is shaping up to be a crucial playoff battle. Queen Creek enters as the favorite with a solid 8-2 record, a strong home record, and an explosive offense. O’Connor, while struggling with an overall 4-6 record, will rely on their early-game execution and hope to capitalize on any defensive lapses by Queen Creek. With both teams eager to continue their playoff journey, this matchup promises to deliver plenty of drama and excitement as they compete for a spot in the next round of the 2024 AIA State Football Championships.
In what promises to be an exciting clash, the O’Connor Eagles (4-6) are set to face the Queen Creek Bulldogs (8-2) in a game that will test the mettle of both teams. O’Connor enters the matchup with a challenging 4-6 record, while Queen Creek, with an 8-2 overall record, is looking to keep its momentum strong as the regular season draws to a close. With both teams coming off mixed results in their recent games, this contest will be an important one for playoff positioning and bragging rights.
Team Stat Comparison
O’Connor and Queen Creek have posted relatively similar offensive stats, with O’Connor averaging 389.8 total yards per game, just slightly behind Queen Creek‘s 388.0 total yards per game. Both teams have been solid on the ground, with O’Connor rushing for 262.8 yards per game and Queen Creek adding 218.8 yards per game. In the passing game, however, Queen Creek has a notable edge, averaging 169.2 passing yards per game compared to O’Connor‘s 127.0 yards per game.
Both teams are capable of putting points on the board, with O’Connor averaging 26.6 points per game and Queen Creek slightly ahead at 28.1 points per game. However, O’Connor will need to balance their run-heavy attack with more efficient passing to match Queen Creek‘s offensive balance.
Defensively, Queen Creek has been dominant with 79.5 tackles per game, significantly outpacing O’Connor‘s 41.7 tackles per game. This suggests that Queen Creek may have the upper hand when it comes to defensive consistency and stopping the opposition’s offense. Additionally, Queen Creek has shown the ability to generate more pressure, averaging 3.3 sacks per game, compared to O’Connor‘s 1.2 sacks per game.
Key Players to Watch
- O’Connor:
- Bentley Corbin has been the focal point of O’Connor‘s offense, contributing 109.4 rushing yards per game and 131.1 total yards per game. His ability to break through Queen Creek‘s defensive line will be key to the Eagles’ offensive success.
- Hudson Gray, with 65.7 passing yards per game, will need to step up and connect more efficiently with his receivers if O’Connor hopes to move the ball through the air.
- Colton Wiggins, a key defensive player with 11 tackles per game, will need to lead O’Connor‘s defense and try to slow down the dynamic Queen Creek offense.
- Queen Creek:
- Tait Reynolds is the driving force behind Queen Creek‘s offense, rushing for 106.1 yards per game and contributing an impressive 275.3 total yards per game. His dual-threat ability as both a runner and a passer will challenge O’Connor‘s defense all game long.
- Quintin Miles has been a standout in the receiving game, averaging 80.0 receiving yards per game. His chemistry with Reynolds in the passing attack will be crucial in moving the ball down the field.
- Jayshon Liles, with 11 tackles per game, is one of Queen Creek‘s top defensive playmakers. His ability to stop O’Connor‘s potent rushing attack and provide coverage in the passing game will be vital for the Bulldogs’ defensive efforts.
Common Opponents
Both O’Connor and Queen Creek have faced a couple of common opponents this season. Against Mountain Ridge, both teams posted victories, with O’Connor winning 28-25 and Queen Creek winning decisively 49-7. However, against ALA – Queen Creek, both teams faced different results. O’Connor lost 41-13 to ALA – Queen Creek, while Queen Creek bounced back to defeat ALA – Queen Creek 42-7.
This shows that while both teams have faced some similar competition, Queen Creek has had more success in its matchups, particularly in its victories against common opponents.
Record Breakdown
O’Connor enters the game with a 4-6 overall record, including a 3-1 league record, which reflects a solid performance within their division despite some struggles in non-league play. Queen Creek, on the other hand, has a much stronger record of 8-2, with a perfect 5-0 mark at home. Queen Creek has shown resilience throughout the season, particularly with its strong performances against league opponents.
In terms of league play, both teams have identical 3-1 records, but Queen Creek‘s superior overall performance and dominant home record should give them confidence heading into this contest.
Game Outlook
O’Connor will look to ride their powerful rushing attack, led by Bentley Corbin, and maintain possession of the ball to keep Queen Creek‘s high-powered offense off the field. For Queen Creek, the key will be to continue their balanced offensive approach, using Tait Reynolds to dominate both in the running game and the passing game.
Defensively, O’Connor will need to improve its tackling and defensive pressure to slow down Queen Creek‘s potent offensive weapons. With Queen Creek‘s ability to create sacks and force turnovers, O’Connor will have to be disciplined and efficient in all aspects of the game.
With Queen Creek‘s better overall record and superior defensive stats, they will likely enter as the favorite, but O’Connor has the tools to make it a competitive game, especially if they can control the clock and keep Queen Creek‘s offense off the field. It should be a high-energy matchup, with both teams fighting hard for a win.
